South Africa: Department: Shongweni Dam in KZN has not collapsed The Department of Water and Sanitation has reiterated that the Shongweni Dam, located west of Pinetown, in KwaZulu-Natal, has not collapsed. This follows a video making the rounds on social media, alleging that Shongweni Dam has collapsed due to flooding in the province. The department has denounced the report as untrue, and an unnecessary ploy by reckless social media users meant to cause panic amid a tragedy affecting KwaZulu-Natal residents. Director in the Dam Safety Regulation Unit within the department, Wally Ramokopa, said the dam is equipped with 10 hydroplus fuse gates, which are designed to "tip" and fail in sequence to avoid catastrophic failure of the entire dam. Gate 1 on the far-left and Gate 2 on the far-right started tipping when the dam reached a specific level; this is part of the design and is therefore a safety measure. Had this not occurred, the dam was going to be subjected to more pressure, which would threaten the stability of the concrete wall and possible overtopping of the non-overspill crest. So, it is behaving as it should during flooding conditions as presently experienced in parts of KZN. A team of experienced dam safety office engineers is on high alert to monitor the situation at the dam, there is absolutely no need to be alarmed, Ramokopa said. Ramokopa said the rest of the eight gates would fail should the water level rise higher than 2.4 metres above the full supply level at intervals of 0.1 metres until the last gate fuses, and this should happen in a specific sequence. He, however, admitted that the dams storage capacity would unfortunately be reduced if such an eventuality occurs until the fuse gates are restored. The department reiterated its plea to residents to steer away from riverbanks and overflowing dams as persistent rains are still forecast in the province and some parts of the country during the Easter Weekend. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-04-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Xi stresses building Chinese free trade port with global influence Xinhua) 08:13, April 14, 2022 * 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. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Rising coronavirus infections in New York state appear to be driven by two new versions of the Omicron BA.2 variant, and may explain why the state has been the national coronavirus hot spot in recent weeks, state health officials said Wednesday. The two subvariantscalled BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1accounted for more than 70% of new cases in March, and now account for more than 90%, the New York State Department of Health said in a statement. One in five coronavirus cases in the Finger Lakes region are caused by the two subvariants. "We are alerting the public to two Omicron subvariants, newly emerged and rapidly spreading in upstate New York, so New Yorkers can act swiftly," State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said in the statement. "While these subvariants are new, the tools to combat them are not. These tools will work if we each use them: get fully vaccinated and boosted, test following exposure, symptoms or travel, consider wearing a mask in public indoor spaces, and consult with your health care provider about treatment if you test positive." The two new viruses appear to be about 25% more contagious than BA.2, which was more contagious than any previous variant of the coronavirus. One of the subvariants has a mutation that has been shown to help evade the body's immune defenses, health officials said. Still, it's unclear whether the new versions of Omicron cause more severe illness than previous variants, health officials said. The two subvariants have already been detected in more than 30 U.S. states and over 40 other countries, said Kirsten St. George, a virologist for New York State. "It's just a reminder that we're not out of the woods with regard to this virus, and people should continue to take precautions and to get fully vaccinated if they haven't completed their course," St. George told The New York Times. Explore further Vaccine and antibody treatment effectiveness blunted by all three Omicron subvariants More information: Visit the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention for more on Visit the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention for more on Omicron. Copyright 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky lawmakers considered a final batch of bills Thursday before ending a 60-day session marked by Republicans wielding their supermajority clout to put their stamp on key state policies. Bills clearing the finish line strengthened health coverage for new mothers and allowed Kentucky students to receive excused absences from school for mental health reasons. In the most dramatic action on the final day, the House did an about-face and voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill giving local political leaders control of public libraries. A day earlier, an override attempt failed in the House. The vote Thursday completed the override of the veto. The legislatures GOP supermajorities had already secured passage of key policy priorities when they voted Wednesday to override vetoes on education, taxation and public assistance bills. Shortly before the session ended, Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer trumpeted the range of issues addressed by lawmakers since the session began in early January. It was really more than most of us could have thought to be accomplished when we began this journey 60 legislative days ago," Thayer said. But Thayer expressed his disappointment over the failure to legalize sports betting in Kentucky. The measure passed the House but ultimately died in the Senate. We just dont have the votes," he said. "I think that will change by next year. I will continue to advocate for us adding this to our betting menu. Republican House Speaker David Osborne said the results from the session will have long-term impacts on the citizens of Kentucky. The accomplishments include changes to the state tax code, budget investments and the amount of money put into public pensions, he said. There were just so many things I think will have such lasting benefit, he said. Sen. Morgan McGarvey, the top-ranking Senate Democrat, summed it up as a lot of missed opportunities, especially during a time of massive budget surpluses. We're getting out of here without passing sports gaming," he said. We're getting out of here without passing medical marijuana (legalization). We could have taken full advantage of the surplus and influx of federal funds to make sure we have things like universal pre-K. Lawmakers put the finishing touches on the session Thursday. The Senate gave final passage to legislation that includes ensuring postpartum Medicaid coverage for low-income mothers for up to a year after giving birth. The proposal is aimed at reducing the states chronically high maternal mortality rate. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, praised the proposal for focusing on health care at the most vulnerable time for mom and baby. Despite the increased risk of postpartum death and illness, up to half of women do not receive routine care after birth, regardless of whether they experienced complications during pregnancy or not, he said in a statement after the bill's passage. The House gave final passage to the bill allowing students to receive excused absences from school for mental health reasons. Supporters said the legislation signals the importance of mental health with the goal of removing the stigma of discussing the matter. Democratic Rep. Lisa Willner called it a big win for students, saying it will result in "elevating conversations about mental health. The libraries-related bill that was passed over the governor's objection will allow county judge-executives to appoint members of local public library boards. It also requires county fiscal court approval for capital projects of $1 million or more. Another bill winning final passage would create a cannabis research center to study the use of cannabis to treat certain medical conditions. It was offered as an alternative to a high-profile bill aimed at legalizing medical marijuana, which stalled in the Senate. The Senate also gave final passage to a measure intended to protect Kentuckians from frivolous lawsuits that could infringe on their First Amendment rights. Roughly 31 states currently have such laws, but protections vary by state. Lawmakers wrapped up work on many of the sessions highest-profile bills Wednesday, when Republicans pushed through measures over the governors objections. Those measures will allow charter schools to be introduced and funded, tighten rules for public assistance and revamp the states tax code, with the goal of gradually phasing out state individual income taxes. Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 There are 13 candidates who have filed to run for six trustee positions opening up across four districts this year to serve on the Missoula County Public Schools board. The spring school election will be conducted through mail-in ballots that must be received by the county election office no later than 8 p.m. on election day, May 3. No polling places will be open on election day. Voters will also be asked to decide on operational levies depending on where they reside. Last month, trustees approved running a $294,791 elementary general fund levy, which would have an approximate annual tax increase of $2.78 on properties with an assessed value of $100,000. They also approved running a high school district general fund levy of $525,962, which would have an estimated annual tax increase of $2.76 on properties with an assessed value of $100,000. Taxpayers who live in the MCPS Elementary District 1 would pay both the elementary and high school levies if approved by voters. Regular voter registration is currently closed, however late registration is available through noon on Monday, May 2. Voters cannot register on election day due to changes in state law. For more information on how to register to vote or to check your voter registration status, visit the My Voter Page by the Montana Secretary of States Office online. The Missoulian contacted all candidates running in the upcoming school election for a candidate Q&A. Beth Wanberg declined to participate. Their responses can be found below and have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Amy Livesay Age: 49 Occupation: Business owner and mother Education: BS in Social Work and Human Development and Family Studies Family: Happily married for 20 years to my husband Mark. We have 2 children, Eli, 12 and Emme, 9. I also have a step-daughter, Lauren, who is 27, 23 llamas and one dog named, Bridger. What inspired you to run for school board? Year after year, the standards for our schools are lowered and the kids fall further and further behind. After COVID, our students are even further behind and our teachers are stressed out. Why are we constantly settling for such mediocrity in our schools for the teachers and the next generation of leaders. We can do better! In addition, for the past few years, the board has not listened to parents and teachers but rather the superintendent. This needs to change. The superintendent works for the board and the community, not the other way around. If you are elected to the board, how do you plan on facilitating the relationship between the school board and community? The board must prove that they actually listen and respond to the community. As a board, if we are truly listening, the community and parents should not only feel heard but see some of those comments take root in our actions. Parents and community members are losing the will to be involved because what they say and need has not mattered. Virtually everyone I talk to is longing for respectful dialogue. What goals do you hope to accomplish if elected to the board? I will protect the rights of parents, improve student proficiency in the basic subjects, lower teachers stress and frustration levels, assess the budget for spending inefficiencies in order to provide funds to recruit new teachers and support staff, hold to traditional values in curriculum, and create as much transparency for parents as possible. I would also do all I could to get A LOT of parents involved on a regular basis. The kids and the teachers need their help. This is a community effort. Are there any issues in the Missoula County Public Schools district that you feel have not been addressed enough by the board in the past? Yes. I believe the current board does not challenge the superintendent enough on virtually anything. Also there are virtually no sub-committees including a budget committee and no repercussions for truancy. Spending is a big issue as well as is transparency in sex education. By the end of this school year, MCPS is expected to have $15.2 million left of its COVID relief funds to be spent by December 2024. What areas of the district do you feel should be prioritized to receive those funds? Without knowing all the details, this is hard to say for sure. At first glance, I would suggest the funds go to those schools which are the most understaffed and who have a solid plan for getting their students up to grade level on reading, writing and math. What steps should MCPS take to retain and hire teachers and other support staff? We need to make sure that MCPS is a quality place to work. No one wants to work where they are not heard and valued, forced to teach things they do not agree with, or are underpaid. Over the past couple of years, teachers, like many others, have been beaten down by the constant controversy and tension. This can be remedied if we are willing to do the work. In addition, as I alluded to in a previous question, it seems quite possible that we could cut spending in other areas to provide for more financial incentives or to hire support staff. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There are 13 candidates who have filed to run for six trustee positions opening up across four districts this year to serve on the Missoula County Public Schools board. The spring school election will be conducted through mail-in ballots that must be received by the county election office no later than 8 p.m. on election day, May 3. No polling places will be open on election day. Voters will also be asked to decide on operational levies depending on where they reside. Last month, trustees approved running a $294,791 elementary general fund levy, which would have an approximate annual tax increase of $2.78 on properties with an assessed value of $100,000. They also approved running a high school district general fund levy of $525,962, which would have an estimated annual tax increase of $2.76 on properties with an assessed value of $100,000. Taxpayers who live in the MCPS Elementary District 1 would pay both the elementary and high school levies if approved by voters. Regular voter registration is currently closed, however late registration is available through noon on Monday, May 2. Voters cannot register to vote on election day due to changes in state law. For more information on how to register to vote or to check your voter registration status, visit the My Voter Page by the Montana Secretary of States Office online. The Missoulian contacted all candidates running in the upcoming school election for a candidate Q&A. Beth Wanberg declined to participate. Their responses can be found below and have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Jill Taber Age: 38 Occupation: Work-from-home mom, writing/editing, assisting my husband in his business Education: Associates degree in journalism, bachelors degree in finance, Masters of Public Administration Family: Husband, Nick and kids, Nolan (9), Hazel (6), and Zane (4) What inspired you to run for school board? COVID was a wake-up call for parents: prior to 2020, we sent our kids to school, confident in their learning and in the care they received from teachers. The pandemic highlighted and exacerbated an unraveled relationship between the administration/board of trustees and families/taxpayers. Parents, concerned about the effects of COVID mitigation, repeatedly asked to be heard at the board level and were repeatedly dismissed. We wondered: will this be a pattern? The board must be more representative of Missoula: we face many issues and a board tilted to one side will not serve the best interests of our students and schools. If you are elected to the board, how do you plan on facilitating the relationship between the school board and community? I will adhere to my role as an elected trustee, accountable to the voters in the school district. As such, I will do my part to provide a governing/supervisory role to the superintendent. All district stakeholders can expect a timely and respectful response to emails and phone calls and a commitment from me to engage in dialogue that focuses on listening and problem solving. I will also push the administration and board to be proactive in putting proposed policy changes and discussions before the community. It is my goal to be a reasonable and trusted voice on the board. What goals do you hope to accomplish if elected to the board? I support a district-wide goal of helping every student reach grade-level academic progress, as well as providing opportunities for students above grade-level. This objective comes above any curriculum that focuses on one-sided social or political agendas. I will do my part to restore trust between the Missoula community and the board: I will lead the way in asking questions and learning from different viewpoints. I will push for the creation of board subcommittees to provide more oversight and accountability, especially in the areas of budgeting and curriculum. I support careful review of the budget to direct efficient use of funds, with the purpose of focusing on building-block academic education. Are there any issues in the Missoula County Public Schools district that you feel have not been addressed enough by the board in the past? I am a fervent supporter of parents rights. A parents right to raise their child does not stop at the school doors. We must do a better job at the administration level to respect those rights; dismissing family rights as radical harms our children and the teachers dedicated to providing them an education. One of the largest issues we face is the divide between board-level administration decision-making and what happens in the classroom. Bridging that divide will improve our schools. Allowing it to deepen will breed further distrust from parents, diminish morale, recruitment, and retention among teachers and staff, and harm those we all claim to serve: our students. By the end of this school year, MCPS is expected to have $15.2 million left of its COVID relief funds to be spent by December 2024. What areas of the district do you feel should be prioritized to receive those funds? The majority of those funds should be used to focus on academic learning and mental health. I have spoken to academic interventionists at the elementary and middle school level: those professionals have helped students make great strides toward grade-level achievement that was lost before and during the pandemic. Teachers and school administrators have impressed upon me the importance of funding for mental health interventions. We should also support the efforts of teachers and staff to use this funding to develop strategies to continue this work once those relief funds are spent. What steps should MCPS take to retain and hire teachers and other support staff? If theres ever a time to proactively watch the school wallet, its now. Cost of living in Missoula is often prohibitive in hiring and retaining teachers. We need to explore all options on the table: finding ways to incentivize newly-graduated teachers who commit to the district for a specified term or exploring private-public partnerships for teaching housing or bonuses. Lets amp up the involvement of parents and community members in schools by exploring ways we can utilize volunteers to support teachers and classrooms. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There are 13 candidates who have filed to run for six trustee positions opening up across four districts this year to serve on the Missoula County Public Schools board. The MCPS board is made up of 11 trustees representing the city of Missoula and outlying communities that feed into the district's high schools. They serve two- to three-year terms. Seven trustees can vote on both elementary and high school district items and represent District 1. The remaining trustees can only vote on high school matters. Voters will also be asked to decide on operational levies depending on where they reside. Last month, trustees approved running a $294,791 elementary general fund levy, which would have an approximate annual tax increase of $2.78 on properties with an assessed value of $100,000. They also approved running a high school district general fund levy of $525,962, which would have an estimated annual tax increase of $2.76 on properties with an assessed value of $100,000. Taxpayers who live in the MCPS Elementary District 1 would pay both the elementary and high school levies if approved by voters. The spring school election will be conducted through mail-in ballots that must be received by the county election office no later than 8 p.m. on election day, May 3. No polling places will be open on election day. Regular voter registration is currently closed, however late registration is available through noon on Monday, May 2. Voters cannot register to vote on election day due to changes in state law. For more information on how to register to vote or to check your voter registration status, visit the My Voter Page by the Montana Secretary of States Office online. The Missoulian contacted all candidates running in the upcoming school election for a candidate Q&A. Their responses can be found below and have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Meg Whicher (she/her) Age: 38 Occupation: Recreation Program Manager Missoula Parks and Recreation Education: Whicher did not provide a response Family: Partner Ryan and child Huck, 9 months What inspired you to run for school board? I know how vital having good positive governance and constructive teamwork is as it directly relates to our public school system. I am incredibly invested in our communities' families school board is another expression of how I can dig in to support the fabric of our city. If you are elected to the board, how do you plan on facilitating the relationship between the school board and community? Relationship building is key. We may not all agree on issues but (can give) time and patience to explain why, with honesty. We can have different views but rely on trust to build consensus and not sabotage the big picture. I want to activate our community to wrap their heads around those values to continue the tradition of public education What goals do you hope to accomplish if elected to the board? Implementing the strategic plan through positive good governance that is solution, and creative, problem-solving-focus is my biggest goal. Equity across our school system, academic excellence, and working to support our teachers and administrators. Are there any issues in the Missoula County Public Schools district that you feel have not been addressed enough by the board in the past? I have witnessed our board continue to make hard decisions during unprecedented times. I am not running to address the past, only to help carry toward the future. By the end of this school year, MCPS is expected to have $15.2 million left of its COVID relief funds to be spend by December 2024. What areas of the district do you feel should be prioritized to receive those funds? Increased pay for support staff including substitutes as well as behavioral mental health support for students. What steps should MCPS take to retain and hire teachers and other support staff? Working with the unions to best understand direct needs and brainstorm solutions. Leaning on their expertise to guide steps will be vital. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Montana Supreme Court sided with a Missoula woman who accused the city of wrongly charging her of obstructing a police officer, ordering that she be acquitted of the charge. In a 4-3 decision, the high court's majority ruled that a Missoula police officer's brief encounter with the woman was too vague for her to realize she might be at risk of breaking a law. In June 2019, Missoula City Police Officer Shaun Loya responded to a call saying Angela Bennett had violated a protection order by going into the Poverello Center. The two talked for about 40 seconds, all of which was recorded on Loya's body camera: OFFICER LOYA: Angela, talk to me, before you eat, talk to me, okay. BENNETT: Talk to you about what? OFFICER LOYA: Well, I got to talk to you about something that someone reported to me, okay. BENNETT: About what? OFFICER LOYA: Well, inside the Poverello. BENNETT: I have not been in that Poverello for three years. OFFICER LOYA: For three years, okay. BENNETT: So, I dont know what the f--- youre talking about. . . . Three f---ing years. . . . Cmon. OFFICER LOYA: So, Angela, anything else you want to tell me? BENNETT: Man, you people are dumb. OFFICER LOYA: Okay. Nope. Lets go. Drop your food. BENNETT: Youre arresting me? For what? OFFICER LOYA: Temporary order of protection violation. Bennett was charged with violating a protection order. She also was charged with obstructing a peace officer because she attempt(ed) to walk away from officers while being questioned. At the bench trial, the protection order violation charge was dropped. At the close of the city case, Bennett moved to dismiss the obstruction charge, saying the city had insufficient evidence to justify it. She said Loya didn't notify her that she was being detained or required to remain on scene to answer questions. Missoulas Municipal Court denied Bennetts motion because it was untimely and without merit. Bennett appealed this denial to Missoula Countys District Court, which affirmed the municipal courts decision. Montanas high court reversed this decision in its ruling, saying Missoulas district court erred in affirming the municipal courts denial of Bennetts motion. In an opinion delivered by Justice James Jeremiah Shea, the court argues there wasnt sufficient evidence to justify an obstruction charge. The majority opinion says Loya didnt adequately notify Bennett about what exactly he was planning to discuss with her, beyond saying (it was) about something that someone reported to me and well, inside the Poverello. These statements were too vague and never directly disclosed Bennetts alleged actions to her. Loyas body camera made the evidence in the case undisputed, Shea wrote. For a person to knowingly obstruct an officers lawful duty, the defendant must be aware that her conduct is highly probable to hinder the performance of that duty, Shea's opinion reads. Even though Bennetts language with Loya was coarse, she sufficiently engaged with him and responded to his questions. It would be a frightening departure if we were to begin imposing criminal liability on defendants because we found their responses to an officers questions lacking in etiquette, the high court concludes. In a dissenting opinion delivered by Justice Laurie McKinnon, she argues Bennett likely knew ignoring Loya and leaving the scene would impede the officer's investigative duties. Bennett walked away as Officer Loya sought to ask her some questions, hindering Officer Loyas investigation of the complaint, and criminal liability ensued, Justice McKinnons dissent said. She added the answers Bennett gave didn't do anything to dispel Loya's suspicions about her potentially violating a protection order. Justice Beth Baker and Justice Jim Rice joined in McKinnon's dissent. The court ordered Bennett to be acquitted of the obstruction charge. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Morganton campus of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics is offering a special summer camp for middle and high school students. The Summer Accelerator program will run July 17-22 and is open to rising seventh- through 12th-grade students from any of North Carolinas 18 westernmost counties, including the Qualla Boundary. Through the support of a grant from Dogwood Health Trust, attendance at the camp will be free. The camp will be divided into four tracks, two each for rising seventh through ninth graders and for rising 10th through 12th graders, Margo Metzger, strategic communications and initiatives associate for the school, said. Middle school students will have the opportunity to choose between forensics and robotics. In forensics, students will help solve a mystery using forensics and visit a local lab in Unraveling a Mystery! A Forensics Investigation. In the robotics challenge, students will build and code their own robot to complete a challenge. Metzger said students in the robotics track will be able to take their robot home with them at the end of the week. High school students will choose between tracks in human body systems or engineering. In Pump it Up! An Exploration of Body Systems and the Role of Exercise, students will use augmented reality to investigate the impact of exercise on the respiratory and circulatory systems. In the engineering track, students will use a 3D printer to design and build their own electric speedboat. Metzger said students in the engineering track will be able to take their speed boat home after the camp. The school is committed to expanding opportunities for STEM education, not just for its students, but for those across the state, Metzger said. The school is committed to STEM education because of its interdisciplinary approach and the real-world value it provides students. (STEM) removes the traditional barriers separating the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and integrates them into real-world, rigorous and relevant learning experiences for students, she said. The school will host a virtual question-and-answer session at 6:30 p.m. April 21. For a link to the session and a registration form for the camp, visit ncssm.edu/wncsummer. Only 15 students will be accepted for each track for a total of 60 students in the program. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the deadline for application is May 1. Notifications of acceptance or wait list placement will be sent by May 9. Students from the following counties are eligible: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey, as well as the Qualla Boundary. Jason Koon is a staff writer and can be reached at jkoon@morganton.com. Local Muslims are in the middle of celebrating Islams holiest season with a month of fasting, prayer and generosity. Approximately 70 people crammed into the small basement of the Morganton Islamic Center on Saturday evening. The room, measuring only a little more than 1,500 square feet, was the site of the congregations first community iftar of the year. Iftar is a meal eaten after sundown during the month of Ramadan to break the fast Muslims are required to keep from sunrise to sunset during the month. The Morganton mosque will hold a communal iftar every Saturday evening until the end of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar, which this year began at sundown on Friday, April 1, and is expected to end on Sunday, May 1. Muslims around the world commemorate the month as the time they believe the angel Gabriel first appeared to the Prophet Muhammad in a cave near Mecca. For the next 23 years, the angel visited the prophet off and on, dictating messages from God which the prophet wrote down and are now called the Quran, according to Islamic tradition. In the month of Ramadan, Muslims pray as much as we can and seek the mercy of our creator, Dr. Sardar Shah-Kahn, the president of the Morganton Islamic Center, said. According to Shah-Kahn, all Muslim adults who are in good health are required to fast from all food and drink including water from sunrise to sunset for the entire month. He said they are only allowed to eat and drink after sunset and before dawn. He said Muslims also are encouraged to devote extra time to prayer, good works and charitable giving during the month. On Friday, April 1, a few hours before Ramadan officially began, Mohammed Ahmed, one of the mosques leaders, told the congregation that he knows it is difficult to find the energy to work during a month of fasting. Many of us think that Ramadan is a time to go slow and to avoid exerting ourselves. Some of us, if we had the opportunity, we would want to sleep all day until iftar, he said. This is completely wrong. Ramadan is not a time for hibernation. Thats for the polar bears and grizzly bears. Its not for Muslims. Ahmed also told worshipers that fasting is the purest way to demonstrate devotion to God. Fasting is for Allah alone, he said. All our other duties concern the poor, the needy, our families and ourselves. Ahmed added that the purpose of fasting is not to deprive oneself but to teach the faithful to stay conscious of God at all times and to restrain their lower passions. This is the lower self that clings to the earth and drags us towards all the hateful and shameful actions, he continued. Fasting helps us to be disciplined. It helps us to strengthen our conscience, the higher self. For other members of Morgantons Islamic community, fasting also is a practice that brings purification. This month is about cleansing both the soul and the body, Sohail Mehmood said. Its not about drinking and eating. The idea behind it is actually that if we can leave drinking and eating for the sake of Allah, why can we not leave the bad things? Ahmed echoed these thoughts in his April 1 address to the congregation. This struggle to cultivate self-discipline is not only for Ramadan. Its a lifelong struggle, he said. For Maeen Althahabe, fasting also is a great equalizer which allows people to come together and learn to see life from the point of view of another person. Whether you live in a castle or you live in a tent, its the same for you when you fast. You are hungry; you are thirsty. Its the same for everybody, Althahabe said. According to Shah-Kahn, while the Morganton Islamic Center is officially around 30 years old, its roots go back more than a half-century. In North Carolina, my family was the first family of Asian Muslim origin, though I came as a British citizen, Shah-Kahn said. When immigration laws changed in 1970 and more Asian and Muslim immigrants were allowed into the country, Shah-Kahn said he began opening his home to others to come and pray with him and his family. We were the first Muslim family to come, and our house was the center of Muslim gatherings and prayers because there were only a few dozen families in North Carolina and South Carolina in the early 70s, he said. Shah-Kahn said that, today, there are more than 30 Muslim families in Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties who regularly meet at the mosque in Morganton. He said that some worshipers still drive 30 miles or more because the Morganton Islamic Center is the only mosque between Gastonia and Asheville. Kahn said that while he is committed to his faith, Islam teaches him and his fellow Muslims a deep respect for other faiths. I have great respect for all religions, Shah-Kahn said. As a Muslim, I must believe in all of Gods revelations. It says believe in all the messages that were sent before Quran and in the Quran. This is the final version of the same religion. He said he believes that the purpose of religion is not to divide people, but to teach them how to live the right way, though it is often misused for political gain. All the religions are good moral codes of discipline which were revealed by God in different ways and in different times, he said. All the political wars and fights in the name of the religion, have nothing to do with religion. They are political. Kahn said he is thankful to live in a country that allows him the freedom to practice his faith. The Constitution of the United States was written by Christians, but they did something good for us, he said. They said there will not be discrimination, which is very good. They showed great foresight. First Presbyterian Church, 901 W. Platinum St. in Butte, will host Jesus Rocks, a multigenerational Family Fun Night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, with a concert from the Kenny James Miller Band from Lakeside. Ken Sederdahl and his band have been described as a Northwest Blues Rock Power Trio performing original music. They have been featured on the six-time Emmy Award-winning Montana PBS series 11th & Grant with Erik Funk. The KJM band has shared the stage with rockers such as George Thorogood, Marshall Tucker and Alice Cooper. But, a unique thing about this band is that as believers in Jesus Christ, they also perform in church venues with their Jesus Rocks concert. KJM plays God Rock monthly at the Lakeside Chapel, as well as leading worship at Kalispells First Church of the Nazarene and also in Polson. Ive always said the secular world lacks good message music and the church lacks rock n roll, said Miller. I feel like God has blessed me to fit those two needs. I feel good when I can fill those shoes, he added. The free event welcomes all ages. Following the concert, all are invited to join the church for a board game night and food. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 COVID-19 transmission rates are low, new positions within the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department are pending, the countys family planning clinic will transition to working with a non-profit clinic, and two contracts have been authorized, said the Board of Health at its monthly meeting Wednesday morning. In the past epi-week, six new cases of COVID were reported, or 17.14 per 100,000, which is considered low per the Centers of Disease Control and Preventions guidelines. There were no fatalities in Butte-Silver Bow this week, according to graphs provided by the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department. The county is still the third in the state for vaccinations, with 65% of the population having received their first and second COVID shot. The CDCs COVID community level guidelines are based on the number of new COVID admissions per 100,000 people and on the percentage of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID patients in the past epi week. An epi week, short for an epidemiological week, is a standardized method of counting weeks to allow for the comparison of data year after year. At the meeting, Butte-Silver Bow Health Officer Karen Maloughney said since the CDC published its most recent recommendation March 29 that people over 50 get a second booster shot, the county has administered 300 new doses of the COVID vaccine to residents. Maloughney also said the county has given out about 13,000 COVID home tests and has about 3,000 left. She said the county plans to do pop-up clinics for vaccinations at summer events, including Montana Folk Festival and the Butte Farmers Market. Several entities have contacted us about having pop-up clinics at their places of business, Maloughney said. Butte-Silver Bow is in the process of hiring for two positions, the behavioral health coordinator and the communicable disease and emergency preparedness division director, which is Maloughneys old position, with a couple of changes. The health department is working to make Maloughneys former position non-union, with a focus on grant writing, since Butte-Silver Bows epidemiologist, the disease intervention specialist and the environmental health nurse have taken up a bulk of Maloughneys former duties, she said. She said there are currently four candidates for the behavioral health coordinator position, and the position is going through second interviews. The Butte-Silver Bow Family Planning Clinic will transition from working with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to working with non-profit clinic Bridgercare in Bozeman as a result of a Title X funding change. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services, according to the Office of Population Affairs website. Title X funds cant be used for abortions as a method of family planning. However, clinics that offer family planning and abortion-related services are eligible to receive those funds. For the first time in 50 years, the Montana DPHHS was not named as the sole administrator of federal Title X funding because of a new rule change that keeps the DPPHS from entering into contracts with or making grants to places that offer abortions. Instead, Bridgercare received the $2.025 million, which will go toward supporting Montana Family Planning, a statewide network of Title X providers, of which Butte is a part. Butte-Silver Bows Community Health Division Director Tina Randall said at the meeting the tentative date to transition from DPHHS to Bridgercare is July 1. Bridgercare does not provide abortions, but does provide after-abortion care. The Board of Health moved to use money received from the American Rescue Plan Act to supplement the Healthy Montana Families Program contract between the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department and Montana DPHHS. The money will be used for the Nurse-Family Partnership evidence-based home visiting model and the families receiving home visiting services, according to the Board of Healths agenda. The board also authorized a contract between Montana DPHHS and the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department for $11,200 that will go toward the health departments Syringe Services Program, which will help to prevent communicable diseases including, but not limited to, Hepatitis C and HIV. Syringe Services Programs provide a range of harm reduction services including providing sterile needles, syringes, and other injection equipment, safe disposal containers for needles and syringes, wound care kits, HIV and Hepatitis C testing and linkage to treatment and more, referral to substance use disorder treatment, tools to prevent HIV, STDs, and viral hepatitis including counseling, condoms, vaccinations, and PrEP/PEP A, and more, according to documents provided by Randall. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 A consulting firm with expertise in cable transit systems is recommending that monocable detachable gondolas be used to carry people from the east edge of Butte to Our Lady of the Rockies on the East Ridge overlooking the Summit Valley. SCJ Alliance believes that lift system is the best fit here and estimates its construction costs at $23 million to $29 million, plus $3 million to $4 million to operate each year. Mark Garff, an SCJ designer and architect, told Butte-Silver Bow commissioners Wednesday night there are ways to raise the money and said the Our Lady of the Rockies board thats steering the project could make it a reality in the near future. I think the next phase of engineering might take a year and so potentially, construction could start if everyone gets their ducks in a row in a couple of years, he said. The nonprofit Lady of the Rockies organization believes the challenge can be met. As tremendous an undertaking as it was to put the Lady up there, we have a tremendous undertaking now to finance a tram, board member Ray Ueland told The Montana Standard on Thursday. But, he said, We are 100 percent going to build a tram or gondola and this (SCJ) feasibility study gave us some good parameters. If the recommended system is chosen, it typically means 30 or more enclosed gondolas seating eight to 12 people would circulate from a point in east Butte to the Lady. The trip to the top would take about 12 minutes and wait times would be short. Theres been talk of a tram for three decades but backers took a giant leap last year when the Federal Highway Administration and Montana Department of Transportation agreed to let an aerial tram cross over Interstate 15 on its way to the 90-foot statue. SCJ signed a contract with the Butte Local Development Corp. last year to analyze possibilities and systems. SCJ, which has helped design numerous lift systems in the U.S., is based in Lacey, Washington, but has offices elsewhere, including one in Butte, where Garff works. Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher told commissioners Wednesday night the county is actually paying for the study, which costs $78,000. He said he committed to that last year and should have sought council approval first. But he said the county signaled strong backing for the project two decades ago and he believes it could be a big boon for Butte. He told the Standard on Thursday the county could provide some future in-kind support, but financing the actual project falls to the board. SCJ looked at three lift technologies and five potential base stations and routes, including three that would start in Uptown and cross over or near the mine on the way to the Lady at 8,510 feet. Another might start near the McQueen Club in east Butte. In the end, he said, a route already proposed by the Lady of the Rockies Board made the most sense because the organization owned or leased much of the property involved and had other agreements in place. That route would start near Skyline Park, run parallel to I-15 for a ways then turn and cross over the highway on its way to the Lady. As previously proposed, people would get in gondolas, travel to a transfer station at the turn, then board a tram and travel to the top. Garff said there are three technologies that could be used a monocable detachable gondola, a fixed-grip pulse gondola or an aerial tramway, and the previous proposal would combine the latter two. But tramway cars must be built customized and on that system, only one or two travel back and forth. That typically means longer wait times as a cabin must travel the full system length before servicing more passengers. A fixed-grip pulse system entails clusters of gondolas, usually in threes, and they circulate like most ski lifts. But because they are fixed to the lines, slowing or stopping one cabin for passenger entry or exit slows down all of the cabins on the line. Detachable gondolas release from propulsion cables in stations, allowing the cabins to travel at higher speeds between stations but slowly in stations to board and exit. A combined pulse and tram system would cost an estimated $36 million to $45 million, making it more expensive than detached gondolas. Garff said the detached system also has shorter wait and travel times and a better customer experience. He said a lift system to the Lady could be very successful in Butte. About 4 million to 5 million people drive I-15 between Yellowstone and Glacier national parks each year, he said, and just traveling under the gondolas will have a capture rate that will be fairly substantial. Amenities at the top would capture even more people and revenue and lead to repeat visits, he said. They could include a restaurant, event space, wedding venue, mountain bike rentals, picnic area, even an amphitheater. Theres not a lot of flat area up there but its larger than you think, he said. I think its large enough to do some really neat things up there. SCJ, the board and others have been exploring options and discussing details for months. The Lady of the Rockies board has been talking with highway officials about possible adjustments to the I-15 crossover lease and it is still analyzing the SCJ analysis, Ueland said. It has not yet decided which system to pursue. We have been working diligently and still believe in the project very much, Ueland said. Its going to be a gig undertaking money-wise and it has increased since we started planning this quite a few years ago, but we are still very optimistic. Garff said there are ways to raise capital for such projects and for individuals to invest in them. Point-of-interest gondolas generally always make a profit when theyre done right so I think its a good investment, he said. Love 7 Funny 2 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Wednesday morning shooting in Deer Lodge led to the hospitalization of a 38-year-old man and law enforcements subsequent pursuit and apprehension of the 23-year-old man authorities believe did the shooting. Powell County Sheriff Gavin Roselles said the sheriffs office received a report of a shooting in the city of Deer Lodge at 10:55 a.m. A victim was taken to the Deer Lodge Medical Center. Roselles declined to say whether the man and the alleged shooters were residents of the region or whether they knew each other. He also declined to comment on the extent of the victims injuries. He explained the investigation is ongoing and circumspection was necessary. Officers from the Deer Lodge Police Department and deputies from the sheriffs office responded. They received information about the possible suspect and he was subsequently located in a vehicle outside the Deer Lodge city limits. Attempts to get him to stop were unsuccessful, Roselles said. A pursuit followed on county roads north of Deer Lodge and troopers from the Montana Highway Patrol assisted, he said. The suspects vehicle entered private property and then stopped. Roselles said the man remained in the vehicle for about 10 minutes before exiting and surrendering without incident. He was in custody by 11:32 a.m., Roselles said. Schools in Deer Lodge were in lockdown for a time. Roselles said he anticipates releasing more details Thursday. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 3 Sad 3 Angry 3 Deb Mehring, a psychiatric social worker who attended a recent unprecedented meeting of employees at the beleaguered Montana State Hospital, said it's "hurtful" the state would rather take the "expertise" of a consulting firm to fix longtime problems than pursue solutions proposed by workers on the ground. Earlier this week the Montana State Hospital lost its federal reimbursement dollars for failure to maintain minimum health and safety levels. Employees at the hospital say poor administration, low pay and an unsafe work environment have led to workers leaving the state-run facility in droves, which worsened the dangerous conditions that already led to the deaths of four patients. The state has hired a New York-based firm for $2.2 million to serve as a consultant and develop a strategic plan in an attempt to turn things around at the hospital. "They're not here working, they don't know the situation and they don't know what we deal with every day," Mehring said of the state's actions. "It's very disheartening that they feel bringing in a third party is going to solve the issue here at MSH." Employees hope a letter they sent to state leaders following the meeting does not fall on deaf ears. The ongoing crisis has even caught the attention of Billings Clinic, the largest health care provider in the state. Billings Clinic this week was considering ending all admissions to the Montana State Hospital until learning more about the third party work the Department of Public Health and Human Services, which operates the facility, is bringing on, according CEO to Scott Ellner. He said the hospital is now "more confident" that the state is taking the issues uncovered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seriously. Before the federal government decided to withdraw its funding for the state psychiatric facility, employees from the Montana State Hospital gathered in Anaconda in late March to speak openly about their concerns and to seek solutions. Employees say the town hall-style gathering put together by four unions representing hospital workers sought their suggestions for how to correct course, which they say is in contrast to the state's approach of entering a contract with a third-party, Alvarez & Marshal Public Sector Services, LLC. Among other functions, the firm will serve as a consultant and develop a strategic plan. The letter sent to the Governor's Office and DPHHS this week outlines the issues employees have identified after clocking in and out each day, and proposes solutions for the near- and long-term. "To summarize, pay is too low and inequitable, and staff feel they are being disrespected if not abuse by management. In addition, hiring, pay and management practices are unethical and job required safety training is not being provided to hospital employees," the letter states. The unions that compiled the letter are the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the Montana Nurses Association, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 233. A Governor's Office spokesperson said the letter only reinforces the need for reform at the state hospital, but directed comment on the specifics of the letter to DPHHS. Asked to respond to the letter, a DPHHS spokesperson issued a statement Wednesday saying the department is "committed to a methodical, strategic and data-driven approach to reforming MSH, and we look forward to the recommendations of our recently hired third-party contractor." Mehring said, to her, the sad part is that it took extraordinary circumstances for employees to gather for such a meeting in the first place. Jon Ebelt, a spokesperson for DPHHS, said while the department works with the contractor to stabilize the hospital, employee and union consultation will be "critical to charting a path forward." "Employees have intimate knowledge of the longstanding challenges at MSH, and we look forward to their continued participation in the process," Ebelt said. The state and advocates have said the issues plaguing the state psychiatric facility spanned several administrations, but the preventable deaths uncovered by CMS occurred in recent years. And Ed Amberg, who was the hospital's administrator from 2000 until he retired in 2009, said the hospital has never lost its CMS funding entirely until now. "As an administrator, it's completely unacceptable," Amberg said in a phone interview Wednesday. To his knowledge, only one other state, Vermont, has ever lost CMS funding for its psychiatric facility. Montana State Hospital's funding was terminated after CMS issued four "immediate jeopardy" findings related to patient safety, patient abuse, infection control plans and training for psychotropic medication. "Everybody knows the psychiatric population presents challenges, but you have to do everything you can to prevent that outcome," Amberg added. "You really have to show, on an organizational basis, if there's an incident like that you're responding aggressively and trying to protect people." A key issue, according to the employee's letter, is training. A summary of the employees' concerns says employees are not being trained on how to use restraints or CPR, nor are they taught about food safety, de-escalation, managing biohazards, infection control and more. In December, the Montana State News Bureau asked DPHHS about employee concerns that certain trainings were not being provided. The department said then that every new hire and contract employee receives restraint training as part of their orientation. However, a state inspection following a complaint in January found that 28 out of 86 staff records did not contain records of those employees receiving training on restraints, seclusion, monitoring or assessment. "In mental health and psychiatric treatment, we like to think we benefit patients but if we don't do things the right way, if we don't help that person, if they don't have a good relationship with us, we run a tremendous risk of making them worse and making them never again want to do psychiatric treatment," Amberg said. A traveling registered nurse, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said in an interview Wednesday that the hospital's staff is running so thin that training appears to have become an afterthought. "They're so desperate to get you working that they skip training," he said. "Patients have rights, and a lot of the rights they have get violated because the staff just doesn't have the patience and they can't handle working like this." The state cited its recent contract with Alvarez & Marshal, as well as its continuing work with another third party, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, as reason to address the issues without haste but with a "strategic" approach, saying those groups over time would create informed plans to fix things. Dr. Dakota Carter, department chair of psychiatry at Billings Clinic, said in a joint phone interview with Ellner that the hospital has had ongoing internal conversations about using space within the psychiatric department to provide care for higher-acuity patients in the event the hospital decided to move away from admitting patients to the state hospital. "We looked at every possible scenario, how we can reallocate resources," Carter said. "We are completely dedicated to patient care, whatever we can do locally and in partnership with the state hospital." The number of patients Billings Clinic sends to the state hospital each month is in the double digits, Carter said, but those numbers are dependent on the capacity of Billings Clinic and the state hospital. "We will continue to have our internal conversations, and work with our state partners," Carter said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Editor's note: Humanities Montana celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022. Throughout the year, its monthly newsletter features Golden Anniversary letters from previous Humanities Montana board members, grantees, speakers, and friends that reflect on what 50 years of Humanities Montana has meant to them and to the state. As an undergraduate student in Oregon, Washington, and Germany, I majored in both German studies and history but also took courses in several other humanities areas: philosophy, religion, art history, political science, English, world literature, and sociology. Before I had completed my Ph.D. dissertation, I was offered a position at the University of Montana to teach German language and literature. Near the end of my first year in 1970, I received a note from my department chair and the college dean that I should meet with them. I thought: Oh no, what did I do? Well, it turned out that they had decided I should teach a course the following year in the Introduction to Humanities program. Whew! I said modestly, Whats that? They told me it was an interdisciplinary course taught by faculty across the campus, starting with the Greeks, then the Romans to the Middle Ages, and then in the third trimester, the modern era. Gulp. I said I didnt know much about the Greeks, and they said, You have the summer to study it. I mention that here because it was one of the best things that happened to me as a teacher: It forced me to work closely with colleagues in disciplines from philosophy to art, from biology to chemistry, from French to American history. During those first years in Missoula, of course I got to know parts of Montana, especially the national parks and the states western areas. But I knew little about the rest of the state. I met Margaret Kingsland, executive director of what was then called the Montana Committee for the Humanities (MCH), and a couple of the UM faculty members who were serving on the MHC board and who asked me to join the Committee. The idea of being involved in the public humanities across the state was something I thought could be both interesting and important. Boy, was I right about that. I loved the collaboration on the Committee, the mix of academics and lay members from across the state, and the opportunity to work with many other Montanans near to and far from Missoula. We all learned from each other, and we all also adapted to the uniqueness and needs of our state. The MCH became, thanks to Margaret and the many amazing board members, as well as our partners in towns large and small across the state, one of the top state humanities committees in the country. Over the years, I held many positions within the council: board member, chair of the board of directors, a position with the Federation of State Humanities Councils, and I even filled in as acting MCH director on three separate occasions while Margaret was on sabbatical. Clearly, I loved the work and figured out ways to continue teaching at UM during those times, and I was blessed by learning from the public humanities work out in the state how important that was for my on campus work, and vice-versa. I met and became colleagues and friends with dozens of Montanans who were humanists in their own realms and ways, whether they were farmers, small business owners, attorneys, community leaders, Native elders, librarians, or school teachers; they were Republicans and Democrats people with good ideas for public humanities programs and activities. Working together across the state, the MCH became the recipient of several best programs across the country, and Im very happy to say that it has remained one of the top councils in the country, a council that has influenced other state humanities councils and was able to change and adapt to new conditions in the state and in the country. I have followed the work and the directors of the MCH/HM for many years, have been a proud donor, and have both participated in and been in the audience of many programs it has sponsored. I can honestly say that MCH/HM was one of the most important parts of my personal, public, and academic life over the past 50 years. Thank you. Gerald A. Fetz, PhD, Professor and Dean Emeritus, University of Montana Honors College; College of Arts and Sciences. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By Shawn Touney | Apr 14, 2022 Murray State University and the Quality Assurance Commons (QA Commons) are pleased to announce that five new academic programs have been granted Essential Employability Qualities Certification (EEQ CERT). Multiple academic programs certified for quality and career readiness MURRAY, Ky. Murray State University and the Quality Assurance Commons (QA Commons) are pleased to announce that five academic programs have been granted Essential Employability Qualities Certification (EEQ CERT). QA Commons grants EEQ CERT after a rigorous external and independent review process. It signals to employers and the public that educational programs prepare students with the employability skills critical for workers looking to build and advance in their careers. The University now holds eight certified academic programs across campus. The programs represent diverse disciplines, inclusive of both liberal arts and pre-professional fields of study. The institutional commitment to employability at Murray State is evident, said Mason Bishop, President of QA Commons. Students are calling for education aligned to employment and employers are calling for graduates to show up prepared with an understanding of the workplace. Murray State is taking these calls seriously. The five newly certified programs are Agricultural Science, Animal Technology, History/Social Studies Certification, Music Business and Organizational Communication. Already certified are the following programs: Construction Management & Architecture, Cybersecurity and Network Management and Occupational Safety and Health. According to Dr. Tony Brannon, Dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture, "Murray State Agriculture has a long-established tradition of being distinctly different in the recruitment, retention, graduation and employability of our students. We pride ourselves in providing students the opportunity to get an education instead of just a degree by not only providing training for essential skills in the industry of agriculture but also supporting each student's engagement with value-added training in leadership, service, employability skills and career readiness. Simply put, we take students from where they are to where they need to be and that is different for every student. We are so pleased that each of the Agricultural Sciences and Animal Technologies areas within our Hutson School of Agriculture has achieved independent recognition of our efforts through the QA Commons intensive review process leading to certification verifying the Essential Employability Qualities (EEQ) within our programs. EEQ Certified programs foster a distinctive set of attributes in their graduates and completers. The eight Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) are Communication, Thinking and Problem Solving, Inquiry, Collaboration, Adaptability, Principles and Ethics, Responsibility and Professionalism and Learning the qualities most often cited by employers as lacking in the workplace. Programs participating in EEQ CERT are scored on five categories that represent a comprehensive and integrated framework for employability: Student EEQ Preparation, Career Support Services, Employer Engagement, Student and Alumni Engagement and Public Information. One of the most exciting things about this endeavor is that it is, in fact, a recognition of programs linking to the world of employment, said Murray State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tim Todd. Bottom line, we are trying to explicitly bridge the perceived gap between the world of work and baccalaureate degree holders for overall employability skills. We want to show that Murray States academic programs place a distinctive focus on employability. EEQ Certification is marketable to students already enrolled, new students/families, employers and advisory board members across all disciplines and to the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky which funds a large portion of higher education. Murray State offers 146 academic programs and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, bachelors, masters, specialist and doctoral degrees. By Carrie Jerrell | Apr 14, 2022 Author and Murray State alumna Jayne Moore Waldrop Jayne Moore Waldrop will read from her novel Drowned Town MURRAY, Ky. The Murray State University Department of English and Philosophy creative writing program will host a reading with author and alumna Jayne Moore Waldrop on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Waterfield Library Gallery on Murray States campus. The event is free and open to the public. Jayne Moore Waldrop is a Kentucky writer and attorney. She knows her home state from end to end, having grown up in far western Kentucky in a family of displaced Appalachians who returned home often to visit eastern Kentucky. She previously lived and practiced law in Louisville, and shes been an enthusiastic member of Lexingtons writing community since moving to central Kentucky. She is the author of Retracing My Steps, a finalist in the New Womens Voices Chapbook Series and Pandemic Lent: A Season in Poems, both published by Finishing Line Press. Her linked story collection, Drowned Town, was published in 2021 by University Press of Kentucky through its Fireside Industries imprint, a partnership with Hindman Settlement School. Drowned Town explores the multigenerational impact of loss of home and illuminates the joys and sorrows of a group of people bound together by monumental changes to the western Kentucky and Tennessee landscape. In the mid-twentieth century, giant lakes filled when the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers were dammed, submerging towns and dislocating people. More were forced out to make way for the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The interwoven narrative emphasizes the importance of sisterhood and family, both blood and created, and how we cannot separate ourselves from our places in the world. In graceful prose, dotted with zingers and surprises, Jayne Moore Waldrop weaves a modern story of reconciliation and hope around this heartbreaking history. Im impressed by her undaunted plunge into the subject and the compelling fiction she comes up with, said fellow Kentucky author Bobbie Ann Mason of Drowned Town. Waldrop earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Kentucky, and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (fiction) in 2014 from Murray State Universitys low residency program. She is a former book columnist for the Louisville Courier-Journal and literary arts liaison at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. She was a writer-in-residence at Rivendell Writers Colony and has attended the Appalachian Writers Workshop at Hindman Settlement School, Bread Loaf Environmental Writers Workshop and the Kentucky Women Writers Conference. Waldrop was appointed by the governor to serve two terms on the Kentucky Arts Council and shes an Art Meets Activism grant recipient from the Kentucky Foundation for Women. Her work has appeared in the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Still: The Journal, New Madrid Journal, Appalachian Heritage, Minerva Rising, New Limestone Review, The Paddock Review, Sequestrum, Heartland Review, Luna Station Quarterly, Kudzu, Deep South Magazine and Kentucky Monthly. Her stories were selected as Judges Choice in the 2016 Still Journal Fiction Contest; finalists for the 2015 Reynolds Price Fiction Prize, the 2016 Tillie Olsen Fiction Award and 2017 Still Journal Fiction Contest; and honorable mention in the 2014 AWP Intro Journals Project. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net Anthology. For more information about Jayne Moore Waldrops work, visit her jaynemoorewaldrop.com. To learn more about the creative writing program at Murray State please visit murraystate.edu/english. MUSCATINE After the city agreed to reach out to Merge Urban Development Group to see if a proposed development of Carver Corner could be salvaged, Merge will address the Muscatine City Council on Thursday with an updated proposal. While Merge, a Cedar Falls-based development team that works exclusively on real estate projects within Qualified Opportunity Zones in the Midwest, previously planned a $52 million project at the city-owned plot of land along the Mississippi River, the new proposal will be a $9 million project. After a presentation that begins at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, the council will be asked to vote on a resolution committing to support an application to the Iowa Economic Development Group for the development. The city has discussed the site, between Hershey Avenue and Green Street, since the 1990s when it acquired the former Carver Pump property. Since then, the city has invested close to $750,000 in the area through direct costs and soft costs such as maintenance. Were still early in discussions, communications director Kevin Jenison said. I think a lot of questions will be asked and answered (Thursday). Theyre just offering what they would like to do at this point with a revised proposal. It is up to the council if they want to be 100 percent behind this or what they want to do. There are a lot of things they could do. We will just have to wait and see how the presentation goes. While the initial development includes one building, Merge has expressed interest in developing the entire parcel in the future, depending on financing. The initial proposal is for a five-story, 56-unit mixed-use building with a residential mix of studios. The ground floor would consist of residential lobby space, bike storage, and about 6,000 square feet of micro-retail and retail space. The building would include 1- and 2-bedroom units. During its Feb. 10 meeting, while discussing uses for Carver Corner, the council agreed to approach Merge to see if there is any interest in continuing with the development. In 2019 Merge was the only respondent to the city of Muscatines request for proposals for the redevelopment of Carver Corner. During the Oct. 3, 2019 meeting, the council voted to withdraw from discussions with Merge. During the Oct. 10, 2019 meeting, the council reconsidered and voted to move ahead with the proposal, only to find Merge had withdrawn. The proposed mixed-use development would have included more than 300 mixed-use residential units and about 20,000 square feet of first-floor rental space. It would have increased the taxable value of the property by about $32 million. The development would have garnered about $600,000 for the city in tax money. There has also been discussion given in the city to locate a Peace Village on the site. Mayor Brad Bark said the people who want to build the Peace Village had no funding and no plan. There was also a call in the community to create open spaces or parks. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MUSCATINE Chinese Ambassador Qin Gang will visit Muscatine on April 20, to meet with old friends of Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Old Friends" is the name of the book Xi wrote about Muscatine. The trip, which some see as a chance to build bridges between the United States and China, comes at a time when ties remain tense between the world's two largest economies. Top U.S. officials have urged China to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine. And the White House launched a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games over human rights abuses, including forced labor, against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, which has drawn global condemnation. Frictions over Chinese subsidies into targeted industries, state-owned enterprises and forced technology transfers which Washington argues creates an unlevel playing field for U.S. firms operating at home and abroad have led to trade restrictions and warnings of economic and financial consequences for China and other countries that have maintained ties with Russia. China is one of the largest export markets for U.S. goods and services. The Chinese Ambassador's trip is being coordinated by the Muscatine-China Initiatives Committee. Sarah Lande remembers Xi's beaming face as he explored her family home during his visit to Iowa in 1985. She remembers her role in Muscatines delve into trans-Pacific diplomacy as Xi, then a junior party official, stayed with her and her late husband, Roger, during his two-week visit to Iowa. He revisited the home in 2012, then as vice president of China. Lande said she looks forward to continuing the cultural exchange launched more than three decades ago with Qin's upcoming visit. "Im thrilled about it," Lande said. "I so encourage our two countries to work more closely together, especially in the people-to-people stage. The meeting will be held at the Merrill Hotel and Conference Center and will be closed to the public. There will be a press conference following the meeting at about 4:15 p.m. In 2014 Chinese investors from Muscatines Sister City of Zhengding were part of the $41-million project that built the hotel and convention center in Muscatine. Former Mayor DeWayne Hopkins called the investment a result of the person-to-person diplomacy Muscatine was practicing with China. Daniel Stein, chair of the Muscatine-China Initiatives Committee, said relations between Muscatine and China have "soured" a bit over the last few years and hopes this is the Chinese people trying to re-engage. He also felt this may be the Chinese delegation showing respect after Roger Lande, Sarahs husband, died on March 17. "We dont know for sure what their reasoning is, but that is probably part of it," he said. Sarah Lande recalls the visit in 1985. At the time she was working to create a Sister State bond with Hubei Province in China that started in 1983. Xi led the delegation to Iowa to learn to increase agricultural production. "Because I had been involved with Iowa Sister States and because I had traveled to China in 1984, I wanted to be sure the Chinese delegation came to Muscatine," Lande said. She and fellow Sister States member Joan Axel were eager to meet the delegation. Lande remembers Xi at her home with a "smile that just wouldnt stop." She said he was curious about everything. Lande said the four members of the delegation wrote a book about their trip to Muscatine called "Old Friends the Xi Jinping Iowa story." Since the book could not be published in China, it was published in the United States. A group of volunteers from Muscatine helped get the book published. During the 2012 visit, then-Mayor Hopkins presented Xi with the key to the city. Lande said an entourage came from the Cedar Rapids Airport to visit the Muscatine farm and then-Gov. Terry Branstad joined the group. "When he came in the door he had this smile he was just so happy to see everybody," she said. "It was like we were old friends. He was glad to be back." During the visit, each shared a memory from 1985. Xi remembered quite a bit. As he left, Xi invited them to be his guests in China. About three months later, the group from Muscatine went to China. Lande said Xi was a firm believer that if the people of the United States and China got to know each other, the two countries could learn to get along. They had high hopes the countries' leaders could learn to work together. "Im going to do my best to bring as many opportunities for contacts and exchanges with China as I can," Lande said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 WEST LIBERTY For the first time since the West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department and EMS was formed in 1875, the City of West Liberty may not have a fire department to count on after May 1. According to a letter sent to the West Liberty City Council, the fire department intends to terminate its relationship with the city and form its own 28E agency governed by a board. The letter claims the City has actively waged a war upon the department through dangerous bureaucratic moves that endanger the community, including deliberately stalling attempts to hire EMS personnel. Other allegations include incorrect accounting, mixing the departments funds with the citys general fund, and incorrect classification of expenses and donations, among several other grievances. Instead of waiting for the Department to be without volunteers within 5 years, the men and women of the Department have made a reasoned but difficult decision, the letter said. These men and women will not continue to volunteer in this environment. Since the City has made it clear over the last three years that it will not change course, these volunteers are forced to end their association with the City while continuing to make themselves available to save lives. City manager David Haugland did not return a call for comment. According to the citys website, the city is drafting a response to the letter. West Liberty Fire Chief Kirt Sickels also could not be reached for comment. The fire department's letter says if West Liberty did not resolve the situation by May 1, it would have to make other arrangements for fire and rescue services. The letter further states if the city is not protected by the department, the insurance coverage for the property owners in the area served by the fire department would see a significant increase. On July 5, 2021, the department filed a petition in Iowa District Court petitioning for partnership dissolution, accounting, for damages, constructive fraud, and for temporary and permanent injunctions. The petition alleges the city has violated the provisions of the parties contract and breached its fiduciary responsibilities. The petition requests the court create a separate 28E agency. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WhatsApp has officially announced Communities a major addition to its existing group chat and broadcast list feature set. It also said there would be several changes to how groups work on WhatsApp, regardless of whether they are part of a community. The Facebook-owned (now Meta) messaging platform also confirmed that its file size limit would increase to 2 gigabytes. It started testing this feature with users in Argentina at the end of March. News that WhatsApp was working on Communities first emerged in October last year. However, little was known beyond its name and link to WhatsApp Groups. In November, details started to emerge, including that admins would be able to create several group chats under one community. There would also be a main group that would act as a broadcast list that only admins can post to. WhatsApp has now finally confirmed Communities and released information about what to expect from the feature. Communities on WhatsApp will enable people to bring together separate groups under one umbrella with a structure that works for them, WhatsApp announced in a blog post on Thursday. Communities will also contain powerful new tools for admins, including announcement messages that are sent to everyone and control over which groups can be included. In a separate blog post, WhatsApp detailed the following features for Communities: Conversations in Communities remain end-to-end encrypted. Phone numbers will be visible to Community admins. Your phone number will become visible to members of the same groups as you but otherwise remain hidden. Admins can add existing groups to the Community and unlink groups. Admins can remove individual members from the Community entirely. Group admins will be able to delete inappropriate or abusive chats and media for all group members. Users can control who is allowed to add them to a Community. Communities will be private. No search or discovery option like Telegram. To limit noise and overload, only Community admins will be able to send messages to all Community members this is called the announcement group for the community, WhatsApp stated. We will initially support community announcements for several thousands of users. WhatsApp said it continues to constrain message forwarding. With the introduction of Communities, messages that have already been forwarded will only be able to be forwarded to one group at a time, rather than five, which is todays forward limit, it said. We believe this will meaningfully reduce the spread of potentially harmful misinformation in community groups. WhatsApp did not announce a launch date for Communities. However, it said the following changes to WhatsApp Groups would be rolling out in the coming weeks. Changes to WhatsApp Groups WhatsApp said it believes these new features for groups will help people share in new ways and reduce overload in larger chats: Silently leave a group Users will be able to leave groups without notifying everyone. Users will be able to leave groups without notifying everyone. Reactions Emoji reactions are coming to WhatsApp so people can quickly share their opinion without flooding chats with new messages. Emoji reactions are coming to WhatsApp so people can quickly share their opinion without flooding chats with new messages. Admin Delete Group admins will be able to remove messages from everyones chats. Group admins will be able to remove messages from everyones chats. File Sharing File sharing will support files up to 2GB . File sharing will support . Larger voice calls One-tap voice calls for up to 32 people, with a revamped design. Now read: WhatsApp photo and video visibility changes Updated at 5:18 p.m. Authorities shut down Redwood Road in north Napa after a tanker truck crashed Wednesday afternoon, authorities reported. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. In a Nixle alert issued at 4:24 p.m., the Napa County Sheriff's Office said fire crews went to the 3500 block of Redwood after a vehicle overturned. The roadway was closed in both directions, and drivers were told to avoid the area. A 2018 Freightliner propane tanker struck a tree and overturned, causing minor injuries to the driver, according to California Highway Patrol spokesperson Jaret Paulson. CHP's online incident log indicated the crash occurred shortly before 3:43 p.m. The driver, 52-year-old Rick Reger of Suisun City, was taken by American Medical Response ambulance to Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Paulson said. Napa Fire and Cal Fire crews went to the scene afterward due to leakage from the wrecked truck, according to the CHP log. You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The bi-annual Hospice du Rhone returns April 21-23 to the Paso Robles Event Center after an absence of four years; the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic lockdown. Its exciting to see the world re-opening again; to connect with people and share some wine and celebrate, said John Alban, founding director of Hospice du Rhone. Alban, founder of his eponymous winery in Edna Valley, will kick off the three-day celebration, hosting a conversation with Dr. Nick Dokoozlian, vice-president of wine growing research at E.& J. Gallo. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Alban and Dokoozlians friendship dates back some 40 years and the conversation promises to be provocative as the research expert shares his vision of applying artificial intelligence to farming practices. He knows more about grapevines than all of us do so it will definitely be unique and mind-boggling, Alban said. Hospice du Rhone president, Vicki Carroll, also expressed a sense of joy. Its such a relief to think its happening; Im so happy. Carroll, who was introduced to Hospice du Rhone by Alban in 1999, is the Mom behind the international vintners organization that provides promotional and educational opportunities to growers and wine producers of Rhone variety grapes. For more than 20 years, the San Luis Obispo-based organization has brought renowned wine producers, distributors, sommeliers and enophiles to this major wine event in Paso. Hospice du Rhone typically brings more than 150 international Rhone-style wine exhibitors from France and Australia to Chile and South Africa. This year, however, due to travel restrictions, 120 exhibitors are expected with international attendees coming mostly from France, and one each from Australia and Spain. The majority of exhibitors are from California with strong representation from France and Walla Walla Valley (straddling Washington State and Oregon). Lasseter, Miner, Ramey, Grenachista, The Jack Edward Collection and Dane Cellars are among the wineries representing Napa/Sonoma regions. In addition, wine industry professionals from the UK, Denmark, Spain and Australia are expected to attend. Over the years, the attendance of international winemakers has played a key role in Pasos local wine industry. Theres been an incredible exchange going on for years, Carroll said. Winemakers have forged friendships. One such friendship led to Justin Smiths collaboration with the late oenologist Philippe Cambie. The two were introduced by mutual friend Sasha Verhage. Called Downstream Wines, the small 300-case production launched with its first vintage of 2016, with portions of proceeds going to charities. The blends that changed with each vintage were made from Paso fruit and Cambies expertise came in the form of that blending. He wanted the base of the wine to be Zinfandel, said Smith, winemaker/owner of Saxum Wine, Pasos cult label. Cambie proposed including Zinfandel, regarded as Pasos heritage grape, because he wanted [the blend] to be a California expression of what he does in Chateauneuf-du Pape. In the pre-COVID era, Cambie would come to Paso for the blending process, but in 2020, due to travel restrictions, some 50 different lots were sent to him in France. The 2020 wines were in the mail when he died, said Smith. So, the yet-to-be-released 2019 will be the last vintage of this collaboration. The four seminars scheduled over two days focus on Frances Northern and Southern Rhone regions and Walla Walla Valley. Spotlighting Northern Rhones Tain lHermitage region will be Cave de Tain, the wine cooperative that has been producing wines for the past 85 years. Producer David Quillin will present wines from six different Hermitage-appellation plots that make up the final Hermitage Gambert de Loche 2015. From the Southern Rhone region, Ventouxs diversity will be represented by five benchmark estates from this appellation. From Walla Walla Valleys Oregon side, Syrahs will be presented from the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. The valleys Washington State side will be represented by vigneron Christophe Baron and his Cayuse Vineyards, with a focus on Horsepower Vineyards, cultivated by draft horses. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste all 22 Rhone varieties over the two-day grand tasting, including past vintages, large formats, unreleased wines and barrel samples. Hospice du Rhone dates back to 1991, when it was launched as the Viognier Guild by Mat Garretson, who owned a wine shop in Atlanta, Georgia. The inaugural event featured 35 wines for an attendance of 20 people, at a friends home. It was Alban who took it a step further and expanded it to include other Rhone variety wines. In 1992 offered the Viognier Guild hosted the event at Alban Vineyards. The one-day Raisin Rhones event gradually grew to the multi-day celebration. By 1999 the event branded itself as Hospice du Rhone and Carroll was approached by Alban, to be its director. A relationship that has lasted 23 years, Carroll noted. Carroll noted, Our relationship with the government of Rhone Valley has been valuable and rewarding, Carroll said. Smaller AOCs [ French appellations] are coming to our events since they understand the significance of the relationship and it has strengthened us. For tickets and the schedule, visit www.hospicedurhone.org. Summer is coming, and to me, that means its rose season. I drink mostly reds during the winter, but when its warm, its time for pink. For me, the ideal rose wine is light, refreshing and youthful. That doesnt necessarily make it less complex than a bigger, darker wine. To get sommeliers and others ready for rose season, Napa Valley Wine Academy held a seminar on the subject. It covered both still and sparkling wines, and taught me some things new even after 25 years of attending a technical seminar on wine and talking to countless winemakers who make rose here, in southern France, and in Italy and Spain. These speakers were all local winemakers and this was no fluffy talk about pairing pretty wines with summer parties. They discussed technical rose styles, still versus sparkling wine, regional style and quality possibilities, varietal style and quality possibilities, winemaking decisions, consumer demand, packaging, vintage and price. Here, however, we focus on what might be more important to wine lovers, not necessarily winemakers, sommeliers or educators. One caveat: The discussion was heavy on Pinot Noir roses, a minor player in the market, although they did include some others, such as the famed wines of Provence using Miraval from Cotes de Provence as an example. Best known for being partly owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (who are divorcing), the wine is made by the respected Perrin family and is an excellent example of the popular pale Provence roses that have exploded in popularity in the market. One thing that struck me, however, was that, aside from Chandons sparkling brut roses and Miraval from Provence, the wines in the seminar were made in small quality, some mostly to offer something different to winery visitors or club members. They werent aimed at the mass market that has discovered the charm of roses. The moderator was Julie Lumgair, a consulting winemaker who has worked in both Napa and Sonoma counties. Speakers included: Lise Asimont, who owns Dot Wine and is both a viticulturist and winemaker; Cathy Corison, an icon in the industry who has been making wine for 45 years; Chris Kajani, general manager and winemaker at Bouchaine in Carneros; Pauline Lhote, director of winemaking at Chandon; Marisa Taylor, general manager and head winemaker at Rutherford Hill Winery; Carol Shelton, who owns Carol Shelton Wines in Russian River Valley and also has also been making wine for 45 years. She couldnt attend but Lumgair presented her remarks. A difference in techniques Still and sparkling roses are made quite differently. In fact, the sparklers use a technique rarely employed for still wines and disallowed in France except in Champagne: blending red and white whites to create a pink one. Traditional still roses were made primarily from relatively light varieties, picking the grapes barely ripe and fermenting the juice on its skins just long enough to pick up some color from the skins. (Of course, all popular wine grapes have clear juice we call white). The color depends on the length of contact, and very pale wines are in at the moment, although some traditional favorites like Tavel rose are fairly dark. Most are aged a short time in stainless steel or neutral used oak or large wood tanks, which impart little flavor. These wines tend to be light, moderate in alcohol, and perfect for a summer afternoon. As Pinot Noir is relatively light and low in tannin, it makes excellent roses, but it generally has greater value as a still red wine or in Champagne-style sparkling wines, so it is rarely used for roses. Another approach to making roses is called saignee, French for bleed, to drain or bleed some of the pink juice off early in making red wines. This is supposed to concentrate the remining red wine but leaves the alcohol and some extracted polyphenols of the grapes in the drained rose must. This can make an ungainly rose, one thats too alcoholic and tannic. Many of the wines we tasted blended the two techniques, direct to press with a little saignee. Theres one other source of rose rarely mentioned: pink grapes. Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio grapes and some others are actually pink, not gray (Red grapes are called black by winemakers). If you ferment them with longer skin contact, as with red wines, the juice is pink. Bouchaine makes a pink Vin Gris (traditionally a white or very pale pink wine from red grapes) from Pinot Noir wines infected with viruses and growing in a location that prevents them from developing full color. The other wines tasted showed a spectrum of varieties and techniques: Miraval is made in Provence conventionally from Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle (Vermentino, a white grape), with 5% Syrah, some saignee. It is aged briefly in 95% stainless steel with 5% batonnage (lees stirred) in the barrel. Lise Asimont of Dot poured a conventional 2021 Rose of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley. Rutherford Hills Rose was made by Marisa Taylor from Napa Valley Merlot, and produced like a conventional southern French rose with a short fermentation and treatment much like a white wine. Carol Sheltons Wild Thing Rendezvous Rose was made from old Mendocino County vines, 80% Zinfandel and 20% Carignane, the reverse of its usual mix. It was modeled after Tavel-style wines in the southern Rhone with a deeper color and flavor. It was virtually dry and couldnt be confused with white Zinfandel in spite of its large component of Zin. The final wine was Corazon Cabernet Sauvignon Rose from Cathy Corison in St. Helena. Made by the saignee method from her red grapes, it was aged for six months in small barrels. It might be described as a rose for fans of her traditional Cabernets. She sells it for $40 but admits that it doesnt make financial sense. Its fun to make and fun to drink, she said. A different method for sparkling rose Unlike still rose wines, sparkling versions are usually a blend of clear (white) wine with some red wine, or as we learned, colored juice created via flash detante, a sophisticated technique that heats grapes to 176 degrees in a vacuum chamber for quick extraction of color, or extracted from grapes with alcohol. This gives better consistency than just mixing in red wine. Not surprisingly, its favored by Chandon, who adopted it from its French parent in Champagne, Moet et Chandon. The red juice amounts to a small percentage of the blend. Chandon makes two roses: Brut Rose, aged for 12 months, is bright, fresh and lively, and Etoile Rose Carneros of multiple vintages is aged for 5 years. The latter seems much like an aged blanc Champagne, with definite yeasty notes and, frankly, not exhibiting what we normally seek in rose. But it compares with its elegant French cousins. We also tasted a Moet & Chandon semi-doux rose Champagne, which is quite sweet and perfect for weddings where most of the party isnt used to dry wines. American producers make similar wines; Iron Horse even calls its white version Wedding Cuvee. Bouchaine also makes a vintage Sparkling Champagne Method Brut Rose of Pinot Noir 60%, Chardonnay 40% from Napa and Sonoma Carneros. Its comparable to other fine bubbly. A summary It was an interesting seminar, but a few wines stood out for summer drinking: The Miraval, in spite of its borrowed notoriety, is what most people look for in a still rose. Other wines from the Perrin family are comparable and may cost a little less. The Chardon Brut Rose (and the rare Bouchaine equivalent) will make any party or dinner a little more fun. And the Rutherford Hill Merlot Rose would be the perfect wine for your Easter ham or Thanksgiving turkey. Pikeville, KY (41501) Today Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High 57F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 48F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. NATO chief warns of further escalation of Ukraine situation in coming weeks Azerbaijan intensely firing toward Armenias Sotk gold mine, 1 wounded Iran FM discusses nuclear talks in Vienna with UN Secretary General 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 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 The West is obviously seeking to disrupt the integration process in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) expanse, Mikhail Evdokimov, director of the First Department of the CIS countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told RIA Novosti. "In this situation, it is especially important to adapt the security mechanisms working in the CIS to modern realities, to combine work within the framework of the Commonwealth with the CSTO and the SCO [(Shanghai Cooperation Organization)]; that activity continues," Evdokimov added. He stressed that in this work it is important to be flexible and creative, and not to be limited to any format, but to apply the most effective practice of each of them. To note, Armenia is also a CIS member country. If we wanted to hand over Karabakh, we would have carried out to the end the negotiation logic left by [third President] Serzh Sargsyan. With that, we would have handed over Karabakh because if even if a referendum were to take place, it would have to take place within the timeframes agreed between the parties. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Thursday at the National Assembly of Armeniaand referring to the accusations that the incumbent Armenian authorities have handed over, or want to hand over, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to Azerbaijan. "Azerbaijan was saying very clearly, 'There will be no referendum in the next 50 years, let the Azerbaijanis return to Karabakh, they will live together side by side, the Azerbaijani settlements will be returned, 50 years, 100 years, then we will see. We do not agree to any other term.' We are told that we [the incumbent Armenian authorities] have handed over Shushi [city of Artsakh]. The war [in the fall of 2020] was for Shushi. They say, 'You should have stopped, prevented the war.' Werent we thinking about stopping, preventing the war? It was impossible to stop or prevent the war without Shushi. It was simply not possible. The [Armenian soldier] boys who fell, stood for this very right, stood for the opportunity not to hand over Karabakh. What I am saying is about not handing over Karabakh. If we go on another road, we will hand over Karabakh. The incidents of Parukh [village of Artsakh] are an example for youpiece by piece. It is enough to deceive each other!" Pashinyan stated. The US Department of State published its annual 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, in which the authors pointed to some human rights problems in Armenia. In the report, the authors touched upon snap parliamentary elections, during which Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party received 54 percent of the vote and an overwhelming majority of seats in parliament. According to the final assessment of October 27 by an international election observation mission under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, voters were given a wide choice of options, the elections were generally well organized, and candidates were able to campaign freely, the report said. However, the authors say that the elections in Armenia were also highly polarized and marred by increasingly inflammatory rhetoric. Cases of coercion to participate in campaign events, allegations of vote-buying, blurring of lines between the ruling party and the state, alleged misuse of administrative resources, inadequate campaign finance regulations, and limited opportunities for filing electoral complaints have been documented, the report notes. The authors also touched upon the war in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. It notes that isolated incidents of violence along the border between the two countries and in some other areas during the year resulted in casualties and detentions. There were credible reports that ethnic Armenian and Azerbaijani forces resorted to unlawful killings, torture, and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment during, and in some cases after, fighting in November 2020, the authors noted. The report also touched upon serious human rights issues that had been recorded. Credible reports include torture by members of the security forces, harsh prison conditions, serious problems with judicial independence along with arbitrary or selective detentions; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; serious violations in the context of the conflict, including torture and other forms of physical violence; severe restrictions on freedom of speech and the media, including criminalization of insults; human trafficking; crimes involving violence or the threat of violence against civil society actors and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, homosexual or intersex people; and the worst forms of child labor. According to the report, the government has taken only limited steps to investigate and punish alleged abuses by former and current government officials and law enforcement. Pointing to the unsolved March 1 case, the authors note that the trial of the guilt of former high-ranking government officials in connection with the events that led to the deaths of eight civilians and two policemen during post-election protests in 2008 failed after how the Constitutional Court invalidated the article of the Criminal Code underlying the case. As of the end of the year, the Armenian parliament had not passed a law establishing a commission of inquiry into human rights violations. The government has taken steps to create new mechanisms for investigating and punishing corruption crimes, the report says. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Europe should make efforts to convince the Republic of Cyprus to settle the problem of the divided island for the sake of gas supplies to the EU. "The most economical route to deliver gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe is through Turkey. And an equal distribution of energy resources [extracted in this region] will benefit all parties. And who will convince the Greek part of Cyprus to take concrete steps toward a settlement? Let the European Union convince them. It is the EU that needs the gas that will flow from here," he said. He said that earlier the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proposed several options for agreements on equal distribution of resources and revenues from them. "The Greek part did not agree with them. And we talked about this to the EU and other parties. It's not clear how long the political settlement process can go on, because the Greek part of the island is not going along with it. Nicosia says it will offer new options. Well, let's see what those proposals will be," the minister said. According to him, in view of the worsening situation on the world energy market and the difficulties in transporting it, new routes for fuel delivery are being considered. There is potential and reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean in this regard. "Israel has large gas reserves in this region. Other countries can also work to produce in the region. Countries are thinking about diversifying supplies," he said. According to Cavusoglu, he intends to discuss production issues in the Mediterranean Sea in May and during a visit to Israel. Such a visit was previously planned, but did not take place due to organizational issues and a mismatch of schedules of the leadership. "Now the trip is being discussed again. We plan to arrive in Israel in the third week of May. We will go to both Israel and Palestine," he said. The visit will take place as part of the normalization of relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv. The Turkish foreign minister spoke about the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations. Touching upon this topic and the Armenian-Turkish bilateral meetings, Mevlut Cavusoglu told NTV television of Turkey that the Armenian side avoids direct meetings. "From here I want to tell Armenia that yes, you can be under pressure from the [Armenian] diaspora, but this is certainly not an easy process. We see that the [Armenian] diaspora does not support the settlement process. On the one hand, you say that one day we will normalize relations, [re]open the borders, but you still do not dare to organize a meeting in Yerevan and Ankara. If you do not dare to organize a meeting on this issue in our two countries, how will you treat the other issues? I am not saying this to blame, but the Armenians should be a little brave. What is the reason that you do not want to negotiate in Turkey? We [i.e., Turkey] even say, 'If you do not come to Turkey, we will come to Yerevan.' The Armenians said, 'No, no, let's meet in a third country.' That is, more courageous steps must be taken," the Turkish FM said. U.S. stocks of Javelin anti-tank missiles are depleted in connection with their shipment to Ukraine, CNN reports citing a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) According to Mark Cancian, senior adviser to the International Security Program at CSIS, it will take years to replenish US stockpiles with new weapons. The Javelin is a shoulder-fired anti-tank missile manufactured by American defense giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Cancian noted that the Pentagon needs to monitor the depletion of its stocks. Military planners are probably starting to get nervous, he wrote. The United States is stockpiling in case of various possible global conflicts that could happen with North Korea, Iran or Russia itself. At some point, these stocks will become so low that military planners will wonder if the military plans can be carried out. The United States is probably approaching that moment. The expert estimates that between 20,000 and 25,000 Javelins remain in storage, and the 7,000 systems shipped to Ukraine represent about one-third of the total US stock. It will take about three to four years to replace the already delivered missiles. If the United States supplies more missiles to Ukraine, this period will be extended, he said. A senior US Department of Defense official assured that the massive arms shipments to Ukraine, including thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, did not affect the combat readiness of US troops. Germany has arrested four people suspected of plotting to kidnap the health minister and destroy power facilities to cut off power across the country, Reuters reports. According to German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, the thwarted plot to kidnap him showed that there are forces at play that are using protests against COVID-19 restrictions to destabilize the state and the country's democratic system. They are a small minority in our society, but they are very dangerous, Lauterbach said at a press conference. The suspects were linked to groups protesting COVID-19 restrictions and to the far-right Reichsburger movement, which denies the existence of a modern German state, prosecutors in the western city of Koblenz said in a statement. This shows that the protests against COVID have not just radicalized, and it is not only about COVID, Lauterbach said. The plot to kidnap him is the latest in a series of incidents that have highlighted the anger of some Germans at restrictions on those who have not been vaccinated and proposals to make vaccination mandatory for the general public. In December, police foiled a plot by anti-vaccination activists to assassinate the prime minister of the state of Saxony in eastern Germany. The suspects behind the latest conspiracy were chatting on a chat group called Vereinte Patrioten, German for Patriots United, and intended to cause civil war-like conditions and ultimately overthrow the democratic system in Germany, prosecutors said. Authorities searched 20 properties across several German states, confiscating weapons including firearms, ammunition and a Kalashnikov assault rifle, cash in euros and foreign currencies, as well as gold bars and silver coins. Fake vaccination certificates and COVID tests were also found, the agency said. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of top news as of 14.04.22: Nikol Pashinyan's speech in the National Assembly yesterday had a shocking effect on society. If yesterday the Prime Minister's thoughts only gave rise to assumptions that the he was talking about plans to recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, this morning it became clear that those assumptions were well-founded. One by one, the MPs approached the podium, beginning and ending their speeches by thanking Pashinyan for having the courage to raise this issue. If yesterday it was not clear what Pashinyan meant when he said that the international community expects Armenia to lower the bar of Artsakh's status, today the deputies revealed in their speeches that lowering the bar means recognizing Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. This, it turns out, was the agenda of peace that the government was talking about after the end of the war. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan called an urgent working meeting on Wednesday after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement on lowering the bar on the Nagorno-Karabakh status caused serious concern among the public. "Our society has very clear demands, which we must meet by organizing diverse discussions," the president noted. A wide range of issues related to external challenges were discussed during the meeting. Meanwhile, president noted that Azerbaijan's proposals on the status of Artsakh are unacceptable. We understand that we should live in the neighborhood, but subordination is impossible, it is simply unacceptable. We should be guided by the option of maintaining the status quo, as the Russians say. The Russian peacekeeping forces will remain here indefinitely, as they arrived here as a guarantor of the security of the Armenian population living in Artsakh, Harutyunyan added. Harutyunyan also weighed in on the fate of Karabakh. Continue to live here with de facto independence, striving for further de jure change: it can be independence, it can be unification with Armenia, which I consider unlikely, but it can also be some kind of relationship with Russia within a vertical framework, the president added. The US Department of State published its annual 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, in which the authors pointed to some human rights issues in Armenia. In the report, the authors noted that the snap parliamentary elections in Armenia were highly polarized and marred by increasingly inflammatory rhetoric. They also touched upon the war in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 and said that incidents of violence along the border during the year resulted in casualties and detentions. The report also noted serious human rights issues that had been recorded. Credible reports include torture by security forces, harsh prison conditions, judicial independence issues, severe restrictions on freedom of speech and the media. The non-reception of the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Ukraine has puzzled the German government, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Scholz himself is not going to leave for Kyiv yet. The Chancellor recalled that he had been in Kyiv before the war, and during the Russian special operation he often talked on the phone with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Scholz said he can hardly find another head of state or government who has kept in touch with me on such a regular basis. Steinmeier was to join the leaders of the Baltic states in Poland, at the invitation of the President of which the President of Germany was in Warsaw. The visit of the 5 leaders was supposed to show the pan-European solidarity with Ukraine, but the 4 leaders left for Kyiv and published a photo of themselves holding hands with Zelenskyy. The German society, like the government, is offended by Zelenskyy's behavior. The US President's statement accusing Russia of committing "genocide" in Ukraine has caused a discussion in the international press. When U.S. President Joe Biden said that Russia's actions in Ukraine constitute genocide, he clarified this was not a legal declaration and that he would let the lawyers determine whether the term technically qualifies in this case. He said he used "genocide" because it had become clearer that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to "wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian." On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he thinks it's "absolutely right" more people are using the word genocide to describe Russia's actions in Ukraine. But many international experts have mixed views over whether the standard-of-proof has yet been met for genocide occurring in Ukraine, which would require evidence that Russia is intentionally trying to destroy a national group. The American press reminds that this is not the first time that Biden's words create problems for his foreign policy. Last month in Poland, the president spontaneously concluded that Putin could not stay in power, prompting US officials to panic and insist that regime change was not the goal of the United States. Attempts by the United States and its allies to strengthen their position in the CIS are unacceptable for Moscow and are fraught with serious risks, said Mikhail Evdokimov, Director of the First Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry in the CIS. "In the current situation, the mechanisms of interstate cooperation in the field of security and protection of external borders, which were formed in the CIS, are of special importance," the Russian diplomat said. Evdokimov also noted that Russia is ready to discuss with the Eurasian Union countries the issue of increasing its energy supply, if they are interested in it, adding that The countries of the union try to abandon the American dollar in domestic trade and implement it in their national currencies. According to Evdokimov, Western countries seek to disrupt integration processes in the CIS, and to counteract this, it is necessary to adapt existing mechanisms in the field of security and coordinate work in the CIS, CSTO and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. According to him, the unprecedented Western sanctions on Russia and Belarus have affected the EEU and now the five states are working to mitigate the consequences, in the context of which the policy of import substitution has the greatest effect. The real situation in South Caucasus does not allow negotiations pause, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Further consistent steps are necessary for restoring long-term peace and stability in the region since the US and France have stopped cooperating with the co-chairmen. "As we noted earlier, the basic principles for the establishment of interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia proposed by Baku and the reaction of Yerevan to them are designed to serve as a basis for the beginning of the Azerbaijani-Armenian negotiations on a peace treaty. This topic was discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in phone conversations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on 9 April this year, as well as the day before by Sergey Lavrov in Moscow during talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan and by phone with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Russia is determined to promote the conclusion of a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku," she said. "Ambassador for Special Assignments I.A. Khovayev will continue his work in the new capacity, namely as the Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for promoting the normalization of relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia. His focus will be on the preparation of the above-mentioned peace treaty. We count on the support of our allies and partners in Baku and Yerevan for Khovayev's efforts. We are open for constructive interaction with other interested sides," she added. Recognizing the University of Miami as a leading force in the development of solutions for a sustainable future throughout the hemisphere and beyond, Premios Verdes (The Green Awards), has selected the University as the site for its first-ever conference in the United States. The event, which aims to inspire and educate the community and businesses on how to build a better, more resilient planet, will take place April 20-24 in the Fieldhouse at the Watsco Center. Latin Americas largest nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainability, Premios Verdes has received more than 17,700 awards entries from 1,144 cities and 43 countries since its founding in Ecuador in 2013. Each year, a distinguished jury representing such global sustainability leaders as the United Nations Development Programme, National Geographic, World Wildlife Fund, and World Green Building Council, selects the 500 best social and environmental projects in Latin America. Welcoming Premios Verdes onto our campus during Earth Week will help to continue inspiring a community of innovators, including those on our campus who are eager to find solutions to the impacts of climate change, said Jeffrey Duerk, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Jose Javier Guarderas, CEO of Premios Verdes, explained that the goal for Premios Verdes is to be the worlds largest platform for fostering sustainable businesses throughout the planet. By doing so, we aim to create a greener economy that will help combat climate change, the deforestation of lands, elimination of species, and more, he said. The University has an extensive history in their mission to safeguard the environment, and by coming together, we hope to exponentially grow our shared commitments to being socio-environmentally responsible and impacting changes within the South Florida community and beyond. During Earth Week, the University community will be invited to a series of keynote addresses and conferences, as well as an exposition at the Fieldhouse, where startup companies from throughout Latin America will present their sustainability projects. The contestants are finalists with initiatives related to eight categories aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and 19 subcategories that span a variety of themes, including public policy, waste, biodiversity, cities, communication, human development, economics, and energy. It will be exciting for our students and me to learn about all of the green startups, with their new ideas and technologies, said David Kelly, director of the sustainable business masters degree program at the Miami Herbert Business School. Latin America has vast natural capital and biodiversity and, in many places, generates a large percentage of power from renewable sources. Companies across Latin America are recognizing that sustainable development is not only good for the environment, it is also good for business. Premios Verdes has been a leader in this area for many years. To facilitate future collaboration, the University recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Premios Verdes to continue developing partnerships that further academic research and innovations related to sustainability. Continuing a collaboration with Premios Verdes in education and research will propel success that transcends geographic borders, building our capacity to respond to some of the worlds most pressing problems involving our Earth, as is also evident by our emerging Climate Resilience Academy, said Duerk. As we move forward, we hope to continue creating long-lasting partnerships with the University and Miami wherein Premios Verdes can continue to help promote the growth of thousands of green businesses here in the U.S., as we have for years in Latin America, said Guarderas. For more information, visit http://premiosverdes.org/en/ Health authorities on Thursday reported an imported Covid case that carries a new Omicron variant that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recently added to its list of monitoring.The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the Omicron BA.5 variant was found on a 24-year-old man who had arrived in Hong Kong from South Africa via Ethiopia and Thailand on April 6.Chuang Shuk-kwan from the CHP said the man tested positive for Covid on April 9 at a designated quarantine hotel and had since been transferred to an isolation hotel.She said the man had had a low-grade fever but has now recovered.Chuang noted that the WHO is still assessing the risks of the new variant on public health, adding that the government will continue to monitor related cases.The man was one of 23 imported infections reported for the day, involving patients flying in from Indonesia, Australia, the UK, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Korea, Greece, Portugal and the Philippines.They are among 1,043 new Covid infections recorded on Thursday 579 of them were detected by PCR tests, while 464 people took self-tests.Officials also reported 54 more deaths linked to Covid, including 33 people who died at public hospitals in the past 24 hours.The youngest among them was a 57-year-old man who had esophageal cancer.In all, 8,789 people infected with Covid had passed away in this wave of outbreak, and the latest fatality rate is 0.74.Meanwhile, Chuang also defended the governments decision to require school children to get daily rapid tests before going to school.It is essential to ensure the students can continue to go to school and to prevent outbreaks in the schools. Thats why we need rapid tests at least in the initial weeks for the students and teachers to try to minimise the risk of outbreaks in the schools, she said.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 Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 14 (ANI/PR Newswire): 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 per cent in constant currency with a robust operating margin of 23.0 per cent. Growth was broad-based, supported by continued momentum in large deal wins with TCV of $9.5 billion. EPS grew by 15.2 per cent in rupee terms. FCF crossed $3 billion for the year. Q4 sequential growth was 1.2 per cent in constant currency with operating margin of 21.5 per cent. 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. Guidance for FY23: -Revenue growth of 13 per cent-15 per cent in constant currency-Operating margin of 21 per cent-23 per cent 1). Key financial highlights: "In a year marked by intense supply-side challenges, Infosys delivered strong financial performance - EPS growth of 15.2 per cent, Free Cash Flows surpassing $3 billion and Return on Equity of 29.1 per cent, reflecting the company's success, driven by client-centricity and rich capabilities. The Board has proposed a final dividend of Rs16 per share, taking the total dividend for FY22 to Rs31 per share, an increase of 14.8 per cent 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 Rs16 per share ($0.21 per ADS*). Together with the interim dividend of Rs15 per share already paid, the total dividend per share for FY22 will amount to Rs31 (app. $0.41 per ADS*) which is a 14.8 per cent increase over FY21. With this, the company has announced total dividend of approx. Rs13,000 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." -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-plus 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." -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. 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." -Nu Skin, a leading health, beauty and wellness company with businesses in over 50 countries, collaborated with Infosys to achieve their vision of becoming the 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 -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 -Ranked #1 among top 100 listed companies in India 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. -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 -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 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. "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." 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 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_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) Beijing [China], April 14 (ANI/PR Newswire): FAST, or the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope, is the largest radio telescope in the world. It is not only an achievement of Chinese astronomical science and technology, but marks an important step in the astronomical exploration of mankind. 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. Video - https://youtu.be/tp3CEcG18nc Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1735490/China_Matters_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) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): Gangar Eyenation, one of India's leading branded eyewear retailers has announced its expansion plans in tier II & III states such as MP, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka. The brand will invest up to 25 crores in opening new stores, while by the end of this financial year, the company is also expecting a large-scale tie-up with several brand partners to increase business in the existing and new markets. Whether or not, the demand for offline stores is still relevant for today's tech-driven online shopper, Jigar Gangar, Director of Gangar Eyenation says, "The category of lenses and eyewear is paramedical and hence it is difficult to give prescriptions as eye testing is not advisable to conduct online. Moreover, every eyewear user has a different face shape and size so it becomes very tough to suggest the right product online which may not be comfortable for the buyer. And hence, offline testing and buying are still preferred and advisable when it comes to eye-wear." Speaking about diving into tier II & III markets which are dominated mostly by unorganized players, Jigar Gangar says, "Our industry as a whole is 20 per cent organized and 80 per cent unorganized. We plan on beating the competition by spreading awareness on eye health, and offering modern and effective solutions." Focusing on the brand's vision of spreading awareness and early detection, the stores will be equipped with modern eye-testing technology and quality customer service. "The reality is that 80 per cent of the blind in India could have saved their eyesight if preventive steps were taken in time. By the time they seek medical remedy, their eyesight gets severely impaired. Through our stores, we will endeavour to spread awareness about early detection and timely remedy among our fellow citizens," Gangar adds. Gangar Eyenation offers the widest range of genuine, international, and national brands, and is an exclusive dealer of fashion brands such as Bentley, Maybach, Cartier, Gucci, Mont Blanc, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Carrera catering to all customer segments. Through its new stores, the company will continue to offer high-quality international labels to brand-conscious consumers in tier II & III markets. As a part of its expansion strategy, the company plans to retain existing customers, while making new ones, through a loyalty program that comes across as a customer's delight. Currently, it has one million customers across its existing stores in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) New Delhi [India], April 14 (ANI/ATK): With a view to formally spreading awareness about the public policies, Lipi has recently incorporated a non-profit organisation namely Know Your Rights (KYR) presently based out of her hometown Ahmedabad. KYR envisages filling the gap between this Growth-Oriented Government and the Industrious people of the country who are unaware about the resources lying at their disposal in form of Yojanas. KYR comprises a strong team of motivated young and experienced individuals working relentlessly under the able guidance of its founder Lipi with a view to reach out to villages in different districts of Gujarat to spread awareness about the policies and Yojanas declared by the government. KYR conducts events and seminars of Sarpanch (presiding village officers) to educate them about how the rural population residing in villages could effectively avail of incentives and benefits under these Yojanas. KYR envisages acting extensively throughout the country with the hope of a larger pool of people joining KYR in this endeavour to bridge the gap between the government and the citizens. KYR is in process of creating a user-friendly Mobile Application that shall provide information in various regional languages relating to several Yojanas. Founded by Lipi, a lawyer pursuing her master's degree with a major in Human Rights, she possesses a keen interest and understanding about the Public Policies, their applicability and executions. She firmly believes that a country's real development and success can be measured by the quality of the socio-economic condition of the weaker and not so privileged segment of people. Upon her study on the public policies in India, she believes that the present government has immaculately declared enumerable Yojanas that are extremely effective and practical that shall provide with the right opportunities, support, subsidies and benefits to varied segments and cadres of people. With close to 70 per cent of India residing in the rural areas, Lipi finds a huge lack of awareness amongst people about the existence of the public policies and the benefits lying in availing such incentivising Yojanas that shall provide with resources to the financially weaker section to enable them to be self-sustained. "I strongly believe that it is utmost important for a truly developed country to have a just and equitable society where every citizen irrelevant to the caste, creed and gender gets a fair opportunity of growth and graceful living", says Lipi. She advocates the philosophy of empowering the weaker section by making them rightfully aware of their privileges and responsibilities to make them able and capable instead of merely donating them money or material. Her belief in the present government's ideology of cohesive growth motivates her to strive towards achieving that. Lipi sincerely strives to utilise her exposure, experience and privilege as a doctor, lawyer and a female entrepreneur to work towards the Greater Good by Empowerment of the weaker section of the society through the tool of Awareness, for a well deserved cohesively grown nation under the powerful and able leadership of PM Modi. This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK) New Delhi [India] April 14 (ANI/PNN): According to an estimate, chronic diseases may contribute to over 70 per cent of global deaths by 2030. And one of the most effective ways of nipping lifestyle diseases in the bud is preventive healthcare. To aid the development and practice of preventive healthcare across the world, global healthcare consultant Vijay Dhawangale opines and proposes a revolutionary Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to ease the burden of disease on people, by offering them accessible diagnostic services through public health facilities. "We care for our automobiles more than we care for our own health! Just as we ensure that our cars go for regular servicing, rather than awaiting a breakdown before hauling it to the service centre, we need to ensure that our bodies too, get a regular check-up. If diagnostic healthcare services are made more accessible, the shift towards preventive healthcare can be faster," says Vijay Dhawangale. His model of Healthcare Diagnostics Programs around the world involves nuanced strategies for local and state-level implementation, overseen by a central agency designated by governments. The initiative envisions providing a package of essential diagnostic services free-of-cost across all public health facilities using innovative, low-cost technology. As per the proposed model, the government's role is limited to enabling these diagnostic laboratories to be set up, while the responsibility of providing quality diagnostics can lie with the relevant laboratory partners. Dhawangale has earlier piloted a PPP healthcare project by setting up over 200 diagnostic laboratories across five states in India, spanning both private and public sectors. Over 10 million citizens in remote locations across India are supposed to have availed free diagnostic services from these labs, which are attached to more than 3,000 government hospitals. Dhawangale believes that this model has the potential of being scaled and implemented globally. "Both, availability and access to quality diagnostic healthcare, along with regular sensitization and awareness programs, are the need of the hour. These can ensure that people make their trips to hospitals, not just when they are unwell, but as a regular 'wellness' activity. Such preemptive diagnostics can help doctors catch the onset of a disease early on and prevent it altogether," Dhawangale elucidates further. Moreover, he points out that preventive healthcare, aided by timely and quality diagnostic services, can ease the burden on healthcare infrastructure and services. This can result in access to better care for those who need it the most, while ensuring that the majority of people remain in good health. Who is Vijay Dhawangale? Vijay Dhawangale is a venture capitalist and a global healthcare consultant who has successfully helmed multiple ventures across a multitude of domains and industries. He is particularly vocal about access to quality healthcare for all. As part of a pilot PPP healthcare project, Dhawangale has set up over 200 laboratories, attached to more than 3,000 government hospitals across five states in India. More than 10 million citizens from remote locations across the country are supposed to have accessed free diagnostic services through these. During the pandemic, Dhawangale has also been instrumental in setting up more than 15 COVID testing labs for quick and precise testing at critical locations across the country. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) Bengaluru (Karnataka), April 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): Connect and Heal, a leading health-tech company providing end-to-end coordinated care, has announced the appointments of Javed Khan as VP - Design; Rintu Kumar Pegu as Director - Product Management; and Deepak Bhati as Director - Business and Operations. Connect and Heal is rapidly strengthening its leadership team, and the new appointments are a part of that plan. This comes close on heels to Wakefit's Parasar Sarma joining earlier this month. A seasoned UX leader, Javed comes with over 16 years of experience across prestigious brands like Goibibo Snapdeal, Airtel, and Mobikwik. He is credited with creating Goibibo usability design at launch - which was simple and fast. He also conceptualised and led the team to deliver Snapdeal on mobile. He has done stellar work with Airtel and Mobikwik in the past, leading large consumer design and UX teams. Talking about his appointment, Javed Khan, said, "Today, given the reach of the internet, it is important to go beyond visually pleasing designs. Design should be functional and hence, inclusive. It should be seamless to make it effortless for consumers. Excited to be a part of Connect and Heal, where we have a great opportunity to create everlasting social impact through a seamless product experience." Rintu is a product leader with over 11 years of experience across Industries. At Halodoc, Indonesia's largest health tech company - he built the entire digital TPA product from scratch. Later expanding it to corporate benefits and co-created insurance products. His diverse experience in monetization, working at Flipkart and Quikr in the past makes him a unique product leader with deep understanding of underlying business. Sharing his views on the new role, Rintu Kumar Pegu, said, "I believe that a digital product must help consumers extract the value of underlying offering with least friction. Creating seamless paths that reflect real consumer journeys is key to delivering outstanding healthcare products. I am totally stoked to join Connect and Heal, building easy to use health care journeys for India, working alongside a super talented team." Deepak Bhati has close to a decade of hands-on experience in building and scaling business operations from ground-up. He has been a part of exponential scaling journeys at high growth companies like Ola Cabs and Cleartax. At Cleartax he was instrumental in doubling up the filing numbers through corporate alliances and other innovative channel strategies. His expertise includes setting up and managing critical processes for ensuring superior user onboarding, offline and online service delivery, and user retention amongst others. Deepak built and led a large team that achieved reality-bending delinquency numbers at Simpl. Sharing his views, Deepak Bhati, said, "To scale businesses, one must put customers in the centre. If there is a clarity of direction, well defined processes and a team that has great degree of trust, achieving even implausible goals becomes possible. We have a unique opportunity to impact millions of people in India, helping them become healthier. I am thrilled to join Connect and Heal to contribute in this journey." Talking about these three appointments, Prashant Kashyap, Co-founder & COO said, "Connect and Heal is on a mission to create a meaningful impact in the healthcare ecosystem in India. For our next stage of growth, we need leaders with diverse experience who have solved complex consumer business problems at scale. Javed, Deepak and Rintu bring immense value to our leadership team. They have exceptional ability to simplify complex problems and lead teams to deliver outstanding outcomes. We are truly excited to have them with us and looking forward to the momentum that they will bring!" Founded in 2016, by Sanjay Vinayak, Elwinder Singh and Galveender Kaur, Connect and Heal is an integrated health-tech company with a presence in over 60 cities and registered offices in over 5 cities. It provides 360-degree health care through its core, multidisciplinary, in-house team of 800-plus doctors backed by a preferred network of 6000-plus ambulances, hospitals, specialist clinics, and 3,500-plus diagnostic centres and pharmacies across 60-plus Indian cities. Notably, the company is also the largest aggregator of ambulances with more than 4000 vehicles. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) "The price revision is result of continuous increase in prices of key commodities such as steel, aluminium, palladium, etc," Mahindra & Mahindra said in a statement. The price hike became effective on April 14, 2022. All Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles have become costlier effective from Thursday. The increase in price range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 63,000 on the ex-showroom prices across the range of vehicles, depending upon the model and the variant. "The company has taken necessary initiatives to partially offset the unprecedented hike in commodity prices to absorb the impact, passing a minimal percentage of cost increase to customers through a price revision," the company said. Mahindra & Mahindra said it is working with its sales and dealer network to communicate the new prices to its customers appropriately. (ANI) New Delhi [India] April 14 (ANI/PNN): Ever since the pandemic hit the world, each company moved to employees' homes. Everyone adapted to the work-from-home model more adeptly. And now, we curve through the advantages of it. India shone to become the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China. A record 44 Indian startups achieved unicorn status in 2021, taking the overall tally of startup unicorns in India to 83, with most in the services sector, a survey showed. Adapting to new internet revolution and adaptation, virtual space has become a place for many new and completely virtual companies and ventures. This development is the beginning of a new era where new-gen companies are formed on the internet, each offering specific niche products and services. Work models cannot be only limited to hiring or vendor sourcing. Platform models are the way forward. The path breaking advancement is being witnessed now, where people are embracing the work-from-home and future of the work model and platforms like AiDOOS stitch this ecosystem of new players and disrupt the work models. AiDOOS, a virtual workplace, gives complete freedom to work from wherever the person is, getting timely paid for the task completed and getting the kind of work one loves without the hassle of hunting for it. At first, it may sound a little hard to believe, but Krishan Vardhan Reddy, a new generation technology leader, created a workspace AiDOOS that makes it all possible. Vardhan says that COVID was never a trigger in creating such an innovative workspace. He adds AiDOOS is a future model of work that uses advanced technology to empower companies to find the right IT talent pool and enable workers to get the work they would love to perform. AiDOOS, as a global workspace for talents, is flexible and lets experts create their profiles. If the skill set of experts matches the work requirements, then the experts have the liberty to perform tasks either individually or form teams. They have to complete the tasks in a given time frame and get paid as per global standards. What's unique about AiDOOS is that it allows experts to learn from one another through a global platform rather than the limitations of a traditional office. The platform gives the ability for experts to form new-age companies in the form of teams without the hassle of going through company formation. For example, a team of Java developers can come together and form a Java Experts team on the platform. These teams are provided with regular in-flow of tasks without them needing to search for work or bidding for work. It's worth acknowledging the fact that the teams can build products and not worry about marketing or sales. The platform takes care of selling their digital products to the readily available customers on the platform. For companies, AiDOOS is a one-stop platform to get their work done without the hassle of hiring employees. AiDOOS disrupts the work models by offering two models for the companies: "Task as a Service" and "Talent as a Service". With the Task as a Service model, companies need not worry about picking the talent, they simply post the tasks in a completely automated manner, the platform assigns the tasks to the right team/individual and owns the delivery. While with the Talent as a Service model, AiDOOS supports companies' talent needs by identifying the exact matching talent and overcoming the need of long screening cycles. AI, like the foundation of many other advancements today, is leveraged by AiDOOS as well. For both these models, the platform relies on an AI-powered "Peeling the Onion" algorithm that finds exactly the perfect match of the team/individual who fit the requirement. There's no denying that platforms like AiDOOS is a well-suited workspace for both companies and experts to adapt to the future of work. The ease of assigning work and its compatibility with work management software such as JIRA, Slack, ServiceNow, and ClickUp makes AiDOOS a prime choice among the working class. For instance, organizations can split a task among their employees and simultaneously push the selective tasks onto the AiDOOS platform. Since AiDOOS supports work management software, the progress of a project can be monitored, analyzed, and delivered within the desired time. AiDOOS serves as an umbrella platform to club work from various resources and presents it as a whole. There are some salient features that make AiDOOS one of the seed remote working platforms. On one hand, it helps experts by removing the pain of searching for and bidding for work and on the other hand, it saves organizations from spending plenty of time and money on hiring, training, and employing resources for desired work. This prominent feature of AiDOOS distinguishes it from various freelancing platforms otherwise available today. Organizations overspend on IT development and software maintenance. Still, they never attain the desired output resulting in non-value added work and higher overheads, causing a loss in value and delays in the overall processes of an organization. To remove non-value-added work and overheads with a pay-per-task model, AiDOOS created an on-demand software development 'Future of work' platform designed for organizations to get their IT work done. This on-demand software development enables organizations to develop software and maintain it on the platform, pay just for the tasks delivered, and save huge time and money. As remote working is becoming normal, enterprises are embracing this model and taking advantages from it widely for reduced IT infra expenditure. It makes IT simple by blending technology infrastructure and human intelligence, enabling individuals to work from anywhere, directly connect to the customer environment, and perform IT tasks. The safety of projects and workspace is a huge concern for workers. Zero trust plays a crucial role in defining the security structure. For secure and smooth processes on the platform, the AiDOOS model is taking over existing work models and defining the Future of Work. Zero Trust architecture becomes essential for organizations to be able to leverage platforms as the people who access the systems in this model are complete strangers from an organization standpoint. Zero trust is a cybersecurity strategy wherein security policy is applied through context established by least-privileged access controls and strict user authentication and not on implicit trust. A well-tuned zero trust architecture leads to simpler overall network infrastructure, a better user experience, and improved protection against cyber threats. AiDOOS comes with is the flexibility for workers to work at any time of the day. Since it's a global platform, time zones may vary for employees engaged in a certain project; through AiDOOS, workers get the freedom to work as per employees' availability. Vardhan says that the progress of a task or project can be checked on AiDOOS. "Even if users forget to update work progress, the platform reminds them. The work remains transparent and visible to those with access", he adds. Although AiDOOS is a recently developed and highly advanced workspace that uses Web 3.0 and Artificial Intelligence technologies, it is propelling as a Creator Economy and Metaverse. It has all the potential for the future of the work model. New age platforms like AiDOOS have become workspaces where work happens without the limitations of hiring the best talent as per work requirements, any space and infrastructure constraints and without wastage of time and money for gathering resources for work at large to learn more visit AiDOOS website. https://aidoos.com/ This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) Gurugram (Haryana) [India] April 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): The Grandest SCO development of Gurugram, Grand Central 114 by Spaze, spread over 12.3 acres was launched yesterday in a grand style at GNH Convention, Gurugram. Spaze Group, a leading NCR-based real estate company, will be leading the marketing and branding of the Grand Central 114. Grand Central 114 by Spaze has been developed in the Shop-cum-Office format enriched by brilliant and modern infrastructure, set amidst a commercial hotspot region attracting the bulk of customers from near and distant areas. The project has a strategic location that offers many advantages like almost 0 kms from Delhi, 10 mins drive from IGI Airport, being in close proximity to India International Convention Center. The vicinity to healthcare centres, luxury residential apartments, and the presence of elite crowd will definitely hype the investment prospects and crowd footfalls in the Grand Central 114. On taking the reins of marketing of Grand Central 114, Dr Renu Singh, President, Sales & Marketing, Spaze Group, said, "We are delighted to be spearheading the marketing and branding for the project and since the SCOs developments are emerging as the next profitable real estate investment class in the markets, we are certain that it will allure many people. The Grand Central 114 by Spaze is poised to become the Grandest Retail Marvel on the likes of Khan Market, Connaught Place in New Delhi. There are more projects in the pipeline which will be announced soon." This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said there has been a huge change in the approach to disaster management in the country after 2014. The Home Minister's remarks came while interacting with the personnel involved in the rescue operation of a ropeway accident in Jharkhand's Deoghar earlier this week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with the personnel of various agencies and civil society members who took part in the operation. "Before 2014, there was only a relief based approach, after Modi ji became the Prime Minister, the approach of saving human lives came in disaster management," Shah said. "I congratulate and thank all the representatives of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Air Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Army, District Administration as it was a very difficult operation which they carried out patiently," Shah further said. In such a short span of time, Shah said, so many agencies together with such good coordination carried out the operation with minimum damage. "I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. May God give them the strength to bear this loss. After a lot of exercises, the Home Minister said, a hierarchy has been formed down to the village with the support of NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and District Collector. The hierarchy works well in the most difficult disaster with mutual coordination on the basis of their practice." "And, they are ready to save people's lives all the time. The Deoghar accident is a living example of this," added the Home Minister. At least three people have died in the rescue operation in Deoghar where over 48 people were trapped in cable cars mid-air since Sunday after two cable cars collided with each other due to a technical glitch on the ropeway. All the trapped people were rescued till Tuesday in the harrowing rescue operation that was carried on the 770-m ropeway to the Trikut hills in Deoghar by the combined teams of the Indian Air Force, Army, ITBP and NDRF. The Trikut ropeway, according to the Jharkhand tourism department, is India's highest vertical ropeway. It is around 766-metre long. (ANI) 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. --IANS joseph/arm ( 173 Words) 2022-04-13-21:04:27 (IANS) 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. --IANS sq/vd ( 62 Words) 2022-04-13-21:34:04 (IANS) 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. --IANS miz/arm ( 233 Words) 2022-04-13-21:52:03 (IANS) The US military has stepped up its supply of military equipment to Ukraine amid rounds of talks for peaceful settlement between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports, the US has pledged more than USD 1.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine since February 24. It military-industrial complex has greatly benefitted from the war. Reuters reported on April 12 by citing two US officials that US President Joe Biden was expected to announce another appropriation of USD 750 million for military aid to Ukraine as early as April 13, which would bypass congressional approval and was directly earmarked by the US president via certain special procedures. There was another report citing a senior official of US Department of Defense that the US has been sending 8 to 10 aircraft loaded with weapons to Ukraine every day, and the convoys of trucks for delivering weapons are non-stop. US stirs up others' war to benefit itself Wang Fan, vice president of the China Foreign Affairs University, pointed out that the US gains quick benefits from the arms sales with foreign militaries. Statistics on the US defense industry in 2020 show that the number of employees in the US defense industry has reached 2 million, accounting for 1.4 percent of its total employed population, which means that every USD 100,000 in arms sales can create 7,000 jobs. Wang continued that the US is good at creating crisis and taking advantage of it, and the Ukraine crisis is a living proof -- the US never stopped stirring up conflicts, trying to fishing in the troubled water for great fortune. The stock prices of US military-industrial companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have soared due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Wang also stressed that the US continued to add fuel to the crisis through military assistance to Ukraine. Washington is concerned about the interests of the US military-industrial complex instead of the resolution of crisis. In this view, the crisis is far from over in the US politicians' eyes, because they haven't earned enough", Wang added. US uses NATO as a pawn to counter Russia Su Xiaohui, a special commentator of China Central Television (CCTV), pointed out that the US is trying to strengthen NATO's defense line while ensuring its own security. The US is playing tricks for weapon replacement, namely it requires its allies, especially some former Warsaw Pact countries, to provide Soviet-made and Russian-made weapons to Ukraine, and then the US provides them with US-made weapons as compensation or in return. She explained that if the US provides its own advanced weapons to Ukraine, Ukraine will inevitably require the US to send corresponding technical personnel and carry out training. That would make it easier for itself and NATO to be dragged into the war, which is precisely what the US does not want to see. Su said that behind such weapon-replacement method is the selfishness of the US. The US wants to exert more influence on its allies in terms of weapons and equipment. Whether the US is selling weapons or deploying weapons, it is actually strengthening the NATO defense line, thereby forming a greater encirclement against Russia, which reflects the idea of major power competition. 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. --IANS maya/pgh ( 461 Words) 2022-04-13-22:00:44 (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. --IANS mka/arm ( 333 Words) 2022-04-13-22:24:02 (IANS) With the objective of utilising mined out/practically unsuitable lands and increasing investment and job creation in coal sector, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the policy for using such land for development/setting-up of infrastructure relating to coal and energy, an official statement said. The policy comes under The Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, which provides for acquisition of coal-bearing lands and their vesting in a government company. Lands no longer suitable or economically viable for coal mining activities or lands from which coal has been mined out, de-coaled, and such reclaimed land can be chosen for utilisation under this policy. Government coal companies, such as Coal India Ltd (CIL) and its subsidiaries shall remain owner of these lands as the policy allows only leasing of the land for the specified purposes. They can, however, deploy private capital in joint projects for coal and energy related infrastructure development activities. The government company owning the land would lease it for specific period given under the policy and the entities for leasing shall be selected through a transparent, fair and competitive bid process and mechanism in order to achieve optimal value, the statement said. The coal-bearing land can now be used for purpose of coal washeries, conveyor systems, coal-handling plants, railway sidings, rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected families, thermal and renewal power projects, and coal development related infrastructure including compensatory afforestation. As per the government, lands which are mined out or are practically unsuitable for coal mining are prone to unauthorised encroachment and entail avoidable expenditure on security and maintenance. Under the approved policy, establishment of various coal and energy related infrastructure, without transfer of ownership from government, would lead to generation of a large number of direct and indirect employment. This unlocking of non-minable land for other purposes will also help CIL in reducing its cost of operations as it will be able to set up coal-related infrastructure and other projects such as solar plants on its own land by adopting different business models in partnership with private sector. It will make coal gasification projects viable as coal need not be transported to distant places. The proposal to utilise land for rehabilitation purpose would ensure proper utilisation and eliminate wastage, avoid need for acquisition of fresh land for rehabilitation of project-affected families, eliminate loading of additional financial burden on the projects, and increase profits. It will also address the demand of the displaced families who always prefer to stay as close as possible to their original residential places. It will help in obtaining local support for coal projects and also providing land to the state government for afforestation in lieu of forest land diverted to coal mining. The policy will help in realising the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependence, job creation, etc, the statement said. --IANS atk/vd ( 494 Words) 2022-04-13-22:30:04 (IANS) 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. --IANS ams/pgh ( 359 Words) 2022-04-13-22:34:02 (IANS) 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. --IANS ams/arm ( 253 Words) 2022-04-13-22:48:03 (IANS) Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl died after she was allegedly gang-raped in Hanskhali in Nadia district. The victim's family accused the son of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader in the case. Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the Hanskhali rape case. In its detailed order, the HC noted that in order to have a 'fair investigation' and instil confidence in the family of the victim, the case was being handed over to the CBI. The state investigating agency has been asked to hand over all papers relating to the investigation, as well as the custody of the accused to the central agency. The matter has been listed for May 2. 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 grand old party is all set to call a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting ahead of the 'Chintan Shivir' to chalk out the party's future strategy. In the last CWC meeting, it was decided by the party to call a 'Chintan Shivir' to formulate a strategy for the course correction to reverse the trend of electoral defeats after the party's abysmal performance in the recently held Assembly polls in five states. The party is now in power in only two states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and is part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. A senior functionary of the party told ANI, "We are in the process of finalizing the dates venue and the matters to be taken into account in the 'Chintan Shivir' of the party." Several meetings have already been held for the preparation of the Chintan Shivir. Senior leaders Ambika Soni, Jairam Ramesh, Mukul Wasnik and party general secretary organization KC Venugopal are deliberating on the preparation of the Chintan Shivir in the meeting held in the Congress War Room on Tuesday. According to a top source in the party, within two-three days the final proposal of the 'Chintan Shivir' like the agenda, dates and the venue will be worked out and a final nod will be given by the CWC. The grand old party is seriously considering that the venue should be in poll-bound states like Gujarat or Himachal Pradesh where elections are to be held at the end of the year, the source added. Earlier, the party had called the meeting of the CWC on March 13 after the poll debacle in the five states in the meet it was decided that a 'Chintan Shivir' will be held to assess the defeat and to prepare the future road map for the party. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi also held deliberations with party leaders including those of the G23 who had been critical of the leadership and have demanded organisational overhaul. (ANI) The joint partnership between IAF and IIT Madras aims to accelerate IAF's indigenisation efforts for achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. "Under the ambit of MoU, IAF has identified key focus areas involving technology development and finding indigenous solutions towards the sustenance of various weapon systems. IIT Madras will provide consultancy duly supported by research for feasibility studies and prototype development," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. IIT Madras in partnership with IAF will significantly contribute in indigenisation efforts by Base Repair Depots (BRDs) of Maintenance Command IAF, towards enhancing sustenance capability, obsolescence management and achieving 'Self Reliance'. The MoU was signed by Air Commodore S Bahuja, Command Engineering Officer (Systems), Headquarters Maintenance Command, IAF and Professor HSN Murthy, Head of Department Aerospace Engineering IIT Madras, at Air Force Station, Tughlakabad, Delhi. (ANI) At the PDS centre, Pradhan interacted with several beneficiaries and distributed free 5kg rice packets among them under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY). The Union Education Minister said that ministers are visiting the state's aspirational districts to take stock of central developmental work. "I am here for that," he added. Pradhan further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and the beneficiaries are very satisfied with him. "Last two years were challenging for the country's poor; PM started the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and the beneficiaries are very satisfied with him. They are giving blessings to him as, despite COVID-19, they weren't deprived of grains," said Pradhan. Pradhan is on a four-day visit to Odisha's Dhenkanal, Talcher, Angul and Khurda (Bhubaneswar) respectively. As many as ten Union Ministers are visiting aspirational districts of Odisha to review the progress of various developmental projects undertaken by the central government till April 20. Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sanjeev Kumar Balyan visited Odisha's Koraput district and took stock of various developmental projects under the Government of India. The ten aspirational districts of Odisha are- Nuapada, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Balangir, Dhenkanal, Koraput and Gajapati. 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. 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) According to the police, the nurse was working as a caretaker of the grandmother of Anand Ahuja, at their residence on Amrita Shergill Marg in Delhi. Deputy Commissioner of Police Amritha Guguloth said that the accused have been identified as Aparna Wilson (30) and Naresh (31). "The accused are residents of Sarita Vihar. The nurse took care of Sarla Ahuja, who is the grandmother of Anand Ahuja," said police sources. Earlier on February 23, 2022, a complaint has been filed by the in-laws of Sonam Kapoor alleging theft of cash and jewellery worth Rs 2.40 crores from their Delhi residence. An FIR was filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code at Tughlaq Road police station.(ANI) By Nie Shuyi On April 12, gunshots erupt at a New York subway station. The picture shows people fleeing the subway train where the accident occurs. (Photo/Reuters) On April 12, local time, gunshots rang out at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York City, USA, wounding 29 people, with 10 suffering direct gunshot wounds. Ironically, the day before, the Biden administration just announced new gun control measures, vowing to curb the proliferation of "ghost guns". The resounding gunshots at the New York subway station and the bloodstains on the floor of the subway train are demonstrating that gun violence has long been deeply rooted in American society and become a "malignant tumor" difficult to remove. Gun violence has become a "routine" in the US. According to statistics from the US Gun Violence Archive (GVA) website, there have been 131 mass shootings in the US this year as of April 13, resulting in 143 deaths and hundreds of people wounded. In an interview with CNN in August 2021, Rochelle P. Warrenski, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, declared that gun violence has become a "serious public health threat "in the US, and "something has to be done about this." However, multiple US governments have been "willing but unable to limit gun ownership" on the issue of gun violence. For instance, the new gun control measures announced by the Biden administration on April 11 mainly target the proliferation of "ghost guns" that has attracted increasing attention in the US in recent years. According to the US Attorney General Merrick Garland, "this rule will make it harder for criminals and other prohibited persons to obtain untraceable guns, and help ensure that law enforcement officers can retrieve the information they need to solve crimes." Nevertheless, the new rule is still under question by gun owners and politicians, as pointed out by a leader of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), "the president unveils yet another hollow plan (by the Democrats)." Considering that numerous gun-related executive orders issued by Democratic administrations and some Democratic states have either been repealed by the Republican administrations or found to be unconstitutional in the Supreme Court, a big question mark has been placed on how far the Biden's plan can go, not to mention other ambitious gun control measures proposed by the progressive Democrats. Gun proliferation, a problem getting increasingly serious in the US, is what lies behind the frequent gun violence crimes, and can be described as the root cause of societal breakdown and political polarization in the US. The US is one of the few countries in the world with "more guns than people", and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is an individual constitutional right in the US. This means that if the problem of gun proliferation is expected to be fundamentally solved in the US, the first step should be the legislative change l. However, it is almost impossible to accomplish the task in the US. On the one hand, the threshold for the constitutional amendment is particularly high in the US. As calculated by the US late Supreme Court Justice Anton in Scalia, the negative votes from only 2% of Americans could be powerful enough to prevent a constitutional amendment from being passed under the current US system. As a result, despite polls showing that most Americans support tougher gun control measures, it is almost impossible to amend the Constitution to abolish gun ownership for all citizens. On the other hand, gun control has no longer been a safety issue related to human life; instead, this has become a "political issue". The US Democrats and Republicans have been deeply divided on this, having made gun control legislation extremely difficult. For instance, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed two gun control bills on March 11, 2021, which ultimately failed to get approved by the US Senate. It has been clearly shown that as the American society continues to tear apart and political confrontation keeps intensifying, the US government is destined to act as a "paperhanger" who covers surfaces, instead of fundamentally solving problems. The reality of high irony is that on April 11 when the measures to control the "ghost guns" were announced, Biden also announced the nomination of former federal prosecutor Steve Dettelbach to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). If the nomination is approved by the Senate, Steve Dettelbach will be the first full-time director of the ATF since 2015. As an important administrative agency for gun control in the US, the ATF has not had an official head for a long time, which also reflects the epitome of the difficulty in US gun control. The gunshots constantly echoing on American soil show that guns have no longer been a "weapon for defending freedom"; instead, it is a "scythe" that ruthlessly cut people's lives. How much will the American people have to pay to completely cut off the huge "malignant tumor"? Editor's note: This article is originally published on haiwainet.cn, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. "Tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti. He has made indelible contributions to India's progress. This is a day to reiterate our commitment to fulfilling his dreams for our nation," PM Modi tweeted. President Ram Nath Kovind also paid tributes to B R Ambedkar on the occasion and said that he being the architect of the Constitution laid the foundation of modern India. "Humble tribute to Babasaheb on Ambedkar Jayanti! A strong advocate of social justice, Babasaheb laid the foundation of modern India as the architect of the Constitution. Let us do our part in building an inclusive society, following his ideals of 'Indian first, Indian later and Indian last'," roughly translated from President Kovind's tweet in Hindi. Born on 14 April 1891, Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination and supported the rights of women and workers. He died on 6 December 1956. In 1990, Ambedkar was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. (ANI) "Acting on a specific tip, a team of NCB Mumbai intercepted one South African national carrying a red coloured trolley bag," said NCB officials. From the bag, the officials confiscated four packs of heroin that weighed 3.980 kilograms. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Ministers Meenakashi Lekhi, Piyush Goyal, Anurag Thakur and other parliamentarians also paid floral tribute to Dr Ambedkar in the Central Hall of Parliament. PM Modi paid rich tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 131st birth anniversary, stating that it is a day to "reiterate our commitment to fulfilling his dreams". "Tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti. He has made indelible contributions to India's progress. This is a day to reiterate our commitment to fulfilling his dreams for our nation," PM Modi tweeted. Born on 14 April 1891, Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination and supported the rights of women and workers. He died on 6 December 1956. President Ram Nath Kovind also paid tributes to B R Ambedkar on the occasion and said that he being the architect of the Constitution laid the foundation of modern India. "Humble tribute to Babasaheb on Ambedkar Jayanti! A strong advocate of social justice, Babasaheb laid the foundation of modern India as the architect of the Constitution. Let us do our part in building an inclusive society, following his ideals of 'Indian first, Indian later and Indian last'," roughly translated from President Kovind's tweet in Hindi. In 1990, Ambedkar was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. (ANI) A Dalit man, who married an upper-caste woman and is facing an arrest warrant for abducting her, has been granted interim protection from arrest by the Supreme Court. A bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Abhay S. Oka issued notice to Jharkhand Govt asking it to file its reply. The court also said, "The petitioner shall not be arrested until further orders." The petitioner was represented by advocates Utkarsh Singh, Shivam Rajput, and Sureshan P. The apex court was hearing the petition challenging the judgment of the High Court of Jharkhand dated March 22, which dismissed the man's plea against non-bailable warrants and proceedings under section 82 Crpc against him in connection with a case under Section 366 (abducting, woman to compel her marriage) of Indian Penal Code and others. The Jharkhand High Court had directed him to appear in the concerned court after state Police opposed his plea and submitted that he is evading arrest. The petitioner has claimed that he had been the victim of caste prejudices and social-administrative discrimination. "The case elucidates that the society is yet not ready to accept a Dalit son-in-law and will go to any extent to abuse the process of law to thwart an inter-caste marriage. The boy belongs to a lower community while the woman is from an upper caste and they have registered their marriage before the Magistrate in Dehradun, Uttrakhand on August 10, 2021," the petition read. According to the lawyer for petitioner Utkarsh Singh, this is a classic case and embodiment of the atrocities borne by inter-caste couples and people who support them in defying social norms by performing an inter-caste marriage and the petitioner is one of many everyday victims of the same as well as non-compliance of the judgment of Shakti Vahini vs Union of India. The petitioner's lawyer said that after the solemnization of their marriage, the petitioner was living with his legally wedded wife in Himachal Pradesh but at the midnight of August 12-13, six individuals broke into their house in Police uniforms and assaulted them. After the assault, the petitioner was left unconscious and the wife of the petitioner was forcibly taken away at midnight, the petitioner's lawyer said. According to the petition, the wife of the petitioner was taken away in the presence of Himachal and UP Police officials. The man filed a complaint about the incident before Himachal Pradesh police and later moved the High Court of Himachal Pradesh with his Habeas Corpus plea to produce his wife. Later the Himachal Pradesh Court was apprised that a case under charges dealing with abduction has been lodged against the man, his father and others in Jharkhand. On November 23, 2021, a local court in Jharkhand issued a non-bailable warrant against the man. The man then moved his anticipatory bail in a District Court in Jharkhand which was dismissed. He later challenged the same in Jharkhand High Court but his anticipatory bail plea was also rejected. The petitioner submitted that the Jharkhand High Court had dismissed the petition without considering the prima facie abuse of the law by the in-laws of the petitioner and ignoring the fact that the petitioner has committed no offence, he is falsely implicated in this case with mala fide intentions of destroying any attempt to pursue his inter-caste marriage. "The petitioner is grossly aggrieved due to the arbitrary and unconstitutional actions of the respondent and in-laws of the petitioner who has grossly misused the entire system to their advantage depriving him the right to equal protection of laws, life and personal, " the man said in his plea filed before SC. (ANI) Following the increase in the prices of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by the Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) on Wednesday, the cab drivers in Delhi appealed for a hike in their salary from their company's end. The IGL hiked the prices of CNG by Rs 2.5 per kilogram, which has made it cost Rs 71.61 in the national capital. "Earlier we could save at least Rs 200-400, but now we cannot even take Rs 100-150 at our homes, as we are left empty-pocketed after getting the fuel tank filled at this rate," said Pankaj, one of the cab drivers. Another driver Zubair said that "if our monthly salary gets increased, we would be much grateful and won't complain regarding the increasing prices, as by then, we might be having enough amount in our wallets to get both ends meet." With the sudden hike in CNG prices after 8 days, it now retails at Rs 74.17 per kg in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, while in Gurugram, it will cost Rs 79.94 per Kg. In Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, and Shamli, the CNG will cost Rs 78.84 per kg, whereas in Rewari, the new prices of CNG retail at Rs 82.07 per kg. (ANI) Claiming outcry from the students' organisations over the recent violence on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus and communal developments in Karnataka, Lady Shri Ram (LSR) College has cancelled BJP spokesperson Guru Prakash's talk on BR Ambedkar on Thursday. The BJP IT department head Amit Malviya posted the message given by one of the organisers in the college to Prakash on social media. The organiser, whose name wasn't revealed, stated that the educational institution doesn't want "the College atmosphere becoming a political space instead of an academic one". The BJP spokesperson was further told by the organiser of the talk that "we regret to inform you that the talk that we had scheduled for Ambedkar Jayanti, on 14th April, needs to be called off. There has been no such order from the administration, however, there has been a huge outcry from the student body stating their disagreement with this talk." Speaking to ANI on the matter, the BJP leader termed the cancellation of the event an "epitome of intolerance". "I was invited by LSR college for the event on Ambedkar Jayanti but was informed yesterday that due to a protest by the students union group, the show has been cancelled. It's an epitome of intolerance," he said. "It's unfortunate that a Dalit person was stopped from speaking on Ambedkar Jayanti. It shows the dictatorial and totalitarian way of thinking of such groups especially SFI who are stopping people from speaking. They've lost their relevance on the ground," Prakash added. In the message informing the cancellation of the talk, the BJP spokesperson was told that the decision was taken against the backdrop of "recent developments in Karnataka and JNU". "Since, we would like to refrain the atmosphere of the SC/ST Cell, especially LSR from becoming a political space instead of an academic one, it was in the best interest of the institution to cancel the event. We are very apologetic for this action that too, on such short notice. We are even more regretful of wasting your time," stated the message shared by the BJP leader from the organiser of the talk on Ambedkar. Notably, a scuffle took place among two student groups in JNU on Ram Navami day allegedly over the food issue in hostel canteens, which had left six persons injured. The cancellation of the talk in LSR College has drawn sharp reactions from the BJP, with Malviya calling it the "political assertion of Communist sponsored student bodies". "The intolerant ideological and political assertion of Communist sponsored student bodies, that permeates our academic institutions, is a bane. It obstructs free expression and assimilation of competing ideas," Malviya tweeted. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday questioned former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for over six hours in a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged sand mining case in the state, officials said on Thursday. The ED recorded Channi's statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and he left the ED's zonal office in Jalandhar late on Wednesday night, the officials said. Channi, through his Twitter account, also confirmed his questioning by the ED. "I was summoned by the ED yesterday regarding the mining case. I attended and replied to the queries put by them to the best of my knowledge. A Challan in this case has already been presented by ED in the Hon'ble court. The authorities have not asked me to come again," Channi said in a tweet. Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh alias Honey was arrested in the case by the ED some days before the February 20 Punjab Assembly polls. A charge sheet was also filed against him and others named in the case early this month. The agency also named one more person in the charge sheet filed on March 31 under money laundering charges in the court of Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) judge, Rupinderjit Chahal, in Punjab. Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh alias Honey and his associate Kudratdeep Singh were charged under various sections of money laundering by the federal agency. Honey was arrested on the intervening night of February 3 and 4 by the ED, and as per rules, the agency had to file a charge sheet against him within 60 days. The ED had on January 18, days before the Punjab Assembly elections, conducted raids against Honey and others at 10 locations. The ED has also seized more than Rs 10 crore, gold worth above 21 lakh and a Rolex watch worth Rs 12 lakh from the residential premises of Honey, and others in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining case. The ED had declared the recoveries after it concluded its two-day raid conducted at the business and residential premises of the accused persons and their associates in over a dozen places in Mohali, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Pathankot. The federal agency had also raided the premises of the accused persons and their associates including Kudratdeep Singh, the owner of Pinjore Royalty Company, and his partners and shareholders Kanwarmahip Singh, Manpreet Singh, Sunil Kumar Joshi, Jagveer Inder Singh on January 18 and 19. The raids were also conducted at the premises of Randeep Singh, the owner of Providers Overseas Consultants Pvt Ltd and its other Directors and shareholders including Bhupinder Singh and Sandeep Kumar. The places searched then included Honey's Homeland Heights Society residence in Mohali's Sector-70. ED initiated a money-laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Police Station under sections 379, 420, 465, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 21(1) and 4(1) of Mines and Minerals (Regulation of Development) Act, 1957 in March 2018. In the FIR, it was mentioned that a team comprising of the officials of the Mining Department, Civil Administration and Police Department made a surprise check on 7 March 2018, on the basis of a complaint received at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Police Station regarding illegal sand mining. Consequently, it was found that several mines were being excavated by various machines and mining was being carried out beyond the designated area. Accordingly, several tippers and trucks, Porcelain machines and JCB Machines were captured and seized by the investigating team. "The seized tipper and trucks were also found to be overloaded with sand. The seized weighment slips having office stamps had actually not been issued by the concerned office and were forged," ED had said. Subsequently, the ED had also informed, that the mining operation at the Malikpur mining site was stopped, and also the approval of weighment slips was stopped by the team. As per the FIR, apart from Malikpur, illegal mining activities were also carried out at Burjtahl Das, Barsal, Lalewal, Mandala and Khosa. On the basis of information available, the ED said the investigation was initiated against all the accused mine owners and their associates in order to ascertain the money laundering activities undertaken by them for laundering their proceeds of crime. The ED suspects that black money was invested in getting a contract for the sand mine. The company floated, sources say, is of very small scale and unlikely to get a contract worth crores. Honey's partner Kudratdeep Singh of Ludhiana and 25 others have already been booked by Punjab Police in its FIR registered in 2018. When the ED questioned Kudratdeep Singh it came to the fore that the main facilitator was Honey. (ANI) A teacher and a student of a private school in South Delhi have been found COVID-19 positive, following which other students who were in the same class were sent home on Wednesday. Meanwhile, all the schools in Delhi are closed for the next four days in view of Baisakhi, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. As per sources, the condition of COVID-19 positive student and the teacher is stable. Schools for classes 9-12 reopened in hybrid mode on February 7 while that of the nursery to standard 8 reopened on February 14 in the national capital. However, the schools began to function fully offline from April 1. Students were advised all to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour in school while the schools were asked to make sure of sanitation. On March 1, the Delhi government's Directorate of Education said that the consent of parents would not be mandatory for offline classes or exams for students of classes 10 and 12 adding that the schools can conduct offline classes and exams for classes 10 and 12. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the government is tracking the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the national capital and assured there is nothing to worry about it now. "We are tracking the rising cases of COVID in Delhi. People are not getting admitted to the hospital and there is nothing to worry about right now. If need be, we will definitely bring guidelines for schools," he said. Delhi on Wednesday logged 299 new COVID-19 infections with a daily positivity rate of 2.49 per cent. Delhi has 814 active cases at present. "0 to 200 Covid cases are being reported in Delhi. The number of hospitalisations is also going down. We are keeping a close watch. Earlier the focus was on positivity, but now everything has changed," said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday. In view of the decreasing COVID-19 cases, all restrictions in the national capital were lifted from February 28. (ANI) Google has secretly released an unlisted app named 'Switch to Android' for iOS that helps users to switch from iOS to Android in a hassle-free manner. The 'Switch To Android' app works wirelessly, which means there's no need to connect the two phones with a cable, as reported by 9to5Google. "The Switch to Android app from Google helps you quickly and securely move your most important data types, photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events to a brand new Android device without fussy cables. The app also walks you through other important steps to setting up your device, like turning off iMessage so you don't miss text messages from friends and family. The app will ask you for a series of permissions so that your iPhone's data can be moved to your Android device," the app description reads. Barring the conventional style of transferring data while switching phones, the new Google app helps in making the process of data shifting a lot easier and time-efficient. Although the app is unlisted yet, the app can be downloaded through a direct link but it is yet to make an appearance on the Play Store. (ANI) Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam on Thursday said that if the allegations against the BJP leader KS Eshwarappa in the contractor Santosh Patil's death are true, then the party will take necessary action against him. An FIR has also been registered against Karnataka minister Eshwarappa in this case. Congress is also demanding the dismissal of the minister in this matter. The Congress delegation has also met the Governor of Karnataka in this matter and is continuously demanding action against Eshwarappa. "It is the rule of our party that if the allegation is levelled against anyone. Whatever action is required, it will be taken on them. There will be absolutely no indiscipline within the party," Gautam told ANI. Earlier, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwarappa made it clear that he would not resign under pressure from the opposition. The minister defended himself by saying that "no death note was found near the body". Any relationship with the contractor is denied, he added. He said, "I have not seen the face of Santosh Patil, but as journalists are saying that he used to go to Delhi often. It should be investigated who booked his flight tickets and why." Earlier today, Congress leaders DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and others were detained as the police stopped them from marching toward Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's residence to demand Minister KS Eshwarappas's resignation in connection with contractor Santosh Patil's death. The leaders have been detained at High Grounds Police Station. Earlier today, Patil's mortal remains arrived at his residence in Belagavi. Meanwhile, the brother of the deceased contractor on Wednesday demanded the arrest of Eshwarappa and his close aides Ramesh and Basawaraj. Speaking to the reporters here, Prashant Patil (brother of the deceased) had said, "Minister KS Eshwarappa, Basawaraj and Ramesh (Eshwarappa's close aides) must be arrested. We want justice." (ANI) Abilene, KS (67410) Today Sunshine early followed by partly cloudy skies and gusty winds this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Prime Minister Awas Yojana beneficiary, Sudhir Kumar Jain, who received a letter from PM Modi, expressed his gratefulness to the PM for acknowledging his letter and thanked the PM on behalf of all the beneficiaries of the scheme. Earlier on Tuesday, Jain received a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, congratulating him on the ownership of the house under the scheme. To congratulate a beneficiary of PM Awas Yojana on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to congratulate him for the ownership, to add up to his contentment. According to an official statement, Modi had sent a letter to Sudhir Kumar Jain of Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh for adding up to his happiness of own roof by congratulating him. "House is not just a structure made of bricks and cement, but our feelings, our aspirations are attached to it. The boundary walls of the house not only provide us security but also instil in us the confidence of a better tomorrow," PM Modi had written in his letter to Jain. "The dream of your own house has come true through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Your sense of satisfaction after this achievement can easily be felt by your words in the letter. This house is like a new foundation for the dignified life of your family and a better future for both your children," the statement had read quoting PM. As per the statement, "PM Modi also said that crores of beneficiaries have got their pucca houses under the PM Awas Yojana so far." The Prime Minister had also said that the government is committed to the goal of providing houses to every needy family. "The government is making sincere efforts to bring positive changes in the lives of the countrymen through various public welfare schemes," PM had said. In the letter to Jain, PM Modi had said that these memorable moments in the lives of beneficiaries like him give him inspiration and energy to continue working tirelessly and non-stop in the service of the nation. Jain had also written to the PM, thanking him for a pucca house and described how the scheme has been a boon for homeless families. (ANI) According to Delhi Police, the fire was soon doused and no casualties were reported. Twelve fire tenders were dispatched to the site of the incident, police said. All four floors of the building had caught fire, triggered allegedly due to a short circuit. "Reportedly, no one was inside the building," they added. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya on Thursday said that he will bring out another scam of the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government. Addressing a press conference, Somaiya said, "Tomorrow, I will bring out another scandal of the Thackeray government. I will answer why I was not reachable." He added, "Property of a dozen MVA leaders attached by ED-- Anil Deshmukh, Shridhar Patankar, Nawab Malik and their property attached. Sanjay Raut, Yashwant Jadhav, Ajit Pawar, and others' property attached too." However, it is worth mentioning that a case has been registered against Kirit Somaiya and Neil Somaiya under Sections 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the Trombay Police station in Mumbai for INS Vikrant financial bungling. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to Kirit Somaiya in a case of alleged misappropriation of funds collected in the name of saving the decommissioned naval aircraft carrier Vikrant. "As per the rules, I or the lawyer can go, we are giving all the information in the court, Vikrant's campaign started from 1997-98. Vikrant's event was symbolic. Shivsena had given support to save Vikrant. Started in 1997. Sanjay Raut accused me of Uddhav Thackeray's statement", he said. Commissioned in 1961, INS Vikrant, a Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, had played a key role in enforcing the naval blockade of East Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. It was decommissioned in 1997. In January 2014, the ship was sold through an online auction and scrapped in November that year. (ANI) Amid the row over gang rape and death of a minor in West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday alleged that the bureaucracy is politicised and the preamble of the Constitution is disregarded in the state. "We need to focus on the spirit of the Indian constitution. It is my duty and obligation that violation of the Constitution does not take place. Recent events were painful. Even before such incidents, there was an urgent need to improve the situation in the state," Governor Dhankhar told mediapersons here. "Those concerned with governance must see that probe must be fair. We cannot have a state that is known only for violence and gets into the headlines for crime against women, where bureaucracy is politicised and preamble of the Constitution is disregarded," he said. Earlier on Wednesday, Dhankhar summoned State Chief Secretary and Director General Police to take steps to curb rising crime against women. The Governor had directed the officials to improve law and order situation in the state and respond to pending issues. The meeting went on for an hour where Governor Dhankhar emphasized that constitutional governance is a must and not optional, said the Raj Bhavan. Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl died after she was allegedly gang-raped in Hanskhali in Nadia district. The victim's family accused the son of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader in the case. Dhankhar also raised concerns about the recent commotion in Calcutta High Court. "Whatever happened in HC was unprecedented and shocking. If access to justice is obstructed then where is democracy? If those who perform solemn duty in the temple of justice are cornered, then it is not acceptable," Governor Dhankhar said. On Wednesday, the TMC workers' legal wing of West Bengal blocked the doors of the Calcutta High Court and barred the lawyers from entering the Court of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay.TMC workers' legal wing said, "Justice Gangopadhyay has committed a crime by passing orders in the School Service Commission (SSC) corruption case." On Tuesday, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court stayed a single bench order that directed West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee to appear before the CBI in connection with irregularities in the appointment of assistant teachers in state government-aided schools. Justice Gangopadhyay had also given CBI liberty to arrest the state minister in the case. The Bar Association, Calcutta High Court brought out a resolution to boycott Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. (ANI) On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, on Thursday vouched for promoting 'Unity in Diversity' in the country. A programme was organized at the residence of Naqvi today. Acharya Lokesh Muni, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities Iqbal Singh Lalpura, and many others were present in this programme. Speaking to ANI after the programme, Naqvi said, "The world can learn from the preachings of Lord Mahavir. The people can follow the path of non-violence. This is the day of forming a resolution. Everyone should promote the idea of brotherhood and diversity in the country." "India is a country that believes in Unity in Diversity. Unity is the strength of this country. Don't let it weaken you," he said. Acharya Lokesh Muni, who arrived on this occasion, said to the gathering that Lord Mahavir was the harbinger of peace and harmony and from today, the whole world needs to adopt this principle. "The three main problems faced by the world today are climate change, terrorism and poverty. If anyone amongst you can eradicate one of these problems, then it will be a great tribute to Lord Mahavir," Muni added. Mahavir Jayanti is an important religious festival in Jainism that celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir. The festival is marked with prayers and fasting. (ANI) Calling Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar a source of inspiration, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday said that the credit for making India the largest democracy in the world goes to Babasaheb Ambedkar. "India is known as the largest democratic country in the world and credit of it goes to the contributions of Babasaheb Ambedkar, who is the architect of the Constitution. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar is not just a name but also a source of inspiration and a great man who dedicated his entire life to the country," said Thakur. Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government has been working with priority towards the honour of martyrs and heroes of the country. He said that the government is also working on the reconstruction of Shaheed Saurav Kalia Park in Palampur. He also laid the foundation stone of the augmentation work of the drinking water schemes in Bandla, Diyala and Jia Khas under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting at Mini Secretariat Palampur after unveiling the statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Captain Vikram Batra in Palampur. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted citizens of the country on the occasion of Khalsa Saajna Diwas and said that the Khalsa Panth motivates countless people across the world. PM Modi highlighted that Sikhs have distinguished themselves globally in diverse fields. "Greetings to everyone, especially the Sikhs on the special occasion of Khalsa Saajna Diwas. The Khalsa Panth motivates countless people across the world. Inspired by it, Sikhs have distinguished themselves globally in diverse fields," tweeted PM Modi. The Khalsa tradition was initiated by the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. Its formation was a key event in the history of Sikhism. (ANI) A woman jumped off from Akshardham metro station on Blue Line in East Delhi on Thursday morning. A senior Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer said that CISF personnel on duty at platform number 2 of the metro station noticed a woman has climbed the parapet of the metro station at around 7.30 am. They tried their best to convince and beg her to get off the wall at the Metro Station on the Blue Line. The CISF personnel quickly swung into action, while one team tried to persuade the lady to abandon her thoughts, the other team with the help of local civil employees arranged a blanket to catch her in case of a fall. "In the meantime, another team of CISF rushed towards the ground floor and with the help of others, they created a safety net by collecting a blanket and bedsheets from shops around the metro station premises," the official added. The woman jumped off from the metro station and fell into the safety net but unfortunately, she has received severe injuries. She was rushed to a hospital where she is undergoing treatment in ICU, he added. Due to the severity of the fall, she sustained severe injuries but her life has been saved. She was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where she is under treatment and in family care, he added. "We informed local police regarding the incident and her family members were also informed. The motive of her taking the extreme step is unknown," he added. (ANI) Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, defence supplies from Moscow are continuing as the Indian defence forces have received a shipment of overhauled aircraft engines and spares. However, there is concern about whether this would continue in the near future as a solution for making payment to Russia has not yet been found. "The defence forces have received shipments from the Russians very recently and it is still on. So far, there has not been any glitch in supplies for our forces," a government source told ANI. "However, there are concerns on whether these supplies can continue in the same manner as the Indian side cannot make payments to these Russian firms in view of the sanctions related to their banks," he added. The sources said the Indian and Russian sides are working to find a way this issue can be overcome and many options are being explored. The latest supplies from Russia included overhauled fighter aircraft engines and spares for an aircraft fleet and they arrived through the sea route, the sources said. India also received the final parts of the S-400 Triumf air defence system from Russia whose first squadron is operational with its elements deployed to take care of threats from both Pakistan and China. India is one of the largest users of Russian weaponry including major platforms like fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, warships, tanks, infantry combat vehicles and submarines. Over the last couple of decades, it has broadened its source base by including equipment from countries like the US, France and Israel in a big way but the dependence on Russia still remains very high. The Air Force is dependent majorly on the Russian supplies as its mainstay Su30 aircraft fleet is Russian along with its Mi-17 helicopter fleet. The Army is also dependent on the Russian-origin T-90 and T-72 tank fleet for the armoured regiments. (ANI) Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa, who is caught in a row following his alleged role in the suicide of a contractor on Thursday said that he will hand over his resignation to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai tomorrow. "Tomorrow, I'm handing over the resignation letter to CM. I thank you all for your co-operation," the Minister told reporters here. Eshwarappa said that he does not want to embarrass anybody including the high command leaders of the party. The minister's announcement came after chief minister Bommai said that Eshwarappa will continue in his cabinet and that an inquiry has been instituted after which a decision will be taken. Speaking to ANI, Bommai said, "The postmortem was done yesterday and now preliminary inquiry (report) will come and based on that we'll proceed." Notably, following the allegations, Congress and other political parties had demanded the removal of the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, said, "He (contractor Satish Patil) has accused top ministers of demanding money. He wrote all this, the Congress party is not blaming them. They have already been accused several times. If they are not taking any action, it is not fair." Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Binoy Viswam had also written to Bommai demanding the removal of Eshwarappa from the state cabinet. Earlier, Eshwarappa had said he would not resign under pressure from the opposition and added that "no death note was found near the body". "I have not seen the face of Santosh Patil, but as journalists are saying that he used to go to Delhi often. It should be investigated who booked his flight tickets and why," he had said. The brother of the deceased contractor on Wednesday demanded the arrest of Eshwarappa "and his close aides Ramesh and Basawaraj". (ANI) Xiplomacy: Xi's vision to enhance global solidarity amid compounded challenges Xinhua) 08:17, April 14, 2022 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. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Assyrian American Artist Connects With Cultural Heritage in North Iraq Esther Elia, an Assyrian artist based in New Mexico, traveled over 7,000 miles to the Nahla Valley of northern Iraq to paint a mural depicting Assyrian cultural heritage. Read the full story here. With Baisakhi marking the start of the Sikh new year, it brings joy amongst the deployed forces and the local populace, the official release by the army stated. The Jawans and the people of the Union Territory celebrated the festival together with joy and happiness in the far-flung villages close to LoC. "This festival and its celebration break the monotony and bring in the much-needed rejuvenation among the forces deployed along the LoC. Celebrations like these also portray the strong bonhomie between the local populace and the security forces," the release read. Baishakhi is one of the important festivals celebrated in North India. This day marks the arrival of the harvest season. (ANI) The incident that took place a few days ago was caught on video that has been shared widely online. In the purported video, panchayat president Anjammal is seen being forced to remove a framed photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the wall of the civic body office. Soon after getting information, a protest was staged by BJP representatives and cadres in the district and later PM Modi's portrait was placed again in the wall near Mahatma Gandhi's portrait in the office by the BJP cadres. BJP workers lodged a complaint with Thiruvidaimaruthur police seeking legal action against Veppathur Town Panchayat chairman for the alleged action. The BJP workers also said that if the police does not take strict action in the coming days, then the party will protest again on Monday. (ANI) Sandip Giridhar Godbole who was arrested from Nagpur earlier today was sent to Mumbai police custody by a magistrate at Esplanade Court Godbole a mechanic with the MSRTC was suspended by the MSRTC recently. Meanwhile, police said that they have got hold of call records between suspended MSRTC official Abhishek Patil and Godbole just before the protest outside Pawar's residence. According to the call, they were planning to launch a protest outside Pawar's residence. Godbole is also heard talking to Abhishek Patil about the Mahalaxmi petrol pump which is near Sharad Pawar's house. A total of 116 people have been arrested so far after a group of over 100 striking employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) staged a protest outside 'Silver Oak', Pawar's residence in the south Mumbai, last Friday. MSRTC workers tried to enter Pawar's residence and held a protest by hurling stones and slippers at his place. The protest came a day after the Bombay High Court asked the striking workers of the transport corporation to resume their duty by April 22. MSRTC staffers have been agitating since late October demanding a merger of the corporation with the state government, that would give them better salaries and greater job security. (ANI) The Chief Minister, who interacted with the media after addressing a state-level function to mark the 131st birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar on Thursday, said there was no move by the state government to purchase new vehicles for ministers of the Aam Aadmi Party government which came to office last month. "Opposition was baselessly spreading such canards in dearth of any issue against the Punjab Government. There was no such move by the state government," he said. There were reports in a section of media that the state government had plans to purchase SUVs for ministers and multi-utility vehicles for MLAs. Bhagwant Mann also slammed the "remote control" allegation of the opposition against the Punjab government saying that the senior officers had gone for training to New Delhi on his instructions. "I will send my officers, wherever needed for sharpening their administrative skills and expertise. Opposition is making undue a hue and cry over the issue. Delhi government's reforms in education, health and power sector are unmatched. There is no harm in getting training from them," he said. Opposition parties had slammed AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for meeting Punjab government officials "in the absence" of the state chief minister. (ANI) Those injured in the incident have been admitted to Holy Family Hospital, said Delhi fire officials. "The blast occurred at a fast-food restaurant. Fire tenders reached the spot immediately. 13 people were injured in the incident, and they have been hospitalized in Holy Family hospital for the treatment," said a fire official. Further details are awaited. Earlier in the day, a massive fire broke out at a club in Punjabi Bagh area in the national capital. Twelve fire tenders were dispatched to the site of the incident. There were no causalities reported in the mishap. (ANI) On the occasion of Khalsa Saajna Diwas, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Thursday said the initiative of telling the world about the contribution of Sikhism was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda participated in the launch ceremony of the book titled 'Heartfelt - The Legacy of Faith' at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. Speaking at the occasion, the BJP chief said, "Demand for Harmandir Sahib's (Golden Temple) registration under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) had been long-pending. Sikhs' contribution from the freedom struggle to the protection of the nation can never be forgotten." "We are delighted that all Sikhs across the world can now connect with Harmandir Sahib. The registration has now been done and it was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative of telling the world the contribution of Sikhism was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. Nadda said PM Modi even worked for expanding the message of Sikhism even before becoming the Prime Minister. "Before becoming the Prime Minister of India, even when Modi ji was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he did whatever he could do for Sikhism in that region. When Modi ji got a chance to serve as the Prime Minister in the country, he implemented all the ideas he had and gave them a shape," stated Nadda. "Earlier, a tax was imposed on the langar, the work of such great humanity, No one cared about it. When this demand came to Modi ji, he accepted it and today the Government of India reimburses Rs 325 crore annually in GST," added the BJP chief. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted citizens of the country on the occasion of Khalsa Saajna Diwas and said that the Khalsa Panth motivates countless people across the world. PM Modi highlighted that Sikhs have distinguished themselves globally in diverse fields. "Greetings to everyone, especially the Sikhs on the special occasion of Khalsa Saajna Diwas. The Khalsa Panth motivates countless people across the world. Inspired by it, Sikhs have distinguished themselves globally in diverse fields," tweeted PM Modi. The Khalsa tradition was initiated by the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. Its formation was a key event in the history of Sikhism. (ANI) Union Minister Virendra Kumar on Thursday slammed the Congress saying that they limited Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's identity to that of a Dalit leader for vote bank politics only, and not gave him due respect. On the occasion of Ambedkar's birth anniversary, the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment while addressing a press conference under the 'Samajik Nyay Pakhwada', observed by the BJP to mark its 42nd foundation day, said, "Congress did the work of taking the name of Bhimrao Ambedkar ji for vote bank politics, but no steps were taken by them in the direction of giving respect to him." Further lambasting the Congress, the Union Minister said that it was only when the BJP-supported government was ruling that Ambedkar was given the country's highest honour, Bharat Ratna. Kumar lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership under which, the Centre recognised Ambedkar's role in shaping modern India, and restored his due credit as the "architect of the Constitution". "After the death of Ambedkar, the then governments did not take any initiative to build any kind of memorial. But in 2014, when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, he built Panch-tirths." The Union Minister further talked about how PM Modi's vision of making the backward sections self-reliant through education and skill training has helped the section become financially capable. The Union Minister also claimed that Ambedkar had opposed Article 370. "He pointed out to both Nehru and Jinnah that it is not in the interest of the country." "Today the work of fulfilling the dream of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar is being done by our government, under the leadership of PM Modi," he added. (ANI) On this occasion, Satyendra Jain said, "After the successful organization of the Mandi rally, the base of the party is increasing continuously. Today, the 131st birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, is being celebrated. After holding a roadshow in Mandi, this time once again, AAP has chosen the Chief Minister's home constituency where the party has once organized a big event, informed Jain. He called Babasaheb Ambedkar a source of inspiration for millions of people for his progressive creativity and illuminating personality. Jain called Ambedkar the most important voice. "People who never got the opportunity to raise their voice for their rights, struggle for the basic necessities of life was a fact of life. For all those people, Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar had come as a complete and very important voice. Many evils, untouchability and high and low practices were in vogue in that society, he fought tirelessly for this. He himself belonged to the Depressed Class and made a difference," concluded Jain. A large number of people participated in the programme organized by the All India Koli and Kori community. (ANI) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday shared an anecdote and said he had once told industrialist Ratan Tata that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) did not discriminate on the basis of religion. Gadkari, who inaugurated a hospital in Pune, said when he was a minister in the Maharashtra government, one of the RSS functionaries had requested him to help in getting Ratan Tata for the inauguration of a hospital. "During the inauguration, Ratan Tata asked me if this hospital is only for the Hindu community, to which I asked him why he feels that? He (Ratan Tata) replied as it is an RSS hospital. I told him that it is for every community and there is nothing like this in RSS," he added. The Union Minister said more needs to be done to improve health and education infrastructure in the country. "In the education and health sector, the facilities are not available as required in the country. If the urban area has the facilities, the situation in the rural areas is not good, especially the situation of education. But the facilities are improving," he said. Gadkari also said that he "does only 10 per cent politics and 90 per cent social work". (ANI) BJP workers in Kumbakonam complained to Thiruvadairmurathur police seeking legal action against the Veppathur town panchayat head Anjammal, who removed PM's photograph from the panchayat office. A widely-circulated video of the photograph being removed led to the controversy. Chandrasekharan, BJP Councilor from Veppathur town panchayat, had handed over the photograph of the Prime Minister to the executive officer of the panchayat on April 6, and had asked her to display it at the office of the civic body. But on April 12, the newly-elected head of the panchayat, Anjammal, along with her husband, Mathiazhagan, removed the photograph and handed it over to the executive officer. The panchayat head is from the ruling DMK. While the BJP workers complained to the police to take strict action against the panchayath head and her husband, local party leaders said that as per the protocol, photographs of the President and Prime Minister are displayed at the Raj Bhavan, the CM's office and all the head offices of different department. Anjammal reinstated the photograph at the pachayat office after the public outrage. --IANS aal/arm ( 222 Words) 2022-04-14-20:46:04 (IANS) A tin-shed buffalo shelter is the new accommodation for at least three Muslim families, whose houses were demolished by the state administration during a drive against illegal encroachment on government lands in the riot-hit Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. With the mercury soaring to 41-degree Celsius in the town, the homeless families have expressed their gratitude to a family which allowed them to stay in its buffalo shelter. The women are somewhat happy that they have found a place to prepare meals to feed their children during the month of Ramadan. Amjad Khan, whose house was built under the PM Awas Yojna (PMAY) but was bulldozed by the district administration, is among those who have made the buffalo shelter their new accommodation to survive with his wife and little children. Talking to IANS, Khan said that after losing his own house, the family was forced to survive on the mercy of others. "We would eat whatever people would give us. We have lost everything. We don't even have a bucket to store water. Despite having everything till a few days back, we are living on mercy of others now," he said. Khan further informed that a team of government officials visited him and asked to shift to a 'dharamshala' where they will get food and shelter, but he refused to shift. When asked why, Khan replied, "I can't trust the government any more." However, Khargone District Collector P. Anugraha's reply on this matter contradicts Khan's claims. "The family whose PMAY house was demolished is living at the same place where they were living before the house got demolished," Anugraha told IANS. The Collector claimed that the family was not living in that house even before it got demolished. "They were living in a different place and using the PMAY house for cattle shelter. The house was sanctioned for residential purpose, but during inspection it was found that the building was being used for other purposes. The house was demolished after proper inspection was carried out and after receiving reports from the Tehsildar," Anugraha said. Commenting on the present situation in the riot-hit area, the District Collector informed that the situation is peaceful. "Curfew has been partially relaxed in the town from today. The women are allowed to set out to buy essential items between 10 am and 12 pm and again from 3 pm to 5 pm." The curfew was imposed in Khargone after communal violence erupted in the area during a Ram Navami procession on April 10. Several houses were set on fire and several police officers, including the Khargone district SP, got injured in the clash between the two committees. Following this, the state government ordered to take action against those involved in the riots. Since then, more than 50 buildings (houses and shops) have been bulldozed in Khargone town alone, and nearly 100 people have been arrested. --IANS pd/arm ( 503 Words) 2022-04-14-21:40:44 (IANS) Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly has launched his first-ever NFT with an art project called "Dreams Out of This World'' to raise money for Ukraine war victims, the media reported. The project consists of a series of pieces showing Kelly in space, with a variously re-imagined Earth in the background, Space.com reported. The art pieces, along with some of Kelly's spaceflight memorabilia, were put on auction on Monday. While the auction was scheduled to continue for three days, on the NFT marketplace OpenSea, the entire collection sold out in just a few hours. It raised more than $500,000, the report said. "I'm proud to announce that my NFT collection is officially sold out on @opensea. "Thank you to everyone who supported this project! In the midst of this war, it's amazing that we can come together through art to aid the people of Ukraine. Over $500,000 raised today!" Kelly said in a tweet. All of the net proceeds from this initial drop will go to the Ukraine efforts of the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a non-profit organisation that helps disaster-stricken nations and communities. Kelly, who had held the record for spending 340 consecutive days aboard the International Space Station in 2015 and 2016, has been a vocal opponent of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, condemning it repeatedly. "Putin's war crimes and the Russian people's support or indifference of them has doomed Russia to a very bleak future," Kelly tweeted, in both Russian and English, on April 5. Kelly's record has now been broken by Mark Vande Hei, who spent 355 days in low-Earth orbit. The former astronaut said he hopes the project inspires people to reach for the stars, as an iconic book inspired him long ago. "My story is not the typical astronaut story. I was a bad student growing up... didn't do well in school, kind of a daydreamer," Kelly told Space.com. "I found inspiration in a book, which is Tom Wolfe's 'The Right Stuff,'" he added. "So I really, really believe in this idea that inspiration, done in the right way for the right person at the right time, can have extraordinary results." NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are pieces of data, stored in a digital ledger called a blockchain, that represent unique assets. --IANS rvt/pgh ( 390 Words) 2022-04-13-21:54:19 (IANS) In a bid to make chats more safer, Meta-owned WhatsApp on Thursday announced a new feature called 'Communities' that will enable users to bring together separate groups under one umbrella and manage these busy conversations in a secure and private way. The company said that 'Communities' are protected with end-to-end encryption. "Close-knit groups - schools, members of a religious congregation, even businesses - need to be able to have secure and private conversations without WhatsApp monitoring their every word," the company said in a statement. With the new feature, people can receive updates sent to the entire 'Community' and easily organise smaller discussion groups on what matters to them. "Communities will also contain powerful new tools for admins, including announcement messages that are sent to everyone and control over which groups can be included," said WhatsApp. For example, a school principal can bring all parents together to share must-read updates and set up groups about specific classes, extracurricular activities or volunteer needs. The company said it is also making improvements to how groups work on WhatsApp, whether or not they are part of a Community. Emoji reactions are coming to WhatsApp so people can quickly share their opinion without flooding chats with new messages. "Group admins will be able to remove errant or problematic messages from everyone's chats," said WhatsApp, adding that they are increasing file sharing to support files up to 2GB. "We'll introduce one-tap voice calling for up to 32 people with an all-new design," said the company. --IANS na/vd ( 263 Words) 2022-04-14-20:58:02 (IANS) 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. --IANS yashwant/arm ( 740 Words) 2022-04-13-21:34:06 (IANS) Zak Dahhan, a 21-year old security camera installer has emerged as a hero after getting Frank Robert James, the suspect of the Brooklyn subway shooting arrested on Wednesday afternoon. Dahhan, who first spotted the suspect, also held an impromptu press conference on 1st Avenue and has briefed about the incident. He said that he had warned everyone he saw, and then flagged down a police car. "If someone doesn't stop him, he'll hurt more people," he told reporters, adding that after the police arrested the suspect," the Brooklyn native thanked God. The 62-year-old suspect had opened smoke grenades on the train and fired his gun 33 times, wounding at least 23 people on Tuesday morning. In an interview with Fox News, Zak Dahhan said that he was doing maintenance on a store's cameras when he saw James walking in the busy East Village neighbourhood with a bag over his shoulder. He alerted police, and Ninth Precinct officers took James into custody without anyone else getting hurt. "If you smoke one cigar, you're gonna want to smoke two cigars, you know? Like, this guy is gonna do it again if we don't catch him, and we catch him. Thank God!," he said. After interacting with reporters, Dahhan was taken by police for an official statement. While leaving, the gathered crowd continued cheering the young man and dubbing him a "hero." Footage of Dahhan at the same location has also been getting a fair amount of attention, with people praising him as a "hero." He is being praised on social media after Wednesday footage revealed he spotted Frank James, shortly before his arrest. According to reports, Dahhan said he has grown up in Syria during the Middle Eastern country's horrific civil war and now lives in Union City, New Jersey. "We don't want any problem here in America because here my life is good," he added, according to media reports. New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell today informed that the suspect of the subway shooting has been arrested. "We hope this arrest brings some solace to the victims and the people of the city of New York," she said. He says news of the presser of the shooting incident left him unable to sleep. (ANI) Asserting that the recent Trade Agreements signed with UAE and Australia were very well received and did not elicit a single negative response from any sector, Union Minister Piyush Goyal urged exporters to adopt an uncompromising stance when it comes to ensuring quality. Delivering a keynote address at the 51st National Export Awards of Engineering Export Promotion Council of India in New Delhi on Wednesday. Goyal said that the export community had made India proud with stellar achievements in exports. Pointing out that exports have been the backbone of India's economy, the Minister said that it was crucial to honour our exporters and recognise their contribution in nation-building. He added that the award function could not have comes at a better time when India is celebrating its enviable exports performance. He congratulated all the award winners and applauded their excellence in entrepreneurship, hard work, planning and management skills. In a statement, Goyal also said that Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) India had done phenomenal work and was a model Export Promotion Council. He appreciated EEPC India for consistently working with the industry in capacity building including technology upgradation, quality, certifications, besides exports promotion. The Minister further urged exporters to adopt an uncompromising stance when it comes to ensuring quality. He said that, as a nation, we must focus on quality and productivity and decide that we would be second to none in the world when it comes to quality and insist upon and demands good quality every single time. Furthermore, he said that we should not make products of two different qualities in the country. Quality standards must be unambiguous, uniform and strict. "We must not let quality culture weaken in the country," he cautioned in the statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The Minister said that export targets were not set at the top but were set in consultation with all stakeholders including Export Promotion Councils. He said that the government's role is to facilitate trade and not create hurdles. (ANI) US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that his administration will provide Ukraine with an additional 800 million US dollars' worth of military aid including heavy artillery as Washington anticipated a "wider assault" by Russia in eastern Ukraine. "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," Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "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. "These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters," he said, adding that the United States will continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from its allies and partners around the world. The United States has committed 1.7 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia began its "special military operation". Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Moscow has added 398 members of the United States Congress to its travel ban list. "In response to another 'wave' of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the administration of (US President) Joe Biden on March 24 of this year against 328 lawmakers of the State Duma ... which ... constitutes almost its entire composition, 'mirror' sanctions are introduced against 398 members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress," the ministry said in a statement, according to Russian media. The ministry added that Russia plans to expand its travel ban list in the near future. (ANI) Contrary to its claim that the Taliban will not allow Afghanistan or the weapons to be used for terrorism, the group has been reportedly accused of smuggling weapons to Pakistan, which eventually may be used in cross-border skirmishes against India. "Taliban has been insisting that there are proper security checks to prevent any weapons smuggling because they are an improved Taliban. But the weapons market is thriving and the weapons that are being smuggled into Pakistan will eventually be used in cross-border skirmishes against India and make their way into India," according to a Canada-based think tank, International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) said. But before that Pakistan will have to pay a huge price if it does not control illicit arms trafficking. Ultimately it is going to suffer first when the separatist and terrorist organisations operating from its land get a hand on these weapons on a large scale, it warned. In August 2021, the US left much of the military equipment and weapons at the disposal of the Afghan forces which eventually fell into the hands of the Taliban. After capturing Kabul, Taliban not only took political control of Afghanistan but had also gained control of all the US-made weapons and military equipment that were left behind by the fleeing Afghan forces. The US-made arms and military accessories are openly traded in shops by Afghan gun dealers. The traffickers are collecting the weapons from the abandoned Afghan army bases, and procuring them from the Afghan government soldiers and Taliban fighters. These weapons are then mostly sold in weapons markets or arms bazaar in tribal areas of the Afghan-Pakistan border, it added. The arms smugglers in Pakistan's borders are having a field day. The weapons from Afghanistan are smuggled into Pakistan in trucks carrying fruits and vegetables. The main points of entry through which the arms are smuggled are Torkham border crossing Torkham (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Chaman (Baluchistan), Ghulam Khan (North Waziristan) and Nawa Pass (Bajaur), it said. Meanwhile, Afghanistan is the prime source of opium supply to the world drug markets and Pakistan is the transport hub with drug networks operating from the country using its drug routes to reach international markets, according to an article in Islam Khabar. The article said the geographical location of Pakistan makes it one of the prominent drug transit points along the Southern route. It said Pakistan is also depending on the narcotic trade for sponsoring terror in India. Pakistan shares 2400 kilometres of border with Afghanistan, which is largely porous. And this has served a transit corridor for drug traffickers. Forty per cent of Afghan drugs transit Pakistan before they reach the international markets. Tonnes of opiates and meth are trafficked from Afghanistan to the Torkham border crossing, Ghulam Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, from where they are sent to Lahore and Faisalabad, reassembled into huge consignments, the article said. Then they are transported to Karachi and Gwadar, and fishing vessels in Makran coast are used for drugs transport to the South Asian markets. Balochistan has also been an important drug transit route in Pakistan. Islam Khabar said around 60 alternative drug routes are working through the Balochistan province alone, with major areas being Chaman, Noshki, Chagaghi, Dalbandeen, Panjgor, Turbat, Gawadar and Jeewani. (ANI) Washington, April 14 (ANI/Sputnik): The report that Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) have informally asked Japan to join the AUKUS partnership is not accurate, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said. "The reporting is inaccurate," Psaki said during a press briefing on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun reported that the AUKUS parties informally invited Japan to join the alliance to help develop hypersonic weapons, which is one of the pact's initiatives. The AUKUS member states are interested in close partnership with Japan, as the high technological potential of the country in cyberspace, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence can be used in the development of hypersonic weapons and tools of electronic warfare. The Japanese officials are reportedly divided on the proposal, some lawmakers support strengthening the alliance involving the United States amid the growing military power of China while others doubt the feasibility of the idea since Japan already cooperates with each of the three countries, the Sankei Shimbun reported. Last September, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom announced the new trilateral defense partnership, which forced Canberra to give up on a $66 billion contract with France to develop 12 state-of-the-art conventionally powered Barracuda-class attack submarines, after the AUKUS alliance promised to enhance Australia's fleet with nuclear-powered submarines from the United States. Japan welcomed the creation of the defense alliance and supported the decision of the AUKUS partners to develop hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities that was announced earlier in April. (ANI/Sputnik) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) said that the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan has resulted in a "serious erosion of human rights" in the country. Blinken's remarks came as the US state department released the 2021 Human Rights Report on Tuesday. "In Afghanistan, the Taliban's takeover precipitated a humanitarian crisis, and has resulted in serious erosion of human rights, from arbitrary detentions of women, protesters, and journalists, to reprisals against security forces for the former government, to growing restrictions on where women and girls can study or work," he said during the press briefing. Notably, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also claimed that there has been a surge in human rights violations in Afghanistan, reported Tolonews. "Human Rights Watch works on the human rights situation in about 100 countries around the world and at the moment we see Afghanistan as a very urgent priority. The human rights situation in Afghanistan is deeply worrying," the media outlet quoted Heather Barr, associate director of the Women's Rights Division at HRW, as saying. However, the Taliban have denied claims of human rights violations in the country and said that such violations have decreased since it came to power in Afghanistan. "The rights of all Afghans are ensured now. The Islamic Emirate is committed to ensuring the rights of all citizens under an Islamic structure, including men and women and any other aspect," the media outlet quoted Bilal Karimi, Taliban deputy spokesman, as saying. The Taliban's swift ascension to power in Afghanistan occurred in mid-August, triggering economic disarray and a dire humanitarian crisis. Despite repeated calls from all around the world, the Taliban have failed to deliver its promises on the safety of the Afghan people and their assurance of an inclusive government. (ANI) The cases filed against Nawaz Sharif were politically motivated and some people were imposed as the rulers by using the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), ARY News quoted PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry as saying during its news programme. Noting the importance of Nawaz Sharif in the party, Chaudhry claimed that the former Prime Minister will lead the campaign in Pakistan whenever the country goes to the polls. The PML-N leader said that the fresh elections could not be held within the next five to six months, adding that the delay in polls will increase the burden on the party. Ensuring that collective decisions will be taken in a coalition government, he said that the decision regarding the fresh elections will be taken after consulting the coalition partners, reported the media outlet. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan premier Shehbaz Sharif had directed the interior ministry to issue a diplomatic passport to Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan embassy in London was directed to issue diplomatic passports to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, reported ARY News. However, the diplomatic staff said that only Nawaz Sharif could be issued a diplomatic passport, following which, Shehbaz Sharif directed to issue a normal Pakistani passport to Dar. (ANI) As per an official statement, the list includes defence-related entities such as transportation company Kamaz, and shipping companies SEVMASH and United Shipbuilding Corporation. "Sanctions extend to electronic component company Ruselectronics, which is responsible for the production of around 80 per cent of all Russian electronics components. They also target Russian Railways, which is one of the world's largest transportation companies and one of the largest single contributors to Russia's GDP," read the statement. The Australian government has said that targeting of Russia's state-owned enterprises is aimed at undermining their capacity to boost the Russian economy. Reiterating its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Australian government said that preventing dealings with these important sources of revenue for the Russian Government, they are increasing the pressure on Russia and undercutting its ability to continue funding war. 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) Ahmed submitted his resignation to President Dr Arif Alvi, The Express Tribune reported. "I would continue to play my role for the development of the country and nation," Agha said in a statement after tendering his resignation. The outgoing governor belongs to Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Ahmed was appointed as the Governor on July 7 last year after the resignation of Justice (retd) Amanullah Khan Yaseenzai, The Express Tribune reported. Meanwhile, despite several attempts by the PTI government to block the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Imran Khan was voted out of power as he lost the trust vote mandated by the Supreme Court's ruling. As many as 174 members voted in favour of the motion in the 342-member House while members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were absent during the voting. Imran Khan has become the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to lose a no-trust vote in the National Assembly. Notably, no Prime Minister has completed a full five-year tenure in Pakistan so far, according to reports. Moreover, Shehbaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former leader of Opposition, was elected the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan by the National Assembly of the country on Monday. (ANI) "The injured people were shifted to a provincial hospital following the accident that occurred on a main road in Shar-e-Safa district late on Wednesday," the media outlet quoted Abdul Hakim, director of the province's public health department, as saying. According to the source, three of the injured people are in critical condition. Road accidents are frequent in Afghanistan mainly due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving, reported the media outlet. (ANI) As the date for local elections is inching closer, cases of COVID-19 vaccination have declined in Nepal, local media reported. Local elections are set to be held on May 13 across the country. Officials at the Ministry of Health and Population said they are planning to launch a drive to administer Covid booster shots but are worried that election activities could hamper the drive, The Kathmandu Post reported. "We have to launch a drive to increase the uptake of booster shots and are planning to do so, but we fear that the upcoming elections and pre-election activities could hinder our programme," said Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson for the Health Ministry, according to The Kathmandu Post. It further reported that with the decline in COVID-19 cases in recent months, the uptake of the coronavirus vaccine has declined significantly. Of late, more people appear reluctant to take Covid booster shots. Also, health authorities throughout the country have currently halted the COVID-19 vaccination drive to focus on the typhoid vaccination drive, which started last Friday. "New hybrid Covid variants, which are either recombination of Delta and Omicron or a new mutation of Omicron, have been dubbed as highly infectious than the previous variants have been detected in many countries," said Dr Rajeev Shrestha of the Dhulikhel Hospital, according to The Kathmandu Post. Shrestha added, "even if the infection rate of the coronavirus has declined of late throughout the country, the risk has not declined, as new variants could bring a new surge at any time." The Election Commission had already asked the health authorities to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible people before the elections. But the government does not have a detailed record of the vaccinated population, The Kathmandu Post reported. So far, 19,288,340 people of 66.1 per cent of the total population have been fully immunised with the COVID vaccine. The Health Ministry says that 2,312,375 people or less than eight per cent of the total population have taken booster shots as of Wednesday. (ANI) "We keep an eye on the UN sanctions, we comply with them. But in terms of joining the sanctions imposed by individual states, I think, they themselves understand that in light of Turkey's position as a mediator it is not realistic," Cavusoglu said in an interview with Turkey's NTV channel. The Turkish minister said that the country's Western partners often ask about the reasons for this position. "We are often asked if we are going to close the sky. You know, Turkey holds the position of an intermediary, aimed at stabilizing the situation," the top diplomat said. (ANI/Sputnik) Tokyo [Japan], April 14 (ANI/Sputnik): The lower house of Japan on Thursday approved draft amendments to the country's customs legislation to deprive Russia of the most-favoured-nation status, implying a temporary increase in duties on imports. The voting was broadcasted on the house's website. The most-favored-nation status is one of the basic principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which provides for equal duties on trade for all organization's members. Depriving a country of the most-favored-nation status implies an increase in customs duties for its goods. Tariffs on imports from Russia on crab meat will rise from 4% to 6 per cent, on sea urchins from 7 per cent to 10 per cent, and on salmon from 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent. However, tariffs on Russia's exports of liquefied natural gas and coal to Japan will not be raised as these were zero even before Moscow was granted the most-favored-nation status. Moreover, the measures provide for tightening control over currency regulation, in particular on operations with cryptocurrencies, to prevent Moscow from circumventing imposed sanctions. The increase in duties will be introduced by the end of March 2023. On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. In response, the European Union 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. Japan has sanctioned 499 Russian individuals, including top-level officials and businesspersons, nine banks and about 40 organizations. Moreover, 130 Russian entities were banned from exports of semiconductors, lasers, software, jet engines and oil refinery equipment. Japan has also banned the exports of luxury goods to Russia. The volume of exports to Russia from Japan was USD 7.5 billion in 2021. According to preliminary estimates, depriving Russia of the most-favored-nation status could increase Japan's tax revenues by some USD 29.7 million a year. (ANI/Sputnik) Taking a grim view of the ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan, Hannah Neuman, a German member of the European Parliament, called for urgent measures to lift the ban on the exclusion of the girls from the schools. She also sought the inclusion of sections of the society in the administration at all levels. "Girls who returned on March 23 after the Taliban stayed with the ban on their entry in the classes are in despairs while they've tears in their eyes, and some of the families literally used their last penny to gain means for access to the schools, including buying backpacks, books," said Newman, according to TOLOnews. 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, and the United States of America criticising the Taliban's decision to deny Afghan girls the opportunity to finally go back to schools in a statement previously. The Taliban have issued a decree banning female students of grade 6 and above from attending classes in schools. Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday in Kabul, Newman also expressed concerns about the "disappearances of the former government officials". She stated, "I heard many stories about violence, about violence against protestors, violence against journalists, about enforced disappearances, also enforced disappearances of people who just did their job in the administration previously." She called for the inclusion of other social groups into the government, TOLOnews reported. German Parliament Member of EU Hannah Neuman further said, "The Taliban are good fighters apparently because they managed to take over a country, but governing a country needs a rather different set of skills, it especially needs leaders that listen to the citizens that they want to represent, and, on this one, I hope to see soon some kind of dialogue between the people of Afghanistan that includes the women and also the minority groups." Since the Taliban took control, Afghan girls are facing restrictions on travel, work, and education, besides their deteriorating safety situation in the country. (ANI) China is creating COVID-style pathogens in Pakistan that experts say has the potential to wipe out much of humanity. Anthony Klan, writing in The Klaxon said that the Chinese Communist Party has set up highly-advanced scientific infrastructure developing the "technology" in impoverished Pakistan. Pakistan in recent years has largely become a vassal state of China under China's notorious "debt-trap" style colonial expansion. As per experts, the Pakistan facility is jointly run by the Wuhan Institute of Virology - known for being named a likely origin of Covid-19 - and the Defence Science and Technology Organization (DESTO), which is under the direct control of the Pakistan Army. The developments - confirmed by top-level intelligence sources from multiple countries - mean that Chinese bio-engineers now have the ability to create in Pakistan, or to "drop-in" from connected facilities in China, antigens that are hundreds of times more infectious and lethal than COVID-19, said Klan. The Wuhan laboratory is known for being a likely source of the COVID-19 pandemic, which to date has killed over 6 million people. The laboratory, a collaboration between the China-Pakistan military laboratory is a "Biosafety Level 4" facility (BSL-4). Under international standards, there are four bio-safety levels, with BSL-4 being the most dangerous and where infectious agents for which there is no known vaccine or remedy. "BSL-4 laboratories are used to study infectious agents or toxins that pose a high risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections and life-threatening disease for which no vaccine or therapy is available. Global biodefense expert Dr Ryan Clarke, who focuses specifically on "high-risk pathogen networks", said China's activities in Pakistan if left unchecked, could have devastating global consequences. Ryan Clarke is a senior fellow at the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore. "Whether through error or malicious intent, if the joint WIV-DESTO bioweapons program is left unchecked, we will be facing exponentially accelerating risks that many will find impossible to comprehend until they occur," Dr Clarke said. "If the joint WIV-DESTO bioweapons program is left unchecked, we will be facing exponentially accelerating risks that many will find impossible to comprehend until they occur," said bio expert, Dr Ryan Clarke. "The joint WIV-DESTO operation in Pakistan is not a bilateral biomedical research partnership between two civilian institutes focused on advancing human and animal health." "It represents a dangerous platform for WIV, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and multiple other CCP-run institutions, including those with People's Liberation Army (PLA) links, to conduct bioweapons research under Pakistan Army cover," he said. Dr Clarke, who is a Senior Fellow at the National University of Singapore, said it had now also emerged that China has built another BSL-4 facility in Kunming, which had gone almost entirely undetected by the international community. This lab is officially managed by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS). The existence of the Pakistan Army/China run bio-safety level 4 facility was revealed in late 2020, yet despite those revelations - and subsequent confirmation of the facility by China - the issue has gone almost entirely unreported outside of Australia and India, reported The Klaxon. (ANI) According to a Palestinian Ministry of Health press release, Sha'ath Kamamji and Mustafa Abu Robb were killed and four others injured, including one in serious condition, during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the village. The statement added the deaths of the two young men on Thursday bringing the death toll of Palestinians killed in the last 24 hours to five. Palestinian eyewitnesses said an Israeli army force stormed the village early in the morning to arrest Palestinian activists involved in carrying out attacks against Israel. Heavy clashes broke out between the soldiers and the activists. Israeli media outlets reported that Palestinian gunmen opened fire at the Israeli army force, which was conducting regular security activities. The soldiers responded to the sources of fire and killed two gunmen. The report said that the Israeli army announced a campaign to arrest Palestinians wanted by the Israeli security forces for being involved in carrying out attacks against Israel. The Health Ministry said that 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, including women and children since January. Fourteen Israelis have been killed in a series of shooting attacks in Israel since March 22. (ANI/Xinhua) Mayor Brandon Scott, left, and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison hold a news conference about new staffing vision for the Baltimore Police Department. (Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun) The Baltimore Police Department plans to become one of the first law enforcement agencies in the nation to hire civilians to investigate low-level crimes, internal affairs complaints and cold cases. Baltimore will set a standard for staffing allocations in law enforcement agencies across the country, which have struggled with hiring and retention, Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference Thursday at police headquarters. This will free up our sworn detectives to better meet the needs of our residents by being out on our streets, deterring and solving crimes, Scott said. Advertisement He and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison provided new details on plans to hire 35 civilian investigators this year, which is included in the mayors proposed $4 billion city budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The mayors spending plan calls for $560.4 million for the police department, which would include funding for the new roles and would eliminate 30 vacant sworn officer positions. The plan must still be approved by the City Council and the Board of Estimates. Advertisement Other agencies have expressed interest in hiring more civilians to address shortages, but few others have focused on civilian investigators, Baltimore officials say. In Arizona, Phoenix police say hundreds have applied for a few dozen civilian jobs, according to reports. Baltimore officials say they have identified an additional 135 positions for civilian hires for future years. The civilian positions are part of a broader plan to increase the number of civilians within the department as a way to address the increases in attrition and struggles with recruitment that most law enforcement agencies are grappling with. Baltimore has 2,274 sworn officers and 519 civilian employees, police officials said. Thats below the budgeted 2,640 sworn officers and 615 civilian positions. This going to allow us to tap into previously unexplored but qualified personnel resources that can go through the hiring process in a more timely manner, Scott said. We want to ensure our police resources are being used effectively, constitutionally and focused where we need them in Baltimore City. Nine civilians would be added to the department to staff the citys Group Violence Reduction Strategy, which aims to focus resources on people most likely to be the victims of violence or perpetuate it. Ten civilians would be moved to facilities and fleet maintenance duties, freeing up officers for patrol or other duties; 12 civilians will help staff the Telephone Reporting Unit, which receives non-serious police reports that do not require an officers response, restoring civilian positions cut from the 2021 budget, according to city officials. Unlike sworn police officers, civilian officers would not carry guns, have arrest powers or require the same level of academy training. The new civilian investigator positions would have a starting salary of $49,000 and still require background investigations, but allows us to hire at a much faster pace, Harrison said. They will receive basic training on policies, state and local law, and basic investigative tactics, Harrison said. Advertisement Its adding capacity and not taking positions, he said. The new initiative helps us with speed; it helps with frequency. We can get to cases faster, and we can take on more cases at the same time. We dont want to reduce or compromise quality. Eric Melancon, chief of staff for the police commissioner, said the added investigators will improve clearance rates, which will have a dramatic impact on reducing crime in the city. Currently, the department has a 48.9% clearance rate for homicides and 22.4% for nonfatal shootings, which adjust throughout the year as the number of cases increases. Harrison said the plan is not about taking away jobs from sworn members of the department. Police union leaders, however, expressed skepticism about the plan and said department leaders should focus on hiring more officers. The priorities of the BPD should be recruitment and retention of sworn personnel. New recruits and veteran officers will not come to the BPD or stay here until they make our officers salaries and working conditions competitive with surrounding jurisdictions, said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Sgt. Mike Mancuso. Advertisement The reason for hiring civilian investigators is nothing more than the BPDs acknowledgment that the BPD cannot hire or retain sworn officers, he said. Although the department did increase starting salaries to $55,000 to $60,000 a year, making Baltimore the highest-paying major law enforcement agency in the state for new recruits, Mancuso said the department must increase salaries across the board and provide retention bonuses. According to the department, 70 sworn officers have left the department, and 26 were hired this year through this March. Still, national law enforcement experts say recruiting and retention are a challenge across the country. The demand for workers is very high across all industries, said Nola Joyce, a member of the monitoring team, which is helping Baltimore Police implement its consent decree. Unemployment is low, and there are more options now, she said. The spotlight, rightfully so, and the challenges of policing has caused some to think about it twice before getting into the profession, Joyce said. Advertisement In Baltimore, applications are coming in, but people are not following through on the first step after applying, she said. Joyce said members of the team were briefed several times about the departments plans. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > The consent decree is really about fair and just policing and ensuring there is sufficient personnel, especially in the areas of community engagement and internal affairs, she said. Its more important for us that it is the quality of the work and the delivery of the service, instead of who. Like sworn officers, civilian employees accused of any misconduct would be investigated by the departments Public Integrity Bureau or internal affairs unit, Melancon said. If an allegation of misconduct is sustained against a civilian ... the penalty matrix is reviewed by a Civilian Disciplinary Review Committee, made up of internal managers within BPD, to recommend discipline, he said. They have the right to appeal that decision before a hearing officer, but there is no trial board process the way there is for sworn members, Melancon said. Increasing the number of civilian employees has been a trend in policing for the past 20 years, said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a D.C.-based policing think tank. Advertisement Its very expensive to hire a police officer. You have to train them, Wexler said. Additionally, departments are increasingly looking for jobs that dont require a sworn officer with a badge and a gun, but also jobs that would benefit from professionals, such as those with backgrounds in forensics and digital technology. The general trend in policing is about identifying people from different backgrounds, he said. Some positions require a full-service law enforcement officers; in other positions, you look for people with different skills. According to Ary News, a meeting was held by Sharif with MQM-P leaders during his visit to Karachi. It was attended by Amir Khan, Aminul Haque, Farogh Naseem, Nasreen Jalil and others. 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 the Imran Khan government. Sharif vowed that the promises made to the MQM-P leaders will be fulfilled. He urged coordinated efforts between the Centre and the province for the development of Sindh. Sharif also assured MQM-P of its inclusion in the consultative process for the development of Sindh. Sharif thanked the MQM-P for supporting the opposition parties in the no-trust motion against the former premier. He individually thanked the lawmakers who cast their votes in the NA, said the sources. He also expressed hope that MQM-P would continue to support the government in the upcoming elections for the NA speaker, reported Ary News. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, leader of MQM-P and a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan said he hopes for a resolution of issues in Karachi and urban parts of the Sindh. The premier said that they wanted to establish a long-term working relationship with MQM-P. (ANI) Beijing [China], April 14 (ANI/Sputnik): Russia and China bilateral trade may hit $200 billion annually before the target year of 2024 due to Western sanctions and the accelerated growth of economic cooperation between the countries, Russia's Consulate General in Harbin said on Thursday. "The target of the two countries is to bring the volume of mutual trade to $200 billion by 2024. In the context of Western sanctions and the accelerated growth of Russian-Chinese trade and economic cooperation, this may happen even earlier," the diplomatic mission said in a statement. According to the Chinese customs, trade between the two countries increased by 28.7% in the first quarter of 2022 in year-on-year terms and amounted to $38.17 billion. At the same time, Chinese exports to Russia rose by 25.9%, reaching $16.4 billion, while Russian exports to China grew by 31% to $21.7 billion. The general consulate noted that business activities between the two countries were traditionally reduced in the first quarter while a peak of bilateral trade usually takes place in the second half of the year. In late 2021, trade between Russia and China increased by 35.8% and amounted to a record $146.887 billion. The leaders of the two countries set the goal of doubling the trade turnover and bringing it from $100 billion per year ( the mark was reached in 2018) to $200 billion by 2024. On February 4, leaders of China and Russia held talks in Beijing. After negotiations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Chinese President Xi Jinping had set a new goal of bringing bilateral trade to $250 billion per year. (ANI/Sputnik) China needs to improve its lending practices in the developing world, especially in terms of transparency in the loans it provides, according to the World Bank President. "We are working closely with China to encourage more transparency in their (China's) lending to developing countries which is actually a sizeable problem," said World Bank President David Malpass. Speaking at an event in Warsaw, Malpass describing the extent of China's lending practices. "China is now one of the world's big creditor nations, especially in the developing world... in terms of the official credit that has been provided to the 75 low-income countries, China is owed nearly 60 per cent of that credit." The World Bank head also talked about supply chain dependencies and said that it is a good thing that countries are reducing their dependency on China. "The world is working to reduce the dependency on supply chains from China and that diversification is good for everyone," he said. He also commended China for its "rapid economic growth" over the past few decades, while adding that recent events, especially the COVID-19, have created major setbacks. "The world needs China to be a good producer and a consumer and a part of the value system that was described, I don't know if that will happen... They are a major shareholder in the world bank and we work well with them," Malpass said, adding, "Our program in China... has become smaller in recent years because China has done well and has moved to less dependency on world bank lending." The comments come at a time when smaller countries are adopting a more cautious approach toward Chinese loans, which have become notoriously known as "debt traps". Notably, just a few weeks ago, Nepal, in a toughened stance towards Chinese loans made it clear that in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, preference should be given to grants but if a loan is required then the loan interest should not go beyond two percent, and that repayment time for the loan should be decided based on a mutually agreed timeline. (ANI) Pakistan's Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa is not seeking an extension of his term, the country's military media wing said on Thursday. Addressing a press conference here today, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said that Bajwa will complete his tenure in November this year. "Let me put this to rest. The chief of army staff is neither seeking an extension nor will he accept an extension. No matter what, he will be retiring on the 29th of November 2022," Major Iftikhar was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper. Bajwa has been serving as Chief of the Army Staff of the Pakistan Army since November 2016.In an apparent swipe at the former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan army asked political parties and the public not to drag the military into politics. Pakistan's military said any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest. The DG ISPR pointed out that a "malicious campaign" is being run against the army and its leadership. This comes a few days after Pakistan Army claimed that there was a "recent propaganda" campaign by some quarters to malign the country's military. This statement was issued after the 79th Formation Commanders' Conference held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. This high-level meeting was attended by the country's army's corps commanders, principal staff officers and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. "The forum took note of the recent propaganda campaign by some quarters to malign [the] Pakistan Army and create division between the institution and society," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. The Pakistan military's media wing noted national security of the nation is sacrosanct. "Pakistan Army has always stood by the state institutions to guard it and always will, without any compromise," the ISPR said. (ANI) Newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday said that his country is ready to deepen bilateral cooperation and elevate relations with China to a higher level, which he said, is the voice of 200 million of his countrymen. Sharif made the remarks in a meeting with the charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan Pang Chunxue, who called in on the newly elected Prime Minister at his residence in Islamabad, Xinhua reported. Noting that the Pakistan-China friendship is unique, unshakable, and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the two countries, Shehbaz said that "whenever Pakistan was faced with internal, external difficulties or major challenges, China has always stood firmly with Pakistan," adding that "Pakistan regards China as its steadiest friend and closest partner." "Major development has been witnessed in Pakistan-China relations in recent years, and bilateral cooperation in political, economic, diplomatic and other fields has been deepened in an all-round way, opening a new chapter in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)," he said. Pakistan owes most of its debt to China. The CPEC project, which aims to connect Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Baluchistan with China's Xinjiang province, is a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It has been argued by various analysts that China is using "debt-trap" diplomacy to gain access to strategic assets in Pakistan with infrastructure projects in Pakistan being financed by Chinese banks. In his address to the National Assembly of Pakistan shortly after being elected as the country's Prime Minister on Monday, Shehbaz had said that developing Pakistan-China relations is the most important thing and a priority in Pakistan's diplomatic policy, noting that China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan and the great and eternal Pakistan-China friendship can never be shaken by anyone. (ANI) Days after the ouster of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military categorically rejected "foreign conspiracy" allegations of Imran Khan to topple his government, as well as the involvement of the Army in any way in the no-confidence motion. Referring to Pakistan's National Security Council (NSC) meeting, in which the alleged "threat letter" received from the Pakistani embassy in the US was discussed days before the vote on the no-confidence motion, Director General (DG)-ISPR Babar Iftikhar said that although the contents of the meeting were confidential, however, the statement that was released after the meeting, nowhere mentioned the term "conspiracy". "The words used are in front of you ... as I said ... the words used are clear. Is there any word such as conspiracy used in it? I think not," Babar said at a press conference telecasted on Geo News. He went on to say that Inter Sevices Intelligence (ISI) had done its investigation on the alleged letter when it arrived and thereby gave its inputs to the NSC. "If any foreign power tries to conspire against Pakistan we will not let it succeed," Iftikhar said. He also rejected the involvement of the Pakistani Army in the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan in any manner, while also requesting the people and the political parties to "not drag the military into politics." Talking about Imran Khan's allegations that the military had given him three options, ahead of the no-co0nfidence motion, the DG-ISPR said that it was rather the former Prime Minister who had approached the Army Chief for intervention and then the options were discussed. "The options were not given by the establishment, Prime Minister's Office approached the Chief of Army Staff, when there was this deadlock (between political parties), PMO asked Army to intervene," DG-ISPR said. "It is very unfortunate that our political parties were not ready to talk among themselves at that point... so the army chief and DG-ISI went to the PMO... it was there that these three scenarios were discussed... one scenario was that no-confidence motion goes as it is, second was that PM resigns and the third was that Opposition takes back no-confidence motion and PM dissolves the NA and goes for fresh elections," DG-ISPR further elaborated. He further said that Imran Khan said that the third option of fresh elections was acceptable to him and he asked the Army Chief to talk to the Opposition on his behalf over that option. DG-ISPR Babar Iftikhar addressed a multitude of questions on the recent political events and related topics, as well as declared that Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was not involved in any deal with Imran Khan's Opposition and that he did not seek an extension. "Let me put this thing to rest today, Chief of Army Staff is neither seeking an extension nor will he accept an extension. No matter what, he will be retiring on the 29th of November 2022," Iftikhar said. This comes a few days after Pakistan Army claimed that there was a "recent propaganda" campaign by some quarters to malign the country's military. This statement was issued after the 79th Formation Commanders' Conference held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. This high-level meeting was attended by the country's army's corps commanders, principal staff officers, and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. (ANI) With India and the US celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations, the US embassy in New Delhi on Thursday posted a video that featured several renowned members of the Indian diaspora talking about the journey in which several milestones have been achieved. The US Embassy said that people-to-people ties are at the heart of the bilateral relationship. "We're celebrating 75 years of US-India relations with some of the most iconic and accomplished members of the Indian diaspora. Our people-to-people ties are the heart of our partnership. Cheers to our deep and growing relationship and on to 100," the US Embassy in India said in a tweet. A video posted by the US embassy included messages about 75 years journey from prominent India-Americans such as former Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi, India born-American filmmaker Mira Nair and writer and TV personality Padma Lakshmi. Other famous personalities included actor Priyanka Chopra, tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy. US Charge d'Affaires Patricia Lacina said in the video that the foundation of the partnership lies in the personal friendship formed over the years between individual Americans and Indians. "This year we celebrate the 75 anniversary of US-India relations. The foundation of our partnership lies in the personal friendship formed over the years between individual Americans and Indians as they studied, worked, lived and learned together," she says. The joint statement released after the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between India and US held this week in Washington spoke about the two "natural and trusted partners" celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. "As natural and trusted partners celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and independent India, with a shared commitment to democracy and pluralism, a multifaceted bilateral agenda, and growing convergence of strategic interests, both countries seek to continue to promote a resilient, rules-based international order that safeguards sovereignty and territorial integrity, upholds democratic values, and promotes peace and prosperity for all," the statement said. The statement also talked about the deep educational linkages. External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar in his remarks on Tuesday at a university event in Washington also referred to the contribution of the Indian diaspora in fostering bilateral relations. "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. 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 said. (ANI) "As a result of successful offensive operations by the Russian forces and militia units of the Donetsk People's Republic, 1,026 Ukrainian troops of the 36th marine infantry brigade voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered in the area of the Ilyicha metals factory in the city of Mariupol. Among those who surrendered, there are 162 officers and also 47 female service members," Russian news agency TASS reported the General as saying. A sum of about 151 injured Ukraine military personnel of the 36th marine infantry brigade was given primary medical support on spot, post which they were transferred to Mariupol city hospital for further medical assistance, reported TASS. 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) The participants of the gathering released a resolution stating that women should be provided education along with men, Tolo News reported. Ex-President, Hamid Karzai, welcomed the resolution passed by the religious scholars and asked the Taliban regime to consider the assembly's decision to reopen schools for female candidates who belong from grade 7 to grade 12. The stance, and gatherings, of the religious scholars over girls' access to education, reflects the interest of the people in education, Karzai said in a statement issued by his office. The clerics also emphasized an education policy where there remains no disparity between males and females in receiving education. They urged that such a system will in turn prove beneficial for strengthening Afghanistan's educational forefront, reported Khama Press News Agency. In addition, the clerics also insisted on launching a drive against "prevailing customs in the province in cooperation with local tribal leaders". In a recently issued decree, female students in Afghanistan over grade six were barred from attending school. They were instructed to remain at home until a new decision was declared by the Taliban regime. Despite unabated pressure on the Taliban by the international community, female students above grade six are yet to be allowed to attend school. (ANI) Macron's rival, the leader of the right-wing National Rally party, Marine Le Pen is expected to receive 46.5%. At the same time, the latest Elabe poll from Sunday predicted that Macron's result would be 52% against 48% for Le Pen respectively. According to the poll, 63% of the respondents are "sure they will go to vote" and 10% are "serious about going to vote." The survey was conducted online among 1,627 French people over 18 years old on Tuesday and Wednesday with a margin of error from 1.1 % to 3.1%. On Sunday, France held the first round of the presidential election. Incumbent President Emmanuel Macron received 27.84% of the vote and Le Pen 23.15%, and they will face one another again in a second round on April 24. (ANI/Sputnik) Law enforcement units say they are investigating the homicides of a three-year-old girl found dead inside the basement of a Baltimore rowhome that caught fire last week and her mother, whose body was found days later off Interstate 95. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit are working with the Baltimore Police Department Homicide Unit to determine a nexus and motive between the two homicides, state police said in a statement Thursday. No suspects have been identified at this time. Advertisement The medical examiner has ruled both deaths homicides, according to police. The agencies have not disclosed the manner of death for either. State police identified the mother as Danielle Shanae Parnell, 30, of Baltimore. Parnell was found just before 10 a.m. Tuesday by a member of a surveying crew in Cecil County, near the border with Harford County. Troopers pronounced Parnell dead at the scene. Advertisement Baltimore Police on Thursday identified the child as Myroyal Bennett, who was found dead inside a brick rowhome in the 4700 block of Vancouver Road in the Beechfield neighborhood. Firefighters were called at about 6 p.m. April 8 for a report of a fire. The girl was found dead inside the home. Many residents watched from their yards as police vehicles arrived on the scene, and investigators went in and out of a brick home behind yellow police tape. We just smelled smoke and saw four or five trucks, Tracy Howard, 49, who lives nearby, previously told The Baltimore Sun. Once I saw the crime scene tape, I knew someone passed. I knew something bad had happened. Howard said she believed a woman lived at the home with two young children but she thought they had recently moved. As per the sources, the move to resign from his position comes in the wake up of a revolt against him within the party that saw the submission of a no-confidence motion against him by his own party. On Tuesday, as many as 25 members of the ruling PTI in PoK had filed a no-confidence motion against their own PM Niazi, accusing him of failing to implement the party manifesto and creating a mess, reported Geo News. The motion, which has been filed under Article 18 says Niazi has lost the confidence of the parliamentary party due to non-implementation of the party manifesto, mismanagement, nepotism and breach of merit. The PTI MLAs have proposed the name of Sardar Tanveer Ilyas for the PM's slot. He is the PTI regional head, reported Geo News. It may be recalled that Niazi had removed five of his ministers from the ministry earlier in the morning, reported The Nation. According to the sources, Sardar Abdul Qayyum after sacking the ministers also decided to resign from his seat. The removed ministers include Tanveer Ilyas, Abdul Majid Khan, Ali Shan Soni, Khawaja Farooq and Akbar Ibrahim, reported The Nation. A spokesperson of the PoK prime minister said that they have been sacked for misconduct and alleged corruption. (ANI) "Washington is evading our calls for a constructive conversation to strengthen the international legal framework in the information space in order to ensure a peaceful, stable and secure ICT [Information and Communications Technology] environment," Krutskikh said in a statement, published by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Krutskikh also noted the increasingly frequent accusations by the United States and its allies against Russia of "preparing for cyberwar" with the West. "They are blatantly and groundlessly attributing to us the intention to get even for the sanctions. In doing so, they are apparently trying to justify to their own citizens the large-scale cyber aggression already being carried out against our country, as well as to justify new measures of pressure on the Russian Federation," Krutskikh added. On March 30, FBI Assistant Director for Cyber Bryan Vorndran said that Russia is one of the top two cyber adversaries the United States currently faces in the world and is a "formidable foe. (ANI/Sputnik) US State Department report on human rights abuses blamed China for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy. 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: China (Includes Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet) released on Wednesday painted a grim picture of human rights abuses by China in Hong Kong. The report found that China's sweeping revision of the district electoral process in Hong Kong had effectively ensured that "only candidates vetted and approved by Beijing would be allowed to hold office at any level". It also concluded that Hongkongers had lost the ability "to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections". Last year's elections overhaul added a new pro-establishment sector to the powerful Election Committee and gave the body new authorities to decide who could run for seats on the city's Legislative Council. The December elections - the first since the reforms were enacted - were marked by the lowest voter turnout in Hong Kong since 1997 and resulted in pro-Beijing candidates winning 89 of 90 seats. The report also included a blistering assessment of the impact the national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in June 2020 has had on the city's political, media and civil spheres. In the past year alone, the authorities invoked the law in crackdowns on two leading anti-government news outlets, arresting their staff, seizing assets and effectively forcing their closure. The US report also singled out China for abuses against ethnic minorities, including Uyghurs in Xinjiang. "Genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang. These crimes were continuing and included: the arbitrary imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty of more than one million civilians; forced sterilization, coerced abortions, and more restrictive application of the country's birth control policies; rape; torture of a large number of those arbitrarily detained; forced labor; and draconian restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement," read the report. The State Department report also highlighted human rights abuses like arbitrary or unlawful killings by the government; forced disappearances by the government; torture by the government; harsh and life-threatening prison and detention conditions; arbitrary detention by the government. China has mass detained more than one million Uyghurs and members of other predominantly Muslim minority groups in extrajudicial internment camps and an additional two million subjected to daytime-only "re-education" training, the report noted. Moreover, there are serious restrictions on free expression and media, including physical attacks on and criminal prosecution of journalists, lawyers, writers, bloggers, dissidents, petitioners, and others as well as their family members; serious restrictions on internet freedom, including site blocking; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, including overly restrictive laws that apply to foreign and domestic nongovernmental organizations; severe restrictions and suppression of religious freedom; substantial restrictions on freedom of movement, added the report. Chinese government officials and the security services often committed human rights abuses with impunity. Authorities often announced investigations following cases of reported killings by police but did not announce results or findings of police malfeasance or disciplinary action. Enforcement of laws on corruption was inconsistent and not transparent, and corruption was rampant, added the report. (ANI) Russia and India on Thursday celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and India a reception was held at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in New Delhi, read the Russian Embassy press release. The audience was addressed by Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov and the Chief Guest - Minister of State for External Affairs of India V Muraleedharan. "This very day, 75 years ago, the Soviet Union and India established diplomatic relations. 75 eventful years of proud milestones, and unique achievements. The Russia-India partnership has been remarkably resilient to the challenges of the ever-changing environment. The driving force behind this relationship has become annual summits which sets up the agenda for the multidimensional work of two inter-governmental commissions, sector-wise ministerial and senior official meetings for coordination on the global stage, diverse people-to-people contact. The 21st summit we had in New Delhi last year, which was organized in person, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and introduction of 2+2 Ministerial dialogue yet became another landmark," said Alipov. During the official ceremony, a photo exhibition and video chronicles dedicated to the history of bilateral relations were organized. "Soviet Union was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with India, even before the Indian independence. Our Mission in the Soviet Union became independent India's first diplomatic mission abroad. These are significant pointers of our shared diplomatic journey," said Muraleedharan. The event was attended by officials from the Indian External Affairs Ministry and other government agencies, representatives of diplomatic corps, Russian-Indian friendship societies, think tanks, business and media, added the release. "Russia has been a longstanding and time tested partner for India. The real strength of our relationship lies in the close bonds of friendship between the people and the deep sense of mutual respect for each other. Our leaders have set ambitious targets for bilateral cooperation by adding new dimensions to our relationships and diversifying them, working together for the progress and prosperity of our people. India and Russia look to the future with confidence," added Muraleedharan. (ANI) Rome [Italy], April 14 (ANI/Sputnik): Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called on Thursday for a reform of the European Union veto system, saying several member states are not on board with the idea of a Russian gas price ceiling. Last week, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi proposed that the bloc could impose a price cap on gas from Russia instead of a full embargo that is currently being discussed. "A small set of countries is against introducing a European price ceiling on gas. That is why the veto system has to be reformed since it is impossible that one or two countries could be able to block a decision that protects families and companies," Di Maio told Italian broadcaster Rai1. In March, the United States banned imports of Russian energy resources except for uranium over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine. Later, the United Kingdom stated that by the end of 2022 it would stop importing oil and oil products from Russia. Poland also wants to stop buying oil from Russia by the end of the year. However, the European Union has so far refrained from a collective ban on oil and gas imports from Russia. The Council of the European Union must vote unanimously on a number of issues, including taxation, social security and foreign policy. (ANI/Sputnik) Pakistani Army on Thursday rubbished former prime minister Imran Khan's allegations raising doubts over the country's capability to safeguard its nuclear assets. During a roadshow in Peshawar on Wednesday, Khan who was ousted after the recent no-confidence motion against his government, questioned whether Pakistan's nuclear weapons were safe in the hands of what he called "robbers" and "thieves", referring to the newly elected Shehbaz Sharif regime. Meanwhile, addressing a press briefing today, Major General Babar Iftikhar, the Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)- the media wing of the Pakistan army- dismissed Khan's allegations stating that Pakistan's nuclear assets do not belong to just one individual. In an incendiary speech on Wednesday night, Imran Khan had said he wanted to ask the country's establishment if the people who were brought to power as part of a "conspiracy" can safeguard the country's nuclear program. "The conspiracy under which these people were brought to power, I ask my institutions, is our nuclear program which is in their hands, can they protect it?" Khan said. The former Prime Minister has been claiming that his ouster was part of a foreign conspiracy hatched by the US, which furious over Khan's Moscow visit on the eve of Russia's invasion of Ukraine had sought to remove Imran Khan so that it could "forgive" Pakistan. Addressing the US, Khan at the Peshawar rally said, "America, we don't need your apology... who are you to forgive us? You are accustomed to these slaves, these Sharifs, these Zardaris." "Is the nuclear program safe in the hands of these robbers, whose money is outside?" Imran Khan further said. Addressing the country's institutions again, he said, "Aren't you putting the safety of Pakistanis in the hands of these thieves, have you no fear of God?" Pakistan Army has rubbished Khan's allegations. "There is no such threat to our nuclear program and we should not bring it up in our political discussions," DG-ISPIR, Gen Iftikhar said. "Our program is at such a place that our command and control mechanism, asset security is one of the best in international evaluation," he added. Meanwhile, Imran Khan in a tweet on Thursday thanked all those who attended his Peshawar rally to "reject the US-initiated regime change" in Pakistan. "Want to thank all those who came to our jalsa in Peshawar making it a mammoth & historic jalsa. The passion & commitment crowd showed in support of an indep sovereign Pak & their total rejection of US-initiated regime change bringing to power criminals, shows where nation stands," Imran Khan said in a tweet. (ANI) Sri Lanka's Marxist party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), plans to hold a massive public march next week to support the public in ousting the current government. The Sri Lankans are protesting against the government's handling of the economic situation and demanded the resignation of the President and Prime Minister. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, JVP General Secretary, Tilvin Silva, said that this public march will be the largest in the country's history and is scheduled to hold on April 17, 18 and 19, Colombo Page reported. Silva further stated that the march will start from Beruwala on April 17 at 9 am and will reach Colombo on April 19. "We are ready to give a new impetus to the struggle and turn it into a people's power that will end victoriously," the JVP General Secretary was quoted as saying by Colombo Page. "Artists, lawyers and experts from all walks of life have joined the people's struggle and are urging this government to go home. The government is stubbornly trying to stay in power by using various tactics without listening to the people's demands," he added. JVP General Secretary urged people to join hands with them to make their march successful. We need to create a people's power that will turn this into a struggle that the government will not be able to ignore the demands of the people. We have to create a people's power that will drive out the corrupt government, and create a people's government that punishes the corrupt...We urge the people to join hands with the measures and make it a success," JVP General Secretary said. Meanwhile, yesterday, the leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa signed the impeachment motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the no-confidence motion against the government. The signatures were placed at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo in the presence of other Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) MPs, reported Daily Mirror. The island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's economy has been in a free-fall since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the crash of the tourism sector. Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has affected its capacity to import food and fuel. The shortage of essential goods forced Sri Lanka to seek assistance from friendly countries. (ANI) The move comes after the Taliban decided exclusion of the girls from the schools. The Taliban have issued a decree banning female students of grade 6 and above from attending classes in schools. The MPs in a letter concentrated on the violation of women's rights in Afghanistan, preventing girls from getting an education, a travel ban on women, and depriving women of working, reported The Khaama Press. The letter that was signed by the MPs was sent both to President Macron and the parliament of the European Union. The letter further reads that the limitations on women travelling are inhumane, reported The Khaama Press. Mahdi Obaid, a coordinator of the letter told the media that the MPs focused much on the closure of schools for girls and the overall situation of Afghanistan. In the letter, the MPs asked that process of normalization of relations with the Taliban should stop and their free travelling should be prevented. The decision by the Taliban has drawn severe backlash across the world with the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America criticizing the Taliban's decision to deny Afghan girls the opportunity to finally go back to schools in a statement previously. Since the Taliban took control, Afghan girls are facing restrictions on travel, work, and education, besides their deteriorating safety situation in the country. (ANI) Pakistan High Court on Thursday ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to ensure that the social media activists are not harassed by any officers, local media reported. This comes after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moved the court alleging that its social media activists, including Arsalan Khan, the former Prime Minister Imran Khan's focal person on digital media, were arrested or had gone missing, according to The News International. In a two-page order, the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the PTI had contended that its political workers and activists are being harassed by the FIA. "The court has been informed that [Arsalan Khalid's] residence was raided and he was kept in illegal detention," the CJ Minallah said. "The Director-General, Federal Investigation is directed to ensure that its officers do not violate the SOPs that had been submitted before the Court and that workers and activists of the petitioner party are not illegally harassed," the order read. The FIA has so far arrested over a dozen suspects for alleged involvement in launching a social media campaign against the Pakistan Army and maligning security institutions, following recent political developments in the country. From 2,100 Twitter accounts, a total of 200,000 tweets were posted against the Pakistani army and the agency has identified around 2,000 Twitter accounts involved in hate speech, according to The News International. Meanwhile, the FIA Cybercrimes director said that at least 50,000 web pages had been identified in connection with the propaganda campaign against the Pakistani Army and judiciary. (ANI) "The resignations of the members have been approved as per the rules," NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri was quoted as saying by ARY News. The PTI's members of National Assembly had tendered their resignation before the election of a new Prime Minister. Taking to the Twitter account, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated his 123 MNAs whose resignations were accepted by the Deputy Speaker. "Want to appreciate our 123 MNAs as their resignations have been accepted by Speaker Qasim Suri. Their standing firm for a sovereign Pakistan and against US-initiated regime change bringing to power criminals, convicted & on bail - the ultimate insult to any self-respecting independent nation," Imran Khan tweeted. Confirming the news, PTI leader Farrukh Habib through his Twitter account stated that the acting Speaker has approved the resignations of 123 members according to the rules. "After approval of resignations of 123 members of the house, now general elections have become inevitable," Habib added. PTI decided to resign after Imran Khan said that he will not sit in the assemblies with 'thieves', reported ARY News. "The man who has 16 billion and 8 billion rupees of corruption cases, whoever selects and elects the Prime Minister can not be a big insult to the country. We are resigning from the National Assembly," Imran Khan was quoted as saying by PTI's official Twitter account. PTI Member of National Assembly (MNA) Murad Saeed was the first member of the party who submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the National Assembly. Meanwhile, Imran Khan also met Deputy Speaker Suri and issued him directives regarding resignations submitted by the party MNAs, as per ARY News citing the sources. (ANI) Baltimore County Police say officers shot a person in Dundalk on Thursday afternoon after a vehicle rammed a department car. Detectives were in the area of Maryland and Avon avenues attempting to arrest two people in connection to a 2021 homicide, police spokeswoman Joy Stewart said Thursday, when a Nissan Infiniti on the scene began to ram into one of our officers vehicles. Advertisement At least one officer fired into the car, hitting a person. That individual was taken to the hospital and their condition is unknown, police said. He or she was not identified by police. Stewart said Friday that four detectives discharged their weapons and each was on administrative leave pending an investigation. None have been identified. Advertisement The four detectives were with the departments Criminal Apprehension Support Team and were not assigned bodyworn cameras, Stewart said. No officers were injured. Baltimore County police detectives are on the scene of a shooting at Maryland and Avon avenues in Dundalk on Thursday. (Jerry Jackson) Stewart said the person shot was not one of the two suspects police were looking to arrest. One of those suspects was later arrested. Police did not say whether the person shot by police was armed. The shooting occurred at the end of a street in a neighborhood tucked behind Broening Highway. Crime scene tape roped off two houses with multiple cars parked out front, including a white Porsche and two sedans damaged from an apparent collision. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > Stewart said the two houses were related to the arrests but declined to give further information. Out front, the bumper of one black sedan was on the ground, its windshield cracked. A police barricade shield sat on the car as police investigators inspected the scene. Advertisement No officers were injured during todays incident in Dundalk. Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) April 14, 2022 Jeanette Bordeaux, a neighbor, said her son was playing outside around 1 p.m. when she heard five to six gunshots. She rushed outside and saw a man on the ground, and said police cars converged quickly. The man was then loaded into an ambulance. Bordeaux described the neighborhood as quiet and the two low-rise buildings near where the shooting occurred as an apartment complex. Moscow [Russia], April 14 (ANI/Sputnik): Russia must extend the national energy strategy's planning horizon to 2050 and have the document approved by mid-September, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "First and foremost, I am asking the government to take into account today's discussion while preparing Russia's energy strategy. As we have agreed, its planning horizon has to be extended to 2050, the strategy has to be approved before this year's September 15," Putin said at a meeting on the state of affairs in the oil and gas sector. Putin noted that it was necessary to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects to redirect Russian energy exports from the West to the East and to consider a plan to expand oil and gas exports to Africa and Latin America. "It is important to look ahead. Together with oil and gas companies, make a plan to expand export infrastructure to Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region," Putin added. In March, the United States banned imports of Russian energy resources, except for uranium, over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine. Later, the United Kingdom stated that by the end of 2022 it would stop importing oil and oil products from Russia. Poland also wants to stop buying oil from Russia by the end of the year. However, the European Union has so far refrained from a collective ban on oil and gas imports from Russia. On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after recognizing the Ukrainian breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as "independent republics". In response to Russia's operation, Western countries and their allies have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow. (ANI/Sputnik) The World bank on Wednesday said that urgent action is needed to stabilize Afghanistan's economy as its per capita income has fallen by around one-third in the last months of 2021, wiping out the country's economic progress achieved since 2007. The World Bank said that Afghanistan's aid-dependent services sector has been hit by the crisis, leading to a collapse in urban employment and incomes, reported Tolo News. The political crisis has put the gains of around two decades in Afghanistan at risk and will lead the country to grave poverty, the World Bank said. According to the statement, if the current condition continues, the Gross Domestic Product per capita will decline by around 30 per cent between end-2020 and end-2022. The World Bank updates indicated that the outlook for Afghanistan's economy is dire under current conditions with international assistance limited to supporting humanitarian needs and basic services. The incomes will remain stagnant and the economy is expected to contract further throughout 2022, said the statement. The World Bank update said joint actions are required to move away from this path. Meanwhile, officials at the Afghan Ministry of Economy said the ministry has economic plans to improve the situation, reported Tolo News. "To control the situation, the Ministry of Economy has a strategic plan on which trade and transit are focused," said Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy minister of Economy. Economic experts believe that Afghanistan will experience a great economic tragedy if the condition continues, reported Tolo News. "The poverty, unemployment and humanitarian crisis will expand if the situation continues, and we will gradually lose the basics of economy in Afghanistan," said Shabeer Basheeri, economic expert. (ANI) Australia and New Zealand raised their concerns regarding the security deal between the Solomon Islands and China as it will allow the People's Liberation Army presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia and New Zealand have expressed their concern regarding China's increased military activity and influence in the Indo-Pacific which could destabilize the region as the island could also be used as a stopover for China's troops for tactical replenishments. Australia also said that China has intentions to build a naval base in the Solomon Islands to intimidate the continent, Washington Times reported. As of March 24, the Solomon Islands divulged that the security deal had been signed, following which Australia and New Zealand both raised concerns. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce felt that China's intentions are to build a naval base in the Solomon Islands to intimidate Australia. Concerns over military activity from China in the Solomon Islands were further echoed by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern when she said that she saw very little need for China's military presence in the Pacific region and urged leaders of island nations to not look beyond their Pacific family for military and security support. China was interested in increasing its military numbers and influence in the Solomon Islands, and as per the terms of this agreement, they would be able to send police or armed forces,Washington Times reported. In order to mitigate China's influence on the Solomon Islands, Australia has often extended aid, such as infrastructure funds to the islands. However, Honiara making these deals with China is an indication that the island nation is slowly slipping into China's embrace. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne expressed her worry about these actions potentially destabilizing and undermining the security in this region with a disclaimer that she respected the islands' right to make sovereign decisions. China had been labeled neo-colonizers of the Pacific as it has been strategically providing infrastructural support to islands in the Pacific, specifically for building ports "for trade" fully knowing that these small countries could then later be strong-armed into executing China's political ambitions and undermining their sovereignty,Washington Times reported. Infrastructure projects hardly ever succeed in job creation for locals, rather these projects are known to deplete monetary resources of the host country, economically destabilizing the country, which then becomes debt trapped, it added. The Solomon Islands had also created waves of commotion when they decided to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan for China. This created civil unrest within the island nation, leading anti-Asian sentiment and communal violence against Asian people. (ANI) EAM, earlier in the day, paid tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and called him "a driving force for a modern India". "Join the nation in paying homage to Dr. B.R Ambedkar. A driving force for a modern India, his relentless efforts in ensuring a just and equal society will continue to inspire," tweeted Jaishankar, who is currently in the US for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between India and US along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Born on 14 April 1891, Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination and supported the rights of women and workers. He died on 6 December 1956. In 1990, Ambedkar was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. (ANI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held a "wide-ranging discussion" with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on Friday (local time) and exchanged views on the global impact of the Ukraine conflict as well as the situation in Afghanistan and Myanmar. UN Chief expressed his interest in working with India 'to effectively address important contemporary challenges'. They also discussed the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "Spoke about latest developments in respect of Afghanistan and Myanmar. Appreciate his interest in working with India to effectively address important contemporary challenges. The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions and exchanged views on the global impact of the Ukraine conflict, especially on food and energy security. Jaishankar tweeted, "A wide-ranging discussion with UNSG @antonioguterres. Exchanged views on the global impact of the Ukraine conflict, especially on food and energy security. Implications for developing countries are serious." Moreover, they also spoke about the latest developments in respect of Afghanistan and Myanmar. Jaishankar appreciated the interest of the UN chief in working with India "to effectively address important contemporary challenges." India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti received External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New York on Wednesday (local time). Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were in Washington for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with their US counterparts Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. Jaishankar took part in the fourth US-India 2+2 Dialogue. He also held talks with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Washington. India and the US on Monday called on the Taliban to abide by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to ensure that the Afghan territory does not become a breeding ground for terrorists to launch attacks against any country. In a joint statement issued on 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 held on April 11 in Washington, the two sides called on the Taliban adhere to the UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) that demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or shelter or train terrorists or plan or finance terrorist attacks. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US' complete troop withdrawal on August 31. 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. "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 the announcement during the 2+2 Ministerial of the formation of a 'Working Group on Education and Skill Training.' (ANI) Deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, gave the warning and in a statement on Telegram on Thursday wrote that ground and air defense forces would be beefed up, reported CNN News. "It will no longer be possible to talk about any non-nuclear status of the Baltic -- the balance must be restored, Medevedev added referring to the possibility of Sweden and Finland joining NATO. Medvedev, who served as president of Russia from 2008 to 2012 in a four-year interregnum for Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-decade rule, has been aggressive in recent months, though he is not a top decision-maker. Moreover, a 2018 Federation of American Scientists report concluded that Russia may have significantly modernized a nuclear weapons storage bunker in Kaliningrad, an exclave of Russian territory between Poland and the Baltic states, reported the news channel. Thursday marks 50 days since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and there has been a marked shift in Moscow's approach. Ukrainian officials have warned for days they expect a major offensive by Russian forces in the eastern Donbas region. (ANI) Two people were hurt after someone shot up an apartment building on Salem Avenue, where multiple children and adults were staying. Police went to the apartment in the 1300 block of Salem Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. >> Dayton police announce major reorganization plan with more officers moved to patrol division The initial investigation indicates that this shooting was a result of an argument, said Dayton Police Sgt. Andrew Zecchini. This argument ultimately resulted in the suspects discharging a handgun into on occupied apartment building that with numerous adults and children inside. A 25-year-old man was shot and taken to the hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening, Zecchini said. A 20-year-old man had a minor injury, but it was not a result of being shot. Dayton police said after the apartment was shot at the victims apparently returned fire. Two guns were recovered at the shooting scene, Zecchini said. A police report does not show any arrests being made at this point. 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, Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana and Sen. Steve Daines of Montana. AP Photos / J. Scott Applewhite and Alex Brandon Republicans Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Victoria Spartz made a last-minute trip to Kyiv and Bucha. It's the first time US officials have visited Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. "I hope that our visit will encourage more American officials and leaders to come," said Daines. Two Republicans, Sen. Steve Daines of Montana and Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana, made a last-minute trip on Thursday to Ukraine, where they visited Kyiv and towns that have recently been the subject of Russian atrocities, including Bucha. It's the first time US officials have visited Ukraine since the Russian onslaught began in late February. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both recently made visits to neighboring countries, including Poland and Romania to meet with heads of state and Ukrainian refugees. "Nothing can substitute for actually being here, seeing it first-hand, spending time with the people and leaders here in Ukraine who have been horribly affected by this war," Daines told the New York Times while reportedly standing on a pile of rubble from an collapsed apartment building in Borodianka, a town outside the capital city. "I hope that our visit will encourage more American officials and leaders to come, to stand with the people of Ukraine," Daines added. Spartz, a freshman House member who was born in Ukraine and moved to the United States in 2000, told the Times that it was "important to show our support, to show we care." In March, she made an emotional plea urging Biden to do more to help Ukraine. Spartz and Daines were invited by the Ukrainian government and given just over a day's notice, the Times reported. They traveled to Kyiv by train from western Ukraine after Daines broke off from a different trip to Eastern Europe. Spartz had already planned an unofficial visit to Ukraine. Following their arrival in the capital, the duo travelled to Bucha, where hundreds of civilians' bodies were discovered in the town's streets, some of them with their hands bound, following the retreat of Russian forces. Biden called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be tried as a war criminal following the grisly discovery. Story continues The two lawmakers watched Ukrainian authorities excavate three bodies from a mass grave in Bucha, and Daines reportedly found a wooden toy in the rubble of a collapse apartment building. The Montana Republican said that he'd seen "indisputable evidence of war crimes." The visit comes amid reports that the Biden administration is considering sending an administration official to the country to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Biden indicated on Thursday that he might be willing to travel to the country himself. Both Daines and Spartz said they support sending US diplomats back to Ukraine now that Kyiv isn't under imminent threat of attack. Anton Herashchenko, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry official who helped organize the trip, told the Times that he hoped the visit would spur more lawmakers to visit and support additional weapons transfers to Ukraine. "I think we should be providing the lethal aid that they need to win this war," Daines told the Times. "The humanitarian crisis will not end until the war ends. And the war will not end until the Ukrainians win." Read the original article on Business Insider Before they can even begin mourning, loved ones of Danielle Parnell are trying to process the horrific news. Parnell, 30, was found dead Tuesday along Interstate 95 in Cecil County, near the border with Harford County northeast of Baltimore four days after her toddler daughter was killed in a Baltimore rowhouse fire that investigators determined was intentionally set. Both cases are being investigated as homicides, but officials have not released a manner of death in either. Advertisement Homicide detectives with the Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department are working to determine a nexus and motive between the two homicides, state police said Thursday. No suspects have been identified at this time. For Myesha Little, who grew up with Parnell in Cincinnati, the news came crashing into her Facebook inbox Thursday. Advertisement That was my best friend. What happened to her and my god daughter, she quickly wrote in response to a message from The Baltimore Sun. I dont know how to feel but Im just hurt and upset and confused, she said. Make sure you let everyone know that I loved her very much. Danielle Parnell was found dead Tuesday off Interstate 95 in Cecil County, four days after her daughter (also pictured) My'Royal Bennett, 3, died in a house fire. Little said she went to school with Parnell, who moved to the area years ago from Ohio. Little was planning to visit her childhood friend in Baltimore sometime this summer. Parnell had two daughters. Three-year-old MyRoyal Bennett, who died in the fire April 8, was the younger daughter. Court records suggest the older daughter was living with her paternal grandparents. She loves her babies, Little said, describing Parnell as an old soul and devoted mother. It still hasnt hit me that they are gone. Officials said a survey crew working along Interstate 95 found Parnell around 10 a.m. Tuesday. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities have not released information about when she was killed. They said autopsy results are pending. Another longtime friend reacted with shock upon learning about her death Thursday. My God, I need a drink, the man said. He asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. That breaks my heart. I know I have a tough-guy exterior, but if you could see inside of me right now Im torn up. Advertisement He said he met Parnell several years ago and became her regular Uber driver. He would help her out whenever possible, including giving her rides. He said she spent all her time with MyRoyal. She loved that little girl to death, he said. They were never apart. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > After some struggles, the man said, Parnell seemed to have found a positive path forward. He said she had moved into a house on Vancouver Road in West Baltimores Beechfield neighborhood. The fire that killed MyRoyal last week occurred in the 4700 block of Vancouver Road. Police said the child was found on the lower level of a brick rowhouse. Danielle Parnell was found dead Tuesday morning off Interstate 95 in Cecil County, four days after her daughter, My'Royal Bennett, 3, died in a house fire last week. Both deaths have been ruled homicides Parnell had also recently earned her GED and started a business selling candles and jewelry, her friends said. She turned 30 last month. A devoted student of astrology, she often wore her signature evil eye jewelry to provide protection against evil spirits and bad luck. Her Facebook page is filled with astrological updates and posts about her personal efforts to foster positive energy. Advertisement In a video she posted last month, Parnell is sitting outside singing quietly and casually chatting about tarot card readings and getting her hair done before summer. When another woman passes by, Parnell introduces her daughter. MyRoyal, like My Royal Highness, she explains with a smile. Life is a beautiful mess, she says a few minutes later, half-singing the words. Im doing my best. Baltimore Sun reporter Jessica Anderson contributed to this article. Elon Musk has thrown the tech world into a frenzy after sharing his offer to buy Twitter for $43 billion on Thursday, just days after news broke that the billionaire would not join the social media giants board of directors. Musk, the worlds richest man, wrote in a letter disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission in a filing that, Twitter has extraordinary potential. I will unlock it. However, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form, he wrote. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company. The offer came after Musk turned down a spot on Twitters board of directors. He was offered the spot after becoming the companys largest shareholder when he acquired a 9.2 percent stake in Twitter. Here are five things to know about Musks takeover bid. The Offer Musk, in a letter to Twitter Chairman Bret Taylor disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Wednesday, that he would purchase the company in its entirety for $54.20 a share, which, according to CNBC, gives Twitter a valuation of $43 billion. The Tesla CEO said his offer is a 54 percent premium above the price for Twitter shares on the day before Musk started investing in the company and an 8 percent premium above it the day before his investment was publicly announced. Musk, the largest shareholder of Twitter, owns a little more than 9 percent of the company. I am offering to buy 100% of Twitter for $54.20 per share in cash, a 54% premium over the day before I began investing in Twitter and a 38% premium over the day before my investment was publicly announced, Musk wrote in the letter. Twitters stock prices fluctuate according to Musks statements Twitters stock price made gains shortly after Musk released his offer to buy the company on Thursday, adding that his offer to buy the platform was his best and final at $54.20 a share. Story continues However, the share price saw dip after Musk suggested that if his best and final bid isnt accepted, he might sell off his stake. Musk said he would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder, according to a letter dated April 13. If the deal doesnt work, given that I dont have confidence in management nor do I believe I can drive the necessary change in the public market, I would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder, Musk said. Market Watch reported that Twitters stock rose 2.8 percent in morning trading. However, The New York Times noted that at noon on Thursday, Twitters shares were down on the day, and said it remained far below Musks bid, suggesting skepticism by traders over the offer. GOP Reaction Conservatives have welcomed the move by the tech billionaire to buy the social media giant, hailing it as a purchase that would reinstate free speech on the platform following its moves to increase moderation of harmful content. Former President Trumps GOP allies have praised Musks offer and expressed their hope that the company will accept it. But progressive activists, tech executives and scholars raised concerns last week that the platform could become a more hostile environment under Musks supervision. I hope Twitters board sees the light. If they reject his offer, the companys stock will likely never recover, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) tweeted. Former Rep. Justin Amash, who announced in 2019 that he was leaving the Republican Party and later became a Libertarian, also lauded the move on Thursday, tweeting that Musk buying Twitter may be the best thing to happen to social media in years. Since Twitter banned Trump permanently from its site following the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Republicans have argued that the website is impinging on users First Amendment rights. They have also maintained that big platforms including Twitter and Facebook harbor anti-conservative bias in their content moderation policies. Could Twitters board reject the offer? Twitters board met Thursday shortly after news of Musks takeover offer broke, The New York Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Twitter called an emergency meeting of the board of directors for 2 p.m. EST and an all-hands meeting for 5 p.m. EST. The Twitter Board of Directors will carefully review the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and all Twitter stockholders, the company said in a statement on Thursday in response to the offer. However, a source told The Wall Street Journal that Twitter is considering a poison pill that would block Musk from increasing his stake in the company significantly. Case Western Reserve University Assistant Professor of Law Anat Alon-Beck told The Hill that There are several shark repellent measures that companies can take to counter hostile takeovers. Most of the measures are included in the companys charter and bylaws, which generally make the company less attractive to acquire, she added. Alon-Beck noted that Twitters board is bound to the Revlon rule, the legal principle stating that a companys board of directors shall make a reasonable effort to obtain the highest value for a company when a hostile takeover is imminent. If a sale of control is in question, according to Delaware General Corporation Law, Revlon principles will apply. Courts will more closely scrutinize the boards process and actions in order to ensure that the sole objective of maximizing shareholder value is sought to be achieved, she said. She added that both acquirers and targets in any take-private transaction need to be mindful of the fiduciary duties and related requirements applicable to the target company and its board of directors. In a transaction involving a sale of a public company for cash that results in a change of control of the target, as is usually the case with any take-private transaction, Delaware law typically requires the board to act reasonably to obtain the best price reasonably available to shareholders. Does Musk have the cash? Elon Musk has topped the list of richest people in 2022 with a $224 billion net worth. However, despite his wealth, the billionaire is cash poor, with nearly all his assets tied up in shares of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk said Thursday at the TED2022 conference in Vancouver, Canada, that he is not sure hell actually be able to buy Twitter, according to CNBC. Wells Fargo analysts have also expressed concerns for Tesla shareholders about the distractions Twitter would present for Musk in a note on Thursday. If the deal is successful, there are two concerns from a TSLA (Tesla) shareholder perspective, the Wells Fargo analysts said, according to the news outlet. One, TSLA is currently in the early days of ramping two factories, Austin & Berlin, which will likely double its global capacity. Running Twitter would be a possible distraction for a CEO that already has a full plate. Two, the takeover financing terms are unclear. Elons most liquid assets would be his TSLA shares valued at $170B. Forbes estimated his total net worth at $273.6B, mostly comprised of TSLA and SpaceX (estimated at $74B), the analyst added, according to Wall Street publication Street Insider. Alon-Beck added that According to the Williams Act, when an acquiring company makes an offer, or in this case Musk, it is required to provide information about the tender offer to the shareholders of the target company and to the financial regulators. There is just not enough information here not even info on financing sources. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers flew to Taiwan for an official visit Thursday, defying threats from the Chinese government. Lawmakers from both the House and Senate landed in the country Wednesday morning to a warm welcome from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. The Chinese government soon released a statement condemning the visit. The lawmakers visiting were Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Richard Burr of North Carolina, and Rob Portman of Ohio, Republican Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, and Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez. The lawmakers are among the most high-level U.S. officials to visit Taiwan. Mainland China argues Taiwan is a rogue region of China and not an independent country. The U.S. has tenuously respected that designation for decades, even while sending military aid and occasional visits from U.S. officials to support Taiwan. CHINA ACCUSES US, TAIWAN OFFICIALS OF PLAYING WITH FIRE WITH UKRAINE COMPARISONS "China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the U.S. and Chinas Taiwan region," the spokesperson for the Chinese government tweeted Thursday. Fears that China may move to invade Taiwan have risen in recent years, thanks to China's increasing aggression in the region, including frequent air force flights near Taiwan's airspace. The issue has also been highlighted thanks to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Observers say Russia's invasion may embolden China to take action on its own. RUSSIA-UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES The U.S. delegation in Taiwan will meet with President Tsai and is scheduled to depart Friday. KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Rights activists and others are urging Rwandan authorities to free the man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda, saying his health is failing after an appeals court upheld his 25-year jail term for terror offenses. Paul Rusesabagina, who holds Belgian citizenship and U.S. residency, is credited with sheltering a group of ethnic Tutsi during Rwandas 1994 genocide. He was convicted in September on charges including membership in a terrorist group, murder and abduction. Rusesabagina is a well-known critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and lived in exile in the U.S. Some activists who spoke Wednesday during an online event in support of Rusesabagina said the U.S. could do more to free the 67-year-old recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. They also appealed to the compassion of Rwandan authorities. I am asking President Kagame that you extend the grace that you've shown to me and my family to Paul and his family now," said Don Cheadle, appealing to Rwanda's leader. Please lead with mercy. Cheadle, who played Rusesabagina in the 2004 Hollywood movie, said the former hotel manager had more than given his pound of flesh" after many months in custody. Rusesabagina is credited with saving more than 1,000 people by sheltering them at the hotel he managed during the genocide, in which more than 800,000 Tutsi and Hutu who tried to protect them were killed. He left Rwanda in 1996. The criminal case against Rusesabagina attracted international attention because of his high profile, the circumstances surrounding his arrest in 2020, and his limited access to an independent legal team. Throughout his trial Rusesabagina maintained that he was not guilty and asserted that he didnt expect to get justice. His conviction came more than a year after he disappeared during a visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He appeared days later in Rwanda in handcuffs, accused of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform, the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change. Story continues The armed group claimed some responsibility for attacks in 2018 and 2019 that killed nine people in southern Rwanda. Rusesabagina testified at trial that he helped to form the armed group to help refugees but said he never supported violence. Rusesabagina's family and supporters insist his arrest was in response to his criticism of Kagame over alleged rights abuses. Kagames government has repeatedly denied targeting dissenting voices with arrests and extrajudicial killings. Terry George, who directed "Hotel Rwanda," said his film became the center of a disinformation campaign as Rusesabagina's stature in the Rwandan diaspora grew with his criticism of Rwandan authorities. He turned to me and thanked me for making the film, George said of Kagame, recalling a screening of the film in Kigali, the Rwandan capital. The film was universally received in Rwanda at the time. Rwandan officials have since dismissed Rusesabagina as a manufactured hero. Kagame's Rwanda is one of the worlds worst perpetrators of transnational repression, said Nicole Bibbins Sedaca of the Freedom House group. We have to hold authoritarian regimes to account when they use tools like transnational repression, when they take political prisoners simply to target and silence their critics." Kate Gibson, a member of Rusesabagina's legal team, said her client didn't get a just trial. She also charged Wednesday that members of Rusesabagina's legal team in Rwanda "have been subjected to unthinkable indignities over and over again. She gave no details. A Rwandan appeals court on April 4 upheld Rusesabagina's 25-year jail sentence, rejecting prosecutors' efforts to have him imprisoned for life. Rusesabagina's health has worsened, according to his family. He is sick. He is ill, Anaise Kanimba said of her father. We probably believe he had a stroke and we don't have time. We don't have time, and thats why we need your help. We need the help of the international community. We need the help of the world. Abel Ruiz had originally been charged with attempted murder and aggravated mayhem after his arrest Nov. 25, 2021. An Adelanto man who authorities said set his girlfriend on fire on Thanksgiving Day last year has been sentenced to state prison. Abel Ruiz, 40, pleaded no contest Monday to assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce gross bodily injury. Superior Court Judge Christopher Pallone sentenced Ruiz to the upper term of eight years for the charge with credit for time served. Ruiz had originally been charged with attempted murder and aggravated mayhem after his arrest Nov. 25, 2021. Aggravated mayhem is the intentional maiming of another person, according to California Penal Code. If convicted, Ruiz could have faced life in prison with the possibility of parole. Court records show charges of aggravated mayhem, attempted murder and first-degree burglary were dismissed with Ruizs plea. A domestic violence protective order was filed at the time of his sentencing. Deputies responded on the November holiday to an Adelanto home in the 18000 block of Sonoma Road after a family member there called 911. Authorities said Ruiz used isopropyl alcohol and a lighter when setting his girlfriend on fire. The victim sustained burns to her face, neck, chest, and hands and was flown to a local hospital burn ward, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said. Ruiz also sustained burns to both hands during the incident. The victim's current condition wasn't available. Ruiz was out on bond at the time of that arrest after pleading not guilty in June to assault using force likely to produce great bodily injury and first-degree burglary. Records show Ruiz entered the plea of no contest in that case that led to the various other charges being dismissed. Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Assault plea, prison term follows attack with lighter, alcohol THE HAGUE (Reuters) - An Afghan man was convicted by a Dutch court on Thursday of war crimes and torture for abusing political opponents at Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi prison in the 1980s and was sentenced to 12 years in jail. Judges said the man, 76, who had been calling himself Abdul Rafief, was actually Abdul Razaq Arif who served as commander of the prison between 1983 and 1990. They dismissed his testimony that he was the victim of a mistaken identity. A lawyer for Arif said he would appeal. Arif came to the Netherlands seeking asylum under the Rafief name in 2001 and has become a Dutch national. He was being tried under "universal jurisdiction" principles, which say suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity can be prosecuted abroad if they cannot be tried in country where they were allegedly committed. According to prosecutors, Arif was responsible for political prisoners in the jail, who were held in inhumane conditions in the facility. Guards under his command beat, tortured and executed prisoners, they said. During the trial prosecutors cited witnesses who identified "Rafief" as Arif to investigative judges. One victim told judges he still suffered sleepless nights from the psychological torture he underwent in prison. In the 1980s, Afghanistan's Soviet-backed government was fighting a guerrilla war against "Mujahideen" Islamist rebels at the time, following the Soviet invasion in 1979. The Netherlands has previously tried three high ranking officials of the Afghan military intelligence service for similar crimes in the same period in Afghanistan. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Alison Williams) A new aid convoy of 47 trucks and three fuel tankers was on its way to Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region, the UN's World Food Programme said Thursday, following a conditional humanitarian truce between the government and Tigrayan rebels. The 17-month war between government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has created a humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia and sparked famine fears in Tigray, which has been under a de facto blockade for many months according to the UN. On April 1, the WFP said 13 trucks loaded with food supplies had reached the Tigrayan capital Mekele, the first aid convoy to reach the stricken region by road since mid-December. It was followed by another convoy a day later by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), carrying medical aid, food and water treatment supplies. On Thursday, the WFP said on Twitter that its second convoy was on its way to Mekele. "47 trucks with food, nutrition & other life-saving supplies Plus 3 fuel tankers - fundamental to deliver these items to communities in #Tigray," it said. The convoy had encountered a "smooth journey so far with support from all authorities," it added, as the truce between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and the TPLF continues to hold, allowing aid to reach the battered region. A second convoy from the ICRC also arrived in Mekele on Thursday, carrying food and medical supplies, along with household items, the organisation said on Twitter. "The convoy also carried essential equipment for the orthopedic rehabilitation centre," it said. The war has driven hundreds of thousands of people to the brink of famine, displaced more than two million and left more than nine million in need of food aid, according to the UN. Nearly 40 percent of Tigray's six million inhabitants face "an extreme lack of food", the UN said in January, with fuel shortages forcing aid workers to deliver medicines and other crucial supplies sometimes by foot. Story continues Both the warring sides have issued demands in connection with the truce that was announced last month. The government has called on the rebels to "desist from all acts of further aggression and withdraw from areas they have occupied" in the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara. The rebels have in turn urged the Ethiopian authorities "to go beyond empty promises and take concrete steps to facilitate unfettered humanitarian access" to Tigray. The conflict erupted in November 2020 when Nobel Peace laureate Abiy sent troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, the region's former ruling party, saying the move came in response to rebel attacks on army camps. ayv/amu/txw/har A woman shops at a grocery store in Moscow. Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images Russian authorities are cracking down on a network of feminist anti-war activists, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, accusing one woman of "discrediting the Russian Armed Forces." Artist and musician Aleksandra Skochilenko was detained on Monday after she went to grocery stores in the Saint Petersburg area and replaced price tags with anti-war messages, Amnesty International said. Prosecutors allege Skochilenko committed an act of "political hostility" that "disseminated false information" about the Russian military, and she's been charged with "discrediting the Russian Armed Forces." Skochilenko will remain in custody until her trial on June 1, and faces up to 10 years in jail, Amnesty International said. Her attorney said Skochilenko was turned in to police by another customer. The idea to replace supermarket price tags with anti-war messages was promoted by the Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAS) group, which was founded the day after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. FAS members have also stamped currency with anti-war slogans and printed out and distributed articles from independent media outlets. FAS says that at least 100 women activists have been detained, arrested, searched, or threatened by law enforcement. Amnesty International's director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Marie Struthers, said in a statement that Russian authorities "continue to wage war against the human rights of Russian people. All activists detained for peacefully participating in acts of anti-war dissent must be immediately and unconditionally released. Cracking down on this feminist-led anti-war movement represents yet another desperate attempt to silence criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine." You may also like Ted Cruz asked if he'd 'fellate another man' during Yale Q&A Gillian Anderson once had an 'intimate' encounter with Bill Clinton Biden needs to keep his mouth shut Apr. 13ROCHESTER They come in all different guises. A long-distance, over-the-phone "love interest" from another country; a lawyer calling in the middle of the night claiming a grandchild is under arrest and in need of money; a person pretending to be a government official. Exploiting elderly, often lonely, people, the scammers use a protean skill at adopting different disguises and taking money from their victims. As a recent incident in Rochester revealed, the losses can range in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. They scam through phones and texting, emails, and computers. They can be in-person, too. And for the victims, the experience can be financially and emotionally traumatizing. And the pandemic created a "perfect" environment for such criminals and fraudsters to thrive. "I always claim that social isolation was a pandemic before the COVID pandemic," said Sylwia Bujak Oliver, executive director at 125 Live, Rochester's senior center. On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., hosted a roundtable at 125 Live in Rochester to highlight ways to protect seniors from fraud, a form of theft soaring in popularity among criminals. In addition to Klobuchar and Oliver, Sgt. Eric Strop of the Rochester Police Department; Cathy McLeer, president of AARP Minnesota; Rochester Mayor Kim Norton; and Walt Rothwell, an AARP Fraud Watch Network volunteer also participated in the roundtable. In 2019, the year before the pandemic, Minnesota consumers reported losing $19 million to scams. In 2021, that number had more than tripled to $60 million, McLeer said. In Rochester, the police received 670 reports from scam victims in 2021. And this year, at 174 reports through March, complaints are on pace to meet or exceed that number, Strop said. Those numbers almost certainly underrepresent the problem because many victims, out of shame or fear, fail to report when they've been victimized. That perpetuates the problem, because it allows criminals to move on to their next victim. Story continues "If you've been a victim, don't take the blame on yourself," McLeer said. "You didn't ask for this to happen. (Realizing that will make) people more willing to report it." Recent legislation, sponsored by Klobuchar and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, will enhance efforts to educate seniors about the problem, Klobuchar said. Recently signed by President Biden, the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act pours more money and resources at the federal level. It directs the Federal Trade Commission to create a new office dedicated to educating seniors about fraud schemes. "We're going to get all of the schemes gathered in place and report them out," Klobuchar said. "So, if something's happening in Missouri, you're going to hear about it in Minnesota." Many seniors are unaware of the nature and extent of the problem until they fall victim to fraud. A recent fraud case involving a 76-year-old Rochester woman who lost nearly $400,000 to a scam illustrated the urgency of combating the problem, participants said. In that case, the woman was trying to renew a Norton Antivirus software. In dealing with a phony customer representative, the woman was made to believe that the company accidentally deposited $409,000 into the woman's account. The fake representative persuaded the woman to send payments under $100,000. Later, in talking with police, the woman said she wasn't aware such crimes existed. Last week, a sharing session was held at 125 Live where area seniors discussed losing money to scammers or knowing friends who had lost money, Rothwell said. Programs aimed at elevating awareness about fraud often fail to draw a big crowd. It's not a "sexy topic" to sign up for, Rothwell said. So 125 Live has figured out different ways to "embed" the information in other classes. "We might offer a photography class. We're going to take the opportunity to inject some elements (about fraud into the class)," he said. Officials offered common sense tips for fighting fraud. Sign up for the Do Not Call registry. Never send money or give personal information to unknown people over email or phone. Don't answer inquiries about marital status. Before making a sizable purchase, consult with family and friends for advice. "People should be able to enjoy their golden years," Klobuchar said. "Many people have worked their whole lives just to be able to retire in peace and pass money on to their kids and grandkids. We want them to be able to do that." Comedian Amy Schumer said in a recent interview that she received death threats after she called actress Kirsten Dunst a seat filler during the Oscars ceremony. During a comedy bit at the Oscars, Schumer, one of three hosts for the show, talked about the workers who help put on the awards ceremony, including those she dubbed seat fillers, or those who fills seats in the audience when others are on stage or outside the auditorium. So when you get up to go to the bathroom or if youre going to cry because you didnt win oh my god, actually, you know what? Let me just show you what the seat fillers do, Schumer said. OK, heres a seat filler, she continued, pointing to Dunst. Can we get you up, honey? You want to go to the bathroom? Schumer then pushes Dunst away and takes her seat next to Dunsts husband, the actor Jesse Plemons. Seat fillers, love them! Schumer quips as Plemons and Dunst, both Oscar-nominated that night, look on. In an interview on The Howard Stern Show, which was published on Wednesday, Schumer said she received death threats following the joke even though she said she had already discussed the joke with Dunst. I got death threats. I got the Secret Service reached out to me. They were so bad that the Secret Service reached out about that bit, she said. Im like, Oh, I think you have the wrong number. This is Amy, not Will [Smith], like it must be of my No, you are getting death threats. OK. Not that I want Will to get death threats, but the misogyny is unbelievable. During the Oscars, Smith slapped Chris Rock after he made a joke about Smiths wife. The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences later announced a 10-year ban on Smith, who won best actor that night, attending Academy events. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BUFFALO, N.Y. The coronavirus pandemic ushered in what may be the most rapid rise in homeschooling the U.S. has ever seen. Two years later, even after schools reopened and vaccines became widely available, many parents have chosen to continue directing their childrens educations themselves. Homeschooling numbers this year dipped from last years all-time high, but are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels, according to data obtained and analyzed by The Associated Press. Advertisement Families that may have turned to homeschooling as an alternative to hastily assembled remote learning plans have stuck with it reasons include health concerns, disagreement with school policies and a desire to keep what has worked for their children. In 18 states that shared data through the current school year, the number of homeschooling students increased by 63% in the 2020-2021 school year, then fell by only 17% in the 2021-2022 school year. Advertisement Around 3% of U.S. students were homeschooled before the pandemic-induced surge, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The rising numbers have cut into public school enrollment in ways that affect future funding and renewed debates over how closely homeschooling should be regulated. What remains unknown is whether this years small decrease signals a step toward pre-pandemic levels or a sign that homeschooling is becoming more mainstream. Linda McCarthy, a suburban Buffalo mother of two, says her children are never going back to traditional school. Unimpressed with the lessons offered remotely when schools abruptly closed their doors in spring 2020, she began homeschooling her then fifth- and seventh-grade children that fall. McCarthy, who had been working as a teachers aide, said she knew she could do better herself. She said her children have thrived with lessons tailored to their interests, learning styles and schedules. Theres no more homework til the wee hours of the morning, no more tears because we couldnt get things done, McCarthy said. Once a relatively rare practice chosen most often for reasons related to instruction on religion, homeschooling grew rapidly in popularity following the turn of the century before leveled off at around 3.3%, or about 2 million students, in the years before the pandemic, according to the Census. Surveys have indicated factors including dissatisfaction with neighborhood schools, concerns about school environment and the appeal of customizing an education. In this undated photo provided by Dalaine Bradley, Ahmad Waller, 11, Zion Waller, 10, and Drew Waller, 7, left to right, study during homeschooling, in Raleigh, N.C. (RED/AP) In the absence of federal guidelines, there is little uniformity in reporting requirements. Some states, including Connecticut and Nevada, require little or no information from parents, while New York, Massachusetts and some others require parents to submit instruction plans and comply with assessment rules. The new surge in homeschooling numbers has led state legislatures around the country to consider measures either to ease regulations on homeschool families or impose new ones debates have gone on for years. Proponents of more oversight point to the potential for undetected cases of child abuse and neglect while others argue for less in the name of parental rights. All of the 28 state education departments that provided homeschooling data to the AP reported that homeschooling spiked in 2020-21, when fears of infection kept many school buildings closed. Of the 18 states whose enrollment data included the current school year, all but one state said homeschooling declined from the previous year but remained well above pre-pandemic levels. (The exception, South Dakota, recently changed the way it collects data). Advertisement Minnesota, for example, reported that 27,801 students are being homeschooled now, compared to 30,955 during the last school year. Before the pandemic, homeschool figures were around 20,000 or less. Black families make up many of the homeschool converts. The proportion of Black families homeschooling their children increased by five times, from 3.3% to 16.1%, from spring 2020 to the fall, while the proportion about doubled across other groups, according to U.S. Census surveys. Raleigh, North Carolina, mother Laine Bradley said the school systems shortcomings became more evident to families like hers when remote learning began. I think a lot of Black families realized that when we had to go to remote learning, they realized exactly what was being taught. And a lot of that doesnt involve us, said Bradley, who decided to homeschool her 7-, 10- and 11-year-old children. My kids have a lot of questions about different things. Im like, Didnt you learn that in school? Theyre like, No. Bradley, who works in financial services, converted her dining room into a classroom and rearranged her work schedule to take over her childrens education, adding lessons on financial literacy, Black history and Caribbean history important to her heritage. I can incorporate things that I feel like they should know, she said. Her husband, Vince, who retired from the Air Force last year, steps in at times. The couple also have a 14-month-old. They plan to continue homeschooling for as long as their children want it. Her social media posts about her experience have drawn so much interest that Bradley recently created an online community called Black Moms Do Homeschool to share resources and experiences. Advertisement Boston University researcher Andrew Bacher-Hicks said data showed that while homeschool rates rose across the board during the last school year, the increase was greater in school districts that reverted to in-person learning, perhaps before some parents were ready to send their children back. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > He said the same health concerns that drove those increases are likely behind the continued elevated rates, despite additional upheaval in schools as parents and policy-makers debate issues surrounding race and gender and which books should be in libraries. Its really hard to disentangle those two things because all of this is kind of happening at the same time, he said. But my my guess would be that a large part of the decisions to exit from the system do have to do with COVID-related issues as opposed to political issues, because those things come up frequently and weve never seen an increase in homeschooling rates like this before. He said parents also may be concerned about the quality of education delivered by schools that have had to rely heavily on substitute teachers amid pandemic-caused staffing shortages. McCarthy, the mom from suburban Buffalo, said it was a combination of everything, with the pandemic compounding the misgivings she had already held about the public school system, including her philosophical differences over the need for vaccine and mask mandates and academic priorities. The pandemic, she said, was kind of they say the straw that broke the camels back but the camels back was probably already broken. Advertisement There are kids that dont know basic English structure but they want to push other things on children, and it can be blatant but it can be, and mostly is, very subtle, very, very subtle, McCarthy said. So we were ready to pull them and will never send them back to traditional school. Its just not a fit for us. Its just a whole new world that is a much better world for us, she said. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia imposed targeted financial sanctions on 14 Russian state-owned enterprises on Thursday, including defence-related entities such as truckmaker Kamaz, and shipping companies SEVMASH and United Shipbuilding Corp. Sanctions will also extend to electronic company Ruselectronics, responsible for the production of around 80% of all Russian electronics components, and Russian Railways over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement. Russia has said it launched a "special military operation" in Ukraine and has blamed Ukraine for civilian deaths and accused Kyiv of denigrating Russian armed forces. Australia has now sanctioned about 600 individuals and entities, including most of Russia's banking sector and all organisations responsible for the country's sovereign debt. It has also supplied defence equipment and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, while banning exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia. (Reporting by Renju Jose; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) An Ohio author was banned from reading his book Its Okay to Be a Unicorn after being told by school district in the state it was too political. Jason Tharp, 45, was scheduled to read the book, whose cover features a blue and purple unicorn and rainbow-coloured title, to students at an elementary school in the Buckeye Valley Local School District on 6 April. The day before the reading, Mr Tharp told The Independent he was contacted by the school principal saying a parent was uncomfortable with the content. Mr Tharp asked the official: Does somebody think I made a gay book? He was told that a parent had complained to the school that he was coming with an agenda to recruit kids to become gay. Author Jason Tharp was banned from reading his book Its Okay to Be a Unicorn at an Ohio elementary school (Wonderville Studios/Jason Tharp) Mr Tharp said he was shocked that the objections of one parent could lead to the abrupt U-turn. He offered to read a different book instead, Its OK to Smell Good, but that was also rebuffed by school officials. Apparently it could be twisted into an agenda as well, Mr Tharp said. He visited the Buckeye Valley West Elementary anyway, and learned the the children had been told to remove their artwork featuring unicorns and rainbows. That for me was the biggest bummer. I was told the kids were staying stuff like, he hasnt been here to see it yet, why are we taking it down. The school district, just north of Columbus, held an emergency school board meeting on 8 April to after some parents raised fears over Mr Tharps invitation to speak being rescinded. Mother of two Kaylan Brazelton, who works at Buckeye Valley West Elementary, told the meeting she couldnt understand why a book that taught acceptance for children who felt isolated would be banned. She said she had been ordered to take down any artwork featuring rainbows or unicorns. Its a rainbow, she told other parents and administrators at the meeting. The fact that we had to take all of the students artwork down it was gut-wrenching, and we couldnt even believe we were in that position to do so, but we did what we were told. Story continues The Independent did not immediately hear back from interim superintendent Jeremy Froehlich. In an interview with WBNS, Mr Froehlich said a parent had approached him the day before the reading expressing concern. They just wanted to make sure that we vetted the book and our staff thought that they had vetted it, Mr Froehlich said. Parents in Texas have called for a book about Michelle Obama to be banned (AFP via Getty Images) Mr Tharps book is the latest to become caught in the crossfire of culture wars taking place in school districts across the United States. Parents are taking an activist stance over any material that touches on issues of race, sexual orientation or gender identity, over fears it will indoctrinate their children. Conservatives have even called for works from the Harry Potter series to a book about Michelle Obama to be outlawed. The conflict over what is being taught in schools has been exacerbated by Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay bill, which bans teachers from instructing students on issues on sexual orientation or gender identity. After some groups resorted to threats of violence, the American Library Association issued a statement in November condemning acts of censorship and intimidation against educators, librarians and school board members. Mr Tharp, who has authored 18 books, said he had wanted to write about non-threatening characters that promote inclusion, after battling feelings of loneliness himself as a child. Mr Tharp, who used to speak to up to 50,000 school children each year prior to the panedmic, said it was obvious those objecting to his book hadnt even read it. A Tennessee pastor invited his congregation to ban occultic books like Harry Potter and Twilight in February (Screengrab of Greg Locke Facebook Live video) Adults are putting their own insecurity filter on to these issues, and projecting those insecurities onto a childrens book. Its a head-scratcher. Mr Tharp is in remission after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year, and said he had tried to avoid being exposed to polarising political debates and culture wars since then. He described himself as an ally of the LGBTQ community, and said a lot of the concerns parents have is due to a fear of the unknown. Could a child who was growing up LGBTQ see themselves in the book? Yeah absolutely. So could a kid who was being picked on, or a kid who was in a wheelchair, or the weird kid. Its ignorance right? And instead of having a conversation, they threw a blanket on a book that was not about being gay. British Airways crew British Airways is offering new cabin crew a 1,000 "golden hello" as the airline battles to recruit workers. The company says it will pay new employees 500 after three months and the rest after six months - but only if they can start before July. Airlines and airports are struggling to find new staff after making steep cuts at the height of the pandemic. BA and others have been forced to cancel flights due to resurging demand ahead of Easter and not enough staff. One barrier to recruitment is that airline workers have to pass stringent security checks which can take several weeks or months to process. BA says applicants must have an airside ID for either Heathrow or London Stansted Airport as well as having completed cabin crew safety training, suggesting the company will look to rival airlines for staff. It also says that cabin crew who are not able to commence training prior to July this year if, for example, they have to work a long notice period, "may not be eligible for the welcome bonus". Since the beginning of the year, BA has cancelled about 1,200 flights due to staff shortages and Covid-related absences. Earlier in 2022, BA cancelled flights due to stormy weather, which also caused delays in unloading baggage from planes. Some flights were also affected by IT issues resulting in luggage piling up and passengers stuck on planes after they landed. The airline cut around 10,000 staff due to the pandemic and the restrictions placed on the travel industry. However, last year it began rehiring staff. Busy weekend The transport industry as a whole is facing a challenging Easter as many people prepare to travel for the first time since Covid hit in early 2020. The AA motoring organisation estimates that around 27.6 million car journeys are expected to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend. There will be disruption to train travel as some lines are closed for engineering work. Story continues People have also seen cross-Channel ferry services cancelled between Dover-Calais, which will continue over the weekend after a second P&O Ferries ship failed another safety check by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. P&O Ferries apologised to people who had booked Dover-Calais journeys with the company, adding it had made alternative arrangements for those customers, including its Hull-Europoort service to Rotterdam, or booking them onto Brittany Ferries services between Portsmouth and Caen. It added: "We also recognise that these options will not be suitable for everyone, therefore any customer who booked directly with P&O Ferries will be able to claim a full refund and a free trip for future travel." There are also long queues of lorries on roads approaching the Port of Dover. "All our polling suggests that Good Friday will be the busiest getaway day for Easter trips and staycations," said AA president Edmund King. "If some drivers can leave on Thursday or early Saturday, they may miss some of the jams." DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) After a two-year break, thousands of people in Bangladesh and Nepal on Thursday celebrated their respective new years with colorful processions and musical soirees as the coronavirus pandemic eased and life swung back to normal. In Bangladeshs capital, Dhaka, people clad in the traditional red attire ushered in the Bengali year 1429. They marched, sang and danced at a prominent arts college on the Dhaka University campus and in historic Ramna Park. Similar processions were organized in other parts of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, but the celebration was subdued as the Muslim-majority Bangladesh was also observing the fasting month of Ramadan amid scorching heat. Thursday was a national holiday in Bangladesh, a nation of 160 million people. The Bengali calendar emerged under the 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar by combining Islamic and solar Hindu calendars to facilitate land tax collection. The festivities were suspended for the last two years because of the pandemic. I am very happy to join today. In the last two years we could not celebrate," said businessman Tapan Chowdhury, who joined the procession with his family. It is a great day to celebrate irrespective of religious beliefs. The Bengali new year feast was not always smooth as hard-line Muslim groups opposed the celebrations, calling them un-Islamic. Thursdays peaceful processions were heavily guarded by security officials though they said they monitored no specific threats. Militants belonging to the outlawed Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami group bombed a musical event in 2001, leaving 10 people dead. A court in Dhaka sentenced eight militants to death and six others to life in prison in 2014 for their involvement in the attack. The defendants have appealed and the final verdict is pending at the Supreme Court. People in Nepal, meanwhile, welcomed the year 2079 with visits to Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines, where families prayed for prosperity and good luck. Story continues Last year's celebrations were banned due to rising coronavirus cases, and the year before a lockdown kept people at home. Nepals Health Ministry reported only 19 new cases and no deaths on Wednesday. ___ Associated Press writer Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu, Nepal, contributed to this report. The fraudsters out there have turned to a new type of scam, and your financial institutions want you to be vigilant. The criminals are trying to convince you theyre from the fraud department at your financial institution, in hopes youll give them access to your account so they can then drain it. Banks and other institutions have invested in security over recent years to protect their customers from criminals trying to breach the systems and commit such crimes as taking over consumers accounts. The criminals know this, so theyre not coming directly to the banks. Theyre going directly to the consumers and trying to convince the consumers to provide them with access so they can get into the account, said Stacey Nash, senior vice president of bank fraud and operations for USAA, a financial services company for military members, veterans and their families. My goal is that every USAA member and every consumer knows that a bank would never ask you for a password, a PIN or a one-time code, she said. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 2.8 million consumers reported fraud in 2021, and imposter scams were the most commonly reported fraud category. Military consumers filed more than 110,000 fraud complaints, including 44,039 imposter scams. Of those imposter scams reported from the military community, 20% reported a loss, for a total of nearly $104 million; with a median loss of $1,031. Those numbers include reports from active duty troops and their spouses, Guard and reserve members, retirees and veterans. Imposter scams are a subset of fraud reports. They include such things as romance scams, people falsely claiming to be the government, a relative in distress, a well-known business or a technical support expert in order to get a consumers money. Another 7,782 military consumers reported bank fraud in 2021. Heres how this latest scam is working, according to Nash: A text that reads bank alert pops up, purportedly from your financial institution, asking whether you authorized a specified transaction for a specified amount, on a specified date, at a specified merchant. Story continues Of course, you didnt and you respond No. The next message that pops up informs you that theyll be contacting you shortly. Your phone rings, and a voice on the other end claims to be your banks fraud department but its not. Its a criminal. Theyre basically saying, Im calling in order to help you. Im going to need login credentials, password, phone code all those things that a bank would never ask for, Nash said. And they may spoof the financial institutions phone number, so that it shows up as your financial institutions number. Thats another effort by the criminals to get you to trust them. If a legitimate financial institution is contacting you about possible fraud, the call will involve walking you through information they already have about multiple transactions to verify whats legitimate and whats not. The scam is nothing like that. They immediately before they help the member ask for the login credentials, the password, PIN or one-time verification code that [legitimate financial institutions] would never ask for. Its despicable. Consumers in general are falling for it, because they think the call is coming from a place they trust that is trying to protect them. If you think youve fallen victim to this scam, call your financial institution immediately. As soon as they call us we can change their password, we can change their information, so that whatever this fraudster has is now useless, Nash said. If anything has been moved from the account time has to be on our side, because if there is something that has been changed or moved from the account, we have the opportunity to reverse it and retrieve it, she said. Like other financial institutions, USAA has constant fraud monitoring so, even in situations where someone falls victim to this, if account activity is out of character for an individual, theyll alert the member and sometimes will freeze the account to protect the member, she said. Having these robust fraud detection systems in place is critical for all financial institutions. Just last week, an 88-year-old woman nearly fell victim to an imposter scam via multiple wire transfer requests, said USSA spokesman Bradley Russell. USAA systems were able to detect this and contacted her to make her aware. While not foolproof, its evidence of our systems ability to detect and prevent fraud in some cases. USAA has an account takeover care team that provides members with the tools, resources and a single point of contact to guide them through the process of restoring everything to the account, Nash said. They can also provide advice to members who may have had accounts outside USAA that have been affected. We want to make sure that if the fraudster has impacted anything else, that were talking the member through that, too, she said. There have been reports about customers of other financial institutions who have been victimized. Wells Fargo posted a warning to customers not to send money to themselves, such as through a mobile payment system, when a supposed bank employee tells them to reverse the transfer on the pretext there was a fraud. Legitimate financial institutions dont tell customers to do this. While declining to discuss this particular type of scam, Navy Federal Credit Union officials said they see a wide variety of fraudulent activity targeted at their members. We regularly work to educate our members about fraud prevention, and members can discuss questions or concerns by phone, available 24 hours a day, or at their local branch, said Tonya Washington, Navy Federals vice president of security systems, projects and training. Its clientele includes active duty members of all branches, as well as retirees, veterans, family members and others. USAA didnt provide information about the number of cases of this fraud they have seen or the number of complaints from members who actually stopped the fraudsters before they were able to complete the transaction. However, Nash said, Our members have been amazing. We have had so many members call and say, Hey, I want to make you aware of this. This just happened to me. " They ask members to send any information such as the phone number and any other details they get from the fraudster to abuse@usaa.com. We can add that to the various cases that we have because we are working with law enforcement to make sure that wherever possible we can bring these criminals to justice, Nash said. She declined to say whether any of those criminals have been prosecuted, but said USAA is actively working with other financial institutions. This is one of those things that, from an industry perspective, were very focused on collectively protecting American consumers, Nash said. I do think that the stronger we are and the more times [criminals] try this and arent successful, theyll stop trying. She also has a message for all consumers: Tell everyone you know, including neighbors, elderly people, friends and family about this scam. TV tower in Kyiv, Ukraine, is hit by an airstrike. Ukraine NOW A top-level US official may visit Ukraine soon, sources told Politico. If the meeting occurs, it's unclear who would be in attendance and when. Several leaders from other countries have visited the war-torn country. The White House is considering sending an official from the Biden administration to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, two unnamed US officials told Politico Wednesday. The New York Times confirmed the report, adding that the potential visit a show of support previously happened in other war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. If the meeting happens, the US would join the United Kingdom and Austria alongside other countries whose top-level officials visited the war-torn country since Ukrainian troops liberated the areas surrounding the capital city of Kyiv from Russian control. Details of the visit, including the date, will not be announced ahead of time for safety and security purposes. No final decision has been as to whether the meeting will actually occur or who the chosen representative would be, though it would likely be a cabinet member, such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken or Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to the outlet. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were not ruled out, but on Monday, US national security advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday told NBC's "Meet the Press" that President Biden was not planning on visiting Kyiv. Biden on Wednesday approved sending Ukraine another $800 million toward military assistance. The White House, the Department of Defense, and the State Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider President Biden declared during a speech in Warsaw last month that Russian President Vladimir Putin shouldn't remain in power. But as the war in Ukraine bogs down, it's unclear if a shifting U.S. response will be enough to avoid a protracted and violent conflict. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) With a war many thought would be over in days bogging down into a protracted conflict, the U.S. and its NATO allies are recalibrating their response, scaling up defense aid for Ukraine as it digs in for a longer fight with Russian forces. But even as President Biden has vowed not to let Russia win, it's not at all clear an enhanced response will help Ukraine win the war or avoid a years-long conflict that is likely to strain the transatlantic alliance, cost billions in additional aid, further disrupt global economic markets and lead to more bloodshed on the front lines. "It's going to be a different kind of war, and there has to be a greater urgency," said Eric Edelman, a former undersecretary of defense. "If Russia isn't successful right away, Ukraine might still hold a strategic advantage in the long term. But that depends on how long they can absorb casualties and maintain a will to fight, and how long the West can keep this up." As part of Washington's continuing efforts to bolster Ukraine's war-fighting capabilities, Biden announced Tuesday a new tranche of $800 million in defense assistance for Kyiv. It includes advanced weapons and ammunition including artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and the transfer of more helicopters to help Ukraine blunt Moscows latest offensive in the eastern Donbas region and the besieged city of Mariupol. The announcement, following an hour-long call between Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, came as the White House is facing pressure to take stronger actions as the war stretches into its eighth week. Although the latest aid package increases the U.S. commitment to what administration officials have conceded could be a years-long conflict, the White House remains wary of greater U.S. involvement that might change the trajectory and length of the war even as Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and characterized the Russian campaign as "genocide." Story continues Such presidential rhetoric which went beyond official White House policy raises the stakes for U.S. and NATO involvement, according to Ivo Daalder, the president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. "The president needs to signal that we will do whatever it takes for Ukraine to succeed because you cant call people out for war crimes, let alone genocide, and not do everything possible," said Daalder, who served as U.S. ambassador to NATO in the Obama administration. "The more ratcheted up the rhetoric," he added, "the more incumbent it comes on us to actually fulfill what that means." Since Russia's invasion in February, the White House has tried to strike a balance between backing Ukraine and avoiding direct and potentially escalatory engagement with a nuclear power that could turn a regional war into a global one. Biden has made clear he will not send American troops to Ukraine or establish a no-fly zone, steps officials say could bring the U.S. into conflict with Moscow. So far, the White House has focused on bolstering the NATO alliance, punishing the Kremlin with sanctions and supplying Ukrainians with weapons and intelligence. The Department of Defense said last week it had delivered thousands of antiarmor and antiaircraft systems, including Stinger and Javelin missiles, laser-guided rocket systems and more than 50 million rounds of ammunition as part of two packages of security assistance the president approved in March. The latest package expands on the $1.7 billion in security assistance the U.S. has provided Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24 and the $2.4 billion in aid since Biden took office. It's unclear if, or how, the West might send more powerful weapons, such as U.S. military jets and Apache helicopters, that it's thus far avoided. The Biden administration has resisted such transfers for logistical reasons the U.S. would not only have to train Ukraine's military how to operate, say, an F-16, but also establish supply lines and infrastructure to maintain such equipment. U.S. officials believe that would take too long to be helpful. Ukrainians, meanwhile, are pleading for Washington to ship them advanced arms as they are urging U.S. officials to consider the geopolitical realities of a protracted fight. "Russia will be here forever as a neighbor of Ukraine," said Daria Kaleniuk, co-founder of Ukraines Anti-Corruption Action Center. "We need to get prepared for a sustainable solution with advanced NATO-style weapons." Kaleniuk and a delegation of Ukrainian civil society advocates and former government officials met with dozens of U.S. lawmakers last week, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and officials from the State Department and White House. "There's still some fear about being too provocative to Russia. There's fear of nuclear weapons," she said following her White House meeting. "But deterrence works both ways and Putin uses deterrence." Experts have applauded the White House's efforts to assist Ukraine but say the Biden administration and its allies took too long to act, complicating Ukraine's ability to fend off the invasion. "They were always slow and way too cautious about actually implementing it," said John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. "They repeatedly refused to take steps in fear of provoking Putin." Pressed about whether aid is arriving too late as Russia shifts its focus to an eastern offensive, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday that "we are going to move this as fast as we can," arguing the assistance the U.S. has already sent is playing a role in Ukraine's defense. "We're aware of the clock and we know time is not our friend," Kirby told reporters. Daalder, the former U.S. ambassador to NATO, said the administrations challenge on timing is in whether it can quickly acquire the equipment and weapons that Ukrainians are trained to use. Much of it was manufactured by Russia or in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union (Ukraine was a Soviet republic). "The delay is not really what is the U.S. providing," Daadler said. "It's: How do you get the equipment thats among the former Warsaw Pact countries rapidly to Ukraine and what do you do to backfill those capabilities in order to make sure that NATO is still defended?" Biden last week announced the U.S. repositioned a Patriot missile system to Slovakia, which borders Ukraine, to backfill its transfer of a Soviet-era S-300 defense system to Kyiv to fend off airstrikes. But in March the administration rejected a three-way deal to transfer MiG 29 fighter jets from Poland, a NATO member and regarded as a former Soviet satellite, to Ukraine after deeming it too "high risk." Despite such fissures, NATO has remained mostly unified even if members' interests aren't always aligned. Major gulfs could emerge as the conflict drags on, however. Germany, Europe's largest economy, has waffled on cutting off imports of Russian oil and gas due to recession fears; the country's coalition government is split on whether to send German-made tanks to Kyiv. If far-right candidate and Putin ally Marine Le Pen ousts French President Emmanuel Macron in a run-off election later this month, it would immediately puncture NATO's newfound solidarity. That unity may deepen this summer if Finland and Sweden end decades of neutrality and join the alliance, as is expected. But even if bonds among democratic leaders hold, the threat of Putin in Ukraine and to the rest of Europe could only grow. Constanze Stelzenmuller, a Germany expert at Washington's Brookings Institution, said NATO's response to Putin in Ukraine has been "the most considered, forceful and effective Western response to any crisis that I've seen. But events on the ground may still show that what we're doing is not enough, because Putin is clearly determined to test us. And we may have to change our definition of what we can do." As the grisly nature of past Russian atrocities is uncovered and as Ukrainian losses mount during what's expected to be heavy fighting in the Donbas, the political pressure for the West to do more is likely to grow. But the cold, hard reality, many experts believe, is that the war quickly becomes a frozen conflict. "Putin is not going to capitulate," said Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, a global risk assessment firm. "The reason why the administration believes this is likely to be a stalemate is that, in some ways, that is the least worst plausible outcome that we are headed towards." Dan Baer, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe during the Obama administration, said that "the scenarios by which it ends tomorrow are not necessarily ones that are satisfactory for the long-term stability of the region or the world." "If it's going to be protracted, what you want is a slower and lower burn so there's less human cost. Because faster could mean Ukrainian defeat," he said. "Of course I don't want it to drag out, but if you take all of the possibilities for a fast [resolution], there are fewer of them that look good for the Ukrainians." "This is a Russian novel and we're in Chapter 3, and the bad news is that there are 57 chapters," he added. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Burke County Sheriff's Office has arrested a juvenile following a bomb threat made at Burke County High School. The 16-year-old was taken before a detention hearing Thursday afternoon and committed to the Youth Development Center in Augusta. He has been charged with terroristic threats and disrupting a public school, according to the sheriff's office. According to the sheriff's office, deputies, along with the Richmond County bomb squad and the Waynesboro Fire Department, responded to the school after a male caller phoned the high school around 10:10 a.m. and claimed that a bomb would detonate within 10 minutes. More crime news: Burke County detention officer arrested, charged in smuggling of contraband into jail The sheriff's office announced about 12:30 p.m. that the situation had been resolved, all classes had resumed and the school had been deemed safe. The juvenile will be charged "accordingly," according to the sheriff's office. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: All clear given: Bomb threat at Burke County High School, arrest made Rumours of a rift between Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson have been reported. (PA) Boris Johnson has played down rumours of a rift with Rishi Sunak, insisting the chancellor is safe in the job. Sunak's standing has been damaged by the response to his spring statement and the cost-of-living crisis, revelations about his wifes non-domiciled tax status, his former possession of a US green card and the fixed penalty notice (FPN) issued over Partygate. But on Thursday the prime minister sought to extinguish reports that the rows had damaged the relationship with his chancellor. Asked if Sunak if he had the job for as long as he wants, the prime minister simply said: Yes. Boris Johnson insisted chancellor Rishi Sunak was safe in the job. (PA) Johnson was speaking on the week that both he and Sunak were issued with FPNs for attending a lockdown-busting party in Downing Street last year. The PM said he will set the record straight on breaking coronavirus rules when he updates MPs in the Commons next week, but repeatedly refused to answer any questions about his own fines during a press conference in Kent on Thursday morning. After facing accusations of hypocrisy for not following the rules and allegations of lying to MPs, he said: You are going to have to wait until I come to parliament when of course I will set the record straight in any way that I can. Watch: Johnson will face MPs to 'set record straight' after being fined over Partygate It comes as reports in The Telegraph suggested Johnson is facing a second fine in relation to his attendance at a gathering for his outgoing director of communications Lee Cain last year. The paper claims that Johnson made a speech at the gathering and remained for some time, when England was still under COVID guidelines that banned social events. Downing Street is braced for the PM to receive further FPNs for other events he attended police are investigating 12 alleged lockdown-busting parties and Johnson is thought to have been present at half of them. Rishi Sunak has faced a series of controversies in recent weeks. (PA) Meanwhile, the Telegraph has revealed that MPs will be allowed a vote on an investigation into whether Johnson misled the House of Commons over the extent of lockdown parties in Downing Street when they return from recess next week. Story continues Johnson was fined over a birthday party thrown in his honour in the Cabinet Room in June 2020 at a time when indoor socialising was banned. After initial shows of support from Tory MPs and ministers, dissenting voices are now emerging. Lord Wolfson on Wednesday quit as a justice minister, saying that he had come to the inevitable conclusion that there was repeated rule-breaking, and breaches of the criminal law, in Downing Street. The peer concluded he had no option but to resign considering my ministerial and professional obligations to support and uphold the rule of law. Boris Johnson said he will 'set the record straight' on breaking coronavirus rules when he updates MPs in the Commons next week. (PA) Conservative former cabinet minister Karen Bradley also suggested Johnson should quit. The Staffordshire Moorlands MP said law breaking in Downing Street is unforgivable, but the war in Ukraine meant there was a need to act responsibly so as to not make the situation worse. She added: But I do wish to make it clear that if I had been a minister found to have broken the laws that I passed, I would be tendering my resignation now. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged more Tory MPs to speak out against the PM instead of acting like lemmings in support of him. Every Tory MP that cares about honesty and integrity should call for the prime minister to resign. They know hes a liar. They know hes a law breaker, he said. LONDON (Reuters) - A British lawmaker from Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative party who was convicted of sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy has resigned as a member of parliament, triggering a by-election that will be a test of Johnson's popularity. Imran Ahmad Khan, 48, who represents the Wakefield area in northern England, had denied the allegation but was on Monday found guilty of assaulting the boy at a house in 2008. Ahmad Khan was thrown out of the Conservative party when he was convicted. He plans to appeal the conviction. In a statement he said that owing to long delays in the legal process, his constituents had already been without visible parliamentary representation for a year. "Even in the best case scenario, anticipated legal proceedings could last many more months," he said. "Consequently I am resigning as MP for Wakefield and withdrawing from political life." Johnson is himself facing calls to resign after being fined by police on Tuesday for attending a gathering for his birthday in June 2020 when social mixing indoors was all but banned under COVID-19 rules his government had introduced. (Reporting by James Davey. Editing by Andrew MacAskill) KYIV, Ukraine The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, a guided-missile cruiser that became a potent target of Ukrainian defiance in the opening days of the war, sank Thursday after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles, while Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. Advertisement The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital, Kyiv. In his nightly video address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alluded to the sinking as he told Ukrainians they should be proud of having survived 50 days under attack when the Russians gave us a maximum of five. Advertisement Listing the many ways Ukraine has defended against the invasion, he noted those who showed that Russian warships can sail away, even if its to the bottom of the sea. It was his only reference to the missile cruiser. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sank in a storm while being towed to a port. Russia earlier said the flames on the ship, which would typically have 500 sailors aboard, forced the entire crew to evacuate. Later it said the blaze had been contained. The Moskva had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its removal reduces Russias firepower in the Black Sea. Its also a blow to Moscows prestige in a war already widely seen as a historic blunder. Now entering its eighth week, the invasion has stalled amid resistance from Ukrainian fighters bolstered by weapons and other aid sent by Western nations. During the first days of the war, the Moskva was reportedly the ship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a standoff. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself. The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is seen anchored in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, on Sept. 11, 2008. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged April 13, 2022, but not that it was hit by Ukraine. (AP) The Associated Press could not independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance. The country recently unveiled a postage stamp commemorating it. The news of the flagship overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where Moscows forces have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war at a horrific cost to civilians. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian troops 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 how many forces were still defending Mariupol. Advertisement Russian state television broadcast footage that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers. One man held a white flag. Mariupol has been the scene of the some the wars worst suffering. Dwindling numbers of Ukrainian defenders are holding out against a siege that has trapped well over 100,000 civilians in desperate need of food, water and heating. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told AP in an interview Thursday that people are being starved to death in the besieged city. Mariupols mayor said this week that more than 10,000 civilians had died and the death toll could surpass 20,000, after weeks of attacks and privation left bodies carpeted through the streets. Mariupols capture is critical for Russia because it would allow its forces in the south, which came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to fully link up with troops in the Donbas region, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive. The Russian military continues to move helicopters and other equipment together for such an effort, according to a senior U.S. defense official, and it will likely add more ground combat units over coming days. But its still unclear when Russia could launch a bigger offensive in the Donbas. A school director Iryna Homenko walks in the hall of a school damaged by an airstrike from Russian forces in Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas. Advertisement The loss of the Moskva could delay any new, wide-ranging offensive. Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, across the Black Sea to the northwest of Sevastopol, said the Ukrainians struck the ship with two Neptune missiles and caused serious damage. Russias Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, without saying what caused the blaze. It said the main missile weapons were not damaged. In addition to the cruise missiles, the warship also had air-defense missiles and other guns. The Neptune is an anti-ship missile that was recently developed by Ukraine and based on an earlier Soviet design. The launchers are mounted on trucks stationed near the coast, and, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missiles can hit targets up to 175 miles away. That would have put the Moskva within range, based on where it was when the fire began. Launched as the Slava in 1979, the cruiser saw service in the Cold War and during conflicts in Georgia and Syria, and helped conduct peacetime scientific research with the United States. During the Cold War, it carried nuclear weapons. In 1989, the Slava was supposed to host a meeting off Malta between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, but gale-force winds moved the talks to the docked cruiser Maxim Gorky. Advertisement On Thursday, other Russian ships that were also in the northern Black Sea moved further south after the Moskva caught fire, said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military assessments. Before the Moskva sank, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, told AP its removal would mean we can only have a sigh of relief. While the U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a big blow to Russia. Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. > Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack, and neither is a particularly good outcome for them, Sullivan told the Economic Club of Washington. Russia invaded on Feb. 24 and has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It has also further inflated prices at grocery stores and gasoline pumps, while dragging on the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the war helped push the organization to downgrade economic forecasts for 143 countries. Advertisement Also Thursday, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sending two low-flying military helicopters some 7 miles across the border and firing on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo, in Russias Bryansk region. Russias Investigative Committee said seven people, including a toddler, were wounded. Russias state security service had earlier said Ukrainian forces fired mortar rounds at a border post in Bryansk as refugees were crossing, forcing them to flee. The reports could not be independently verified. Earlier this month, Ukrainian security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an air strike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, some 35 miles from the border. Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report. NEW YORK CITY Here's a roundup of the top headlines from Patch from around New York City this week. In hours of online rants, a man who appears to be Frank James spewed bigoted views and spoke about subway violence. Update: Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday afternoon that she accepted Benjamin's resignation. "We are giving every child in every ZIP Code the chance that has been denied to them, " the mayor said about the once-threatened program. Police are looking for a man in a gas mask and a construction vest seen fleeing the 36th Street station Tuesday morning. The latest details about Frank James' capture, the federal terror charge he is facing and what he did before the Brooklyn subway attack. Frank James, 62, faces a federal terror charge in the mass transit attack, officials said. A wary scene unfolded in 36th Street station the morning after a still-at-large gunman shot 10 people Tuesday. "It's beyond ironic, " said project opponent Harriet Hirshorn. "Why are you cutting down trees in the name of climate change? More than 2, 000 new COVID-19 cases a day were detected in the city this weekend, including Mayor Eric Adams a high not reached in weeks. Mayor Eric Adams' busy weekend included shaking hands with Robert De Niro, chatting at Yankee Stadium and lunching with college kids. This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch Students from King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles wait for the arrival of U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy in December. Dr. Murthy discussed mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) California is no longer recommending a five-day quarantine period for people who are exposed to the coronavirus but remain asymptomatic, a move that could potentially result in a relaxation of similar rules in Los Angeles County. Doing so, officials say, would relieve the burden for employers and institutions to keep otherwise healthy people at home following exposure. The move also reflects a new pandemic reality, according to state officials that slowly but steadily increasing vaccination rates and the availability of anti-COVID drugs are reducing the overall risk of California's hospitals being overwhelmed in potential future surges. The California Department of Public Health still recommends everyone who tests positive or shows COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, isolate and stay home for at least five days following the onset of illness or after the date of the first positive test. The state says isolation can end after the fifth day if the person has no symptoms, or the symptoms are resolving, and a rapid test result on the fifth day is negative. Individual counties can keep rules in place that are stricter than the state's, if local health officials believe it's necessary. Currently, L.A. County requires those exposed to the coronavirus who are either unvaccinated or not up-to-date with their first booster shot to quarantine for at least five days following their last exposure to an infected person. However, county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer signaled Wednesday that discussions are underway to relax that rule locally. "The science has changed," Ferrer said during a discussion held by USC's Keck School of Medicine. Only the quarantine guideline issued by the state was relaxed. Quarantines are intended to keep people exposed to the virus at home until enough time has passed to see if they test positive or become sick. If someone under quarantine ends up testing positive or showing symptoms, they go under isolation, and the isolation guidelines remain unchanged. Story continues Someone is considered exposed to the coronavirus if they share the same indoor airspace like a home, clinic waiting room or airplane with an infected person during his or her contagious period for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. An April 6 memo issued by the California Department of Public Health, however, suggests that L.A. Countys current quarantine policy has become outdated. The overwhelmingly dominant Omicron variant has a much shorter incubation than previous versions of the coronavirus that circulated throughout the state, with symptoms becoming apparent just two to three days after exposure, on average. That incubation period is now so short that by the time a newly infected person has told their close contacts they've been exposed to the coronavirus, the close contacts' incubation period is over, too, "and the most relevant time period for restricting movement by quarantine has passed," state officials said. Most Californians have been either vaccinated or previously infected with the coronavirus. With case rates still at relatively lower levels and anti-COVID drugs becoming more available, the risk of severe illness and death or a collapsing hospital system are dramatically reduced compared to earlier phases of the pandemic, officials said. "Additionally, the financial, social and societal burden of having those exposed stay home is high, particularly for certain populations, including children and economically vulnerable communities," the state Department of Public Health said. California's latest quarantine recommendations are more relaxed than those issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC still recommends that those exposed to the coronavirus, and not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, stay home and quarantine for at least five days to see if they develop signs of illness. The state's memo emphasized this guidance could be changed if a more virulent variant emerges, or there are future surges of a new variant. California has also retained stricter quarantine guidelines for people in certain high-risk settings, such as nursing home residents who are not up to date on their vaccines. They are still advised to quarantine for at least five days. The state also says that K-12 schools may allow asymptomatic exposed students, regardless of vaccination status, to stay in school unless they develop symptoms of illness or test positive. But state officials strongly recommend those students wear a well-fitting mask indoors around other people for at least 10 days following the date of their last exposure. California's quarantine guidelines are just the latest pandemic-era measure to be substantially relaxed in recent months, as the state emerged from one of the worst COVID-19 waves yet. COVID-19 hospitalizations have plunged, from an Omicron peak of just above 15,400 in mid-January to 1,040 as of Tuesday. New infections have also nosedived. During the height of Omicron, the state was reporting more than 120,000 additional coronavirus cases a day, on average. As of last week, the daily average is in the neighborhood of 2,800, according to state data compiled by The Times. But as of late, cases have started to creep back up a modest reversal some health officials say can be attributed both to the widespread relaxation of indoor mask and vaccine-verification mandates as well as the waning of vaccine-induced and natural immunity. Given this time of year is marked not just by major holidays but spring break travel and recreation, officials say it remains vital for residents to take steps to protect themselves from infection. According to the most recent data from the California Department of Public Health, unvaccinated Californians were almost four times more likely to get COVID-19, seven times more likely to require hospitalization and 14 times more likely to die from the disease than their vaccinated-and-boosted counterparts. "While COVID-19 hospitalization rates are near an all-time low, we are seeing an increase in COVID-19 transmission in some parts of the state, said Dr. Tomas Aragon, the states director of public health and health officer. This underscores the need for Californians to remain vigilant and protect themselves and their communities by getting vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines continue to offer strong protection against COVID-19. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEW PHILADELPHIA A 36-year-old Canton woman will spend 60 days in jail for causing a traffic crash that killed a motorcyclist last year. New Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Nanette DeGarmo VonAllman sentenced Deanna A. Bruder on Wednesday. The judge found the defendant guilty after she pleaded no-contest to charges of vehicular manslaughter and failing to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign. Bruder caused the death of motorcycle driver Denver E. Law II, 58, of New Philadelphia on July 10. More: Deanna A. Bruder pleads not guilty in motorcyclist's death VonAllman imposed the maximum penalty for vehicular manslaughter: 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. She suspended 30 days of the jail sentence, requiring Bruder to spend 60 days in the Tuscarawas County jail. The judge also ordered: Payment of $127 in court costs, a $1,800 probation supervision fee and $4 in sheriff's fees. Performance of 100 hours of community service, Five years of probation. A three-year driver's license suspension. Staying out of bars and taverns. Refraining from using or possessing drugs of abuse. Submitting to drug and alcohol monitoring and random testing. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol crash report, the accident occurred when Bruder was northbound on New Cumberland Road. She failed to obey the stop sign at state Route 212. As she tried to cross the intersection, her car was hit by Law's motorcycle, which was westbound on state Route 212 just south of New Cumberland in Warren Township. Law was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife and passenger Willow M. Law was seriously injured. Bruder and her three passengers, ages 1, 12 and 13, did not require hospitalization. This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Canton woman jailed for causing crash that killed motorcyclist Ukrayinska Pravda VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - FRIDAY, 6 MAY 2022, 15:42 The Security Service of Ukraine reports that it has captured 11 of the occupier's snipers as a result of a special operation in the Kharkiv region. Source: Security Service of Ukraine spokesman Artem Dekhtiarenko Quote: "In the Kharkiv region 11 Russian snipers were taken prisoner during a special operation run by the Security Service of Ukraine. CIA Director William Burns on Thursday said Chinese President Xi Jinping is "a silent partner" in Russian President Vladimir Putins "aggression" in Ukraine, warning that China poses the "greatest challenge" and "most profound test" that the agency has ever faced. Burns, speaking at the Georgia Institute of Technology Thursday in his first public speech as CIA director, laid out a "new era" for the agency and an international landscape that is "vastly different" from the inception of the CIA. BIDEN ADMIN HAS 'DEEP CONCERNS' ABOUT CHINA'S 'ALIGNMENT' WITH RUSSIA AMID WAR AGAINST UKRAINE, OFFICIAL SAYS "Its a more complicated and contested world, featuring the rise of an increasingly adversarial China and a pugnacious and revisionist Russia," Burns said, noting that the agency will "have to reimagine itself to compete successfully in this new age." Burns pointed to the "immediate threat posed by renewed Russian aggression against Ukraine," and to the "longer term problem posed by Chinas ambitious leadership," calling it "the single most important geopolitical challenge" of the 21st century. "A silent partner in Putins aggression, Xi Jinpings China is our greatest challenge, in many ways the most profound test the CIA has ever faced," Burns warned, calling the Peoples Republic of China a "formidable competitor lacking in neither ambition nor capability." CIA Director William Burns testifies during a House Intelligence Committee hearing about worldwide threats on Capitol Hill in Washington April 15, 2021. Al Drago/Pool/AFP via Getty Images "It seeks to overtake us in literally every domain, from economic strength to military power, and from space to cyberspace," he said, adding that China is "intent" on replacing the United States as "the preeminent power in the Indo-Pacific." "As an intelligence service, we have never had to deal with an adversary with more reach in more domain," Burns said. The Biden administration has voiced "deep concerns" about Russias "alignment" with China. Intelligence officials said that the Kremlin had turned to Beijing for economic and military aid after its invasion of Ukraine Feb. 24. Story continues Last month, President Biden held a secure video call with Xi for nearly two hours during which he warned of the "consequences" should China "provide material support" to Russia amid its multi-front war on Ukraine. As for Russias war on Ukraine, Burns reflected on his career, having previously served as the U.S. ambassador in Moscow and his experience with Putin. CIA FORMING MISSION TO COUNTER CHINA, 'THE MOST IMPORTANT GEOPOLITICAL THREAT WE FACE' Chinese President Xi Jinping I Russian President Vladimir Putin Li Xueren/Xinhua via Getty Images) | Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images "His risk appetite has grown, as his grip on Russia has tightened," Burns said. "His circle of advisers has narrowed. And in that small circle, it has never been career enhancing to question his judgement or his stubborn, almost mystical belief that his destiny is to restore Russias sphere of influence." Burns said the CIA began gathering intelligence about Putins plans for an invasion of Ukraine early last fall. "In November, President Biden asked me to travel to Russia to convey directly to Putin and several of his closest advisors the depth of our concern about his planning for war and the consequences for Russia of attempting to execute that plan," Burns said, noting he was "troubled" by what he heard. WHITE HOUSE WARNS RUSSIA COULD USE CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IN UKRAINE "While it did not yet seem that he had made an irreversible decision to invade Ukraine, Putin was defiantly leaning in that direction, apparently convinced that his window was closing for shaping Ukraines orientation," Burns said, adding that he "seemed convinced" that winter "offered a favorable landscape." Burns said Putin, at the time, thought it was "unlikely" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainians would "mount effective resistance." Upon launching his multi-front war in February, Putin was "proven wrong," Burns added. As for U.S. intelligence amid Russias war on Ukraine, Burns said the administration has been "committed to rapid and effective intelligence sharing with our Ukrainian partners throughout the fighting and for months beforehand." "As allied leaders and counterparts have emphasized directly in my travels to Europe, the credibility of U.S. intelligence helped cement the solidarity of the alliance at President Bidens direction," Burns said, adding that the U.S. government has also "taken unprecedented steps to declassify intelligence and use it publicly to preempt false narratives and false flag operations, which Putin has used so often in the past." Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool "By being open with some of our secrets, we made it harder for Putin to obscure the truth of his unprovoked and vicious aggression," Burns said. "Those decisions can never be taken lightly given the importance of protecting sources and methods, but, in this case, they have made a crucial contribution to a successful whole of government strategy." Burns said it reflects "the need for new thinking and new tactics in this new and demanding era for intelligence." "The last chapter in Putins war has yet to be written as he grinds away in Ukraine," Burns warned, saying that he has "no doubt about the cruel pain and damage that Putin can continue to inflict on Ukraine or the raw brutality with which Russian force is being applied." RUSSIA 'DOES NOT WANT A DIRECT CONFLICT WITH US FORCES,' INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY ASSESSED IN JANUARY Burns said the "crimes in Bucha are horrific," but that the "Ukrainian will is unbroken." "Putins Russia has inflicted massive material and reputational damage on itself," Burns said. "American intelligence has been vital throughout and offers valuable lessons for the future of our profession how to develop good intelligence, use it as the basis for good policy, share it systematically as the basis for good alliances and partnerships, and deploy it openly and creatively to discredit the false narratives on which adversaries so often thrive." President Biden, this week, has classified actions by Russian forces in Bucha and throughout Ukraine as "genocide," saying it has become "clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian." "The evidence is mounting," Biden told reporters. Biden's comments drew praise Tuesday from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called the comments "true words of a true leader." "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil," Zelenskyy said on Twitter. "We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities." Russia on Wednesday said Biden's comments were "unacceptable." "We consider this kind of effort to distort the situation unacceptable," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, according to Reuters. "This is hardly acceptable from a president of the United States, a country that has committed well-known crimes in recent times," he added. In Ukraine, Human Rights Watch has documented evidence of summary executions, unlawful violence and threats against civilians and repeated rapes between Feb. 27 and March 14. A report from the organization also implicates Russian soldiers in looting civilian property, including food, clothing and firewood. The Senate last month approved a resolution to investigate Putin for war crimes, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said U.S. findings will be used to help international efforts to hold the Kremlin accountable. BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL $800 MILLION IN WEAPONS, SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE Since the onslaught of the war Feb. 24, Russian forces have hit apartment buildings, childrens and maternity hospitals, bread lines and, most recently, a theater sheltering roughly 1,000 men, women and children in the besieged city of Mariupol. Russian forces have also been accused of using cluster munitions and vacuum bombs, which violate international law when used indiscriminately against civilians. The International Criminal Court said earlier this month it is opening an investigation into potential war crimes by Putin. Burns last year announced the formation of the CIAs China Mission Center to counter Beijing. He also warned then that China poses "the most important geopolitical threat" to the United States in the 21st century. The CMC addresses the challenges posed by the Peoples Republic of China and emphasized last year, and again Thursday, that the CIAs concern about the threat posed by the Peoples Republic of China is "not about the people of China, let alone fellow Americans of Chinese or Asian descent." RUSSIA ASKED CHINA FOR MILITARY, ECONOMIC AID IN UKRAINE CONFLICT FOLLOWING INVASION "It is a profound mistake to conflate the two," Burns said Thursday. "At CIA, we will stay sharply focused on the PRC challenge." Last month, the intelligence community annual threat assessment was released with data through January. It warned that China is increasingly a "near-peer competitor, challenging the United States in multiple arenas especially economically, militarily and technologically and is pushing to change global norms and potentially threatening its neighbors." As many have said, Putins invasion of Ukraine has emboldened China with regard to its ambition to take Taiwan. The intelligence community warned that Beijing is using a coordinated approach to compel neighbors to "acquiesce" to its preferences, "including its territorial and maritime claims and assertions of sovereignty over Taiwan." "Beijing will press Taiwan to move toward unification and will react to what it views as increased U.S.Taiwan engagement," the IC states. "We expect that friction will grow as China continues to increase military activity around the island and Taiwans leaders resist Beijings pressure for progress toward unification." The IC also assessed that China presents "the broadest, most active, and persistent cyber espionage threat to U.S. Government and private sector networks." "Chinas cyber pursuits and export of related technologies increase the threats of attacks against the U.S. homeland, suppression of U.S. web content that Beijing views as threatening to its control and the expansion of technology-driven authoritarianism globally," the report states. Beyond Russia and China, Burns said the CIA is looking at the "revolution in technology," which he said is transforming "the way we live, work, compete and fight." Burns said technology like quantum computing and synthetic biology is "coming at a dizzying speed," while warning that "familiar threats" like terrorism and nuclear proliferation "demand our attention." But further committing to the mission of the CIA, Burns declared that "politics truly must stop where intelligence work begins." "In all that we do, we have an obligation to follow the law, which we take very seriously," Burns said. "We only get ourselves in trouble as a nation and make bad policy choices when we forget those basic truths." BEIJING (AP) China on Thursday said it would reject any pressure or coercion over its relationship with Russia, in response to a call from U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for Beijing to use its special relationship with Russia to persuade Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian defended Chinas position on the war, saying it had made considerable efforts to de-escalate the situation, defuse the crisis and rebuild peace." China is playing a constructive role in the Ukraine issue," Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. China has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine by strategic partner Russia, or even refer to the conflict as a war in deference to Moscow, which uses the term special military operation." We oppose unfounded accusations and suspicions against China, nor will we accept any pressure or coercion," Zhao said. Time will tell that Chinas claims are on the right side of history." China has also amplified Russian propaganda about the war, including unsupported claims that the U.S. and Ukraine have been developing biological weapons. It has staunchly opposed economic sanctions against Russia and has abstained or sided with Moscow in U.N. votes following the beginning of the war on Feb. 24, just weeks after Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with China's Xi Jinping in Beijing. In a speech 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. 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. Yellens speech at the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think tank, came a week before the worlds finance ministers and central bank governors convene in Washington for the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Group Spring Meetings. 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. Making no mention of Russia's aggression, Zhao reiterated China's stance that it maintains that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected and safeguarded," and that Ukraines sovereignty and security should be preserved, and Russias legitimate security concerns should also be respected." Apr. 13Now that they have shown their business acumen at the state level, 11 students from the Crater School of Business, Innovation and Science in Central Point will face off with their peers from all over the world in an Atlanta-based competition later this month. The students, which include senior Lillian Young, will go to the International Career Development Conference, scheduled for April 23-26, fresh off of a similar event held in Portland for students from all over Oregon. "I'm really excited and proud of my teammates," said Young, a two-time state champion in marketing communications. "We had such a great time at state in February, and just watching them do so well I am really looking forward to going to ICDC with them. (We will) experience something new and hopefully bring home some DECA glass together." Mike Rogan, a Crater School of Business, Innovation and Science instructor who organized Crater's Distributive Education Clubs of America group almost 25 years ago, applauded his students advancing to the international competition. "I'm incredibly proud of this group of students," Rogan said. "This group has truly worked harder, practiced more often and committed more time to their success than any group I've had." According to a conference program booklet provided online by DECA, the annual international conference brings 20,000 people 14,000 of whom are higher school students. "It's going to be a lot of people and it is going to be intimidating," Young said, "but we're putting in the work and we know that we can compete well." The conference includes competitions in marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship. Specific types of competitions students can be judged on include marketing campaign events; professional selling and business operation Young believes the students competing at their "personal best" doesn't come without a lot of practice in the Central Point School District 6 classroom. Story continues "We learn real-world, professional skills. We are challenged to become more creative problem-solvers (and) present confidently," she said. Win or lose, Young said, the conference will be an opportunity to compete in-person, which she and her teammates haven't been able to do because of the pandemic. "Getting to go with each other is a real gift," Young said. She added that while in Atlanta, as serious as the conference may be, team members will encourage each other "not to be over-serious." "Just going with the mindset of enjoying each other's company is really, really important, too," Young said. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno. AP Photo President Biden announced Wednesday that his administration would authorize $800 million in additional security assistance to Ukraine, including artillery, helicopters and armored personnel carriers. Well detail whats in the package including the weapons not previously sent to Ukraine plus the plans under consideration by the Pentagon to train Ukrainian soldiers and more on a damning new report on Russias global human rights violations in Ukraine. This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, Im Ellen Mitchell. A friend forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe here. Biden announces $800M in Ukraine aid In announcing his administrations latest military aid package to Ukraine, Biden said in a statement that he briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the new assistance in a phone call earlier Wednesday. The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect. 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, Biden said. Whats in the package?: The Pentagon said the aid package includes 11 Mi-17 helicopters, 300 Switchblade drones, 200 M113 armored personnel carriers, 18 Howitzers and 40,000 artillery rounds, 10 counter-artillery radars, 500 Javelin missiles, unmanned coastal defense vessels and protective equipment in the event of a chemical or biological weapons attack. Biden also said that the U.S. would help transfer significant capabilities from other allies to Ukraine, without providing specific details on those capabilities. Pleas for more: The U.S. has committed $1.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began nearly seven weeks ago. But Ukraine has pleaded for additional weaponry and systems to repel Russian attacks. Before his call with Biden on Wednesday, Zelensky posted a video to Twitter asking for additional air defense systems, combat aircraft, artillery, armored vehicles and tanks from the U.S. and its allies. Story continues A steady build up: The U.S. has stepped up security assistance to Ukraine since the invasion began. Last week, the Biden administration helped facilitate the transfer of a Soviet-era S-300 air defense system from Slovakia to Ukraine by repositioning a U.S. Patriot missile system in Slovakia. Helos included: There had been questions leading up to the official announcement about whether helicopters would be included new package, but Bidens statement made clear they would be. It was unclear for a while from their side whether they wanted additional helicopters, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Wednesday. Today, they made clear they wanted them in. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters that the 11 Soviet-era Mi-17 helicopters included in the package were initially earmarked for Afghanistan. Read the full story here. BIDEN GETS PERSONAL WITH ATTACKS ON PUTIN Biden is escalating the pressure on Vladimir Putin, targeting the Russian leader, his family and his inner circle with words and actions. The Biden administration has sanctioned Putin himself, his daughters and several of his personal friends and top aides in a bid to squeeze the Russian leader over his countrys invasion of Ukraine. Biden also has stepped up his rhetoric with Putin, calling him a war criminal, saying he cannot remain in power and most recently describing his actions as genocide on Tuesday. Read more here. Breaking the morning show mold. Bursting the Beltway bubble. TUNE-IN TO RISING, now available as a podcast. US forces may train more Ukrainian troops The Pentagon is considering ways it can train more Ukrainian forces to use Switchblade drones and other weapons given to the country, including using American troops based on NATOs eastern flank, a senior U.S. defense official said Wednesday. Defense officials are looking at a range of options for training Ukrainian troops on systems provided to Ukraine since the start of Russias invasion on Feb. 24, the official told reporters. We are looking at options for additional Switchblade training and where and when that might occur and how we would do that, they said. Certainly, one option that would be available to us would be to utilize troops that are closer to Ukraine, obviously troops that are on NATOs eastern flank, and that that still remains an open option to us. Already there: The Pentagon has deployed thousands of American troops to bolster the easternmost areas of NATO since Russias war on Ukraine, now on its 49th day. The official said those soldiers including those based in Poland and Romania could remotely train a small number of Ukrainian troops who would then be sent back into Ukraine and train their colleagues. Earlier training: The U.S. military has already trained a small number of Ukrainian soldiers on how to use Switchblade drones as Washington has sent hundreds of vehicle-destroying weapons to the ex-Soviet country. The Ukrainian troops, who were already in the United States, returned to their country earlier this month. New instruction needed: The Biden administration later on Wednesday announced a new $800 million weapons package for Ukraine to include several artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers not given to the country until now. The Pentagon anticipates that some of the items will require additional training for Ukrainian forces, but is still working through how many U.S. troops would need to be involved, where such training would be located and how long it would take, according to press secretary John Kirby. Read more here. Credible evidence Russia violated human rights Russias assault on Ukraine has included clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations, an investigative team sanctioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said on Wednesday. Chilling evidence: The OSCE report also found credible evidence of violations of fundamental human rights in areas of Ukraine that were largely under Russian control. The report found evidence of torture, killings and inhuman and degrading treatment of people. It said it had found some evidence of bad behavior by Ukrainian forces, including with how it has treated prisoners of war, but said violations committed by the Russian Federation, however, are by far larger in nature and scale. A first: The OSCE report marks one of the first published investigations into atrocities occurring in Ukraine. The document will be available to judicial bodies aiming at prosecuting violators of international humanitarian law. What it found: The report found that Russia had deliberately struck a maternity hospital in Mariupol on March 9, offering no warning. It labeled it a clear violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime. The report also cites a March 16 attack on a drama theater in Mariupol where up to 1,300 people had been seeking shelter. Both sides of the theater were clearly marked children to discourage an attack. Three hundred people were killed in the strike. U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter in a Wednesday statement said the report documents the catalog of inhumanity perpetrated by Russias forces in Ukraine. He also raised concern that Russias atrocities continue even after this reports conclusion. Read more on the report here. ON TAP FOR TOMORROW WHAT WERE READING Thats it for today! Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow! VIEW THE FULL VERSION HERE For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. None of the horrific events the tens of thousands of deaths, the millions of refugees, the destruction of Ukraines cities had to happen. It was always about the money as Vladimir Putin wants the oil and gas in Ukraine, nearly all of it in the eastern part of the country where he has now marshaled nearly all of his forces (Putin vows Russia will press Ukraine invasion until goals are met, April 12). When a hold-up man sticks a gun in your face and demands your wallet, the wisest course of action is to give it to him. The Ukrainian resistance, aided and cheered on by United States and our allies, was wrongheaded from the start! Advertisement Jim Dempsey, Edgewood Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter. Apr. 14CONCORD The executive team of the New Hampshire Democratic Latino Caucus has resigned after U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., went to the southern border last week and pushed for additional resources to deal with increased crossings by illegal immigrants. In a joint statement, the four officers wrote Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley that they were leaving in protest of views from Hassan and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, both D-N.H. They have signed on in opposition to President Biden ending Title 42, a measure adopted during the pandemic that allows for quick expulsion of migrants. State Rep. Maria Perez, D-Milford, chairs the caucus. "The dangerous rhetoric and the accompanying attitude is something we expect from the New Hampshire Republican Party and their fear-mongering slew of candidates, but when one of our Democratic leaders acts in the same way, we must draw a line," wrote the four officers, including Eva Castillo of Manchester, a leading advocate for immigrants. The group said they felt these views were a betrayal of their political activism. "We spent countless volunteer hours making sure we elect allies to our community. We knocked (on) doors for you and, in return, you build walls for us. No more." Through a spokesman, Buckley declined comment. A spokesperson for Hassan said her trip to the border underscored to her more oversight at the border was needed. "At the border, Senator Hassan heard directly from law enforcement about the urgent need for additional resources, including personnel, technology, and, in some places, physical barriers, to address an expected increase in border crossings," said Laura Epstein. "As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, Senator Hassan will continue to push the Biden administration not to end Title 42 until it has provided a comprehensive plan to ensure a safe, secure, and humane border." During a radio interview, Pappas said he supports keeping Title 42 in place. "I think the administration has to be mindful of what their plan is to make sure the border is safe," Pappas said. klandrigan@unionleader.com The Department of Education has released a document outlining their plan to increase "equity" in U.S. schools. The 19-page report explains the Education Department's plan to implement President Biden's "Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government." The president's administration has been tasked with strategizing equitable outcomes via intervention by the federal government into institutions perceived as biased. "As we enter a new era of possibility for our nation, education must be at the forefront of our recovery, rebuilding and resiliency efforts," the department wrote in the report. "To meet this potential, our nations education system must reckon with and address the long-standing disparities that students from underserved communities face in achieving equal education opportunity." BIDEN ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS STEPS TO BOOST EQUITY IN GOVERNMENT The department said it would evaluate how state and local governments and other entities plan to integrate equity into their grant proposals. The department awards millions in grants nationwide. "To this end, the Department intends to revise its regulations on the selection criteria used to evaluate applications submitted in a grant competition to allow nonfederal peer reviewers to assess the way in which an applicant integrates equity into its proposed project," the department wrote. The report states that funding to schools educating low-income and racial minority students will be reappropriated. "Community colleges, state regional universities, and HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs including Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), HSIs, AANAPISIs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHs), and Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTIs) some of the nations most inclusive colleges disproportionately serve low-income students and students of color, but typically receive less education revenue per student than four-year flagship institutions." Story continues Applications for government student loans will also be simplified, the department reported. Citing a decline in college applications, the department is streamlining the FAFSA system to prevent "intimidation." Seeking greater racial representation, the Education Department will begin "including collecting race, ethnicity and gender data on FAFSA applicants for the first time and eliminating questions about drug convictions." The Department of Education building, Washington, D.C. Robert Knopes/Education Images/Universal Images Group Additionally, the government will be expanding funding for Pell Grants, claiming they are a key method for lower-income students to attend university. However, the department notes that "the value has diminished as college prices continue to rise. The president has committed to doubling the maximum Pell Grant." The Education Department will also be utilizing an "Equity Dashboard" program to further inform their decision-making. This "dashboard" will also serve as a "single source of truth" for government officials. "The dashboard is meant to [] provide the Department and other stakeholders a 'single source of truth' accompanied by statistically appropriate, plain language interpretations," the department wrote. After more than a year of review, more than 90 federal agencies, including all major Cabinet departments, were releasing their "equity action plans" on Thursday. Education efforts are among hundreds of strategies and commitments the Biden administration was announcing Thursday. They are the product of an executive order that President Joe Biden signed hours after taking office with the goal of advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities across the federal government. A California-based company accused of illegally leasing dogs in Massachusetts agreed to provide over $930,000 in debt relief and restitution to resolve the allegations, officials said in a news release. The company, Monterey Financial Services LLC, was accused of violating consumer protection laws by buying and collecting on leases for dogs, according to a news release from Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healeys office. Monterey Financial Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News. In court documents, the company denied the allegations but agreed to settle. The company was ordered to waive any penalties for terminating leases, transfer ownership of the dogs to the people leasing them and notify those people that they have no further obligations to the company, according to an assurance of discontinuance. The practice of leasing a dog is much like leasing a car except that theres a living, breathing animal involved. Under a pet leasing arrangement, consumers are ordered to pay a certain amount every month to the company leasing the animal. To own the animals, people have to pay an additional amount to the company at the end of the lease, and failure to make payments on time could result in the dog being repossessed much like a car would be, the attorney generals office said. People often enter dog leasing agreements unknowingly, according to the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Someone might think theyre signing a contract to pay off a hefty adoption fee over time but might not read the fine print closely enough to realize its actually a leasing agreement. According to the organization, leasing agreements can leave pet owners on the hook for payments even if their pet gets sick, runs away or dies. The practice also puts dogs at risk of being suddenly separated from owners and homes theyve bonded with, the organization said. Families in Massachusetts looking to get a dog should not be trapped in leasing agreements that are harmful, expensive, and illegal, Healey said in the release. We will take action to stop this exploitive practice of using dogs as emotional leverage, and are pleased to get results for pet owners involved with these finance companies. Story continues The attorney generals office learned about Monterey Financial Services dog leasing practices while investigating a Nevada-based company, Credova Financial, for the same reason. That company was ordered to waive over $126,000 in payments from people who wished to purchase their dogs, the news release said. According to court documents, Monterey Financial Services had been facilitating illegal lease agreements between Jan. 26, 2016, and Oct. 29, 2021. The company said it had 211 leases related to dogs it owned, which had a principal balance of $710,335.20, court documents said. In addition to being ordered to stop collecting payments on those agreements, Monterey Financial was also ordered to distribute $175,000 to people affected by the lease agreements and to pay $50,000 to the state of Massachusetts, court documents said . In a statement, the company said it disagreed with the states findings, The Associated Press reported. Monterey has and continues to strive to employ business practices in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, the company said, according to the AP. People in Massachusetts who have been affected by dog leasing practices are encouraged to reach out to the attorney generals office. Is your car engine purring? How to check if theres a cat hiding in the danger zone Man tricked people into buying adorable puppies that didnt exist, Google says in suit Rescuers save two puppies but thought third was dead. It wasnt, Texas photos show Polk County deputies are on the hunt for an Orlando man they say is the leader of a violent gang. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< On Wednesday, the sheriff announced more than three dozen accused gang members are under arrest. It comes after a yearlong gang task force uncovered a string of violent crimes and accusations of racketeering. Theyre so ruthless, theyre so dangerous, Sheriff Grady Judd said. READ: Robbery suspect shot in the neck after threatening Polk County deputies with rifle, sheriff says There are 41 members of the gang called Sex, Money, Murder who are now facing more than 120 felony charges in Central Florida, including racketeering and a shocking list of violent crimes to carry out an elaborate level of illegal drug deals. Many of the alleged activities are shown openly on social media. They pistol-whipped an 8-year-old child and placed the gun to a three-month-olds head, Judd said. Investigators said its Orlando leader, 36-year-old Hernando Thompson, has an active warrant along with dozens of others from Florida to North Carolina. READ: Man accused of pummeling 73-year-old man outside Publix turns himself in, police say So far, the Joint Gang Task Force, area agencies and Florida Department of Law Enforcement has seized guns, cash and a laundry list of illegal drugs with a street value of $1.5 million. The criminal gang is believed to be the local arm of a nationwide gang. The national leader, who is believed to have started in the 1990s is serving a life sentence in prison. READ: Disney employees among 100-plus arrested during Operation March Sadness 2 human trafficking sting Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The University of Vermont was built in part through the sales of 150,000 acres of real estate acquired from 55 Indigenous nations across 11 U.S. states, spanning from Minnesota to as far west as California. The Burlington Free Press spent months investigating this little-known connection between Vermont and the colonization of the American West. The full findings from our research are published here: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2022/03/18/university-of-vermont-benefits-sale-indigenous-land-under-morrill-land-grant-act/6726149001/ University of Vermont students Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury and Maddie Henson, who co-founded the Indigenous People's Collective at UVM, stand in front of the university's Morrill Hall. Here is a summary of our main findings: Under the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Act, Congress granted Vermont vouchers to sell nearly 150,000 acres of real estate. The acres were spread out across 11 U.S. states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, and California, according to Bureau of Land Management data. The land was new territory for the U.S., acquired from over 50 Indigenous nations, including the Sioux, Shoshone, Osage, Chippewa, and Menominee Tribal Nations, according to a 2020 investigation by High Country News. Not all the land was acquired peacefully. The 1851 Mariposa War, 1863 Bear River Massacre, and 1864 Sand Creek Massacre all coincided with the conversion of western Indigenous land into real estate for Vermont. A woman cries as she listens to John Hickenlooper, then-governor of Colorado, speak to members and supporters of the Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribes at a gathering marking the 150th anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre on Dec. 3, 2014. During his speech, Hickenlooper apologized on behalf of the state for the massacre of mostly women, children, and the elderly by U.S. Army troops. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) Vermont sold off most of the land by 1864, investing the revenues in the then-nascent University of Vermont College of Agriculture. This gave UVM the title of "land-grant university," as it was one of 52 U.S. colleges to benefit from the Morrill Land-Grant Act. The act was written by Vermont Congressman Justin Morrill, the namesake of UVM's Morrill Hall. A portrait of Justin Morrill hangs in the Morrill Memorial Library off Justin Morrill Memorial Highway in Morrill's hometown of Strafford, Vermont. Profits from the Morrill Act never ended for Vermont. Vermont invested revenues from its land sales into endowment funds that have generated interest for over 150 years, according to university trustee reports and state treasurer documents. Today, Morrill Act investments fuel UVM's Land Grant Endowment, which is priced at $688,000 and generates $31,000 for the university annually, according to an email from UVMs Public Affairs office to the Burlington Free Press. Story continues Our full in-depth investigation can be found here: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2022/03/18/university-of-vermont-benefits-sale-indigenous-land-under-morrill-land-grant-act/6726149001/ University of Vermont student Maddie Henson is co-founder of the Indigenous People's Collective at UVM. She is of Blackfeet, Haida, and Cherokee ancestry. Lands of the Blackfeet and Cherokee people were used to fund land-grant universities under the 1862 Morrill Act. Contact April Fisher at amfisher@freepressmedia.com. Follow on Twitter: @AMFisherMedia This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UVM was partially built off stolen Native American land; How it happened LONDON (Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musk has offered to buy Twitter for about $41 billion, just days after rejecting a seat on the social media company's board. Musk's offer price of $54.20 per share, which was disclosed in a regulatory filing on Thursday, represents a 38% premium to Twitter's April 1 close, the last trading day before the Tesla CEO's more than 9% stake in the company was made public. Twitter's shares jumped 12% in premarket trading. Here is a summary of analyst comments (in alphabetical order): JESSE COHEN, SENIOR ANALYST AT INVESTING.COM "Elon Musk's offer shows that he has very little confidence in current management and does not believe he can drive the necessary change while Twitter is still public, particularly its free speech policies. Now we know the reason behind Musk's refusal to join the board." "Given the likelihood that Twitter's board will reject the offer, the question then becomes whether Musk would want to perform a hostile takeover of the company." MICHAEL HEWSON, CHIEF MARKET ANALYST AT CMC MARKETS "The big question for the Twitter board now is whether to accept a very generous offer for a business that has been a serial underperformer and tends to treat its users with indifference. "Twitter has also come under increasing criticism for its arbitrary censoring of accounts that dont adopt a particular political narrative, as well as the arbitrary nature of how it verifies users, and deals with fake accounts, over genuine users. "From customer service to the monetisation of its user base, Twitter has been a serial underperformer for some time. Maybe a shaking up of the status quo wouldn't be a bad thing! "Whatever your feelings on Musk, he would certainly shake things up, with the only question as to whether he would make things worse or improve them." BEN LAIDLER, GLOBAL MARKETS STRATEGIST AT ETORO "Musks offer of $54.20 per share is a punchy 38% higher than when he disclosed his initial stake but is still 30% below the share price highs of last year. This opens a battle for control between new CEO Parag Agrawal, who is trying to engineer a company turnaround, and Musk's view that Twitter will 'neither thrive nor serve (its) societal imperative in its current form." Story continues VICTORIA SCHOLAR, HEAD OF INVESTMENT AT INTERACTIVE INVESTOR "This is a deeply hostile move from Elon Musk who has threatened to reconsider his 9.2% stake in the company if his 100% acquisition offer is rejected. Although Musk has said hes not playing the back-and-forth game the question is whether he would up his offer if it is rejected, which is difficult to predict just like Musk himself. "If he were to take control of the company there could be some significant changes with a shift in focus away from content moderation and healthy content sharing towards absolute free speech which Musk says is a social imperative. "The biggest change however would be that the company would go private, allowing more flexibility and requiring less accountability. Plus we would expect to see the changes Musk outlined over the weekend including allowing users to pay with dogecoin and cutting the price of the Twitter Blue premium service. (Reporting by Samuel Indyk; Compiled by Saikat Chatterjee) Abigail Breslin was in her first movie when she was 6. Disney; Fox Searchlight; Columbia Pictures Abigail Breslin has been acting since childhood, and she's well known for a number of big roles. Her lowest-rated films are "New Year's Eve" and "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause." But critics loved her in "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Zombieland." Breslin's lowest-rated film is "New Year's Eve" (2011). Abigail Breslin in "New Year's Eve." New Line Cinema Rotten Tomatoes score: 7% Synopsis: In the ensemble romantic comedy, New Yorkers on different paths fall in and out of love and friendships on New Year's Eve. Breslin appeared as Hailey, who's working through a rouch patch with her mom, Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker). Critics wrote "New Year's Eve" off as a film that felt more like a parade of guest stars than a cohesive movie. Leslie Combemale wrote that the film "falls so short it feels like a cinematic hangover without the delightful drunk the night before" in her review for Cinema Siren. Breslin appeared as Trish in "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" (2006). Abigail Breslin in "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause." Disney Rotten Tomatoes score: 17% Summary: While preparing for another holiday season as Santa Claus, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is caught by surprise when Jack Frost (Martin Short) tries to take his place. Breslin briefly appeared as an elf named Trish, alongside her brother, Spencer Breslin, who played head elf Curtis. By the time "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" premiered, critics agreed that the franchise had lost most of its charm. "It's sad to see the life sucked out of a series that started so well," John J. Puccio wrote for Movie Metropolis. In "Dirty Dancing" (2017), she starred as Frances "Baby" Houseman. Abigail Breslin starred in the remake of the classic film. Lionsgate Television Rotten Tomatoes score: 19% Summary: In the direct-to-TV remake of "Dirty Dancing" (1987), Frances "Baby" Houseman (Breslin) falls for a dance instructor (Colt Prattes) while her family vacations in the Catskills. Some critics appreciated the efforts from the cast, but most said it wasn't enough to save the remake from poor reviews. Story continues "Casting alone isn't enough to redeem it, and unless viewers plan to do some 21st century tweeting while hate-watching, 'Dirty Dancing' doesn't have enough swing in the modern era to make it mean a thing," Malcolm Venable wrote for TV Guide. The actress voiced Zoe in "Adventures in Zambezia" (2012). Abigail Breslin voiced a character in the animated film. Triggerfish Animation Studios Rotten Tomatoes score: 25% Summary: A young falcon (voiced by Jeremy Suarez) travels to the famed city of Zambezia so that he can spread his wings and join a group of fast-flying birds called the Hurricanes. In the film, also known as "Zambezia," Breslin voiced a free-spirited black-shouldered kite named Zoe. Critics said the family comedy was overstuffed and best suited for very young viewers. "The film itself is a bit of a hybrid, trying too hard to be all things, although its heart is in the right place," Louise Keller wrote for Urban Cinefile. Breslin appeared as Sarah in "Raising Helen" (2004). Hayden Panettiere, Abigail Breslin, Kate Hudson, and Spencer Breslin in "Raising Helen." Buena Vista Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 25% Summary: In "Raising Helen," free-spirited New Yorker Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) is blindsided when her sister and brother-in-law die in a car accident leaving her with full custody of their three children. Breslin starred alongside Hudson as her niece, Sarah. Too dark to be a comedy and too fluffy to be a proper drama, "Raising Helen" bemused a lot of critics. "[Director Garry] Marshall pulls off some delicately serious moments," Bruce Bennett wrote for Spectrum. "Problem is, most of this movie is supposed to be funny, and more often than not, it isn't." She played Sandra in "Perfect Sisters" (2014). Georgie Henley and Abigail Breslin in "Perfect Sisters." Julijette Rotten Tomatoes score: 25% Summary: In the psychological thriller, Sandra (Breslin) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) plan a way to kill their alcoholic mother (Mira Sorvino) without getting caught. Critics said that "Perfect Sisters," which was based on a true story, mishandled its subject matter. Dennis Harvey called it a "cartoonish and crudely staged dramatization of a disturbing true crime" in his review for Variety. She had a small role in "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" (2004). Anne Hathaway and Abigail Breslin in "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement." Disney Rotten Tomatoes score: 26% Summary: After Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) turns 21, her grandmother (Julie Andrews), the queen, informs her that she has 30 days to find a suitor or else she risks losing her right to the throne of Genovia. Breslin had a brief appearance as a young girl named Carolina. Film reviewers loved seeing Hathaway and Andrews together again, but some felt like it was an unnecessary sequel. "Sometimes charming, sometimes a tad too silly and all the time predictable," Sara Gebhardt wrote for The Washington Post. The actress starred as Veronica in "Final Girl" (2015). Abigail Breslin in "Final Girl." Prospect Park Rotten Tomatoes score: 31% Summary: In the action thriller, psychopathic teens target a high schooler named Veronica (Breslin) without knowing that she's been training her whole life for a moment like this. Critics said Breslin could only do so much in the underwritten horror film. "Abigail Breslin does everything a really strong actor possibly could with this slimly conceived role, but she deserves better," Dustin Putman wrote for The Fright File. She was Emily in "The Ultimate Gift" (2007). Abigail Breslin in "The Ultimate Gift." 20th Century Fox Rotten Tomatoes score: 33% Summary: When Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) sets off on a journey to unravel the mystery behind his late grandfather's inheritance, he meets and befriends Alexia (Ali Hillis) and her sick daughter, Emily (Breslin). According to critics, "The Ultimate Gift" which was based on the book by Jim Stovall had all the trappings of a low-budget film. "Pretty much what one would expect: a sincere story of redemption delivered with all the low-key execution of one of those Hallmark-backed TV movies of the week," Matt Brunson wrote for Creative Loafing. Breslin played Zoe in "No Reservations" (2007). Aaron Eckhart and Abigail Breslin in "No Reservations." Castlerock Entertainment Rotten Tomatoes score: 42% Summary: High-strung chef Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) takes guardianship of her niece, Zoe (Breslin), while navigating a burgeoning romance with her new sous-chef, Nick (Aaron Eckhart). "No Reservations" earned mixed reviews from critics, who loved the cast and the chemistry but faulted the film's plotting. "[A]lthough it looks good on the outside and is somewhat palatable, the ingredients never quite reach a boiling point and the end result is undercooked, lacking spice and rather bland," Debbie Lynn Elias wrote for Behind the Lens. In "The Call" (2013), she was Casey Welson. Abigail Breslin in "The Call." TriStar Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 44% Summary: After being rattled by a judgment error, emergency operator Jordan (Halle Berry) goes above and beyond the call of duty to save a kidnapped teen named Casey (Breslin). Critics said "The Call" hit the ground running but ran out of steam as it reached the finale. "An absorbing premise that goes to great efforts to exaggerate the suspense," Mike Mass wrote for Gone With the Twins. "Unfortunately, the storytellers run out of ideas approximately three-quarters into the film." The actress was Jennifer Adams in "Fear, Inc." (2016). Abigail Breslin in "Fear, Inc." Lone Suspect Rotten Tomatoes score: 46% Summary: In the indie horror film, scary-movie fan Joe Foster (Lucas Neff) pays a mysterious company to bring his worst nightmares to life. Breslin had a supporting role in the film as Jennifer Adams. Critics had mixed opinions on "Fear, Inc." But some enjoyed being along for the ride once they forgave its flaws. "I had a fun time with 'Fear Inc.,' despite the periodic leaps of faith it takes and the silly, all too numerous false endings it employs," Adam Patterson wrote for Film Pulse. She played Anna Fitzgerald in "My Sister's Keeper" (2009). Abigail Breslin starred in "My Sister's Keeper." Warner Bros. Rotten Tomatoes score: 48% Summary: After their daughter, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva), received a terminal leukemia diagnosis, Sara (Cameron Diaz) and Brian (Jason Patric) have Anna (Breslin), with the expectation that she will be her sister's kidney donor. But by the time Anna is 11, she seeks out a lawyer (Alec Baldwin) to try and earn medical emancipation from her mother. The film, which was based on the novel by Jodi Picoult, lost some critics the further it veered from the source material. "Fans of Picoult's novel are likely to be at least modestly disturbed by the liberties that [director Nick] Cassavetes takes," Richard Propes wrote for The Independent Critic. In "Nim's Island" (2008), she starred as Nim. Abigail Breslin in "Nim's Island." 20th Century Fox Rotten Tomatoes score: 52% Summary: In the family film based on the book series by Wendy Orr best-selling author Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster) travels to a distant island when her biggest fan, Nim (Breslin), requests her help in saving her father. Critics were split on "Nim's Island," which most said was best suited for young kids with big imaginations. "The movie gets plain silly, but at least it's lively, and young girls will enjoy Nim's lifestyle in her eco-friendly and frolic-packed tropical paradise," Tim Robey wrote for The Telegraph. She played Lynette in "Freak Show" (2018). Laverne Cox and Abigail Breslin appeared in "Freak Show." IFC Films Rotten Tomatoes score: 53% Summary: After being raised in a loving household by his mother (Bette Midler), fearlessly expressive Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther) reckons with bullies and gender norms when he's forced to enroll at a boarding school. Breslin had a supporting role as head cheerleader Lynette in the dramedy, which was based on the book by James St. James. Critics loved the message behind the movie, but some felt like the dazzling lead star outshone the production itself. "It's good natured and well intentioned, but you end up wishing that [Trudie] Styler's directorial decisions were even half as bold as Billy's wardrobe," Wendy Ide wrote for The Observer. Breslin starred as Janie in "Janie Jones" (2011). Abigail Breslin in "Janie Jones." Tribeca Film Rotten Tomatoes score: 56% Summary: In the based-on-a-true-story drama, once-famous musician Ethan Brand (Alessandro Nivola) is forced to take his daughter Janie (Breslin) on tour with him when her mother (Elisabeth Shue) checks into rehab. After a faltering start, "Janie Jones" won the favor of most critics by the end. "After a messy, cliched first half, 'Janie Jones' is barely salvaged by the lightweight sweetness that emerges once it becomes a two-hander for Breslin and Nivola," Ian Buckwalter wrote for NPR. She played Lisa in "Haunter" (2013). Abigail Breslin in "Haunter." IFC Films Rotten Tomatoes score: 56% Summary: When a serial killer threatens young Olivia (Eleanor Zichy) and her family, ghostly teenager Lisa (Breslin) tries to protect them from harm. Overall, critics felt like "Haunter" had a solid premise but would've benefited from a higher special-effects budget. "A good performance from Breslin keeps tension alive, but hope for a really scary and inventive fright dies screaming in the basement," Dee Rudebeck wrote for The Guardian. The actress played the titular role in "Maggie" (2015). Abigail Breslin in "Maggie." Lionsgate Rotten Tomatoes score: 60% Summary: After his daughter, Maggie (Breslin), is infected with a zombie-like virus, Wade (Arnold Schwarzenegger) does everything he can to protect her. According to critics, "Maggie" wasn't anywhere close to award-worthy, but the cast made up for its shortcomings. "It feels a little like a very special episode of 'The Walking Dead' and might be a tad low-key for its field, but Schwarzenegger and Breslin are good and the payoff is affecting," Kim Newman wrote for Empire Magazine. She was Valentine Wiggin in "Ender's Game" (2013). Asa Butterfield and Abigail Breslin in "Ender's Game." Richard Foreman Jr. / Summit Entertainment Rotten Tomatoes score: 62% Summary: Based on the novel by Orson Scott Card, the film follows Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) as he prepares for a hostile alien invasion under the guidance of Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley). Breslin appeared as Ender's sister, Valentine. Some critics felt like the special effects bordered on video-game quality, but others enjoyed the coming-of-age tale at the heart of the movie. Stephen O'Nion called it "a little long, a little questionable, a little baffling, a lot of fun" in his review for One Room With a View. Breslin played Jean Fordham in "August: Osage County" (2013). Ewan McGregor and Abigail Breslin in "August: Osage County." The Weinstein Company Rotten Tomatoes score: 67% Summary: In the film adaptation of Tracy Letts' play, after her husband dies, Violet Weston (Meryl Streep) forces her daughters Barbara (Julia Roberts), Ivy (Julianne Nicholson), and Karen (Juliette Lewis) and their families to visit the Oklahoma homestead they grew up on. Breslin had a supporting role as Barbara's daughter, Jean. With a litany of characters and constant shifts in tone, the film split critics. But few took any issues with its phenomenal acting performances. "This story of a family meltdown offers the richest payload of powerhouse female performances we're likely to see all year," Brian D. Johnson wrote for Maclean's Magazine. In "Zombieland: Double Tap" (2019), she returned as Little Rock. Abigail Breslin, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, and Woody Harrelson in "Zombieland: Double Tap." Columbia Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 68% Summary: In the sequel, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Breslin) travel to Memphis, Tennessee, while hunting down zombies. Critics said that "Zombieland: Double Tap" was best enjoyed as brainless fun. "This party-vibe sequel to 2009's 'Zombieland' isn't much of a movie but it sure is irresistible escapism and heaps of fun," Peter Travers wrote for Rolling Stone. She was Maya Hayes in "Definitely, Maybe" (2008). Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin in "Definitely, Maybe." Universal Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 70% Summary: While Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is in the throes of a divorce, his daughter, Maya (Breslin), starts to ask him questions about his life before he met her mom. Sweet and surprisingly original, "Definitely, Maybe" was reviewed as a light and easily palatable romantic comedy. "The romantic comedy [genre] has become such a wasteland of physical humor, predictable plots, and nauseating manipulation that 'Definitely, Maybe' is more remarkable for what it doesn't do," Brian Tellerico wrote for The Deadbolt. The actress' first movie role was Bo Hess in "Signs" (2002). Abigail Breslin in "Signs." Touchstone Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 74% Summary: When farmer Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) stumbles across crop circles on his land, he tries to protect his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) and his children (Rory Culkin and Breslin) from an unknown danger. "Signs" was received as a solid effort from then-emerging director M. Night Shyamalan. "Shyamalan may not be Hitchcock but so far he's made the best 1950s B-movie of the 21st century," Mark Steyn wrote for The Spectator. She played Allison in "Stillwater" (2021). Abigail Breslin in "Stillwater." DreamWorks Rotten Tomatoes score: 74% Summary: In "Stillwater," Allison (Breslin) is wrongly imprisoned for murder in Marseille, and her unemployed father, Bill (Matt Damon), travels to France from Oklahoma to try to get her case reopened. But between the language and cultural barriers, there's more in his way than simply proving her innocence. Many critics praised the work of the leading stars, but some found the plot a bit forced. "Damon's versatile acting power onscreen overcomes the flaws of this provocative and stirring drama," Richard Roeper wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times. In "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl" (2008), she brought the titular doll to life. Abigail Breslin in "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl." Picturehouse Rotten Tomatoes score: 80% Summary: Set in Ohio during the Great Depression, "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" centers on a bright, kind girl named Kit (Breslin). Based on the American Girl doll and corresponding children's book series, "Kitt Kittredge" warmed the hearts of critics. "Emotionally affecting but dramatically wobbly, 'Kit Kittredge: An American Girl' touchingly illustrates the sting of poverty without overly resorting to childish shenanigans," Tim Grierson noted for Screen International. She played Kira Bedik in "Keane" (2005). Abigail Breslin in "Keane." Accent Film Entertainment Rotten Tomatoes score: 81% Summary: Stricken by grief after losing his daughter, William Keane (Damian Lewis) finds new hope when a woman (Amy Ryan) and her daughter, Kira (Breslin), check into his hotel. Decidedly dark, "Keane" wowed critics who let themselves get immersed in the narrative. "Lewis makes 'Keane''s paranoia our paranoia. [Director Lodge] Kerrigan limits our world to his world," Roger Moore said in his review for the Orlando Sentinel. "And that's how this grimly shot, roughly felt drama pulls us in." Breslin voiced Priscilla in "Rango" (2011). Abigail Breslin voiced a character in the animated flick. Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 88% Summary: A sheltered chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) becomes an unlikely hero when he steps in as the sheriff of a small Western town. In the animated feature, Breslin voiced Priscilla. "Rango" took a lot of critics by surprise with its colorful animation style and inventive story. "'Rango' is a superbly-written, masterfully-shot feat of making us believe that yes, ugly critters can also possess the kind of heroic qualities that this world needs more of," Shubhra Gupta wrote for The Indian Express. She played Little Rock in "Zombieland" (2009). Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Woody Harrelson in "Zombieland." Columbia Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 89% Summary: Cautious Columbus (Eisenberg) toughs out a zombie apocalypse alone until he meets fellow survivors Tallahassee (Harrelson), Wichita (Stone), and Little Rock (Breslin). Critics loved "Zombieland," even with all its guts and gore. "Packed with the genre's standard overdose of blood and guts," Perri Nemiroff wrote for CinemaBlend. "Add in a charming band of misfits and you get something thrilling, hilarious and sweet, all at the same time." Her highest-rated film is "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006). Abigail Breslin as Olive in "Little Miss Sunshine." Fox Searchlight Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Summary: When lovable 7-year-old Olive (Breslin) earns a rare chance to compete in a California beauty pageant, her eccentric family piles into their van to help her achieve her dream. Well-written, well-acted, and expertly executed, "Little Miss Sunshine" was a winner across the board. "First-time screenwriter Michael Arndt's script hits all the right notes, with a first-rate cast that makes this among the year's very best films," Michael Compton wrote for the Bowling Green Daily News. Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change. Films without critic scores were not included. Read the original article on Insider BRICS countries agree to strengthen collaboration to address global challenges Xinhua) 08:39, April 14, 2022 BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The BRICS sherpas have agreed to further strengthen solidarity and cooperation to address multiple challenges the globe currently facing, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery. The pledge came as the second BRICS sherpas' meeting in 2022 was held from Tuesday to Wednesday via videolink. The meeting was chaired by Ma Zhaoxu, sherpa for BRICS affairs and vice foreign minister of China, and attended by sherpas of Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa and representatives of relevant Chinese departments. Noting that achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals faces new risks and challenges, Ma said BRICS countries should deepen strategic partnership, contribute solutions for maintaining fairness and justice, inject strength into the stability of the global market, build a defense line for the joint fight against the pandemic, and provide impetus for international development cooperation. As the BRICS presidency this year, China looks forward to working with BRICS partners to continue to strengthen communication and coordination, deepen practical cooperation, and ensure the success of the summit, Ma said. The other Sherpas highly appreciated China's leading role as the presidency, fully affirmed the achievements and progress of BRICS cooperation in various fields this year, and expressed that they will continue to support the work of the Chinese presidency. All parties emphasized that the world is currently facing multiple challenges such as the pandemic, weak economic recovery, and the Ukraine crisis. They agreed that BRICS countries should further strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and make greater contributions to improving global governance, promoting economic recovery, implementing the 2030 sustainable development goals and fighting the pandemic. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Laura Neuman, the former Republican county executive for Anne Arundel County who launched a potential run for governor of Maryland as a Democrat, has decided to drop out of the race. Neuman, who was the only woman in the crowded field seeking the Democratic nomination, had created a campaign finance account and announced her intentions to run in January, but never filed the official paperwork to appear on the ballot. The filing deadline for candidates is Friday at 9 p.m. Advertisement A tech entrepreneur, Neuman moved to Baltimore County and changed her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in the years since leaving the Anne Arundel County executive position. She announced her decision to drop out of the race and endorse current Comptroller Peter Franchot, a Democrat, in a statement released Thursday by Franchots campaign. I entered the gubernatorial race because I believe that every Marylander deserves access to opportunities to thrive, regardless of where their story starts, Neuman said in the statement from Franchots campaign. I look forward to standing beside Peter and [running mate] Monique [Anderson-Walker] throughout this campaign, and working hand-in-hand with them to build a better future for our state in the years ahead. Advertisement Neumans decision not to run leaves 10 candidates, all men, in the Democratic primary race and leaves Republican Kelly Schulz, who spent seven years as a cabinet official under Gov. Larry Hogan, as the lone woman seeking the governorship. Neuman is the second Democrat to drop out of the race, following Baltimore businessman Mike Rosenbaum, who exited in November after a brief campaign. Raised in Baltimore, Neuman survived a rape as a teenager and became an advocate for sexual assault survivors. The man who assaulted her was convicted decades later. She dropped out of high school but earned a GED and established a successful business career. She was serving as Howard County governments top economic development official in 2013 when she applied for the open position of Anne Arundel County executive, a post vacated after Republican John R. Leopold was convicted of misconduct in office and resigned. The Anne Arundel County Council selected Neuman for the job. She served out the remainder of Leopolds term but lost a bid to win a full term in 2014. The Daily Beast Fox19 Cincinnati via TwitterAn Ohio school districts decision to cancel Diversity Day celebrationstwicehas sparked a bitter feud in the suburban community, leaving students and parents asking why white school board members continue to press pause on the celebration.Diversity Day has been an annual event in the Forest Hills School Districta Cincinnati suburbsince 2017, Fox19 Cincinnati reported. It was originally scheduled for March of the current school year, but was postponed to May 18 due Peter Lyoya holds up a picture of his son Patrick Lyoya, 26, in his home in Lansing, Mich., April 14, 2022. AP Photo/Anna Nichols The family of a Black man fatally shot by a Michigan police officer is calling for justice. Patrick Lyoya's parents fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014 to escape civil unrest. During a press conference Thursday, Lyoya's family asked for the officer to be prosecuted. The family of Patrick Lyoya, the 26-year-old Black man who was fatally shot in the back of the head by a Grand Rapids police officer earlier this month, decried his "execution-style" death in a Thursday press conference, calling for the responsible officer to be identified, terminated, and prosecuted. The press conference came one day after the Grand Rapids Police Department released a series of videos showing the fatal encounter during a traffic stop on April 4, 2022. Patrick's parents, Peter and Dorcas Lyoya, fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014 to escape civil unrest and offer their six children a better life, according to the family's attorney Ben Crump. But through tears on Thursday, Dorcas Lyoya said she was "astonished" that it was here, in the United States, that her son was "killed with bullets." "When we ran away from the war in Congo because it was unsafe, I thought that I came to a safe land, a safe place," she said through an interpreter. Patrick's father, Peter Lyoya, also spoke via interpreter during the press conference, saying his eldest son was "my life." "I was thinking that Patrick would take my place and to see that my son has been killed like an animal by this officer, to see this video they show, I see that I have no life," he said. "I see my heart being broken." The Grand Rapids Police Department on Wednesday released dashcam footage from the police car, bodycam footage from the officer, home security camera footage, and a cellphone video taken by a passenger in a pulled-over car. A TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer struggling with and shooting Patrick Lyoya at Grand Rapids City Hall on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Grand Rapids Police Department An unidentified white officer can be seen on the body-worn footage asking for Patrick Lyoya's driver license and then grabbing Lyoya after he walked away from the vehicle. The body-camera video captured the officer trying to wrestle Patrick Lyoya to the ground. The officer can be seen using a Taser and later tells Patrick Lyoya to "let go of the Taser." Story continues The body-worn camera cuts off as the officer is on Patrick Lyoya's back. The police department said the pressure of the encounter caused the camera to "deactivate." But in graphic footage captured by the home security system, the officer and Patrick Lyoya can be seen in a nearly three-minute struggle that ends with the officer pinning Lyoya to the ground. Footage shows the officer appearing to use his Taser at least twice on Patrick Lyoya, who, at one point, appears to try and grab the officer's Taser. As Patrick Lyoya is laying on his stomach with the officer on his back, the officer appears to shoot Lyoya in the back of the head, telling the bystander filming to "get back." Thomas Lyoya, Patrick's brother, said watching the video was "the most horrifying thing I've ever seen in my life." Patrick's father, Peter Lyoya, said he was shown the video before it was released but told to keep quiet about it a tactic that Crump said authorities often use in officer-involved shootings in order to try and sweep encounters under the rug. "You kill him with a bullet and now you're telling me to keep secret?" Peter Lyoya said. In a response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for the Grand Rapids Police Department pointed Insider to a critical incident information webpage on the shooting. The family also called on authorities to identify the officer after the department said Wednesday that he would not be named as he has not been charged with a crime. "Patrick's family is asking that the state attorney charge [the officer] to the full extent of the law for killing their son, for breaking their hearts, for making his young children orphans, fatherless," Crump said. Read the original article on Insider This week, attorneys for the family of Eric Logan, who was fatally shot by South Bend police officer Ryan O'Neill in 2019, filed an appeal hoping to get Logan's civil rights case in front of a jury. Left: South Bend Police Sgt. Ryan ONeill Right: Eric J. Logan The filing in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals comes after U.S. District Court Judge Damon Leichty dismissed the suit in September, ruling former South Bend Sgt. Ryan ONeill acted reasonably in shooting Logan, who is Black, when he advanced toward ONeill with a hunting knife, ignoring ONeills commands to drop the weapon. The appeal argues Leichty was incorrect to dismiss the suit and disregarded evidence he should have considered regarding O'Neill's credibility and policing standards. "Some of the decisions that were made by the judge in weighing the evidence in this matter, were outside his purview," said Brian Coffman, a Chicago-based attorney representing the Logan family. "That is up to a jury to weigh those facts and decide what actually happened in this incident." 'I fired two quick shots:' Video shows South Bend officer's statements after fatal shooting Logan was shot early on the morning of June 16, 2019, after ONeill responded to the Central High Apartments, at Colfax Avenue and William Street, for a report of someone breaking into cars in the area. ONeill has said that as he drove through the parking lot, he saw a person, later identified as Logan, bent over inside a parked car. After ONeill called out to Logan, according to police, Logan approached the officer with a hunting knife and refused to drop it. ONeill, backpedaling toward his squad car, fired two shots, hitting Logan once in the abdomen, police said. ONeill did not activate his body camera, leaving little evidence beyond his version of the encounter. He resigned from the police department weeks after the shooting. A special prosecutor assigned to the case concluded that ONeill was justified in his actions and did not file criminal charges in the shooting, though O'Neill was charged with an unrelated felony for paying a woman for a sex act while on duty. Story continues With Leicthy's decision to dismiss the case, Logan's family faces a long road before the case can go before a jury. In the coming months, the city of South Bend will file a response to the Logan family's appeal and a federal panel of judges will then take at least a couple months before issuing a ruling. Coffman said it's "hard to say" if he's confident about the appeals process. 'Not his purview' In their appeal, the Logan family focuses on key pieces of evidence they believe the district court judge incorrectly considered while making his decision. The first item brought up in the filing is O'Neill's apparently contradictory statements about whether he fired his weapon before or after Logan threw his knife. Body camera footage captured ONeill telling other officers who responded to the scene that Logan threw that knife at me, hes coming at me with the knife and Im like, drop the knife, then he (expletive) throws it at me, yeah, he (expletive) threw the knife at me so I (expletive) shot him. But in statements made later that morning, ONeill told investigators Logan stopped and threw the knife after being shot. More on South Bend law enforcement: South Bend starts new push to find police review director, board members after scandal Leichty wrote that O'Neill's statements were not contradictory "in any meaningful way," but Coffman said the inconsistencies point to O'Neill changing his story because, if Logan had already thrown the knife, he was no longer a threat and the shooting would not be justified. "One of two things happened," Coffman said. "Either Eric Logan was shot when he was on the ground, based on the downward trajectory of the bullet. Or he threw a knife at O'Neill. O'Neill got pissed off and shot him." Coffman hopes the appeal will change how the 7th circuit court operates and will allow judges to take the credibility of officers into account when deciding whether to dismiss cases. Leichty did not take O'Neill's credibility into account, though the Logan family's original lawsuit attacked O'Neill's character, citing his conviction for ghost employment a month before the shooting and his alleged history of racist remarks. Leichty also incorrectly disregarded testimony by expert witnesses called by the Logan family regarding policing practices and ballistic evidence, the appeal says. City attorneys will now have until mid-May to reply to the Logan family's brief. Logan's attorneys will then file a response and the federal appeals court will take the case under advisement. Email Marek Mazurek at mmazurek@sbtinfo.com. Follow him on Twitter: @marek_mazurek This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Eric Logan family has filed an appeal in police shooting death case 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 By Marco Trujillo and Ingrid Melander LE HAVRE (Reuters) -Marine Le Pen's plan to ban wind turbines is an "aberration", Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday as France's presidential election campaign moved away from the two candidates accusing each other of being authoritarian to focus on concrete policies. Just 10 days ahead of a runoff that will determine who will lead the European Union's second-largest economy for the next five years, polls show the centrist president is slightly ahead of his far-right rival, but the contest promises to be tight. While the cost of living is the top election theme, energy policies are closely linked to that, and the candidates have put forward very different policies on the renewables sector. Both would boost the nuclear sector, but Macron wants France to build more wind turbines, while Le Pen - who calls wind turbines "horrors that cost us a fortune" - would end all subsidies to the solar and wind energy sector, apply a moratorium on both and dismantle already existing turbines. "Exiting renewables today would be a complete aberration, we would be the only country in the world doing that," Macron told France Bleu radio on a visit to the northern France port of Le Havre. Her plan, he said, would mean "spending hundreds of millions of euros dismantling existing wind turbines". Building nuclear plants would take time and would not cover the drop in production from dismantling the turbines, he added. Le Pen argues in her election platform https://mlafrance.fr/pdfs/projet-lecologie.pdf that boosting the nuclear sector as well as hydro power and thermal energy would provide France with the energy mix it needs. As well as seeking to cut reliance on fossil fuels in general to meet climate targets, EU states have been looking to renewables to help wean themselves off Russian gas after the West imposed sanctions due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Story continues The French Renewable Energy Trade Association (SER) said on Thursday that Le Pen's plans would be "a major step backwards for our country and for the climate, by increasing our greenhouse gas emissions and our imports of fossil fuels, at the expense of taxpayers and the most precarious consumers". Le Pen's team did not respond to a request for comment. Earlier on Thursday, Le Pen rebuffed criticism by Macron who accused her of retaining her "authoritarian" and extremist views, despite portraying a softer image in the campaign. "This (criticism) makes me smile because we have never had a president who showed more signs of extremism than Emmanuel Macron," Le Pen told broadcaster France 2, citing police action against political demonstrations, such as the yellow vest movement. Separately, France's election watchdog said it had sought clarifications from Le Pen's campaign over statements it had falsely attributed to public authorities on criminality and immigration, one of her core themes. Le Pen called the step launched by the campaign control commission, or CNCCEP, a political "manoeuvre". (Reporting by Marco Trujillo in Le Havre, Tassilo Hummel and Geert de Clercq in Paris; Writing by Ingrid Melander;Editing by Alison Williams) Apr. 14FARMINGTON A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday on a request to allow a Rangeley man charged in an illicit marijuana operation to use medical marijuana while free on bail. Magistrate Judge John Nivison will issue a ruling on Lucas Sirois' motion at a later date. A 2021 federal complaint alleges the former Farmington resident was the leader of the operation in the Franklin County area. He and co-conspirators took in more than $13 million over six years through the illicit sale of marijuana, according to the complaint. Sirois structured his operations to appear as though they complied with Maine's medical marijuana laws while he regularly sold bulk marijuana on the illicit market, including more than $1 million worth of marijuana for out-of-state distribution between 2018 and 2019, according federal prosecutors. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee and U.S. Assistant Attorney Noah Falk opposed the motion to modify conditions of his release. Advertisement Marijuana use is illegal by federal law, but it is legal in Maine. Sirois' attorney, Timothy Parlatore, filed a motion in March with the U.S. District Court in Bangor requesting release conditions be amended. Parlatore gave three options: Permit Sirois to continue using his physician-prescribed cannabis medicine; direct that he not be sanctioned for such use as long as it complies with Maine law; or direct that pretrial services not file any violation petition based solely on a urinalysis test indicating positive for THC, given legal hemp derivatives. Although the products are legal under federal law, both could cause urinalysis results that indicate marijuana use, according to Parlatore's motion. Sirois has been under the care of Dr. Dustin Sulak of Falmouth for over 10 years. His statement included in the motion said, "Mr. Sirois has derived great benefit from the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and to antispasmodic properties or medical cannabis." Story continues The motion also stated, "The government has offered no factual or legal arguments as to what harm would come, or what governmental interests would be served by sanctioning Mr. Sirois for taking medication prescribed to him by his doctor, in strict compliance with state law, which has proven very effective at addressing his medical condition," according to the motion. Advertisement Federal attorneys disagreed with the request. The "court should enforce the existing terms of supervision and the federal law by continuing to prohibit the defendant's use of medical marijuana," according to their response. The "Controlled Substances Act contains no exceptions express or implied for medically prescribed marijuana." Sirois pleaded not guilty in November 2021 to a multi-count federal indictment connected to an alleged illicit cultivation and distribution of bulk marijuana in the Franklin County area. Three pot businesses connected to him, Lakemont, Sandy River Properties and Spruce Valley, have also pleaded not guilty. Sirois is one of 11 people named in the 15-count indictment. All have pleaded not guilty to various charges related to the alleged operation and money laundering scheme. Then-Franklin County Assistant District Attorney Kayla Alves of Farmington, who was not indicted but was charged, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Advertisement Randal Cousineau admitted in U.S. District Court in October 2021, before the grand jury indictments were handed up, to conspiring to possess and distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and 1,000 marijuana plants. He faces from 10 years to life in prison and up to a $10 million fine, according to court records. The other 10 who were indicted Nov. 9 were former Rangeley Selectman David Burgess of Rangeley; Ryan Nezol of Farmington; Lucas Sirois' father, Robert Sirois of Farmington; former Franklin County Sheriff's deputies Derrick Doucette of Jay and Bradley Scovil of Rangeley; Lucas Sirois' estranged wife, Alisa Sirois, of Kingfield; Brandon Dagnese, 27 of Scarborough; tax preparer Kenneth Allen of Farmington; former Oxford County Sheriff's Deputy James McLamb of Auburn; and former Wilton police officer Kevin Lemay of Farmington. One of Sirois' mandatory release conditions is that he not violate federal, state or local law while on release. The conditions include not using or possessing controlled substances unless prescribed by a medical professional. The condition explicitly excludes the use of marijuana "even with a prescription," according to a federal court document. DOJ headquarters. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Prosecutors charged 3 Russians with conspiring to violate US sanctions, break foreign lobbying laws, and commit visa fraud. One of the defendants is a deputy chairman in the Russian legislature and the other 2 are his staffers. They're accused of having "orchestrated a covert Russian propaganda campaign in the US" to further Russia's interests. Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Thursday charging a Russian politician and two of his staffers with conspiring to violate foreign lobbying laws, skirt US sanctions, and commit visa fraud. The defendants are Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Babakov, a deputy chairman in the Russian legislature, and his staff members Aleksandr Nikolayevich Vorobev and Mikhail Alekseyevich Plisyuk. Babakov, Vorobev, and Plisyuk are accused of having "orchestrated a covert Russian propaganda campaign in the U.S. in order to advance Russia's malevolent political designs against Ukraine and other countries, including the U.S.," Damian Williams, the Manhattan US attorney, said in a statement announcing the indictment. The charging document shows that "Russia's illegitimate actions against Ukraine extend beyond the battlefield, as political influencers under Russia's control allegedly plotted to steer geopolitical change in Russia's favor through surreptitious and illegal means in the U.S. and elsewhere in the West," Williams added. All three defendants are based in Russia, and they will almost certainly never be extradited to the US to face trial. According to law enforcement officials, Babakov, Vorobev, and Plisyuk "operated an international foreign influence and disinformation network to advance the interests of Russia" from 2012 to at least 2017. They used a Russia-based nonprofit organization called the Institute for International Studies "as a front for this global foreign influence campaign" to push Russia's foreign policy goals, the Justice Department said. Those goals included hurting the US's relationship with its European allies, undermining Western sanctions, and promoting "Russia's illicit actions designed to destroy the sovereignty of Ukraine." Story continues The defendants are also accused of using "staged events, paid propanda, and the recruitment of at least one American citizen," identified as CC-1 in the charging document, "to do their bidding in unofficial capacities." And they allegedly contacted US lawmakers from 2012 to 2017 "to seek meetings and to offer free travel to at least one Congressmember on behalf of Babakov, as well as other foreign officials aligned and associated with" him, the Justice Department said. In one instance US officials highlighted, CC-1 in 2012 tried to set up a meeting between Babakov and several members of Congress by, among other things, offering a congressmember an "all expenses paid" trip to meet with European politicians and get an award. But lawmakers rejected the efforts, the Justice Department said. The three defendants also tried in March 2017 to arrange a meeting between Babakov and a member of Congress whose purpose would have been to "strengthen the ties of cooperation between" Russia and the US, prosecutors said. They also contacted at least one congressmember and offered them a free trip to Crimea "as a service to benefit the purported 'Prime Minister of Crimea,'" Sergey Aksyonov, who was organizing and would be attending the conference. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Aksyonov in 2014, the same year that Russia annexed Crimea, for "his role in actions and policies threatening the sovereignty of Ukraine." The congressmember did not accept the offer to go to Aksyonov's conference, the department said. Prosecutors added that in connection with their influence activities, Babakov, Plisyuk, and Vorobev submitted "fraudulent visa applications" in February 2017, saying they wanted to travel to the US "under the false pretense of each traveling alone for a 'vacation,' when in fact they planned to conduct unofficial meetings with U.S. politicians and advisors to further their influence objectives." But the Treasury Department sanctioned all three defendants in June 2017 and their visa applications were ultimately rejected in January 2018, prosecutors said. Read the original article on Business Insider BERKELEY - A commercial landscaping company in the township has been ordered to pay 47 temporary workers $181,670 in back wages and $38,329 in civil penalties, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor. Turf Masters Inc. of Magnolia Street in the Bayville section, was employing grasscutters from Mexico for more than 50 hours per week, according to the Labor Department. However, the workers were paid sub-prevailing wage rates for all hours worked, which Turf Masters then attempted to hide from the Labor Departments Wage and Hour Division, the department said in a news release Thursday night. Judges from the Labor Departments Office of Administrative Law have issued a decision and order approving the consent findings, which now requires that Turf Masters pay the back wages to resolve the matter. The landscaping company also will pay a civil penalty assessed by the department due to the substantial nature of the violations, the statement said. The workers were in the United States under the H-2B temporary non-agricultural workers visa. The program allows American employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for nonagricultural labor or services. FBI probes Ocean County government: Feds investigating allegations Ocean County employment was offered in exchange for kickback According to the Labor Department, Turf Masters was found to have violated the following conditions of the H-2B program: To pay the required prevailing wage rate, at the time, of $15.52 per hour and $23.28 for overtime hours worked. The employer instead paid the temporary workers approximately $11 per hour. To reimburse workers for inbound and outbound travel expenses. To comply with retaining records and documents for three years from the date the H-2B application is certified, or from the date of adjudication if the application is denied, or from the day the department receives the letter of withdrawal if the employer withdraws the application. Story continues The investigation determined that Turf Masters had instructed workers to among other things falsely state that they never worked overtime hours, the statement said. More: Lakewood march calls for affordable housing, livable wages, lunch breaks In addition to the back wages and penalties owed, the company has agreed to enhanced compliance measures for the next four years. The business will be required to install an electronic timekeeping system; to hire a bilingual monitor to conduct trainings, audits, and confidential interviews of all the companys H-2B workers each year and to put GPS devices on each vehicle used to transport workers. This investigation underscores the departments commitment to using all enforcement tools to protect the rights of people who work in the U.S., said Charlene Rachor, district director of the Wage and Hour Division in Lawrence in Mercer County. Other employers should use the outcome of this investigation as an opportunity to review their own practices to make sure they comply with the law and avoid violations like those found in this case. Regional Solicitor of Labor Jeffrey Rogoff said: Employers who flout the rules of the H-2B program harm workers and gain unfair economic advantages. The U.S. Department of Labor will actively litigate such cases to achieve resolutions that ensure that applicants and workers are properly paid and prevent future violations. The divisions Southern New Jersey District Office conducted the investigation. Attorney Jacob Heyman-Kantor and senior trial attorney Rolando Valdez with the departments regional Office of the Solicitor in New York litigated the case. Erik Larsen: 732-682-9359 or elarsen@gannettnj.com This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bayville Turf Masters to pay Mexican workers back wages: investigation HELSINKI Finland and Sweden have chosen to pursue separate tracks and speeds to advance their interests in joining NATO. Finland had indicated it would prefer a solution that would see the two Nordic unaligned states jump together into NATO. However, Sweden has decided to examine a range of security-related options, including deepening Nordic defense cooperation and urging the European Union to develop enhanced defense policies to offer greater military protection to EU member states that border the highly sensitive Baltic Sea and High North regions. Unlike Sweden, the Finnish government has set the wheels in motion to fast-track its application to join NATO against the backdrop of heightened security tensions in the region elevated by Russias invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Sanna Marin told opposition party leaders, the majority of whom back the government on this issue, that she expects a decision on NATO membership soon. Russias invasion of Ukraine has caused Finland to review our security strategy, Marin said at a joint press conference in Stockholm on April 13 hosted by Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. I wont offer any kind of timetable as to when we will make our decision, but I think it will happen quite fast. Within weeks, not within months. The security landscape has completely changed. Noting enhanced defense cooperation with Finland, Andersson said Sweden and Finland can be expected to decide whether to apply for NATO membership independently and on different timetables. The Swedish government is expected to deliver its National Security Report to the Riksdag, the countrys legislature, before May 31. What we need to do is to carefully think through what is in the best long-term interests of Sweden, and what we need to do to guarantee our national security, our sovereignty and secure peace in this new heightened tension and situation, said Andersson. Finland is expected to reach a decision on joining NATO before the Alliances two-day summit meeting slated to commence in Madrid on June 29. Story continues The existing partner status of Sweden and Finland, within their cooperation framework with the alliance, means that neither country is covered under NATOs Article 5, which considers a hostile attack against one member state to be an attack against all. The Sarin government presented its updated Defense and Security Risk report to the Eduskuna, Finlands legislature, on April 13. The report, which set out the pros and cons of joining NATO, serves as the opening salvo in a new national debate to join NATO. The report outlined the fundamental changes Finland would be required to make to its foreign and security policies in order to join the military alliance. It identified the main benefits of joining NATO to include security guarantees embedded in the mutual-defense pledge as well as increased security cooperation through the alliance. The risks and disadvantages listed by the report included the potential for a hugely negative reaction by Russia if Finland decides to join NATO. If Finland and Sweden become Nato members, the threshold for using military force in the Baltic Sea region would rise, which would enhance the stability of the region in the long term, the report stated. Finlands trepidation over a hostile response from the Kremlin was confirmed on April 14 when Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russias security council, signaled that Russia would abandon its nuclear-free-zone policy for the Baltic Sea. Russia would need to bolster its defenses in the Baltic Sea region. This would include the deployment of nuclear weapons, if Finland and Sweden were to join NATO. In this situation, there could be no more talk of any nuclearfree status for the Baltics - the balance must be restored, said Medvedev. In a poll run by the Finnish Business Policy and Forum (FBPF), released on April 12, some 84% of Finns considered Russia to pose a significant military threat to Finland and a constant threat to Europe and Baltic Sea and the High North regions. A March poll conducted by the FBPF found that a record 60% of Finns favored joining NATO, compared to 26% in October 2021. Finland and Sweden joined NATOs Partnership for Peace (PfP) program in 1994 and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997. The militarily unaligned Nordic states are designated most active partners by NATO. Sweden has contributed to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, the Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Kosovo, and NATO Mission Iraq. For its part, Finland has contributed to NATO-led operations and missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. Sweden and Finland are among six countries, known as Enhanced Opportunity Partners under the Partnership Interoperability Initiative, that contribute to NATO operations and other alliance projects. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb. AP Photo/Christophe Ena Finland is close to joining NATO in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Former PM Alexander Stubb said Russia may retaliate likely in the form of a cyberattack in response, but Finland is prepared. Russia has threatened Finland if it joins NATO. Stubb said it shows Russia is "weak." Finland's former prime minister said Russia could target his country for joining NATO, but that it was well prepared for such a scenario. Alexander Stubb, Finland's prime minister between 2014 and 2015, has long pushed for Finland to join the military alliance. In a phone interview with Insider on Thursday, he spoke about how Finland is now closer than ever to joining thanks to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and how Russia may respond to its membership. Ukrainian servicemen walk on a destroyed street in Bucha, Ukraine, on April 4, 2022. Anastasia Vlasova/Getty Images Russian threats Stubb noted that Putin had previously threatened NATO with "military-technical measures," meaning a mixture of cyber and more conventional military attacks. For Finland, "this most probably means cyberattacks," Stubb said. Finland experienced a cyberattack when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the Finnish parliament last Friday, though the country did not say who was behind that attack. The country also said a Russian state aircraft may have breached its airspace on the same day. "So we expect these kinds of actions," Stubb said."But we are quite well prepared." Finland has one of Europe's biggest militaries relative to its size, and "we have one of the strongest air forces in Europe," Stubb said. Russian President Vladimir Putin. MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images Russia has threatened Finland with "serious military and political consequences" if it tries to join NATO. But Stubb waved off those threats, saying he doubts Russia would mount any serious attack on Finland because "Russia's military has been so weak in Ukraine already." Russia has largely botched its invasion of Ukraine, having lost a high number of troops including some of its most elite and specialized in the face of staunch Ukrainian resistance, which Russia did not expect. Story continues But Stubb warned that when it comes to Russian President Vladimir Putin, nothing should be taken as an "empty threat." Finland's preparations Stubb said a response from Russia would most likely come when Finland applies to join NATO, but before it becomes a member. NATO members are well protected, as Article 5 of the group's charter states that an attack on one member is an attack on all of them. For this reason, "Finnish political leadership has been quite active in getting implicit security guarantees from NATO member states" during this interim period, Stubb said. Alexander Stubb attends a press briefing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, October 2, 2018. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler "I think they have been quite successful in doing that things that they can't say out publicly, obviously, but our president doesn't just fly to Washington, DC, to have a coffee with the [President Joe] Biden one week after the war starts," he said. Stubb was referring to Finnish President Sauli Niinisto's meeting with Biden in early March, where the men agreed to work more closely on security but did not publicly outline their plans. Joining NATO Finland has moved closer to joining NATO since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Finland shares an 800-mile-long border with Russia, and was part of the Russian Empire before later gaining independence. It was then invaded by the Soviet Union in 1939 but successfully fought back. Public opinion in Finland has, for the first time, shifted to a majority supporting joining the alliance, and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Wednesday that the country would decide whether it will pursue membership "within weeks, not within months." Stubb said the only thing that could delay Finland's NATO application would be an attack from Russia, but that he doesn't think such a scenario likely to happen. A map showing the long border between Finland and Russia. Google Maps/Insider Stubb told Insider he has been an "advocate of Finnish NATO membership for the better part of 30 years." He said that as prime minister, he repeatedly tried to rouse public support to join NATO, but was dismissed for reasons including the country's history with neutrality and the fear of Russian retaliation. But Stubb noted that Finnish support for NATO membership "changed pretty much overnight on the 24th of February when Putin and Russia attacked Ukraine." "Putin has only himself to thank, you know, I should probably be grateful to Putin, as a strong advocate of Finnish NATO membership," he said. "I was giving up hope." He said the most important argument for Finland joining NATO is that it would "increase our security." "The train has left the station," he said. "Finland is on board and our final destination is the headquarters of NATO in Brussels." Read the original article on Business Insider Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to soon sign legislation that will open a new front in how employers will need to think about workplace activities and set new state guidelines for what would constitute unlawful employment practices. House Bill 7, titled Individual Freedom, was one of the most contentious pieces of legislation considered by lawmakers during the legislative session that ended in mid-March. While much of the attention focused on the restrictions that would be applied to the classroom, the bill could also alter Florida businesses labor practices in particular restricting how employers present programs aimed at promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at work. READ MORE: The anti-woke bill has potentially negative impact on Florida universities, too Ellen M. Leibovitch, an employment lawyer based in Boca Raton, says employers who offer training to employees on discrimination and harassment should be prepared to tailor the curriculum and presentation of their training programs. I think that employers are maybe not going to be doing these trainings anymore, or theyre going to do these trainings so neutral as to really not have the intended impact that they are supposed to have, Leibovitch said. The push comes as DeSantis and Florida Republicans take aim at corporate wokeness and publicly clash with The Walt Disney Company over the companys opposition to a bill banning the teaching of gender-related issues to kids younger than third grade and potentially higher grades. How the law changes In practice, the bill would amend the Florida Civil Rights Act and make it unlawful for employers to subject workers to training, instruction, or any other required activity that promotes or compels them to believe the following concepts: That virtues such as merit, excellence, hard work, fairness, neutrality, objectivity, and racial colorblindness are racist or sexist, or were created by members of a particular race, color, sex, or national origin to oppress members of another race, color, sex or national origin. That members of one race, color sex, or national origin are morally superior to members of another race, color, sex or national origin. That an individuals moral character or status as either privileged or oppressed is necessarily determined by his or her race, color, sex, or national origin. That an individual, by virtue of their race, color, sex, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. That members of one race, color, sex, or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, sex, or national origin. That a member of one race, color, sex or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, sex or national origin. That an individual, by virtue of their race, color, sex, or national origin, bears responsibility for and must feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress because of actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, sex, or national origin. That an individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment to achieve diversity, equity, or inclusion. Story continues Potential fallout for employers If an employee believes their employer has violated any of those principles when delivering a training program, they can sue and pursue a claim for relief, including damages and attorneys fees. The potential of lawsuits as an enforcement mechanism are likely to have a chilling effect on how employers convey certain diversity and inclusion goals in training sessions, according to some labor lawyers and consultants in the human resources field. Supporters say the bill is meant to protect workers from being told they should feel bad about historical wrongs committed by people of their same race, gender or national origin. The bill sponsor, Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, acknowledged part of the intent is to eliminate workplace programs that promote the concept of white privilege and broadly singled out training programs promoted by Walt Disney Co., Coca-Cola, American Express and Google, that he said would be in violation of the bill. Whether it is training on how to be less oppressive, or less white, all those things should not be occurring, Avila said in a committee hearing in February. All of those things are counterproductive to where we want to be as a nation, state, as a community. A solution for a problem that doesnt exist Penny Morey, a human resources executive and consultant with more than 30 years of experience in the field, said she has never encountered a training session curriculum that espouses the concepts the bill seeks to ban. The problem, she argued, is that the bill could trigger lawsuits based on how someone perceives the delivery of a training program. This law is trying to fix a problem that doesnt exist, she said. But please know that when I say bogus lawsuits exist, they do. People can find an attorney that works on contingency now and then, who will take something like this because it may make them some money on a contingency basis. They may get some publicly, they may get some attention and that is going to be the chilling effect. Morey said she believes most companies and employers will likely wait and see how the bill is rolled out and what the reaction is among employees. I think the danger is that a lot of employers and I dont particularly blame them will say lets step back away and take that out for now and lets tackle it later when we know better about how this is going to be enforced, she said. Unintended consequences? Another issue is that part of the reason why employers have training programs in the first place is to insulate themselves from liability, Leibovitch said. Training sessions can offer employers a layer of protection to say they tried to prevent wrongdoing in the workplace if an employee acts inappropriately. The company can still be liable, but those programs can show they tried to tell employers not to act in a certain way. If you dont do the training then you really have no defense that you were trying to prevent, said Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, a labor and employment attorney. If an employer goes through with a training program that could put them at risk of a lawsuit, they will also need to take into consideration their insurance policies. The insurance that employers buy may not cover this yet because it is so new. So if they are sued, it could be that their insurance company who covers them for employment liability may say, look this isnt on your policy, so youre on your own, Morey said. A devastated widow is begging for the public's help after her young Microsoft executive husband was gunned down in front of their 2-year-old daughter in an upscale suburb of north Florida. "It was pure cowardice and evil," said Kirsten Bridegan, 30, whose husband, Jared Bridegan, 33, was ambushed in his car Feb. 16, as their daughter, Bexley, watched from her car seat. "To have that done where he didnt even have a chance to fight back, and it was done in front of his daughter. I would ask anyone who knows anything to come forward." The father of four has 9-year-old twins from a prior marriage. He had just dropped the older children off at his ex-wifes home in Jacksonville Beach a little after 7:30 p.m. He and Bexley were in the familys black Volkswagen Atlas driving south to their home in St. Augustine when they encountered a tire in the middle of the one-way road, according to Kirsten and police. He stepped out of his vehicle and was shot, Sgt. Tonya Tator of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department told Fox News Digital. Authorities are investigating whether the tire was placed on the road to lure Jared from his car. "Jacksonville Beach is a safe community and a murder of this nature is highly unusual," Tator said of the neighborhood near the Atlantic Ocean and 15 minutes from the famed golf courses of TPC Sawgrass, which is home to the PGA Tour. FLORIDA MAN DEAD, MODEL LOVER FOUND SOAKED IN BLOOD Kirsten was at home with their 7-month-old London and grew alarmed when Jared hadnt returned. "He wasnt answering my texts or my calls," she recalled. "I was thinking maybe he got in a car accident. I had a gut feeling something wasnt right." She hopped in a car with her mom to search for Jared. As they drove, Kirsten kept calling Jareds phone but it wasnt her husband who finally picked up. "A police officer answered but wouldnt tell me if he was okay," she recalled, choking back tears. "He said, 'Please come to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. I told my mom, Jared is not OK. I just knew. My whole body, my spirit, I knew he wasnt okay." Story continues Once at the police department, Kirsten hugged Bexley who was in shock after witnessing her fathers murder. Then a detective took Kirsten aside and told her Jared was dead. "I started crying, my hands were shaking I looked for a trash can because I felt like I was going to throw up. I kept saying This isnt real, this cant be real," she said. The couple first met online on a dating app and clicked immediately. "What first struck me was his profile picture. It was of him with his twins," she said. Jared would drive 6 1/2 hours from Jacksonville to her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, to see her on the weekends when he didnt have his children with him, she said. About four months later, she moved to Jacksonville and the pair married in 2017. "He was just a good guy through and through," she said. "Whenever we got into an argument he was always the first to say Im sorry, even if it was my fault." Jared was from Jacksonville and graduated from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts before earning his college degree at Utah Valley University. He was working as a manager of user experience at Microsoft when he was killed. Kirsten had also worked for the software giant as an account manager but quit a few months ago to become a full-time mom. "He was a good neighbor, a good friend, a good colleague," Kirsten said. "He was a very loved man." Kirsten declined to discuss Jareds relationship with his ex-wife, but a source told Fox News that it was strained. Though invited, Jareds twins from his prior marriage did not attend their fathers funeral. His ex-wife couldn't immediately be reached for comment. FLORIDA MODEL COURTNEY CLENNEY SPOTTED IN MIAMI HOTEL WITH FATHER AFTER BOYFRIEND'S STABBING DEATH Sgt. Tator urged the public to come forward with any information that could help them solve Jareds murder. The Jacksonville Beach Police Department previously released surveillance video stills of a dark-colored Ford F-150 that they called a "vehicle of interest." "Somebody out there knows what happened or knows somebody that was involved in this, and were asking them to do the right thing," Tator said. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting the local police with resources including their labs to process forensic evidence. "Were waiting on forensic evidence to come back and when we receive that information, we will go from there in our investigation." Tator said. There is a $25,000 reward authorities have offered $8,000 while private donors contributed an additional $17,000. Anyone with information should contact the Jacksonville Beach Police Department at 904-270-1661 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. A GoFundMe.com account has been set up for the Bridegan family. Kirsten said the shocking murder has taken the greatest toll on Bexley. "She talks about the sound a lot. She says, I had to cover my ears," Kirsten said. "When she talks about what happened she calls it 'The boom. She says, Boom! Boom! Boom! Daddy on the ground." Kirsten said that Bexley asks about her dad a lot but she also misses her older siblings who she has barely seen since the slaying. "I miss them too," said Kirsten. "We didnt just lose Jared, we lost our family structure." Every night, Bexley sleeps with a blanket her dad gave her. Kirsten was tucking her in, and she asked if God has blankets. "I asked her why, and she said, I want daddy to have a blanket in heaven.'" France's top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian said cooperation with Algeria is "indispensible" for regional stability, during a visit to the former French colony. "We are facing regional challenges, first and foremost terrorism," he said late Wednesday after meeting his counterpart Ramtane Lamamra and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. "So our cooperation on security and for the stabilisation of the region is indispensable in the Mediterranean and in Africa." Le Drian stressed the urgency of "the evolution of the situation in the Sahel and the need to relaunch the transition process in Libya". France and Algeria have been attempting to improve their ties after a diplomatic crisis. Algeria had withdrawn its ambassador in October after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Algeria's "political-military system" of rewriting history and fomenting "hatred towards France". Le Drain had visited in December in order to repair the damage and the French ambassador returned in January. On Wednesday, the foreign minister said Paris and Algiers were working on reviving bilateral relations "essential for each of our two countries and that we wish to maintain over the long term". He also said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had "major consequences" for energy in Europe and for food security, including in Algeria. Algeria is a major exporter of natural gas, which covers over 11 percent of Europe's needs, compared to Russia which makes up about 47 percent. European countries have been trying to ramp up Algerian exports to reduce their reliance on Russia, but experts say the North African country has limited room for manoeuvre, partly due to its own soaring domestic needs. Algeria did however sign a deal on Monday to boost exports to Italy by the Transmid undersea pipelie. bur-ezz/fka/par/hc Actor Joseph Gatt, who appeared in episodes of Game of Thrones, was arrested this month and accused of having had "sexually explicit communication" with a minor online, Los Angeles police said. Police said in a news release Tuesday that the juvenile division of the departments Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served Gatt, 50, with a residential search warrant at his home early April 6. Detectives arrested Gatt on an outstanding felony warrant, police said. The release said police received information that Gatt, an English actor who lives in Los Angeles, was reported to have been engaging in online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines. Police are looking to identify any possible additional victims, and that asked anyone with more information to contact law enforcement. Gatt was released on $5,000 bail after a few hours, according to his booking report. Gatt posted a statement on his Twitter account afterward. I obviously want to address the absolutely horrifying and completely untrue allegations recently leveled against me, the statement said. They are 100% categorically wrong and reckless. I have confirmed errors and misleading information in todays press release. I am fully cooperating with police and LAPD to get to the bottom of this. I look forward to clearing my good name. He thanked his friends and supporters and added that for legal reasons I cannot comment further on social media. Gatts acting credits include a three-episode stint on Game of Thrones as Thenn Warg. He also recently appeared in Dumbo and NCIS: New Orleans. Gatt has a role in the coming DC film Black Adam. Gatts representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Joseph Gatt has been arrested for reportedly engaging in sexually explicit online communication with a minor across state lines. The Los Angeles Police Department received information regarding the Game of Thrones actors alleged illegal online behaviour and proceeded to serve a search warrant at his LA home on April 6. LAPDs Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force promptly began to investigate Gatt after they were tipped off about his sexual offence. Gatt was then brought into custody. He was also found to have had an outstanding felony warrant for a similar crime. In a news release on Tuesday (12 April), authorities addressed the public, announcing his arrest for contact with a minor for sexual offence. They further urged any other potential victims to call them with any additional details. The Independent has reached out to Gatts representative for comment. The 50-year-old actor was born in London and has a long list of acting film credits aside from his small role as a member of the Thenn tribe in Game of Thrones including Dumbo, Thor, and Star Trek Into the Darkness. (Getty Images) Gatt is also set to appear in the forthcoming adventure film, Black Adam, starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson, based on the DC comic character of the same name. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germans should start saving energy now to become more independent from Russian fossil fuels, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said, as Europe's top economy looks for ways to cut gas and oil imports from Moscow in response to the war in Ukraine. With mounting civilian deaths in Ukraine amid Russia's invasion, Germany is under pressure to wean itself off Russian gas and oil, as critics say the revenue provides Moscow with vital funds to wage war. Moscow describes its invasion of Ukraine as a "special military operation". Habeck said Germany could become less dependent if citizens reduce their energy consumption, suggesting using the train or cycling instead of driving whenever possible. "Every kilometre not driven is a contribution to making it easier to get away from Russian energy supplies. We are also protecting the climate," Habeck said in interview with Funke Media Group. Habeck said cutting 10% of individual energy consumption was possible, adding that employers could contribute by offering workers the option to work from home wherever possible. "Wherever possible, one could work from home one or two days a week again - initially on a voluntary basis," he said. (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Alistair Bell) Charles Herbster is among nine candidates running in the Republican Party primary to determine which candidate will be the party's gubernatorial nominee for Nebraskas governor in November (Charles Herbster Farms/Facebook) Charles Herbster, a frontrunner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Nebraska and a Trump-backed candidate, has been accused of groping a sitting GOP state senator and seven other women, the Nebraska Examiner reported. In its investigation, the outlet alleges that Mr Herbster inappropriately touched eight women in separate incidents dating back to 2017 and spanning to this year. Mr Herbster, who is currently on a three-city campaign tour in his bid for governor and was joined Wednesday by Donald Trump Jr, has denied the allegations. One of the women who confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner that the GOP candidate for governor had touched her inappropriately was Republican state Senator Julie Slama, who claims the businessman reached up her skirt, without consent, and touched her inappropriately at a 2019 event. The outlet reported that another person attending the same event, the Douglas County Republican Partys annual Elephant Remembers dinner, saw the alleged incident take place between Mr Herbster and Sen Slama, who had just recently been appointed to the District 1 legislative seat representing southeast Nebraska. The Independent reached out to Mr Herbsters communications team on Thursday and received no reply. In a response to the Nebraska Examiners reporting, Mr Herbsters campaign manager, Ellen Keast, said in a statement that the gubernatorial candidate denies the womens allegations unequivocally. The Examiner added that Ms Keast said that this is a political hit-piece built on 100 per cent false and baseless claims, before blaming the political establishment for smearing and trying to destroy him with lies. Charles W Herbster has a lifetime record of empowering women to lead, the campaign manager said in the statement. His company, farm, and campaign are all run by women. Despite leading hundreds of employees, not once has his reputation been attacked in this disgusting manner. Six of the women who levied the accusations of inappropriate touching against Mr Herbster told the Examiner that the incidents occurred at political events or beauty pageants, the gropes were outside of their clothes, on the buttocks, and they usually happened when they were either posing for a photograph or saying hello or goodbye. Story continues One woman claimed that Mr Herbert once cornered her privately and kissed her forcibly, the Examiner reported. Another witness attending the Elephant Remembers dinner in 2019, who claims to have also seen Mr Herbster put his hand up Sen Slamas skirt, told the Examiner that she and two others saw the Republican candidate grope another young woman on her buttocks at the same event. When the Examiner put both allegations, her own accusation against Mr Herbster and the one where a woman from the same 2019 dinner party was groped, to Sen Slama, she responded by saying: Yes, confirmed. The Independent has reached out to the Nebraska senator for comment and confirmation regarding the allegations against Mr Herbster. In response, Sen Slama forwarded a statement, that has since been shared to her official Twitter account, where she confirms the Nebraska Examiners reporting as true. Todays Nebraska Examiner report about Charles Herbster sexually assaulting me in 2019, when I was 22 years old, is true, the statement reads. I indirectly referenced the assault in February 2022 floor speech in the Legislature and prayed I would never have to relive this trauma. In February 2022, Sen Slama provided a speech on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature as the body discussed misconduct allegations against then-state Senator Mike Groene. February 2022 floor speech: https://t.co/yDz4SnnVQP Senator Julie Slama (@SenatorSlama) April 14, 2022 When the Nebraska Examiner contacted me about a witness account of my assault and the seven other women who shared their stories, I was not going to deny the truth. The Nebraska Examiner did not disclose the identity of the seven other women who came forward with allegations against Mr Herbster. Aaron Sanderford, the reporter who investigated the allegations over the course of months, released a statement on Twitter regarding the outlets process and confirmed that each account of inappropriate touching levied against Mr Herbster was corroborated by at least one witness. As the article explains, I corroborated the information every woman gave me and that kind of reporting takes time, Mr Sanderford wrote in a tweet posted on Thursday. Folks have asked about storys timing and our process @NE_Examiner on todays Herbster piece. A brief statement: pic.twitter.com/PHxHIegjRk Aaron Sanderford (@asanderford) April 14, 2022 Nebraska residents have a right to know about these allegations. Mr Herbster is among nine Republican candidates running in the partys primary on 10 May, which will determine who will be the GOP nominee for the 8 November general election for Nebraska governor. Once a chairman of former US president Donald Trumps Agriculture and Rural Advisory Committee, Mr Herbster is now considered a frontrunner for the ticket and even received an endorsement from his previous boss back in 2021. Republican lawmakers cheered an offer by Telsa CEO Elon Musk to buy Twitter on Thursday, arguing that a purchase by the billionaire would reinstate free speech on the platform following its moves to moderate harmful content. Musk offered to buy Twitter for $43 billion, according to a letter to the social media companys Chairman Brett Taylor that was disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Wednesday. The letter detailed that Musk would buy the platform for $54.20 a share. Twitter later confirmed Thursday that it had received a proposal from the tech mogul. The move came shortly after Musk reversed course and turned down a seat on the companys Board of Directors. On Thursday, House conservatives lauded Musks offer. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a fierce defender of former President Trump, said he would like to see Twitter accept the billionaires offer. This is the public square today, these social these big tech platforms. This is where we have debate in our culture and in our country today. So, lets have someonme in charge who actually respects the First Amendment and free speech, Jordan said on Fox Business. He went on to say that the left engages in cancel culture on the platform, adding thats not how it works in America. Elon Musk understands that, he concluded. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), a conservative firebrand echoed Jordans sentiments, saying that Musk understands that free speech is worth fighting for. I hope Twitters board sees the light. If they reject his offer, the companys stock will likely never recover, she tweeted. Musks potential involvement in Twitter over the past month has raised concerns among progressive activists, tech executives and scholars that the platform could become a more hostile environment as a result. The billionaire has, in the past, been critical of the platform and argued that it has strayed away from principles of free speech. Story continues Reps. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Troy Nehls (R-Texas) also voiced their support for the purchase. Make Twitter Great Again!, Nehls tweeted, alluding to Trumps 2016 campaign slogan Make America Great Again. Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook have taken heat from both Democrats and Republicans over their content moderation policies. Democrats have argued in the past that the platforms are not doing enough to moderate misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, its treatments and hate speech. Following the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection, Twitter banned Trump permanently from its site, and has implemented other content moderation strategies to mitigate hate speech and misinformation. Republicans have argued that the website is impinging on users First Amendment rights. Both Democrats and Republicans have also sought to hold social media giants accountable by amending Section 230 of the Communications and Decency Act, which allows them a liability shield for third-party content posted to their websites. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes personal account (R-Ga.) was also suspended from Twitter permanently for violating its misinformation policies. However, on Thursday she defended Musk through her lawmaker account over concern that he would change the platform so that anything goes. Kill freedom of speech to save democracy? Say youre a communist. Just say it. Youre actually scared of people freely discussing ideas and saying words. Youre terrified of the impact on politics when truth isnt censored. Im offended by your weakness, she said. Former Rep. Justin Amash, who in 2019 announced he was leaving the Republican Party and later became a Libertarian, also chimed in Thursday, tweeting that Musk buying Twitter may be the best thing to happen to social media in years. The algorithm promotes audience capture and drives people toward extremes. Its biased in favor of furthering biases. Taking the company private curtails incentives that impair free discourse. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said at a town hall meeting that Republicans would not attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act if they take back the Senate in November. The admission came after the senator, who is running for an eighth term, was asked how the party planned to get Americans affordable health care. Its not repealing the Affordable Care Act, if thats your question, Grassley said Monday in Waukon, Iowa. Yes, Im saying that I would not were not going to repeal the Affordable Care Act, he added after the questioner pushed further. A few moments later, he clarified he could not speak for other Republicans in the Senate but that he would not work to repeal the health care law, also commonly referred to as ObamaCare, despite his opposition to the legislation when it was introduced and ultimately passed. The comment came about a week after the White House celebrated the 12th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, with former President Obama making his first return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue since leaving office. A Grassley spokesman, in a statement to The Washington Post, said his remarks were just a prediction. While noting that he cant speak for all of his colleagues, he predicted that the law wouldnt be repealed in its entirety, Grassley spokesman Taylor Foy told the outlet. In previous county meetings, Grassley has also noted that the focus should be on how to improve the existing health care system, including reducing the cost of prescription drugs a priority that hes led in a bipartisan fashion. Republicans attempted several times to repeal the health care law during the Trump presidency when they controlled all branches of government, but the efforts failed. The Affordable Care Act covers more than 30 million Americans who have difficulty affording health insurance. Twelve years ago, I proudly stood beside President Barack Obama as he signed into law the most consequential expansion of health care in generations: the Affordable Care Act, President Biden said during a celebration marking the laws anniversary. With the stroke of a pen after decades of tireless efforts millions of Americans gained peace of mind. The Hill has reached out to Grassleys office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Britain's Prince Harry on Thursday visited his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II with his wife Meghan before going to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games, a spokesperson for the couple said. The Sussexes are on their way to the sporting event Harry founded for disabled military veterans that starts in The Hague on Saturday. The spokesman confirmed the couple had met the queen. British media reported that the meeting took place in Windsor Castle, about 40 kilometres from London. Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 96th birthday in a few days. Harry, 37, and his wife, 40, were criticised by British tabloids for skipping Prince Philip's memorial service in Westminster Abbey on March 29. Philip, who was married to the queen for 73 years, died last April just weeks short of his 100th birthday. Harry and his wife quit royal life and moved to North America two years ago. As a result of their decision, the UK government withdrew his taxpayer-funded protection on visits back to Britain, a decision that Harry is challenging in the courts. spe/ach/caw Apr. 14A 23-year-old who allegedly killed his 73-year-old lover before encasing his body in cement at a Hawaii Loa Ridge home was indicted by an Oahu grand jury today. Juan Tejedor Baron, 23, was charged with one count of murder in the second degree, one count of first degree identity theft and two counts of first degree theft, according to a news release from Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm's office. Baron from Los Angeles on April 8. Baron is accused of murdering Gary Ruby, 73, in Ruby's home and trying to hide the body in a bathtub by covering it in cement topped with coffee grounds. Baron also allegedly assumed control of Ruby's home and car, and impersonated Ruby to commit those crimes, according to the release. Murder in the second degree carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. If Baron is proven to have known that Ruby was sixty years of age or older at the time of the alleged murder, he would be eligible for an extended sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to Alm's office. Identity Theft in the first degree is a class A felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and first degree theft is a class B felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Elder Abuse Unit Team Captain Catherine Lowenberg. Police questioned Baron and his companion, Scott Hannon, on March 7 at Ruby's home when police officers after his brother told HPD he had not heard from Ruby in three weeks. The two men were not held, but became suspects in the case when Ruby's body was found March 8. The two men fled to California, where Baron was later found hiding inside a Greyhound bus scheduled to cross the border into Mexico. Los Angeles police and the U.S. Marshals Service later arrested Hannon but then released him. Baron with a belt and cutting his wrists to stage a suicide. He told police he put Ruby's body in the tub and covered it with cement, then coffee grounds to hide the smell. Sacramento Police Department officers place markers on shell casings and other evidence on April 3. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) After naming and securing two suspects, Sacramento police announced Tuesday they were looking for a third person thought to be involved in the capital city's worst gun violence ever a shooting that killed six and injured 12 people early last week. Despite those developments, authorities face a monumental task in resolving this case filing charges and prosecuting those responsible. Here's why: The crime scene is vast, and complicated There were actually three different crime scenes, a block from California's Capitol, spread out over 100 yards. When police arrived in the early hours of April 3, they found six bodies and twice as many injured people amid a dispersed crowd of late-night revelers. At least three buildings and three vehicles were hit by the spray of bullets. Evidence technicians and detectives set out more than 250 evidence markers and documented at least 100 shelling cases at the scene. As part of their investigation, homicide detectives must re-create what happened, down to the shots fired, who was firing them and which shooters had homicidal intent, as opposed to defending themselves. "The re-creation of this crime scene is a massive task for any police department it isn't one crime scene really but several for each of the victims," said Ed Obayashi, a Northern California sheriff's deputy and force expert who teaches investigators how to build such cases. Only one gun was recovered at the scene According to Sacramento police, one gun was recovered at the scene of the shooting others were apparently removed before officers arrived. The gun recovered was a stolen weapon converted with a so-called auto-sear or switch to make it a fully automatic weapon, police said. During the execution of search warrants, police said they were also able to recover "at least one handgun." It is not clear if that gun was used in the shooting, or how many other weapons have yet to be recovered. Police said that "at least five shooters fired guns during the shooting," suggesting that more weapons are at large. Story continues Recovering such weapons is important. It helps investigators re-create the crime scene, and match recovered bullets to guns, victims and suspects. Obayashi suspects some weapons will never be recovered. "The guns are buried somewhere," he said. That adds some hurdles to piecing together the crime scene, but not impossible ones, he added. One tool for investigators: nearly 200 videos and other evidence from the incident that can help them piece together what happened. Billy Hayes, who led the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division for more than a decade before retiring, said not having all the guns is a hindrance, but given the shell casings, police should be able to put together a solid analysis. "It is a matter of breaking it all down, one piece at a time," he said. "Follow the evidence and it will lead to the killers." At least one alleged shooter is still at large Sacramento police on Tuesday asked for the public's help in tracking down one suspect, Mtula Payton, 27, whom they named as being involved in the shooting. "Paytons current whereabouts are unknown at this time," police said in a news release. "Detectives have made multiple attempts to locate and arrest him while exhausting all leads." 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. (Sacramento Police Department ) The decision to make public the fugitive's name, and also share his image, likely means investigators have exhausted the quiet approach of using street sources to find the suspect, outside sources told The Times. Police sought to put a positive spin on their progress. The investigation has moved very quickly in this first week," Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester said in the news release. The probe, she added, "will continue until we can present prosecutors and the public with a complete picture of this terrible crime. Witnesses reluctant to come forward? As police began to investigate, they quickly concluded a key cause of the shootout. "It is increasingly clear that gang violence is at the center of this tragedy," police said in an April 6 statement. Police did not name the gangs, but sources say members of Sacramento's Crips and Bloods were involved. It is not known if some of the shooting victims both those dead and injured had affiliations with these groups, but the implication of gang involvement is still significant. Eye witnesses may be reluctant to share what they saw, for fear of gang retribution. Distrust of police is widespread in Sacramento and other cities, adding to the challenge of finding witnesses. Just the sheer number of people involved makes it a tough investigation, said former Los Angeles Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley. "This is likely one of the most complex cases to put together in a long time in terms of a deadly shooting because there are so many perpetrators," he said. "It is incredibly complicated with videos static and handheld, ballistics spread over acres and the statements from people under fire." He said some shooters are undoubtedly going to assert some form of self-defense, a factor prosecutors will have to grapple with. No named suspects yet charged Police have named Payton, Smiley Martin and his brother, Dandrae Martin, as being involved in the shooting. Yet neither Smiley Martin nor his brother who has been arrested and jailed have been formally charged in connection with the shooting. Nor has Payton, who, before the massacre, was already wanted on multiple felony warrants, including domestic violence and gun charges. Smiley Martin remains hospitalized with injuries from the shooting. Once his medical care has been completed, "he will be booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun," police said April 5. Adding to the mystery: When Dandrae Martin appeared in court last week, he was not charged with murder, or even with assault with a firearm, a crime he was arrested for, but only for being a felon in possession of a gun. Legal experts say they are not surprised at the lack of charges, given this shootout was recent. "There is a tremendous amount of investigation has to go on. Hundreds of videos have to be reviewed," said Cooley. "There are potential people who could be witnesses and/or there are those involved. They have to be unpacked before anyone can be charged. In due course, you will see murder and attempted murder charges." Former L.A. County prosecutor Alan Jackson agrees. Prosecutors, he said, will need to present jurors with a narrative of deadly events, showing who did what and when. That takes time, he said. It can't be done until police and prosecutors have gathered "every single piece of evidence that you possibly can to make the case of filing bulletproof." Times staff writers Anita Chabria in Sacramento and Stuart Leavenworth in Berkeley contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Allison Holloway pushed the swing as high as she could for Titus Kappler, 6, a boy who spends five days a week in autism therapy in Fort Smith. Holloway knew just when to let the swing go to the delight of Titus. Holloway is a board certified behavioral analyst for Hope 4 Autism, a Fort Smith-based program expanding in the region. Holloway smiled and laughed when Titus was laughing in the swing. Titus started therapy three years ago after it was apparent Titus was on the autism spectrum, his mother Tara Kappler said. She said early intervention has helped her son as he grows older. Tara and Titus Kappler of Fort Smith swing at Hope 4 Autism. "Prior to ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapy we kind of became secluded. For our family, as a whole, it was hard to do much of anything in public without meltdowns or temper tantrums, and it was just kind of us outside of everyone else," Tara Kappler said. "Since having ABA therapy we feel more included in the community and we can go out and about as a family and do normal everyday life type of things, go to birthday parties, grocery shopping, trips, the zoo, so it has changed our life dramatically." Parent Julie Vineyard and her daughter Sadie, 2, have benefitted from early intervention for autism and from therapy. "I think it has helped her a lot because she used to not go to other people at all," Julie Vineyard said. "And when she sees her therapists she just walks to them with open arms and is happy and goes in there. It's helped her to relearn some of the skills she had lost." Julie and Sadie Vineyard play at Hope 4 Autism in Fort Smith Sadie is growing up with regressive autism, Julie Vineyard said. She had progressed normally until 16 months, then she stopped talking. "She doesn't talk. She doesn't wave any more," Julie Vineyard said. Sadie, 2, and Julie Vineyard play at Hoppe 4 Autism in Fort Smith. The roots of Hope 4 Autism have taken hold in Fort Smith, and their work is branching out into neighboring areas. Sheila Barnes, founder and CEO of Hope 4 Autism, is the founding director of the master's degree in applied behavioral analysis program offered at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. Story continues In Fort Smith, she opened Hope 4 Autism in 2012. She also has a doctorate in educational psychology. She taught students a course at the graduate level and worked 16 years with children in Oklahoma City Public Schools. Her late father U.S. Army Chaplain Dalton Barnes was from Mountain View and her mother Krysteen Barnes was from Alma. Sheila Barnes moved to Fort Smith to be close to her parents while they lived Alma. Then autism insurance coverage was mandated in Arkansas. "At that time Arkansas had passed an insurance mandate to require insurance companies to cover autism and applied behavioral analysis," Barnes said. She said she focused on helping children from ages birth to 18 years old. Today she is working with those 5 years old and younger. Hope 4 Autism therapists from left to right are Abby Ross, Cierra Martin, Kaylee Pickartz, Maggie Hill, Allison Holloway Her interest has long been with early childhood special education. She opened the first clinic in Alma in 2012. Then she opened the first one in Fort Smith in 2014. One location was known as "The Farm" on U.S. 71. The main location is at 5604 Ellsworth Road, where she has about 20 students today. Her main focus is on early intervention for autism with those ages 5 and younger. She also hosts parent training and assessment at a location at 5108 S. U Street. In the future, there will be more efforts to help adults with autism, especially as the numbers of younger children with autism continues to increase and they age into adulthood, she said. For the early intervention with children, Allison Holloway said she helps children work on daily living activities such as toilet training. "We also work on communication skills so teaching kids how to talk and just being able to functionally communicate," Holloway said. Barnes said she has plans to expand into Oklahoma City soon. She said it is important for parents to watch for signs early, and not wait years before intervention starts. Some signs can be lack of eye contact, speech or repetitive behaviors, or excessive crying. "Be aware of the signs of autism, early intervention leads to better outcomes," Barnes said. She said young children on the autism spectrum may need 20 to 40 hours a week of therapy in clinics and at home before they are enrolled in schools. April is a national autism acceptance and awareness month. Their work continues year round with no known cause or cure for autism and numbers of those affected increasing. "Early intervention is the key," Barnes said. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Hope 4 Autism therapy is growing in Fort Smith I turned my viral TikToks into a full-time job. TikToko I went viral on TikTok last year and now I'm a full-time content creator. I wish I'd known how much of a mental and physical toll it could take on me. Sometimes it's OK to lose followers, and turning your passion into a profession isn't ideal. On April 14, 2021, my life changed overnight. I posted a TikTok announcing I was going to binge-watch the anime "One Piece" and I encouraged people to follow along. The video went viral and I quickly built a dedicated community in the tens of thousands and my videos got over 1.9 million likes. In July, I leveraged my account to land a job as an in-house TikTok creator for a company in New York. I now run multiple accounts, the largest of which, Ototo Design , has over 100,000 followers and over 8 million likes. Being a professional content creator is a dream most of the time. But there are things I wish I knew before making it my career. Post at your own pace Once you have an audience it might seem like thousands of people are eagerly awaiting your next post. This can place a lot of pressure on any creator. Really, there are millions of creators on the app to keep followers busy. For your own mental sanity, dont burn yourself out. Post whenever you like. If youre working for a company as a content creator, however, youre usually required to follow a posting schedule. To avoid burnout and last-minute content making, I create TikToks in batches. Never stop being your authentic self Participating in trends is an easy way to go viral but that success never lasts. To have longevity on the platform, build a tight-knit community that regularly engages with your content by being yourself. As cliche as it sounds, when people see someone lowering their guard, theyre keen to stick around and listen to what they have to say. People love seeing people do normal things like getting coffee or telling a story while on a walk. Story continues Turning your passion into a profession isnt always ideal A lot of people want to be an influencer but social media can lose its charm once it becomes work. Posting sponsored content or making content for somebody else with goals attached can put pressure on creators that was not there before. I love my job and wouldnt trade it for anything, but my personal account has suffered as a result of it. By the end of most days, I don't have the mental or creative energy left to make my own content. Youll lose followers sometimes, and thats OK Algorithms change and so does the type of content you want to make and your followers interests, which can result in you losing followers. But true fans will stick around for the long run and grow with you. Theyre the most important ones to listen to and ask for feedback about the type of content youre producing. The mental and physical toll is real Ive started wearing blue-light glasses in an attempt to protect my eyes. My wrists and thumbs will often hurt after a few hours into the day. For a period, I wore a brace when I slept in an effort to prevent carpal tunnel. I also have to hold my phone at eye level or else Ill get neck pain from looking down for too long. Plus I constantly check TikTok to look at my views, which I hate. When a post goes viral its addicting to watch the views climb every time you refresh the page. But if a post flops, it can put me in a bad mood. Ive also had to have thick skin when it comes to comments. Most are positive but there are occasionally some hurtful ones. But not everyone is going to like your content. Thats their problem, not yours. Read the original article on Insider A coalition of immigrant rights groups filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking information from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about the agencys Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), a so- called alternative to detention program that has ballooned during the Biden administration. The groups Community Justice Exchange, Just Futures Law and Mijente initially filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with questions about the program in September. The agency did not answer the questions despite the requirement that federal agencies respond to FOIA requests within 20 business days absent unusual circumstances, prompting Thursdays lawsuit in Northern California federal district court. ICE hasnt even acknowledged our request, said Sejal Zota, the legal director and co-founder of Just Futures Law. It felt like we should file a lawsuit in part because we have so many unanswered questions but I think also in part because of the exponential growth of the program. Roughly 90,000 individuals were enrolled in ISAP at the beginning of President Bidens term in 2021. As of last month that number has swelled to over 200,000. The program has been billed a humanitarian alternative to physical detention for monitoring immigrants in removal proceedings. Critics say that the program is hardly an alternative at all, doing little to divert migrants away from ICEs brick-and-mortar facilities while causing mental and physical harm. Electronic monitoring can be all-encompassing, knowing that your every move is being monitored, the lawsuit reads. It makes it difficult to obtain and maintain employment, sustain relationships with family members and friends, and causes social isolation. ISAP requires enrolled individuals to either wear ankle monitors, use a voice reporting system or download an app called SmartLINK. All three tools are operated by BI Incorporated, a subsidiary of the private prison trust the GEO Group that has been awarded every ISAP contract since the programs inception in 2004. Story continues The third of those three options, SmartLINK, has become the dominant tool of the program, with roughly 70 percent of individuals in ISAP on the app. Very little is known about the application, including what data it can collect and how that data is being handled, something which immigrants rights group are eager to find out. BIs privacy policy for SmartLINK says that it shares info with third parties in connection with your community supervision, but does not specify which entities that could include. Ana Maria Rivera-Forastieri, the migrant justice organizing director at Community Justice Exchange, told The Hill that people enrolled in the program have expressed fears that the app could be recording their conversations with loved ones. Immigrants in the program have also expressed concern that the program is tracking their location constantly, according to Zota, especially since ankle monitor tracking has been used by agents in the past to establish patterns of behavior and where people work. This information could easily be used to conduct workplace raids. The lawsuit, filed by Catherine Crump from the Samuelson clinic at U.C. Berkeley School of Law on behalf of the groups, calls on the court ot compel ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to immediately disclose the records requested about ISAP. That includes information on what data the SmartLINK app collects, how long that data is being retained and who, if anyone, it is being shared with. The request also asks for information about any DHS enforcement operations that used data collected through SmartLINK. The Hill has reached out to the DHS for comment on the suit. The groups pushing for more information about ISAP hope that information will help rally support for ending the program. If we obtain information thatll be helpful to push lawmakers, push the public to reject the use of those technologies, Zota said. Ultimately, we believe that the alternatives to detention programs should end and ICE should be abolished, Rivera-Forastieri said. And finding out information about another nefarious program that theyre running is another way for us to show that this agency should be abolished. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Imran Ahmad Khan - Dominic Lipinski /PA A Conservative MP found guilty of child sex offences has quit as an MP, triggering a by-election in a Red Wall seat. Imran Ahmad Khan, who represents Wakefield, said that he is appealing against the verdict but is resigning so that someone can represent his constituents. Khan was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, and became the first sitting MP to be convicted of child sex offences on Monday. He was expelled from the Conservative Party. On Thursday night, he claimed he was found guilty of touching a leg above clothing with sexual intent. The case has been ongoing since 2019, when Staffordshire Police began an investigation after the victim came forward. In a statement, Khan said: I have therefore regrettably come to the conclusion that it is intolerable for constituents to go years without an MP who can amplify their voices in Parliament. He said he wanted to apologise to his family and community for the humiliation the case had caused, but would now focus on clearing his name. Khan, who is gay and a Muslim, added: Questions surrounding sexuality in my community are not trivial, and learning from the press about my orientation, drinking and past behaviour before I became an MP has not been easy. A Tory source said the Chief Whip will decide when to move writ in due course. It sets up an electoral test for Labour in one of the Red Wall seats it lost to the Conservatives in 2019 when Khan ousted Mary Creagh, the former shadow Labour minister, and secured a majority of 3,358. Labour has been taking opinion poll leads following the fallout from the Partygate revelations involving Boris Johnson. Polling from YouGov this week showed that the party had a narrow three-point lead over the Tories, with 37 per cent of the vote, but was conducted before news that Mr Johnson had been fined by the Metropolitan Police for breaking Covid rules. A Labour spokesman said: The people of Wakefield have been badly let down by the Conservatives. Only Labour has a plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and give the people of Wakefield the security, prosperity and respect they deserve. A gunman's rampage in a packed New York City subway car Tuesday morning set off a frenzied search that ended about 29 hours later with an investigation spread across multiple states, forensics analysts scrutinizing security video and social media, and a tip to a Crime Stoppers hotline leading to a suspect's arrest on the street. While state and federal authorities now focus on a potential motive for why the gunman, who police say they believe is Frank James, 62, opened fire and wounded at least 10 people during a rush-hour commute, questions still remain about how he seemed to move undetected through the subway and travel from Brooklyn to Manhattan's East Village while being the subject of an intense manhunt. At a news conference announcing James' arrest before 2 p.m. Wednesday, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said an "all hands on deck" investigation and the work of hundreds of New York police detectives helped authorities close in on him. "We were able to shrink his world quickly," Sewell said. "There was nowhere left for him to run." A call alerting officers to James' location is believed to have come from the gunman himself, police sources said. With such a sprawling and vigorous pursuit, law enforcement experts had expected him to be found relatively quickly, as members of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security banded their vast resources. James is expected to appear Thursday in federal court in Brooklyn on charges related to the shooting. But getting to his arrest required law enforcement to first figure out who was behind the attack, which occurred Tuesday just before 8:30 a.m. on a subway nearing the 36th Street station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood, police said. The shooter was wearing a gas mask and a construction vest when he tossed two smoke canisters inside a Manhattan-bound N train as it approached the station. Then, police said, the gunman fired a barrage of 33 bullets, sending panicked commuters racing out of the train once it finally stopped. Wounded and bloodied people collapsed onto the subway platform. Story continues The shooter described by witnesses as being about 5-foot-5 and 180 pounds seemed to vanish in the chaos, and police were trying to determine whether he fled up the stairs or escaped through the tunnel. As it turned out, in what would help break the case early on, investigators said, he left behind evidence: the gun used in the shooting, as well as a bag with smoke canisters and fireworks, a hatchet, a spray bottle with gasoline and a fuse. In addition, investigators found a key. The key, senior law enforcement sources said, was traced to a U-Haul van with out-of-state plates. All those items left at the scene were major finds especially because cameras operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority inside the 36th Street station weren't working properly, law enforcement sources said. "He's not necessarily the brightest bulb in the circuit," former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said of the shooter. "And it's not that we, the police, are always so smart but that the criminals are so stupid. They help us in so many ways." Image: Members of the NYPD bomb squad inspect a U-Haul van believed to be linked to the suspect of a shooting on April 12, 2022 in New York City. (David Dee Delgado / Getty Images) Police said the U-Haul had been rented from Philadelphia. They said they were able to determine the name of the customer Frank R. James and put out an alert for the van's whereabouts. Meanwhile, a man in a section of Brooklyn known as Gravesend had had a conversation with the superintendent of his building about a U-Haul with Arizona plates that had been blocking a driveway since Monday. After he heard the news that police were searching for a similar U-Haul and realized that the subway line that connects to the 36th Street station is nearby, the man decided to call 911, NBC New York reported. Police descended on the van. While they didn't find James, they discovered a table, chairs and memory foam pillows inside, as if someone had been living in it, senior law enforcement sources said. Police used security cameras from the area to determine a description of its driver and found grainy video evidence of a person who appeared to be the shooter entering the nearby subway station, carrying a bag that looked similar to the one that was recovered later. Meanwhile, as one branch of the investigation was making headway, investigators focusing on the firearm a 9 mm Glock handgun were trying to determine its origin. Using the serial number, they were able to tie the weapon to a pawn shop in Columbus, Ohio. Twelve hours after the subway shooting, ATF officials said, they learned it had been purchased in 2011, as well as the buyer: Frank R. James. The mounting evidence helped shift James from a person of interest into law enforcement's main suspect as of Wednesday morning. Besides Philadelphia, authorities said, James also had an address in Wisconsin. His exact ties to New York or why he would have been in Brooklyn werent immediately clear. Police said Wednesday that a criminal record includes nine arrests in New York from 1992 to 1998 on charges of possession of burglary tools, criminal sex act and theft of service, as well as three previous arrests in New Jersey in the 1990s and 2007 on charges of trespassing, petty larceny and disorderly conduct. All of the charges were misdemeanors, officials said, which wouldn't have stopped him from purchasing a gun. Upon learning of his identity, police confirmed social media posts they said he made, including a video from the YouTube channel Prophet of Truth 88, a platform where he appeared to express controversial views and go on lengthy, profanity-filled rants. He also seemed to talk about death in several videos and the desire to "exterminate" certain groups of people in one clip. In a video posted Monday, James appeared to say he had experienced the desire to kill people, but he didn't want to go to jail. In one uploaded March 18, he appeared to claim he has severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Tracking down those who know James was crucial, said Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD detective and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "We also want to make sure that there wasn't anyone else who was helping him," Giacalone said. But what James had been doing between the shooting up to his arrest must also be fleshed out in the investigation. Police said Wednesday that James fled the shooting by boarding a train at the station and exiting after only one stop. But almost an hour after the shooting, at around 9:15 a.m., James was back on the subway in another section of Brooklyn known as Park Slope, police said. At some point, he traveled to Manhattan's East Village. Someone called in a tip to Crime Stoppers that a man matching his description was inside a McDonald's restaurant there. But when police got there, he was gone, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said. Police sources said they believed that James also called the tip line saying he was at a McDonald's. "This is Frank. You guys are looking for me. My phone is about to die," the caller said, according to the sources. Police scoured the scene and apprehended James nearby without incident, Essig said. Big Lee Lloyd, whose East Village bar, The Hard Swallow, is located a block from where police grabbed James, said the suspect's arrest "happened so quickly." "He didn't struggle at all," Lloyd said. "They took him in the squad car and took him away." ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) A jury convicted a British national Thursday for his role in an Islamic State group hostage-taking scheme that took roughly two dozen Westerners captive a decade ago, resulting in the deaths of four Americans, three of whom were beheaded. In convicting El Shafee Elsheikh, the jury concluded that he was one of the notorious Beatles, Islamic State captors nicknamed for their accents and known for their cruelty torturing and beating prisoners, forcing them to fight each other until they collapsed and even making them sing cruel song parodies. Surviving hostages testified that the Beatles delighted themselves rewriting Hotel California as Hotel Osama and making them sing the refrain You will never leave. The guilty finding came even though none of the surviving hostages could identify Elsheikh as one of their captors. Although the Beatles had distinctive accents, they always took great care to hide their faces behind masks and ordered hostages to avoid eye contact or risk a beating. Prosecutors suggested in opening statements that Elsheikh was the Beatle nicknamed Ringo but only had to prove that Elshiekh was one of the Beatles because testimony showed that all three were major players in the scheme. Elsheikh, who was captured by the Kurdish-led Syrian defense Forces in 2018, eventually confessed his role in the scheme to interrogators as well as media interviewers, acknowledging that he helped collect email addresses and provided proof of life to the hostages families as part of ransom negotiations. But testimony showed that he and the other Beatles were far more than paper pushers. The surviving hostages, all of whom were European the American and British hostages were all killed testified that they dreaded the Beatles appearance at the various prisons to which they constantly shuttled and relocated. Surviving witness Federico Motka recounted a time in the summer of 2013 when he and cellmate David Haines were put in a room with American hostage James Foley and British hostage John Cantlie for what they called a Royal Rumble. The losers were told theyd be waterboarded. Weak from hunger, two of the four passed out during the hourlong battle. Story continues The jury deliberated for four hours before finding Elsheikh guilty on all counts. Elsheikh stood motionless and gave no visible reaction as the verdict was read. He now faces up to a life sentence in prison. Several victims family members, who were present throughout throughout the three-week trial, fought back tears as the guilty counts were read. Praise God! Im so thankful, said Diane Foley, the mother of James Foley, after the verdicts came in. Im so proud of the American justice system. El Shafee Elsheikh was treated with a great deal of mercy. He had four attorneys. Hopefully we were able to turn this into justice, not revenge. She contrasted what she said was the stellar work of the prosecution with what she said was the inaction of government to bring Foley and the other Americans home when they were hostages. When we really needed to bring the full force of the government to bear to bring them home, that failed, she said. They were abandoned. She said she hopes the case brings attention to the more than 60 Americans who are being held hostage or wrongly detained around the world. The convictions on all eight counts in U.S. district court in Alexandria revolved around the deaths of four American hostages: Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. All but Mueller were executed in videotaped beheadings circulated online. Mueller was forced into slavery and raped multiple times by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before she was killed. They were among 26 hostages taken captive between 2012 and 2015, when the Islamic State group controlled large swaths of Iraq and Syria. Defense lawyers acknowledged that Elsheikh joined the Islamic State group but said prosecutors failed to prove he was a Beatle. They cited a lack of clarity about which Beatle was which, and back in the trials opening statement cited the confusion about whether there were three or four Beatles. Prosecutors said there were three Elsheikh and his friends Alexanda Kotey and Mohammed Emwazi, who all knew each other in England before joining the Islamic State. Emwazi, who as known as Jihadi John and carried out the executions, was later killed in a drone strike. Kotey and Elsheikh were captured together in 2018 and brought to Virginia in 2020 to face trial after the U.S. promised not to seek the death penalty. Kotey pleaded guilty last year in a plea bargain that calls for a life sentence but leaves open the possibility that he could serve out his sentence in the United Kingdom after 15 years in the U.S. Kotey will be formally sentenced April 29. Elsheikh will be sentenced Aug. 12. But on Thursday the judge in the two cases, T.S. Ellis III, ordered that Elsheikh appear at Koteys hearing as well so that he will hear victim impact testimony that will presented ahead of Koteys sentencing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. El Shafee Elsheikh, a member of the notorious Islamic State kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles," was found guilty of all charges on Thursday for the deaths of four American hostages in Syria. A federal jury convicted Elsheikh, 33, a former British national, of eight counts after a two-week trial, the most significant prosecution of an IS militant in the United States. Elsheikh was charged with hostage-taking, conspiracy to murder US citizens -- journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller -- and supporting a terrorist organization. "This is a day that we didn't need bombs or bullets to bring justice," said Foley's mother Diane. "I really feel that justice prevailed." Mueller's father also welcomed the guilty verdicts, delivered after a grueling trial in US District Court in Alexandria near the capital Washington. "We all saw the American justice system do what it does best," said Carl Mueller, whose wife, Marsha, testified about the eventually fruitless negotiations with the hostage-takers, who were demanding five million euros in exchange for their daughter. The 12-person jury deliberated for less than six hours over two days before reaching the verdict. Elsheikh, bearded and wearing a Covid facemask, did not display any visible reaction as it was read but several relatives of the slain American hostages who were in the public gallery dabbed at their eyes. Elsheikh and another former "Beatle," Alexanda Amon Kotey, 38, were captured by a Kurdish militia in Syria in January 2018 and handed over to US forces in Iraq. They were flown to the United States in 2020 to face trial. Kotey pleaded guilty in September 2021 and faces life in prison. He is to be sentenced on April 29. Elsheikh, who was stripped of his citizenship by Britain, is to be sentenced on August 12 and also faces the prospect of life behind bars. "The sentence he's going to get is probably worse than a death sentence," Carl Mueller said, adding that he expected him to be sent to the spartan prison known as "Supermax" in Colorado. Story continues - 'Does not bring back the dead' - The question of identification hung over Elsheikh's trial because the "Beatles" always wore masks around the hostages and would blindfold them or force them to kneel facing a wall. Defense attorney Nina Ginsberg argued that while Elsheikh may indeed have been an IS fighter and the "Beatles" were responsible for "brutal" acts, prosecutors had not proved he actually was a "Beatle." Besides taking American hostages, Elsheikh and the other "Beatles" are accused of abducting some 20 other journalists and relief workers from Europe, Russia and Japan. Several were killed while others were released for ransoms. The hostage-takers were dubbed the "Beatles" by their captives because of their British accents. During the trial, prosecutors played media interviews for the jury during which Elsheikh acknowledged having interactions with some of the hostages. In the interviews conducted after his capture in Syria, Elsheikh admitted taking email addresses and proof of life questions from the captives and acknowledged he did not always show them "compassion." Ginsberg said Elsheikh only made the admissions 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. Nicolas Henin, a former French hostage who testified about his harrowing treatment in captivity, welcomed the verdict. "A terrorist crime opens a gaping wound in a society," Henin said. "Only justice can bring closure to such a monstrous chapter. "It does not bring back the dead, it does not heal all the pain, but it soothes." - 'Brutal legacy' - Ten former European and Syrian hostages testified at the trial accusing the "Beatles" of months of brutal treatment including beatings, electric shocks, waterboarding and mock executions. Foley, Sotloff and Kassig were beheaded by "Beatle" Mohamed 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 was later turned over to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who reportedly raped her repeatedly. IS announced Mueller's death in February 2015, IS said she was killed in a Jordanian airstrike, a claim disputed by US authorities. Baghdadi died during a US special forces raid in 2019. Emwazi was killed by a US drone in Syria in 2015. In his closing argument, prosecutor Raj 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," Parekh said. cl/dw YOUR OFFICIAL JAGUARS STATIONS: Find out what having the first overall pick in the NFL Draft means for Jacksonville off the gridiron on the Action Sports Jax Jags Nation Draft Night in Duval special on Thursday, April 28 at 7 p.m. on FOX30 The Jacksonville Jaguars have the first overall pick in the NFL Draft once again. The team announced that they will be holding a free event for fans to watch the draft and celebrate. The 2022 DUUUVAL Draft Party presented by Baptist Health will take place Thursday, April 28 at 6 p.m. at Dailys Place. The party is returning to Dailys Place for the first time since 2019. Gates 1 and 4 will open at 6 p.m., followed by live draft analysis and on-stage appearances by Head Coach Doug Pederson and select Jaguars players, including CB Shaquill Griffin. Fans who come to the party will have the chance to win autographed merchandise and purchase the official 2022 New Era Jaguars Draft Cap. At 8 p.m., fans can watch NFL Network coverage of the first round of the NFL Draft on three big screens inside the amphitheater. The general public can visit www.jaguars.com/officialdraftparty on Friday, April 15 to register for tickets. Jaguars Season Ticket Members will have early access to draft party tickets on Thursday, April 14 and should check their email for more information. STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories Download WJAX Apps FRANKLIN (Somerset) - A township man has been charged with laundering more than a half-million dollars from online romance scams into accounts in China, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Singapore and Mauritius. William Kwabena Goeh, 47, of the township's Somerset section, was one of four people charged with money laundering conspiracy by federal authorities. Goehl was arrested Wednesday and released on $100,000 bond. The others charged were Nana Yaw Marfo, 37, of Virginia; and Shannon Braxton, 45, and Chevon Braxton, 42, both of Maryland. Goeh and the others used bank accounts and accounts at credit unions to launder the proceeds obtained from victims of romance scams, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Several victims, many of whom were elderly, throughout the United States fell victim to romance scams after meeting individuals online who they thought were interested in a romantic relationship, Selinger said. Local: Why has a warehouse plan in Franklin drawn opposition from another towns mayor? The victims sent thousands of dollars to accounts controlled by Goeh, Marfo, the Braxtons and others, believing the money was being sent for the benefit of their online romantic interest, Selinger said. Goeh and Marfo opened up business bank accounts in the names of various entities to conceal the romance scam fraud proceeds. Goeh allegedly received at least $530,000; Marfo received at least $4.7 million; Shannon Braxton received at least $500,000; and Chevon Braxton received at least $1.3 million. The Braxtons withdrew a large portion of the fraud proceeds as cash, while Goeh and Marfo wired thousands of dollars overseas, Selinger said. Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Franklin NJ man charged with laundering in online romantic scam John Travolta attends the LA premiere of "The Fanatic" at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles in 2019. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File John Travolta shared a tribute to his late son Jett on Wednesday, the day Jett would have turned 30. "I miss you more than words can say. I think about you everyday. Happy Birthday," Travolta wrote. Jett died in 2009 after suffering a seizure during a family trip to the Bahamas. John Travolta honored his late son Jett Travolta in a social-media tribute on Wednesday, the day Jett would have turned 30 years old. The "Grease" actor, 68, shared a black-and-white Instagram photo of himself and Jett, whom he shared with his late wife Kelly Preston. The couple is also parents to Ella Travolta, 22, and Benjamin Travolta, 11. "My dearest Jetty, I miss you more than words can say. I think about you everyday. Happy Birthday. Love, your Dad," John captioned the photo. Ella left a comment on her father's post that reads: "Happy Birthday Jetty, we love you so much." While on a family vacation in the Bahamas in 2009, Jett hit his head on a bathtub after having a seizure and died. He was 16 years old. In the aftermath of Jett's death, John and Preston, who died of breast cancer in July 2020, set up The Jett Travolta Foundation. According to the charitable organization's website, it uses resources to "assist and provide relief" to children with special needs, among several other initiatives. The couple rarely spoke publicly about Jett's death in the years that followed, however Preston opened up about his health on a 2012 episode of "The Doctors." She said Jett had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and suffered seizures throughout his life, along with having Kawasaki Syndrome, an inflammatory disease most common in infants and children, when he was young. During an August 2021 episode of Kevin Hart's talk show "Hart to Heart," John recalled a recent conversation he had with Benjamin about mortality, during which he spoke about both his late son and late wife. Story continues After Preston died, the now 11-year-old worried that his father would die too, John explained. So, the actor gave his son a candid response. "Nobody knows when they're going to go or when they're going to stay. I said, 'Your brother left at 16 too young. Your mother left at 57. That was too young. But who's to say?' I said 'I could die tomorrow. You could. Anybody can,'" John told Hart. He continued: "So let's look at life, that [death is] part of life. You see, you don't know exactly. You just do your best at trying to live the longest you can." Read the original article on Insider US actor Johnny Depp attends the promotion of the animated series "Puffins" in Belgrade on October 19, 2021. Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images A witness called by Johnny Depp's legal team was dismissed from the stand on Thursday. Depp has accused ex-wife Amber Heard of defamation. The case is being tried in Virginia. Georgina Deuters was dismissed from the stand after admitting to watching clips of the trial online. The judge overseeing Johnny Depp's defamation trial against Amber Heard dismissed one of his witnesses on Thursday after the witness admitted to watching clips of the trial online. Georgina Deuters who also goes by Gina Deuters and is the wife of one of Depp's longtime employees and collaborators, Stephen Deuters was called to the stand by Depp's legal team on Thursday, the third day of testimony in the trial. Depp is suing Heard, claiming she ruined his career by insinuating that he physically abused her in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote. Heard responded with a countersuit claiming the actor assaulted her on 10 occasions throughout their relationship. Deuters, however, was dismissed from the stand shortly after describing how Heard offered her MDMA at Heard and Depp's wedding in 2015. Heard's lawyers then asked for a conference with Judge Penney Azcarate, who's presiding over the trial in Fairfax County court in Virginia. After speaking with the attorneys, the judge told jurors to leave the room, and then asked Deuters whether she watched any of the trial testimony prior to taking the stand. "I've seen clips of it online, yeah," Deuters said. Azcarate then told Deuters she was dismissed and could leave the courthouse. She said she'd strike Deuters's testimony from the record and that the jury will be told not to take what she said into consideration when they eventually deliberate. "The court is striking the testimony of Georgina 'Gina' Deuters from the record in its entirety," Azcarate told jurors when they returned. Depp's drug usage has become a focus point Before Deuters was excused she spoke about how she and her husband first met Depp in 2004, after working on his film "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." She said her husband started working exclusively with Depp from then on, first as an assistant and later as a writer and producer. Stephen Deuters still works for Depp. Story continues Deuters said the first time she met Heard was while she and Depp filmed "The Rum Diary." By the time she next saw Heard a couple of years later, during a premiere for the movie in London, Depp and Heard were together. She recalled hanging out with her husband, Depp, and Heard on another occasion after that premiere and feeling that Heard was being standoffish with her. Deuters said she was excited to spend time with Heard "because she was Johnny's new girl," but said Heard "didn't really engage" or "acknowledge" Deuters and her husband. "Which is fine," she said. "We're staff." Georgina Deuters, friend of Johnny Depp, testifies during the Depp vs Heard defamation case at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia on April 14, 2022. Shawn Thew/Pool via REUTERS Deuters said they connected more when they both spent time visiting their partners on the set of "The Lone Ranger" soon afterward. Deuters says she and Heard went shopping at vintage stores together and got coffee while on location for that film. She said Heard was "really lovely, really sweet" and that they would "get along really well." "She's very charming," Deuters said. Deuters said Heard opened up to her on that trip about relationship frustrations. Video: Former Irish mobster breaks down 7 Irish mob movie and TV scenes "I remember going for a coffee and she seemed frustrated. I don't think Johnny was ready to go public with their relationship yet and I think that was frustrating for her," Deuters recalled. Another incident that stuck out to her was a dinner during "The Lone Ranger" press tour. Deuters said she noticed Depp hiding a flute of champagne under the table during the dinner and secretly taking sips of it throughout the evening. "I just noticed she kind of saw that and was quite angry about it. I couldn't hear what was said but he seemed to get a telling off, which was kind of weird, like telling off a child," Deuters said. Actress Amber Heard is seen in Fairfax County Court in Virginia. Shawn Thew/Pool via REUTERS In her response to Depp's lawsuit, Heard said that Depp regularly assaulted her, often while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, saying he would become a "monster." The scope of Depp's drug use has become an issue in the trial. Both Deuters and Depp's sister, who testified at the start of the trial, have appeared to downplay any drug or alcohol problem on Depp's part. Deuters said she saw Depp drink and do drugs specifically, marijuana and cocaine in the nearly two decades she's known him. She said Depp "holds his liquor well" and that she's never seen him "drunk drunk." She said drinking made him "more jovial" and she never saw much of a difference in his personality when he took cocaine, which she estimated she witnessed him take about 20 times, during "celebratory" occasions. Following Deuters, lawyers for Depp played a deposition video from David Kipper, a doctor who treated Depp for substance abuse. He said Depp told him he became addicted to opioids after a medical procedure, and sought help to treat his drug addiction and detoxify. Heard sometimes administered drugs used to help detoxify Depp, Kipper testified. Read the original article on Insider Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images US District Court Judge Reggie Walton said Donald Trump is a threat to democracy. Walton made the comments Thursday following the conviction of a January 6 defendant. Walton was appointed by former President George W. Bush. A federal judge on Thursday called Donald Trump a threat to democracy, accusing the former president of instigating a mob of "weak-minded" followers to attack the US Capitol on January 6, Politico reported. "I think our democracy is in trouble," US District Judge Reggie Walton said, "because, unfortunately, we have charlatans like our former president who doesn't, in my view, really care about democracy but only about power." Walton, who was appointed to the DC Circuit by former President George W. Bush, lashed out at Trump after the jury trial of a January 6 insurrectionist. Dustin Thompson, 38, was convicted of obstructing Congress as it tried to certify President Joe Biden's victory a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. According to prosecutors, he walked to the US Capitol after Trump implored his supporters to "fight like hell," breaking into the Senate parliamentarian's office and stealing a bottle of liquor. Testifying Wednesday, Thompson said he felt that he was merely following "presidential orders" that day. His attorney, in closing arguments on Thursday, likewise blamed Trump. "You had, frankly, a gangster who was in power," defense lawyer Samuel Shamansky told the jury. "The vulnerable are seduced by the strong," he argued. "That's what happened." Read the original article on Business Insider Apr. 13WILKES-BARRE A Luzerne County jury deliberated for about one hour before announcing they found Malik Macon guilty of illegally possessing a loaded firearm at the scene of a Hanover Township shooting in August 2020. The verdict reached Wednesday ended a quick trial over the course of two days before President Judge Michael T. Vough. Macon, 29, formerly of Boland Avenue, Hanover Township, was charged by township police for engaging in a shootout at the gasoline pump islands of Starr Convenient Mart on South Main Street on Aug. 6, 2020. Macon's trial this week was only on a weapon's charge. His trial on aggravated assault, simple assault and firearms not to be carried without a license related to the shooting is scheduled for May. Assistant District Attorney Drew McLaughlin said Macon is prohibited from owning, carrying and possessing a firearm due to a 2015 drug conviction. During the trial, McLaughlin showed jurors surveillance footage from the service station showing a man wearing a blue surgical mask next to a 2019 Audi A5 parked next to gas pumps, and a man reportedly Taquil Lashemel Baley, 22, parking next to other pumps driving a Chrysler 300. Macon's attorney, Charles Ross, said there was no way of telling the man wearing the surgical mask was Macon. Ross told jurors during his closing arguments there was no testimony from Hanover Township police Det. Eric Richardson, Police Chief David Lewis and state police Trooper Ed Urban saying the masked man was Macon. Ross further told jurors Macon was an easy target because he is black and there was no evidence Macon was at the service station. Lewis testified Macon acknowledged to being at the service station arriving first when he consented to being questioned without an attorney. "There were only two people there, Mr. Baley and Mr. Macon. He (Macon) waited locked and loaded waiting for Mr. Baley. He's a person who should never have a gun under Pennsylvania law," McLaughlin told jurors during his closing arguments. Story continues Video footage showed Baley exiting the Chrysler and exchanging words with Macon before Baley enters the store. Macon, who did not purchase or pump gasoline into his Audi, sat inside his vehicle and was recorded retrieving what McLaughlin said as a firearm. Macon continued to wait two to three minutes for Baley to exit the store. When Baley did exit and enter his vehicle, McLaughlin said footage showed Macon firing multiple rounds that struck the rear driver's side door of Baley's Chrysler. In return, Baley allegedly discharged multiple rounds from a firearm he retrieved. Urban testified he recovered two spent projectiles from the inside of the door of Baley's Chrysler. Vough said he will sentence Macon upon the completion of his trial on the aggravated assault case. Jurors on Thursday convicted a Miami-Dade police officer who was accused of unlawfully tackling a woman to the ground, then writing an arrest report riddled with lies. The jury deliberated just over an hour in convicting Alejandro Giraldo of charges of battery and official misconduct. Prosecutors had charged Giraldo after body-camera footage emerged showing him tackling a woman named Dyma Loving, who had called police in March 2019 to report that a neighbor in South Miami-Dade had pointed a shotgun at her. Instead, Loving wound up in handcuffs and jailed after she and Giraldo traded heated words. The footage of a Black woman and crime victim roughed up by a Hispanic police officer sparked outrage among community groups, while Giraldos defense attorney insisted he acted lawfully only to subdue an unruly woman interfering with an investigation. The jury consisted of two Black women, one Hispanic woman and three Hispanic men. The trial took place nearly three years after the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office first charged Giraldo in what has been a slew of prosecutions of officers for rough arrests. As protests and concerns have mounted across the country over police tactics in recent years, South Florida prosecutors have become more aggressive in targeting cops suspected of using excessive force. At least nine police officers from four different police agencies in Miami-Dade County are awaiting trial on allegations they battered suspects while on the line of duty. That includes five Miami Beach cops accused of unlawfully attacking a handcuffed suspect in the lobby of a South Beach hotel. Miami, Fla., March 19, 2019 - Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump (center) stands with family members of Latasha Walton during a press conference Tuesday, March 19, to address the shooting death of Latasha Walton on March 12 by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. He was joined by the NAACP and Dyma Loving, a 26-year-old black woman who was unjustly targeted and handled by Miami-Dade police on March 5. Crump has been retained by the family to seek justice for Walton, who was a mother of two. But in Miami-Dade, the states track record on similar cases has not been stellar. Three officers in separate cases have been acquitted at trials since 2019, underscoring the difficulty in convicting officers who are given wide leeway under the law to use force to make arrests. READ MORE: PROSECUTORS ARE CHARGING SOUTH FLORIDA COPS FOR ROUGH ARRESTS. JURORS KEEP ACQUITTING THEM Story continues The most high profile conviction was that of North Miami police officer Jonathon Aledda, who fired his weapon at an autistic man holding a silver toy truck, hitting the mans caretaker whom he believed had been taken hostage. But in February, a Miami appeals court overturned the conviction. Prosecutors declined to try the case again. In Broward County, results havent been much better. In February, an appeals court affirmed a trial courts ruling that a Broward Sheriffs deputy acted in self-defense in roughing up a teen during an arrest (he still faces charges related to allegedly falsifying the police report). This month, a jury acquitted Broward deputy Kevin Fanti of allegations he broke the law in punching a handcuffed detainee. In Giraldos case, hed responded to to Lovings call on March 5, 2019. Loving and her friend had called police after a neighbor had called her and friend, Adrianna Greene, hookers and yelled racial epithets at them as they passed by on the sidewalk in front of his home. Then, they said, he pointed a shotgun at them. When officers arrived, Loving and Greene were on the street corner, explaining what happened to a group of Miami-Dade police officers, body-camera footage showed. Look at the two young ladies. Theyre standing there, calm, talking to officers, cooperating, prosecutor Tim VanderGiesen told jurors during closing arguments on Thursday. READ MORE: MIAMI-DADE POLICE OFFICER CHARGED OVER ROUGH TAKE-DOWN OF WOMAN CAUGHT ON VIDEO. It wasnt until Giraldo arrived that Loving raised her voice and implored him to arrest the gunman. Youre being disorderly rightly now, Giraldo yelled. The back and forth went on, with Loving becoming more emotional, crying out that she just had a gun pointed in my face. VanderGiesen told jurors Giraldo got offended because they were telling him to do his job. Body-cam and cellphone footage showed that Giraldo pushed Loving into a fence, then corralled her to the ground while officers handcuffed her. Instead, Loving was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence, charges that were later dropped. Police officers can put their hands on people to effectuate a lawful arrest. If the arrest is unlawful, they have no more rights than the rest of us. And he sure as heck cant tackle her to the ground, said VanderGiesen, who tried the case with Assistant State Attorney Valeska Alvarado. The arrest report was filled with lies aimed at justifying the bad arrest, prosecutors said. Among them: that Loving was causing a scene and was being uncooperative. But Giraldos defense lawyer, Andre Rouviere, contended that the two women were the ones who were riled up and Loving was out of control. What you see there isnt a crime. What you see there is a police officer working the streets, dealing with a situation and maybe his bedside manner was off, Rouviere told jurors. When he arrested Dyma Loving, it was after warning after warning that she was being disruptive. The Republican-dominated Kentucky state House and Senate each voted to override Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto on an abortion bill Wednesday, a move that is expected to temporarily shutter the two abortion facilities that currently operate in the state. H.B. 3 echoes the Mississippi law at the center of the Supreme Court case Whole Women's Health v. Jackson the case in which the Court is expected to overturn the abortion precedent of Roe v. Wade (1973) by banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for the life or health of the mother. The law also imposes additional reporting requirements in regards to medication abortions and stipulates that abortion facilities must work with a funeral home to dispose of fetal remains through individual burial or cremation. MARYLAND DEMS OVERRIDE GOVERNOR'S VETO TO FUND ABORTION TRAINING, ALLOW NON-DOCTORS TO PERFORM ABORTIONS Since the bill is framed as an emergency measure, the law will go into immediate effect. The state's two abortion facilities said they would be unable to comply with some new requirements immediately, so they would stop offering abortions in the state unless a court blocks the law's implementation, The Wall Street Journal reported. Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky, speaks during a news conference in Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Jon Cherry/Bloomberg via Getty Images Beshear vetoed the bill Friday, faulting the bill for excluding exceptions for rape and incest. "Under House Bill 3, a 12-year-old child that is raped and impregnated by her father would not have the option of a procedure without both the consent of her mother and without also notifying her rapist her father at least 48 hours prior to obtaining a procedure," the governor wrote. COLORADO GOV. POLIS SIGNS BILL CREATING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO ABORTION; DENYING ANY RIGHT FOR THE UNBORN "Furthermore, House Bill 3 is likely unconstitutional," he added, citing statutes in Texas and Louisiana that the Supreme Court previously struck down. He noted that H.B. 3 "requires physicians performing nonsurgical procedures to maintain hospital admitting privileges in geographical proximity to the location where the procedure is performed," a restriction that the Court struck down. He also noted that the bill would create three new full-time positions and create a program estimated to cost $1 million but the bill does not appropriate any funds for these purposes. Story continues Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky on July 29, 2019. Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Yet the state's House of Representatives voted to override his veto, 76 to 21, and the Senate concurred, 31 to 6. The law's proponents say it contains common-sense requirements to ensure the dignity of fetal remains and protect women's health by more closely tracking potential complications from medication abortions. Addia Wuchner, executive director of Kentucky Right to Life and a former Kentucky legislator, said politicians spent years crafting the regulations and working with groups to ensure that they can be implemented. "Theres no wording in there that would totally restrict or ban abortion," Wucher told The Wall Street Journal. Abortion providers said there is no way for them to comply with the law as of yet, in part because some of the additional forms they need to file do not yet exist. They also raised concerns about finding funeral homes that would agree to work with them to dispose of fetal remains. Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union announced their intent to file lawsuits in Kentucky federal court, aiming to freeze the law's implementation. 71% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT ABORTION RESTRICTIONS: POLL "Along with Planned Parenthood, we're fighting to immediately block this law and ensure that people in Kentucky can continue to get the abortion care they need," the ACLU announced on Twitter. Pro-life advocates hailed the legislature's move, however. "Were proud of the Kentucky Legislature for standing up to pro-abortion Governor Beshear," Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said in a statement Wednesday. "Like most Americans, Kentuckians want commonsense safeguards for unborn babies and their mothers and reject abortion on demand. We thank all our allies who fought to get this legislation across the finish line, and we hope the U.S. Supreme Court will soon allow the people and their legislators nationwide to enact laws that save lives." States with Democratic legislatures have passed laws codifying abortion in case Roe gets overturned. Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., signed a law creating a "fundamental right" to abortion and denying any right for the unborn. In 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., signed a law codifying abortion rights and explicitly removing protections from unborn infants. Meanwhile, states with Republican legislatures have passed laws restricting abortion, with Texas and Idaho passing laws allowing private citizens to file civil suits against individuals who aid or abet abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, at about 6 weeks of pregnancy. Kesha is facing another setback in Dr. Lukes long-running defamation lawsuit against her, after a New York court ruled that the pop star cannot show jurors handwritten notes from 2006 that her attorneys have called critical evidence to her defense. Keshas attorneys say the notes, penned by one of her former attorneys, provide key evidence that she did not fabricate a story that Dr. Luke drugged her after a party the central claim of his defamation lawsuit. But a judge ruled in October that she waited far too long to introduce them into evidence. More from Billboard On Thursday (April 14), a New York state appeals court affirmed that ruling, ruling it would be unfair to Dr. Luke to allow Kesha not cite a document that she never introduced during four years of extensive discovery and brought forth two years after the deadline to do so. The new setback for Kesha came a month after the same court ruled Dr. Lukes case wasnt covered by New Yorks new free speech statute, which would have made it much harder for him to win his case. A trial is currently set for early next year, but could be pushed back by further appeals. Dr. Luke, whose full name is Lukasz Gottwald, filed his lawsuit against Kesha in 2014, claiming she had legally defamed him with a false and shocking allegation that he drugged and raped her after a 2005 party. He claimed she did so as leverage to secure a more lucrative deal. Years into the case, Keshas attorneys discovered handwritten notes taken in 2006 by Gregory Clarick, an attorney who represented Kesha in a previous clash with Dr. Luke. The notes purportedly showed that Kesha had disclosed to Clarick an incident in which Dr. Luke gave her a pill that caused her to black out on the night she claims he raped her. Story continues But in October, the trial judge overseeing Dr. Lukes case refused to allow Claricks notes into evidence. She ruled that the notes had never been disclosed during years of voluminous document discovery and throughout dozens of depositions and that Dr. Luke might have adopted a different strategy if they had been. Discovery deadlines are intended to prevent exactly this, the judge wrote. On appeal, Keshas lawyers argued that banning such critical evidence from trial would essentially amount to a miscarriage of justice. If Kesha is forced to defend herself while pretending these notes dont exist, she will be enormously prejudiced, they wrote. Nor would the public interest in the truth-seeking process be served by such a charade. Firing back, Dr. Lukes lawyers said the notes had been properly barred and that Keshas lawyers had grossly mischaracterized their importance to the case. Far from being critical evidence, the notes are extraordinarily unreliable, containing multiple levels of hearsay, Dr. Lukes lawyers wrote. They contain no accusation of rape, despite that accusation being the central component of [Kesha]s defamatory campaign. In Thursdays ruling, the appeals court sided with Dr. Luke and against Kesha. It ruled that the trial judge had providently exercised its discretion in refusing to admit the notes, since the belated disclosure of such evidence would have unfairly harmed Dr. Lukes ability to argue his case. Following the ruling, neither sides attorneys immediately returned requests for comment from Billboard. Click here to read the full article. Apr. 13AUGUSTA, Maine Lawmakers are on track to give a Maine tribe sweeping control over their water supply after the Democratic-led Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance a bill viewed with skepticism by Gov. Janet Mills. The effort from the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik comes in response to long-standing concerns about the public water at the Pleasant Point reservation. While it now tests as safe, it comes from a shallow lake and is discolored. Over the years, it has often had elevated levels of chemicals linked to cancer that are byproducts of chlorine needed to treat the water. The tribe owns two plots of land in the neighboring town of Perry on which it wants to explore a well, but the town passed an ordinance in 2014 effectively blocking the project. A bill from tribal Rep. Rena Newell would bypass the town by adding the land to the tribe's territory under a federal trust process and enshrining a federal partnership to manage the tribe's water. Newell's measure is one of several bills aiming to reshape state-tribal relations and the first to go to the floors of the Legislature in 2022. All of them can be read as an attempt from tribes to overhaul the terms of a 1980 land-claims settlement that gave Maine tribes money in exchange for being regulated like cities and towns. Other U.S. tribes have more power. The Senate passed the measure in a 21-11 vote on Wednesday, following a 103-35 tally in the House on Tuesday. Proponents said the state and town of Perry should not be able to block the tribe from seeking a new water source that meets their needs. "The state of Maine must set aside her painful paternalism towards the tribes and get out of the way," said Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop. Mills, a Democrat, has opposed key elements of a more sweeping tribal sovereignty overhaul in favor of a limited compromise that would hand a new mobile sports betting to the tribes. Her administration has criticized the measure for effectively subjecting the Passamaquoddy Water District, which also serves the city of Eastport, to two sets of regulators. Opponents of the measure, including most legislative Republicans, have criticized it for bypassing Perry and noted that a filtration system delayed by pandemic supply chain issues is set to come online this summer and could improve conditions. "Before we transfer land from the town of Perry to the reservation, I feel we should press the pause button," said Sen. Marianne Moore, R-Calais. Apr. 14LAWRENCE A city man convicted of the manslaughter of his wife has been sentenced to 18 to 20 years in state prison. Initially charged with murder, Joel Monegro, 35, was convicted by a jury of a the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter on March 29. Monegro was on trial for a week in Salem Superior Court for the murder of his wife, Yesenia, 28, on May 28, 2018, in their Doyle Street apartment. Jurors deliberated for roughly four hours before handing down the voluntary manslaughter conviction. Under state law, voluntary manslaughter describes a killing that is intentional but not premeditated. The maximum sentence for voluntary manslaughter was 20 years in state prison. Judge Thomas Dreschler sentenced Monegro, a father of five, on Monday afternoon in Salem Superior Court. A father of five children, Monegro faced life in prison without the possibility of parole had he been convicted of first degree murder. In her opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall said Yesenia suffered 30 stab wounds to her face, neck, torso, arms and back. Despite the "slash wounds," Yesenia was able to tell a Lawrence police officer it was Monegro, her high school sweetheart and husband, who stabbed her, MacDougall said. Yesenia was pronounced dead a short time later at a Boston hospital. The attack occurred after Yesenia learned Joel was having a second child with Toni Marie Eaton, a Lowell woman he'd been having an affair with, she said. Eaton was about four months pregnant when Yesenia was killed. Her first child with Monegro was born in September of 2016, she testified during the trial. Defense attorney Kevin Mitchell said Monegro acted in self defense on May 28, 2018 after stopping by the apartment to meet Yesenia and give her some money. Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter @EagleTribJill. Apr. 14METHUEN An 18-year-old Lawrence man was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday for the February shooting death of Ewdy Lopez. Lopez, of Kimball Road in Methuen, was found just before 5:30 a.m. on Feb. 17, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was brought to Lawrence General Hospital, where officials said he was pronounced dead. Yanuel Mejia is now accused of the murder. According to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara, Mejia was indicted this week for murder, carrying a firearm (subsequent offense) and possession of a loaded firearm. "Through a cooperative effort by the Essex State Police Detective Unit, Methuen and Lawrence Police detectives, he was arrested last night (Wednesday, April 13) in Lawrence," a joint statement reads. An arraignment is scheduled for Thursday. ROME (AP) Letizia Battaglia, an Italian photographer who documented the arrests of Mafia bosses and the bodies of their victims, has died in her native Sicilian city of Palermo. She was 87. Among the authorities announcing her death was Palermo Mayor Leoluca Orlando, who stood vigil next to her coffin during her wake in city hall on Thursday, a day after her death. No cause of death was cited, but Battaglia had been in frail health for some time. Much of her work, predominantly in black-and-white, explored the everyday lives of those who lived in Palermos poor neighborhoods, where Cosa Nostra bosses held sway. Battaglia photographed ordinary Sicilians in moments of grief and joy. Among her noted photos was that of the body of Sicilys assassinated governor being held by his brother, who 35 years later would be elected Italys president. Battaglia recounted how, on Jan. 6, 1980, she raced to the scene of a fatal shooting of a man in a car and began photographing it, before she knew who the victim was. Only shortly later would she learn that the deceased was the governor, Piersanti Mattarella, and that one of the men rushing to hold his body as it was removed from the car was his brother, Sergio, who 35 years later would become Italy's president. Asked frequently about that photograph, Battaglia would say that while she captured a scene of death, for her it represented a moment of hope as Sergio Mattarella would have the resolve and courage to follow a political career and later hold Italy's highest office. Besides death in Palermo's streets, Battaglia photographed their life. The cover photo of a book of her photographs, Palermo amore amaro (Palermo bitter love) features a thin young girl, almost an adolescent, holding a soccer ball in one hand and giving the camera a hard look as she leans against a graffiti-marred door in 1982 in Kalsa, a tough Palermo neighborhood. Another photo captures a girl, washing dishes in a home so poor, there's a toilet bowl in the kitchen. Other photographs show couples embracing at the beach or kissing in the countryside. Story continues Other photos by Battaglia capture scenes all too familiar to Palermo's people, especially in the 1980s, when Mafia clan turf wars bloodied the city. One 1983 photo shows three bodies one slumped on the ceramic floor, another on a couch and the third in an armchair in a triple homicide in an apartment. There there's the photo of a mother, advanced in years, holding the photo of her son, a radio journalist who dared denounce the local mobsters by name on the air and who was killed, tied to a railroad track and blown apart by sticks of dynamite stuffed into his clothes. Letizia Battaglia with her snapshots captured the souls of Palermo,'' Sen. Pietro Grasso, who formerly was Italy's top anti-Mafia prosecutor, wrote on Facebook in a condolence tribute. Those of the women and of the girls that she took photos of for all of her life, and the crime photos, of the Mafia, often arriving at the scene of the crime before the police forces." She captured the sorrow of the victims the arrogance of the mob bosses, the blood on the street, the protagonists in the fight against Cosa Nostra, Grasso said. Born in Palermo on March 5, 1935, she married when she was 16 and had three daughters. In her 30s, she began to take photographs, working in Milan but then hired by a Sicilian newspaper to work in Palermo. Battaglia's work was also published by major Italian newsweekly magazines L'Espresso and Panorama. Battaglia also spent several years in politics, serving as Palermo culture commissioner during one of Orlandos earlier administrations and as a representative in Sicilys regional legislature. Volcanic in personality, forever young in outlook, Battaglia, whose surname means battle in Italian, worked through her last months of failing health. One of her last assignments was the cover for 7, a weekly magazine of Corriere della Sera daily. The photo portrayed a 19-year-old Italian singer-songwriter, Ariete, In an interview in the Palermo amore amaro book, the interviewer notes at the end that the two of them in their conversation never spoke about the Mafia. Well, better, Battaglia replied. Why always talk about them. Let's step over them. Her family said her remains would be cremated and scattered in the sea near Palermo at her request. Apr. 13BORDEN The LifeSpring Foundation of Indiana is gearing up for its first in-person fundraiser since the start of the COVID pandemic. "Boots & Bling" will feature live music, line dancing, a wine and bourbon pull, vacation raffle and more. It's planned for May 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Huber's Barn #1. Anyone who wants to purchase a sponsorship or ticket can go to www.lifespringgala.org. "The goal is to really have a fun, new event to engage the community and to get people excited, raise awareness and raise funds," said LifeSpring Fundraising and Development Coordinator Shelley Dewig. The goal is to raise $50,000 for the foundation and the hope is to exceed the goal. Money will be used to support programs at LifeSpring that don't have a line on the budget or an outside grant they can depend on. "Things like hygiene items, furnishings for apartments for our homeless prevention program," Dewig said. "Art therapy, nature therapy programs, social elements for some of our group home facilities and also our client resource centers." In the past, LifeSpring Foundation funds have paid for trainings for staff as well to help them better serve clients. Currently about 14,000 people use LifeSpring's services each year. Dr. Beth Keeney, LifeSpring Health Systems CEO, said every week the agency provides about 9,000 services. The foundation started in the early 2000s and has grown in the past few years. "We think it'll be a really fun event and a unique opportunity to support the mission of LifeSpring and provide care and support to our patients," she said. One year after a man was shot to death in the Russell neighborhood, Louisville police announced a teenager has been arrested in connection with the homicide. Roderick Ballard, 29, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds by police near the intersection of W.J. Hodge and Madison Streets just before 6 p.m. on April 4, 2021. He was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital, where he died a few hours later. His killing was the city's 44th homicide of the year. Related: Louisville breaks homicide record with more than a month left in 2021. Here's what to know On Thursday, Louisville Metro Police announced a 17-year-old boy had been arrested in connection to the shooting. He was initially arrested April 13 on unrelated charges for another incident, then subsequently charged with one count of murder, according to LMPD. More headlines: Unidentified 'human upper extremity' found on bank of Ohio River in Louisville Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville police arrest teen in connection with 2021 homicide Georgia State University will award artist, actor and entrepreneur Ludacris with an honorary degree this spring. The university announced on their website Wednesday that Chris Ludacris Bridges is being honored for his support of Georgia States creative media arts and law programs. The multi-platinum Grammy award-winning artist is also being honored for his substantial commitment to the metro Atlanta community and his nationwide philanthropic endeavors, according to his nomination from Georgia State President M. Brian Blake. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Bridges took classes at Georgia State in the early 1990s before signing with Def Jam Records. We are proud that Chris Bridges got his start at Georgia State, Blake said. Our students in the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) and College of Law have benefited from learning from his career, and were excited to honor him as a member of the Panther family. Bridges joined Georgia States CMII as an artist-in-residence in 2019 where he mentored students and worked with CMII professors, focusing on entrepreneurship in the music and film industries. He also worked with the College of Law on one of the first offerings of a course called The Legal Life of TRENDING STORIES: He has gone on to become a cultural and philanthropic icon, representing Atlanta and giving back in many ways, Blake said. In 2001, he founded The Ludacris Foundation (TLF), a platform to serve youth and families in urban communities. Ludacris will receive his honorary degree at Georgia States commencement on May 4 at 9 a.m. at Center Parc Stadium. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, and it will be livestreamed at here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures) Mads Mikkelsen has spoken about taking over from Johnny Depp in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, calling the process chaotic. Mikkelsen, who plays the role of evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, replacing Depp in the role, spoke to Hollywood Reporter about the part. The Danish actor watched the first two Fantastic Beasts films in quick sucession before reading the script for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. He was given two days to decide if he wanted the role. It was quite chaotic, he commented. Mikkelsen also noted that previous reports about him wishing he could have spoken to Depp before appearing in the film have been overplayed. I wasnt like, Oh please let me talk to him, he said. It would have been great to touch bases, clean the room in a sense. Maybe Ill see him in the future. He again said that he refused to copy Depps own performance, saying that to do so would be creative suicide. When it came to approaching the part, he commented: You dont want to copy anything [Depp was] doing that would be creative suicide. Even if [a role has] been done to perfection, you want to make it your own. But you still have to build some sort of bridge between what came before. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is out in UK cinemas now with a US release set for 15 April. A bipartisan group of Texas legislators, comprising more than half of the state Senate, called on Texas officials to stop the controversial execution of Melissa Lucio, which is set for 27 April. This is an opportunity to prevent a miscarraige of justice that would undermine public trust in our legal system, they wrote in a letter sent to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Wednesday, a body which could recommend Governor Greg Abbott stop the execution. Ms Lucios case is one that gives even proponents of the death penalty pause, they added. The letter follows a similar message to state officials from the Texas House, where 83 lawmakers, another majority, said in late March the execution should stop. The system literally failed Melissa Lucio at every single turn, state representative Jeff Leach said at the time . As a conservative Republican myself, who has long been a supporter of the death penalty in the most heinous cases, I have never seen a more troubling case. The Independent has reached out to the board and the governor for comment. Melissa Lucio was arrested in 2007, after her daughter Mariah was found motionless on the floor of the crowded apartment where the family lived. The child showed signs of a broken arm untreated for weeks, a head injury, bite marks on her back, and bruises across her body. The official who carried out an autopsy on Mariah said it was one of the worst examples of child abuse she had ever seen. But advocates argue the prosecution was more focused on securing a headline-grabbing verdict than finding the truth. Lucio was subject to a coercive interrogation while she was pregnant that some experts say prompted a false confession, and a poor defence at trial failed to call her family as witnesses, even though they said she wasnt responsible for Mariahs injuries. There was no physical or bystander evidence linking her to the death, but she was given a death sentence anyway, while her husband got a four-year jail term. If the execution goes forward, she will be the first Latina woman executed in the modern history of capital punishment in the US. Story continues Since then, a growing movement of people, ranging from documentary filmmakers , to Kim Kardashian , to former jurors in the case , have now all spoken out and tried to stop the impending execution, arguing that the courts never got the full story. In an unlikely twist, law enforcement officials in Texas, the state that has executed the most people in modern US history, have also rallied against the case. Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz has said he will stop the execution. If defendant Lucio does not get a stay by a certain day, then I will do what I have to do and stop it, he announced this week . The Independent and the nonprofit Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) have launched a joint campaign calling for an end to the death penalty in the US. The RBIJ has attracted more than 150 well-known signatories to their Business Leaders Declaration Against the Death Penalty - with The Independent as the latest on the list. We join high-profile executives like Ariana Huffington, Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg, and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson as part of this initiative and are making a pledge to highlight the injustices of the death penalty in our coverage. A man is dead after a tire blew out on an 18-wheeler, causing it to careen into highway traffic in Texas, police say. The big rig, which was hauling gravel, was driving northbound on Interstate 10 in San Antonio around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, San Antonio police said in a release. A Toyota Corolla was in the left lane, next to the 18-wheeler, when a tire on the gravel-filled hauler suddenly burst. The truck swerved hard to the left, smashing into the Toyota sedan beside it, which then hit the concrete barrier dividing north and southbound lanes, police said. The car somehow mounted the barrier, coming to a stop on top of it, according to police. Video captured by passing motorists show the vehicle also caught fire. After it was hit, the Toyota sedan mounted the concrete barrier and burst into flames. The driver, a man in his 50s or 60s, was taken to a hospital where he died, SAPD said. He has not been identified. A Jeep Latitude was also hit, police said, but the driver had non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not comment on the condition of the 18-wheeler driver. An investigation into the crash is underway. Man gets out of SUV to confront teens, then it rolled and killed one, Texas cops say Goose flies into motorcyclists head, causing deadly crash in Pennsylvania, cops say Drunk driving suspect fatally hits deputy after fleeing crash scene, Texas cops say Man fleeing cops hit and killed dashing across highway, Washington police say A tracking device alerted Memphis Police to a large sum of money stolen from a local bank. On April 13 at approximately 10 a.m., MPD officers responded to a bank robbery at Evolve Bank and Trust in the 300 block of Shopping Way Boulevard. A large sum of money was taken, which sent an alert to MPD, according to an affidavit. The suspect fled the scene in a 2019 gray Dodge Durango. MPD followed the vehicle that the tracking device was pinging to, and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver refused. The Dodge Durango was later found in the 300 block of Boyd Street behind an abandoned home. When officers arrived, they saw money scattered all over the vehicle and making a trail through the backyards of houses, according to an affidavit. The vehicle also had a stolen Arkansas license plate, police said. Memphis Police officers walked up to a man that matched the clothing description of the suspect, who was sitting on the porch. The man, later identified as Clyde Dear, told the police he was at a relatives house. When officers made contact with the homeowner, the owner said theyd never met Dear. Dear was charged with Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun, Intentionally Evade Arrest in an Auto, Possession of a Firearm in the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000, and Theft of Property $1,000 or less. The amount of money stolen was approximately $30,000. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: BALTIMORE 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. 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. 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. Story continues 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 scored a victory earlier this year in legal challenges to a proposal for 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. 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. ______ The United States of America welcomed 23 new citizens Wednesday in Monroe. The participants traveled from different parts of the state to complete their naturalization with swearing-in ceremonies before Judge Terry Doughty and Judge Kayla McClusky in the U.S. Western District court. Naturalization is the process through which immigrants to the United States can become U.S. citizens. Countries of origins for the 23 new citizens included Vietnam, Nepal, Honduras, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and India. More new Americans: Honduran community builds, supports businesses in Monroe-West Monroe ULM: ULM faculty, staff celebration honors the history, struggles and accomplishments of women The ceremony Wednesday in Monroe is the last step in a long process. While the naturalization process normally takes approximately one year to complete, Zimbabwe native Jane Rubunya-Petite said her citizenship was delayed a year due to COVID. "I applied in July of 2020 and so it took a little bit longer which is funny because when I applied for my permanent residence, it was after [Hurricane] Katrina so even that took longer for me," Rubunya-Petite said. "It was a long process, a lot of paperwork. It's an expensive process too. It costs almost $1,000 and all of the traveling back and forth for the interview but in the end, it's all worth it." Having moved from Natchitoches to accept a job as a nursing manager at a hospital in Texas, Rubunya-Petite traveled back to Louisiana for the ceremony. "When I first came to the states, I worked at Disney World on their Cultural Exchange Program," Rubunya-Petite said. "I happened to meet and fall in love with somebody from here. We got married, so I decided to stay in the states." 23 people were sworn in as United States citizens at the U.S. Western District Courthouse in Monroe on Wednesday. Changes: NELA census data shows decreasing populations, increasing diversity COVID: Ouachita Parish reports 31 new COVID cases; Louisiana cases surge 39.3% Story continues Naturalization ceremonies are held at different federal courthouses in the state once a year, McClusky said. McClusky said the federal courthouse in Lake Charles was damaged during Hurricane Ida and is yet to be repaired. "Most of the people there today were from the Lafayette-Lake Charles area," McClusky said. "The Lake Charles courthouse is not in the mix right now because of that, so they have to travel up here to Monroe. We usually do one once a year at the Monroe courthouse and then the other courthouses do them at different times a year." Wednesday's ceremony was McClusky's first time performing a naturalization ceremony since being sworn as a magistrate judge in February 2021. "What I usually do is I handle all pretrial matters, criminal and civil cases, and I think the tasks that I do help with the administration of justice," McClusky said. "Those tasks are not always tasks that bring me joy or bring joy to the people that I'm having to detain in a criminal case or something like that, this case is an opportunity to help people take that final step. It is an honor and a privilege to administer the oath." Now a U.S. citizen, Rubunya-Petite said she is looking forward to voting and getting a passport. "Living as a permanent resident, other people are making decisions for you," Rubunya-Petite said. "You're bound to live with decisions other people make. So now I can vote and have a say." Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1. Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer. This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Monroe courthouse welcomes new citizens after being sworn in (Bloomberg) -- Mexican truckers protesting Texas Governor Greg Abbotts controversial border crackdown ended their blockade of a key international bridge and are switching to other crossing sites. Most Read from Bloomberg Commercial traffic has resumed over the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman said on Thursday. The crossing is where truckers upset about massive delays caused by Abbotts measure began a blockade on Monday. The blockade was called off after an organized criminal gang set fire to some of the trucks and then engaged in a gun battle with responding police officers, local media reported. Trucking groups have since shifted their attention to other crossing points, where overflow traffic from the initial protest already had created miles-long queues of vegetable, fruit, electronics and auto-parts cargoes, the reports said. Abbott ordered state troopers to begin safety inspections on northbound Mexican commercial trucks last week in what he described as an effort to crack down on undocumented immigrants and smuggling. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican like Abbott, warned earlier this week that the dispute would trigger food shortages and push the price of avocados to $5 apiece. We have called on Governor Abbott to stop these unnecessary and duplicative inspections that are choking a key trade artery into our country, White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday. (Adds White House comment in last paragraph. A previously version of the story contained an incorrect day of the week in the second paragraph.) Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. NextShark Indonesian officials announced on Friday that a Russian influencer and her husband will be deported from Bali after they staged a naked photoshoot on a sacred 700-year-old tree three years ago. Alina Fazleeva, who has over 18,000 followers on Instagram, staged a nude photoshoot in 2019 at a weeping paperbark tree inside Babakan temple grounds in the Tabanan Regency. In Balinese Hindu culture, elements of nature, such as trees and mountains, are considered a sacred home for the gods. Buffalo, WY (82834) Today Windy with a mix of clouds and sun. High 68F. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 41F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. A Michigan state lawmaker faces up to 93 days in jail after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence. State Rep. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Township, entered her plea earlier this week. The deal comes after her arrest in February, when Livonia police reportedly watched her try to drive a vehicle with two flat tires. Cavanagh, a first-term lawmaker and member of a politically prominent family, had a blood alcohol level that was more than twice the level at which someone can be convicted of drunken driving, according to police records. This is the second time she's been charged with a similar offense. Mary Cavanagh Her lawyer, Todd Perkins, and Livonia city attorney Paul Bernier confirmed the agreement. "I was not going to treat her any differently than I treat anyone else, either harsher or easier," Bernier said in a phone interview Thursday. "The goal is always to try and get them into some kind of treatment program." More: Redford Democrat charged on drunken driving allegation, did not inform speaker of arrest More: New vehicle safety feature could stop drunken drivers from taking the wheel As part of her plea, Cavanagh wants to be accepted into a program called sobriety court. After successful admission into and completion of the program, participants are able to drive with a restricted license and after installing a device the prevents a vehicle from starting without the driver passing a test to prove the person is not drunk. Bernier said not everyone who applies gets into the program, only those who "actually want to become sober." "Its about treatment, really. Its about treatment, counseling and really getting to the point where youre dealing with recovery for the rest of your life," Perkins said. Admission into the program does not necessarily prevent Cavanagh from receiving jail time, a fine or community service, Bernier said. Cavanagh, 30, is the latest in her family to serve in public office. Her father was a state lawmaker from from 2011 to 2015 and her grandfather, Jerome Cavanagh, was mayor of Detroit from 1962 to 1970. Story continues Rep. Cavanagh has taken an important step toward accountability and many important steps toward healthy behaviors. She has done this while serving her constituents faithfully, and we will continue to support her as she chooses as the legal process concludes," House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinskiof Scio Township said in a statement. More: Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones pleads guilty to operating while intoxicated, attempted escape More: GOP lawmaker from western Michigan gets 15 days in jail for drunken driving She is the third Michigan lawmaker this session to face punishment for charges related to drunken driving. State Rep. Jewell Jones, D-Inkster, was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to a slew of driving, alcohol and weapons charges after a 2021 arrest in Livingston County. In 2021, Rep. Brian Posthumus, R-Oakfield Township, was sentenced to 15 days in jail after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence. Cavanagh's sentencing is May 6. Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan lawmaker pleads guilty to operating vehicle while intoxicated Mickey Rourke has faced a backlash after sharing praise for disgraced film director, Roman Polanski. On Thursday 14 April, the actor posted a photo on Instagram of himself from behind the scenes of his latest movie, which he has been working on in Switzerland with the Polish-French director. Rourkes caption reads: End of the day, once again, a great pleasure to work with legendary and talented Roman Polanski. Working with such a director I feel is a great privilege his film has such integrity, style, class and unpredictability. You know, working with the man whos been in a film business nearly 60 yrs you can always learn something new. I usually do not have conversations with most directors but Roman Polanski is not just another director. God bless the man, I cant wait to do another film with him, Rourke added. Polanski became a fugitive of the US when he fled the country in 1978 after pleading guilty to the rape of a 13-year-old girl. Fans were shocked by the actors praise of the director, with many commenting on the post in horror. Promoting paedophiles. Unfollow, wrote one user. Jesus! You do know about his history with underage children? WTF Mickey!! God bless the man?? Are you losing your mind? another added. Someone commented: Polanski, you wouldnt let him babysit your kids how hes held in such high regard Il [sic] never know. One noted: A paedoph1le [sic] isnt a good person. While it hasnt been confirmed which movie the two are working on together, it was announced in 2021 that Polanski would return behind the camera for The Palace, set in Switzerland. Monique Elizabeth Carter, 35, plead guilty Wednesday to federal charges that she tampered with medication meant for patients in intensive care. Federal court documents show Carter, of Middleburg, was a registered nurse working at a Jacksonville hospital. The documents didnt state which hospital. The investigation started in September 2021 when a hospital pharmacist noticed that some fentanyl syringes had been tampered with. [RELATED: Fentanyl-related mass-overdose events prompt nationwide warning by DEA] After that, a supervisor noticed a pattern of Carter checking out doses of fentanyl for patients, then checking the syringes back into the hospitals inventory. A news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office said Carter admitted to removing fentanyl from syringes and replacing the drug with saline. She was then using fentanyl at home. She denied using the drug while on duty at the hospital. [RELATED: Fentanyl: What you need to know] Tampering with the drugs meant the critically ill patients she was caring for were receiving diluted drugs that were not safe or effective. Carter faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories A disabled Battle Ground woman who had been missing and considered endangered since November 2021 was found safe in Stites, Idaho, the FBI Seattle Field Office announced Thursday. 31-year old Marisol Cortes was taken from Battle Ground by a family member on Nov. 4, 2021. She was considered endangered because police believed she was being deprived of required daily medication. Law enforcement was able to identify Cortes after acting on a tip received as a result of media coverage and a Seeking Information poster which was originally issued by FBI Seattle on March 15, 2022. More news from KIRO 7 DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP CHISINAU (Reuters) - (This April 14 story makes clear in headline and first paragraph that Moldova did not directly accuse the Russian army, and corrects day on which minister made comments; in fourth and fifth paragraph adds context of minister's remarks and corrects exact wording of quote) Moldova said on Wednesday that reports that Russia's army was trying to recruit Moldovan citizens were dangerous and that it was regularly discussing all matters of concern with Russian officials, in response to a question about the Ukraine war. The comments came days after British military intelligence said that Moscow was trying to replenish its forces in Ukraine by recruiting in the breakaway Transdniestria region. Transdniestria is a narrow strip of land held by pro-Russian separatists that runs along the east of Moldova and comes to within about 25 miles (40 km) of the Ukrainian port of Odesa. Responding to a question from local journalists about alleged Russian attempts to recruit people in Transdniestria, Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu said: "These are not actions that contribute to peace for all of us, for our citizens, for our families, and these are dangerous things and should be discouraged". "There are a series of regular meetings between my colleagues at the Foreign Ministry and the ambassador of the Russian Federation, where Moldova is clearly articulating its position." Moscow's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Reuters was not able to verify whether Russia's army has been trying to recruit Moldovans. On Thursday, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said that Russia was massing troops in several areas including Transdniestria for a "further escalation" in Ukraine. Moldova said last month that it was monitoring the situation in Transdniestria, where an estimated 1,500 Russian troops are based, but that it had not seen significant changes since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started on Feb. 24. Story continues Transdniestria's authorities denied on Monday Russia was conducting any military preparations on its territory that threatened Ukraine. The region's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday about the remarks by Ukraine's Malyar. Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" to destroy Ukraine's military capabilities and root out what it views as dangerous nationalists, but Ukraine and the West say Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression. (Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Additional reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alexander Winning; Editing by William Maclean and Frances Kerry) How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at 50? Most Americans have less in their retirement accounts than theyd like, and much less than the rules say they should have. So, obviously, if that describes you then youre not alone. Now, most financial advisors recommend that you have between five and six times your annual income in a 401(k) account or other retirement savings account by age 50. With continued growth over the rest of your working career, this amount should generally let you have enough in savings to retire comfortably by age 65. Consider working with a financial advisor as you flesh out your retirement plan. What Your Retirement Savings Should Look Like by Age 50 Financial experts sometimes suggest planning for your retirement income to be about 80% of your pre-retirement income. So, for example, someone who earned $100,000 per year going into retirement would plan on having about $80,000 per year while retired. The reason for this discrepancy is that most households tend to have fewer needs and responsibilities while in retirement, and therefore fewer expenses. The only major exception to this rule is when it comes to healthcare. You should expect those costs to rise in your later years. To make your savings last, financial experts recommend that you plan on withdrawing about 4% per year from your retirement fund. This will depend on three main factors: How much money you have in your retirement fund The average rate of return that your retirement fund generates Your anticipated Social Security income So, for example, say you plan on needing $80,000 per year in retirement. First, you should look up how much money you can expect each month from Social Security. This income will depend on how much you made during your working life, as well as when you choose to retire. If you are an average Social Security recipient it will come to approximately $1,650 a month, or $19,800 a year. So you should plan on withdrawing an additional $60,200 per year to make up the difference. Story continues Applying the 4% rule of thumb, $60,200/0.04, suggests that this household will want about $1.5 million in their retirement fund. Other, more conservative, recommendations suggest making these plans without accounting for Social Security. In that case, you would want about $2 million in your retirement fund. Don't miss out on news that could impact your finances. Get news and tips to make smarter financial decisions with SmartAsset's semi-weekly email. It's 100% free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today. The 4% rule may entail withdrawing too much. It comes from, in part, conservative estimates of your retirement funds returns. By the time you retire you should have shifted your portfolio to safe assets. Many retirement funds, with comparatively safe assets, will have a return rate of around 3% to 5% by this point, allowing you to hover right around the replacement rate for your withdrawals. So someone who earns $100,000 per year will want to have around $1.5 million in their retirement fund by age 65. At age 50, then, many experts suggest that this retiree would need to have at a bare minimum around $600,000 up in a 401(k), or other tax-advantaged account. That would give the retiree 15 years to boost their retirement nest egg by an additional $900,000, or grow by an average of $60,000 annually for each of the next 15 years. That is unlikely to happen without significant capital appreciation in the retirees tax-advantaged account. Many advisors recommend seeking a rate of return around 7% to 8% to reach the needed $1.5 million. Reaching the Retirement Finish Line How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at 50? Besides making sure that the asset allocation of your retirement fund is sufficiently aggressive, there are at least four other steps you can take to get from $600,000 at 50 to $1.5 million at 65. Max Out Your Catch-Up Contributions This is the most important thing you can do. The IRS limits how much you can contribute to 401(k), individual retirement account (IRA) and Roth IRA in a single year. After you turn 50 it raises the cap, allowing you to make what are called catch up contributions. In 2022, for example, most workers can only contribute up to $20,500 to their 401(k) account. However, anyone age 50 or older can contribute up to $27,000. That extra $6,500 is significant, and between age 50 and age 65 it has time to add up to something very real. Take advantage of it. Open Simultaneous Retirement Funds The IRS allows you to contribute to a 401(k), an IRA and a Roth IRA in the same year. However, there is overlap between the contribution limits for an IRA and a Roth IRA. If you are already maximizing your contribution limits to your 401(k) but are still concerned that it isnt enough, consider opening an IRA or a Roth IRA to supplement your savings. Doing so will allow you to put money into multiple retirement accounts at the same time, helping you to boost your savings considerably. If you already have simultaneous retirement accounts, consider simply opening an earmarked account. Even though it wont see the same tax advantages, theres no reason that you cant save for retirement with an ordinary investment portfolio. You can put as much money into it as you like then just plan on leaving it there for retirement. Manage Debt, Manage Spending An excellent way to free up some cash is to stop making interest payments on debt. If you have existing debt, paying it off more quickly will reduce the amount that you spend on interest and fees. This will, in turn, give you more cash to dedicate toward your retirement account. When it comes to long-term debt, like a mortgage, paying it off more aggressively can also reduce your potential expenses in retirement. You wont have to make those payments, which can reduce the amount of money youll need each month once youve stopped working. At the same time, consider your overall lifestyle. If you think you may not have enough for your retirement, are there ways that you can shift your lifestyle over the long run that will reduce expenses? Is there someplace less expensive you could live, for example? This isnt as simple as skipping your morning latte. Instead, consider whether you can shift your monthly needs in a way that might significantly change your budget both today and in retirement. Consider Working More and Retiring Later If you dont have enough money to fund additional retirement accounts, consider taking on additional work to earn that money. This can range from freelance or gig work to a formal part-time job. This is not a recommendation we make lightly. By the time youre in your 50s, the last thing most people will want to do is hustle. However, secondary work is a good way to boost your finances, and if you need the money for retirement then it has to come from somewhere. More importantly, while it would be unpleasant to need a second job at 55, it would be far worse to need a job at 75. Working today might help ensure that you dont have to do so tomorrow. The jump in Social Security payments from normal retirement age to 70 is significant. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, If you start receiving benefits at age 66 you get 100% of your monthly benefit. Should you start receiving retirement benefits at age 67, youll get 108% of the monthly benefit because you delayed getting benefits for 12 months. If you start receiving retirement benefits at age 70, youll get 132% of the monthly benefit because you delayed getting benefits for 48 months. Bottom Line How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at 50? Most financial experts suggest that retirees should have around five to six times their annual income saved up in their retirement account by age 50. If you havent hit that mark, its probably a good time to maximize catchup contributions and consider opening one or more additional retirement accounts. In addition, make sure your investments are poised for capital appreciation, which of course entails more risk, and cut your discretionary spending. Tips on Retirement Planning We can all use help with our finances, and never more so than when its time to save for retirement. Thats where a financial advisor can offer valuable guidance and insight. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Use SmartAssets 401(k) calculator to get a quick estimate of how much youll have in your 401(k) by the time you retire. Photo credit: iStock.com/Andranik Hakobyan, iStock.com/AndreyPopov, iStock.com/DNY59 The post How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at 50? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. (Correction: An earlier version of this article listed the wrong amount for the 2021-22 stipend, mistakenly citing an initial proposal rather than the final amount approved. We regret the error.) MUNCIE, Ind. Working at schools throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has required a lot of extra: extra effort, extra precautions, extra time. So Muncie Community Schools is providing its staffers with some extra pay. The Muncie School Board voted Tuesday to pay stipends of $2,000 to full-time staffers who've worked throughout the current school year, and $1,000 to part-time staffers or those hired after Jan. 1, 2022. Those on full-time leave for part of the school year will receive a pro-rated stipend based on how much of the year they worked. The district awarded a stipend last April using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund II (ESSER II) coronavirus relief funds. This year's stipend is being paid from the MCS Education Fund instead, according to Andy Klotz, MCS chief communications officer. The reasoning behind the bonus pay each time has been the same: rewarding school employees for taking on extra duties and effort to keep schools functioning safely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More: Muncie Schools now enrolling for 2022-23 The proposal for the 2021-22 pandemic stipend noted that approximately 575 MCS employees could be eligible to receive the funds in their next paycheck. The one-time payments for this year follow a wage increase approved last May and effective this school year, which raised certified teaching staffers' base pay by amounts ranging from an additional $3,500 to $4,300 based on years of experience. Those raises totaling $1,346,900 for the district were covered by increased K-12 education funding allocated by the Indiana General Assembly. STAY INFORMED AND SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe today using the link at the top of this page. Administrators change jobs Among various personnel changes approved by the board on Tuesday were several administrators taking on new roles. Story continues Dea Bell, currently the director of elementary education, was named assistant superintendent beginning July 1 at a salary of $120,000 a year. Bell who was an elementary principal before taking corporation-wide oversight of elementary education will replace current Assistant Superintendent DiLynn Phelps, whose retirement after 23 years with MCS was accepted last month. Rhonda Ward was approved to shift from assistant principal at Central High School to assistant principal at the Muncie Area Career Center, while continuing her current role as director of diversity for the entire school corporation. Her salary in that new dual-position will be $99,200. More from April 12 meeting: Muncie School Board fires Central teacher whose class sparked protest JD Craft, currently listed as dean at the Muncie Area Career Center, was approved as assistant principal at Southside Middle School, where he has worked in the past. Craft's salary was set at $79,500 for the new job, which he has already started, according to Klotz. Steve Spradlin was approved for the new position of chief technology officer, at a salary of $95,500, as part of a reorganization and expansion of technology services, Klotz sai Retirements for several long-serving teachers were approved: Terri Beaty at Grissom Elementary after 26 years with MCS; Hanna Waechter as Latin teacher at Muncie Central after 28 years with MCS; and Brenda Cribbs as a West View Elementary special education teacher after 41 years with MCS. Contact content coach Robin Gibson at ragibson@gannett.com or 765-213-5855. Follow her on Twitter @RobinGibsonTSP. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie Schools to give staff members stipends for 2021-22 school year Four children have lost both parents after a murder-suicide incident in Waco. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Haralson County Sheriff deputies responded to 162 Beaver Run Road Wednesday afternoon after receiving a call from a juvenile saying she overheard her father threatening to shoot her mother. Multiple shots were heard outside the home, deputies said. TRENDING STORIES: When deputies arrived, they found two unresponsive individuals. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Their investigation and showed Johnny Franklin Brown II, 36, shot and killed his estranged wife, Christa Lee Brown, 35, then turned the gun on himself. Murder suicides are one of the hardest for us to work in that there are no real answers as to the why, Sheriff Stacy Williams said. Tonight, two families are grieving, and four children have lost both parents in this horrible traumatic incident. Please join me in praying for these children and these families. IN OTHER NEWS: NASA is taking steps to create more opportunities related to space, including for those from underserved and underrepresented communities, amid a broader push for improved racial equity in the federal government. The agency says its Equity Action Plan will allow it to internally and externally track progress on improving diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The plan has four focus areas: Increasing integration and utilization of contractors and businesses from underserved communities and expanding equity in NASAs procurement process Enhancing grants and cooperative agreements to advance opportunities, access and representation for underserved communities Leveraging Earth science and socioeconomic data to help mitigate environmental challenges in underserved communities Advancing external civil rights compliance and expanding access to limited English proficient populations within underserved communities Among the measures NASA plans to take to address these issues in underserved communities are running more engagement events, increasing outreach and training and offering small businesses more contract opportunities. The agency is also aiming to address language barriers by updating its language access plan and expanding accessibility for populations with limited English proficiency, starting with communications in Spanish. NASA plans to return to crewed Moon landings in 2025. Through the Artemis program, it plans to land a woman and person of color on the Moon for the first time. It has named a diverse shortlist of astronauts who are eligible for the initial flights. At NASA, all of our missions depend on our steadfast commitment to equal opportunity, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The Equity Action plan deepens our commitment to further identify and remove the barriers that limit opportunity in underserved and underrepresented communities. This framework anchors fairness as a core component in every NASA mission to make the work we do in space and beyond more accessible to all." The United Nations said nearly 2,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russias invasion of the country began six weeks ago, though it said the actual figure was likely considerably higher. In a statement on Thursday, the UNs Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) said it has recorded over 4,521 civilian casualties in the country, including 1,932 deaths and 2,589 injuries. Among the 1,932 civilians killed during the invasion, 485 are tallied as men, 313 are women and 157 are children. The sex of about 1,000 dead adults has not been determined. The agency said that Donetsk and Luhansk regions saw the most casualties as officials reported 1,994 casualties 698 killed and 1,296 injured in the two regions. The agency also noted that most of the casualties were caused by explosive weapons used by Russian forces, such as shelling from heavy artillery, missiles and airstrikes. OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration, OHCHR said in a statement. This concerns, for example, Mariupol (Donetsk region), Izium (Kharkiv region), Popasna (Luhansk region), and Borodianka (Kyiv region), where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties, the agency added. These figures are being further corroborated and are not included in the above statistics. Russias invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, has forced some 4.7 million refugees to flee the country due to ongoing fighting, and millions more to relocate within the country. Ukrainian authorities have released far higher estimate of civilian casualties, with Mariupols major this week saying that more than 10,000 civilians were killed in Russian attacks on the city. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Marie-Elena studied creative writing, art, and photography at University of Nebraska at Omaha, graduating with a BA in Studio Art -Visual Media. She moved to California from Nebraska in 2019 and is happy to call Calaveras County her home. Comment Policy Calaveras Enterprise does not actively monitor comments. However, staff does read through to assess reader interest. When abusive or foul language is used or directed toward other commenters, those comments will be deleted. If a commenter continues to use such language, that person will be blocked from commenting. We wish to foster a community of communication and a sharing of ideas, and we truly value readers' input. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Newspaper publisher Lee Enterprises is facing renewed pressure from a hedge fund to speed up its transition to digital publishing and consider adding new digital-savvy leaders to its board after successfully fighting off a hostile takeover from a different hedge fund. Lees largest shareholder, Cannell Capital, this week disclosed buying nearly 20,000 more of the companys shares, giving it a 9.1% stake. The funds head, Carlo Cannell, said he thinks Lee needs new board members and executives with experience running a digital publishing business. I have some confidence in (Lees) management not a lot, Cannell said in an interview. I have great or very little confidence in the board depending on which board member you are referring to. Cannell Capital has been prodding Lee to make changes for several years. That includes running a 2019 campaign encouraging shareholders to vote against three board members, including Lee Chairman Mary Junck, and announcing last September that it planned to vote against all incumbent Lee board members. Cannell Capital and another hedge fund that owns a large stake in Lee, Praetorian Capital, also questioned the amount Lee spent on advisors as it was fending off a $24 per share takeover offer from another hedge fund, Alden Global Capital. But the investor who leads Praetorian, Harris Kupperman, has indicated that he is more comfortable with the companys current direction. Cannell estimated that Lee spent somewhere between $3 million and $5 million on advice from investment bankers and lawyers during the proxy fight with Alden an amount he suggested might have been better spent on the company's journalists. Kupperman agreed. I think the shareholders would have voted for the current guys, and they could have saved a few million dollars, Kupperman said. Lee publishes dozens of newspapers including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Buffalo News, Omaha World-Herald and nearly every other daily newspaper in Nebraska. The chain expanded significantly in 2020 when it bought all of Berkshire Hathaways newspapers and Warren Buffett endorsed Lee as the best long-term steward for the publications. Story continues Lee executives have defended the progress they are making in the company's digital transition. Lee representatives declined to respond to Cannells questions Thursday, but the company will update investors again next month when it releases its next earnings report. Lee said last quarter that it had 450,000 digital-only subscribers and it expects that number to grow to 900,000 by 2026. The Davenport, Iowa-based company said its digital ad and subscription revenue grew 17%, although its profit in the three-month period that ended Dec. 26 declined nearly 20% to $13.2 million. Kupperman said he is making a long-term investment with his 7.3% stake in the business and he thinks Lee is on the right path in terms of growing the digital subscribers. The pressure on Lee isn't likely to let up anytime soon, said Tim Franklin, senior associate dean of Northwestern Universitys Medill journalism school and the former president of the Poynter Institute, the media think tank and nonprofit owner of the Tampa Bay Times. He noted hedge funds aren't known for their patience in waiting for companies to grow their stock prices or profit margins. But he said Lee like all print media companies is in the middle of the difficult transition from relying on print publication revenue to digital. The newspaper industry has been contracting for years as more readers shift online and companies cut back on print ads. All news organizations, including Lee, are trying to walk this balancing act of preserving as much of their print revenue as they possibly can at the same time that theyre trying to grow digital revenue, Franklin said. And that needs to be done with great delicacy because the fate of news organizations may hang in the balance of getting this right. Lee fought strongly against Alden's takeover bid because the New York-based hedge fund has a reputation for imposing extreme cost cuts and deep layoffs at the newspapers it owns, which includes all the Tribune papers it bought last year. Alden hasn't said what its plans are for its 6.3% Lee stake after its takeover bid failed, and an Alden spokeswoman didn't respond to questions this week. The two other hedge funds with larger stakes in Lee have said they believed the company is worth significantly more than what Alden offered. Rick Edmonds, Poynters media analyst, said it appears that investors expected Alden to raise its bid or a bidding war to break out because Lee's share price soared to $44.43 early this year before falling back to $25.51 Thursday. That might open the door for another potential buyer. Apr. 14CONCORD Voting along party lines Thursday, the state Senate killed a popular House-passed bill (HB 579) that would have required local police to inform the public before the federal government installed immigration checkpoints on New Hampshire highways. Senate Republicans said providing the locations where random stops would be made would help criminals or illegal immigrants avoid them. "It makes no sense to give traffickers bringing fentanyl and illegal immigrants across our borders prior notice so they can evade immigration checkpoints," said Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro. "Even members of our congressional delegation are finally admitting that we have a problem with border enforcement. We shouldn't be making it harder to prevent illegal border crossings and drug smuggling." Senate Democrats said this notice would be similar to police announcements about checkpoints for drunken or drugged drivers. "These immigration checkpoints have been used for fishing expeditions for other unlawful activities," said Sen. Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton. Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy of Manchester said the state's Constitution contains a ban on illegal searches and seizures that's stronger than the federal standard. "This is very reasonable, practical legislation," Soucy said. The Senate vote to kill the bill was 14-10, with all Republicans in support and all Democrats opposed. Last month, the House of Representatives endorsed this bill by an overwhelming margin of 254-85. Critics call notice a burden Sen. Harold French, R-Canterbury, said these requirements could be onerous, especially for smaller police departments near the Canadian border. But supporters said this bill did not require local police to do their own research on these checkpoints, but only to give at least 24-hour notice to the public via the local media on any plans they learn about from federal colleagues. Story continues In the Upper Valley, these checkpoints have stopped ambulances from getting patients to trauma centers for live-saving treatment, said Sen. Suzann Prentiss, D-Lebanon, an emergency medical technician. Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said lawmakers shouldn't be involved in this issue. "The sobriety checkpoints? We are in control of those. This is different; this is the federal government doing its job and now we are going to put a burden on our local law enforcement to give us notice? To what purpose is what I ask?" Carson said. "We are not responsible for immigration; that is not our job, it is the job of the federal government and we know they aren't doing that job." klandrigan@unionleader.com Ohio lawmakers said critics are misleading the public about legislation opponents have dubbed the Buckeye State's version of the "Don't Say Gay" bill. State Reps. Jean Schmidt and Rep. Mike Loychik introduced legislation that would ban classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade, and then would allow age-appropriate discussion for older students. Critics have argued that bill is overly broad and would endanger LGBTQ students. "This is not an attack on the LGBTQ community," Loychik, a Republican, told Fox News. It's about protecting "the innocence of our kindergartners when they go to school." He said students don't need to focus on these concepts at that age. Older students could have these discussions as long as they're tailored to their grade level and the educators are well-trained in teaching that curricula, according to the bill. SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE USURPING FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY,' BETSY DEVOS SAYS An even mix of proponents and opponents to teaching Critical Race Theory are in attendance as the Placentia Yorba Linda School Board in Orange County, California, discusses a proposed resolution to ban it from being taught in schools. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The bill "ensures that our students, no matter what their age is, are receiving an appropriate education that is free of the indoctrination, that is age appropriate," Schmidt, a fellow Republican, said. "Let's make sure that those concepts are taught at an appropriate age." Loychik said he explained the bill to some constituents, who were supportive once they understood that it was aimed at the youngest classrooms. But critics have said the bill is an attack on the LGBTQ community. "Students deserve an education that addresses diversity, and this latest bill erases LGBTQ+ identity while putting these children at greater risk for bullying and harm," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said in a statement last week. "It is bigotry in one of its ugliest forms." Likewise, Columbus City Schools' superintendent called the legislation "discriminatory and hateful regulations." Others called the bill broad. Story continues "Ohios Dont Say Gay Bill is more broad and vague than Floridas bill, and includes grades K-12," Kathryn Poe, a spokesperson for the Equality Ohio, told the Columbus Dispatch. A state school board member told the publication: "My interpretation is there can be no books of any kind that deal with any LGBTQ+ issues." Schmidt told Fox News the bill "gets attacked because people are afraid" to be portrayed as opponents of the LBGTQ community. "They really need to read the bill," she continued. "The bill is not a divisive bill." The bill states: "With respect to a student in any of grades kindergarten through three," no public school may "teach, use, or provide any curriculum or instructional materials on sexual orientation or gender identity." Violations could result in schools losing state funds or teachers losing their license. The bill also states that public schools can't "teach, use, or provide for use by any student any curriculum, instructional material, or assignment designed to promote or endorse divisive or inherently racist concepts." It specifically lists prohibited concepts, including critical race theory and the 1619 Project, an initiative historians have widely discredited that reframes American's founding and history around slavery. The legislation also bans "any other concept that the state board of education defines as divisive or inherently racist." Signs opposing Critical Race Theory line the entrance to the Loudoun County School Board headquarters, in Ashburn, Virginia, U.S. June 22, 2021. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein It's up to parents to handle these issues with "their child because they know their child best," Schmidt told Fox News. "For the school to put it into the childs brain first is absolutely wrong," she added. "We are not there to indoctrinate our children. We are there to educate our children." The bill would allow parents to file complaints with the state's board of education, but gives teachers and schools the right to defend themselves, according to Schmidt. AHEAD OF MIDTERMS, PARENTS ARE FLEXING THEIR POLITICAL MUSCLES Schools should prioritize teaching "how to write, how to spell, how to do simple math," concepts students are "lagging" in, Schmidt told Fox News. Students, on average, fell five months behind in math and four months behind in reading by the end of the 2020-21 school year as a result of pandemic learning, according to a study by McKinsey and Company. "Weve decided to teach concepts that they cant understand and take away from the opportunity to really teach our children appropriately," Schmidt said. Schmidt said that gender identity and sexual orientation could have a place in the classroom, but only at an appropriate age. "It shouldnt be taught for kindergartners because even high schoolers or junior high students are going to have a hard time with it," Schmidt told Fox News. She said kindergartners would be "totally confused." Loychik and Smith encouraged more people to read the bill for more information before assuming what it says. Associated Press Pope Francis authorized spending up to 1 million euros to free a Colombian nun kidnapped by al-Qaida-linked militants in Mali, a cardinal testified Thursday, revealing previously secret papal approval to hire a British security firm to find the nun and secure her freedom. Cardinal Angelo Beccius bombshell testimony could pose serious security implications for the Vatican and Catholic Church, since he provided evidence that the pope was apparently willing to pay ransom to Islamic militants to free a nun, who was eventually let go last year. Ransom payment are rarely if ever confirmed, precisely to dissuade future kidnappings, and it's not known how much if any Vatican money actually ended up in the hands of the militants. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Israeli troops operating in the West Bank shot and killed two Palestinians, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday, in the latest escalation of violence between the sides amid intensifying Israeli raids in the occupied territory. The two deaths come a day after three Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli troops, who have been patrolling the West Bank and making arrests following an outburst of attacks in Israel that has killed 14 people in recent weeks. At least 24 Palestinians have been killed in the latest wave of violence, according to a count by The Associated Press, most after carrying out deadly attacks or in clashes with Israeli security forces. Others include an unarmed middle-aged woman and a lawyer who appeared to have been caught in the violence accidentally. The renewed violence comes as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan and as Jews are set to celebrate Passover, which begins on Friday. While Israel has sought to lower the flames by moving ahead with a plan to ease restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported leaders are expected to decide whether to restrict movement for Palestinians out of the West Bank during the weeklong Passover festival, as it has done in previous years. That would prevent thousands of worshippers from reaching a key Jerusalem mosque, a frequent flashpoint for violence, during Ramadan. The Palestinian Health Ministry said two men died of their injuries following confrontations with Israeli forces in the volatile city of Jenin. The Israeli military said dozens of Palestinians attacked the forces, opening fire and shooting explosives at them. The troops responded with live fire, the military said, without commenting on the deaths. On Wednesday, Israeli forces shot and killed three Palestinians, including a 14-year-old and a 34-year-old lawyer who officials said happened to inadvertently drive into a battle zone in the northern West Bank town of Beita. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday another man who was critically wounded in clashes in Beita the previous day died of his injuries. Story continues The Israeli raids have faced violent protests by Palestinians, some of them armed or throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at forces, according to the military. They have sparked a warning by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who accused Israel of destabilizing the West Bank, saying the situation has become dangerous and sensitive and is rapidly deteriorating. Palestinian political factions in the city of Ramallah, the Palestinian administrative center, called a general strike on Thursday to protest the Israeli operation and the rising Palestinian death toll. Stores and schools as well as other private and public institutions were shuttered for the day. A strike was also called in the city of Bethlehem. Israel launched the West Bank operation in response to the spate of attacks in Israeli cities in recent weeks. Two of the attackers came from Jenin, where the raids began. But they have since spread to other parts of the West Bank, driving up tensions and prompting political factions in the Gaza Strip to declare that militants in Gaza were on alert and ready to take the necessary decisions to protect our land, people, and holy sites. Tensions and clashes in the lead-up to Ramadan last year boiled over into an 11-day Gaza war. Pamela Anderson received a lot of support on her big night. The actress, 54, was showered with love from her two sons, Brandon, 25, and Dylan, 24, during her first show on Broadway. Anderson made her musical debut starring as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" on Tuesday night. The show will be performed through June 5 at Ambassador Theatre. Pamela Anderson received support from her two songs during her Broadway debut in "Chicago". Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images At curtain call, Anderson was pictured with a bouquet of red roses, and her costume consisted of black fishnets and a black leotard. PAMELA ANDERSON TO MAKE BROADWAY DEBUT IN CHICAGO "From Baywatch to Broadway. I am inspired by the unexpected," Anderson told the Associated Press in March. "This is it, and I will not hold back anymore. I am letting go. I am ready to see what Im capable of. For Chicago, Ill be putting all my cards on the table. I am doubling down on me." Set in the 1920s, the musical is a scathing satire of how show business, and the media make celebrities out of criminals. It has Bob Fosse-inspired choreography, skimpy outfits and killer songs, such as "All That Jazz" and "Cell Block Tango." "Chicago" tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to leave her. To avoid conviction, Roxie hires Chicagos slickest criminal lawyer to help her dupe the public, media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by creating shocking headlines. Pamela Anderson stars as Roxie Hart in the limited showing of "Chicago". Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images "Pam is a very moral person, extremely moral. She cares about animals. She cares about the planet. She cares about people," said producer Barry Weissler. "The difference between her as Pam and Roxie is Roxie doesnt care about anyone but herself, and she doesn't give a damn about the outside world as long as she can be famous. So Pam comes with totally opposite attributes in life, but she fits because of her celebrity, what shes gone through in life." Anderson had a breakout role on "Home Improvement" as a "Tool Time girl" before getting global attention for playing C.J. Parker on "Baywatch." Her credits include "Barb Wire" and "Superhero Movie." Story continues PAMELA ANDERSON ANNOUNCES NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY: NOT A VICTIM, BUT A SURVIVOR Theres been renewed interest in Andersons life story thanks to the Hulu series "Pam & Tommy," which stars Lily James as Anderson and Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee and fictionalizes their whirlwind romance. Anderson also this month announced a new authorized documentary about her life upcoming from Netflix. Weissler said he had approached Anderson about the Roxie part over a decade ago, but their schedules didnt work. Anderson received a bouquet of red roses at the curtain call following open night. Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images "Now that were doing it, its even more opportune. Its more timely. She's really standing for something now as a professional, as an activist, as a very talented lady. She can surprise a lot of people. The woman has acting chops. She certainly can dance, and her singing voice is quite good. So here we go." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The celebrity-craving heroine at the heart of "Chicago'' has been played by dozens of women since the show opened in 1996, including Melanie Griffith, Christie Brinkley, Marilu Henner, Brooke Shields, Lisa Rinna, Gretchen Mol, Ashlee Simpson, Brandy Norwood, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Givens. The revival has managed to last a quarter of a century thanks to the savvy decision to cast celebrity replacements in all the lead spots basically asking famous performers to join a musical about the venality of celebrities and mold the show around their strengths. Anderson poses during a photo call for her Broadway debut in "Chicago" at The Civilian Hotel in March. Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Just some of the other stars who have done stints in the show include Sofia Vergara, Paige Davis, Rita Wilson, Usher, Huey Lewis, Michael C. Hall, Jerry Springer and Billy Zane. A 2002 film version starred Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah and Richard Gere. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- Petropavlovsk Plc, once one of the biggest London-listed gold miners, said its looking at selling all its assets as sanctions against Russia mean it cant sell the bullion it produces in the country or pay its debts. Most Read from Bloomberg The gold miner has found itself in an existential crisis after Russias invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions that followed. The company is headquartered and listed in London, but all its gold mines are in Russias far east. Petropavlovsk has an agreement with Russias Gazprombank, which acts as off-taker of all the companys gold production under the conditions of two loans. But U.K. sanctions against the Russian lender mean Petropavlovsk is unable to sell any gold. The company also has bond payments due next month and has limited cash reserves outside Russia. The stock fell as much as 27%. Petropavlovsk has slumped 90% in London trading this year. In the present circumstances the board considers that it will be very challenging to refinance the notes, Petropavlovsk said Thursday in a statement, outlining why it was looking at other options. It is not currently clear what return, if any, may be secured for shareholders or the holders of the bonds or notes as a result of this process. A little more than a decade ago, Petropavlovsk was worth $3 billion and mentioned as a future member of the benchmark FTSE 100 Index, but sinking gold prices and management missteps reduced it to a penny stock. Once known as Peter Hambro Mining Plc, after the banking heir who founded it, in recent years the company has been mired in board and shareholder disputes that saw a series of Russian and Kazakh businessmen hold a major shareholding. Story continues A Crypto Tycoon, Banking Heir and the Mysterious Fight for Gold Petropavlovsk said Thursday that it had appointed AlixPartners UK LLP to assist its board in exploring various options including the sale of the Russian gold miners entire interests in its operating subsidiaries. The London-listed company had previously started talks with advisers for a potential debt restructuring after its lender Gazprombank was added to the list of sanctioned entities in the U.K. The miner was unable to make about $10 million of interest payments in dollars and rubles to the lender due last month. Billion-Pound Miner Petropavlovsk Now a Penny Stock Due to War (Updates with shares in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Pfizer and BioNTech on Thursday announced positive results from a clinical trial on the safety and immune response of a third dose of their Covid vaccine in children aged five through 11, adding they would soon seek regulatory authorization. Third doses of the vaccine are recommended for those aged 12 and up, and a fourth dose was recently recommended for people over 50. Younger children -- except for those with immune compromising conditions -- have not been eligible for the third, making them more susceptible to infection from Omicron and its BA.2 subvariant. BA.2 is now the globally dominant strain, and is behind a current spike in cases in the northeastern United States. In the phase 2/3 trial, the companies analyzed data from 140 children aged five through 11, approximately six months after the second dose. The dosage in this group is 10 micrograms, which was selected for safety reasons as children are more susceptible to side effects. The dose for those 12 and up is 30 micrograms. Across the 140 children analyzed, the third dose was well tolerated, revealing no new safety concerns. They also analyzed blood sera from a group of 30 individuals, finding that a third dose caused a 36-fold increase in levels of infection-blocking neutralizing antibodies against Omicron, compared to two doses. Pfizer and BioNTech plan to soon submit the data to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency and other regulatory agencies. Most countries, including the United States, haven't yet authorized Covid vaccines for infants and very young children. Last month, Moderna said it was pursuing approval for its vaccine in children aged six months through five years, using a two-dose regimen. Pfizer's vaccine for this group was meant to be considered by the FDA in February but the agency postponed the meeting, because it wanted more data on how it would perform with three doses. ia/bgs Applicants from around the nation and across the globe are vying to be the next superintendent of Pinellas County Schools. The 19 packages posted after the midnight Wednesday deadline included five with experience as superintendents, although most have led systems much smaller than Pinellas. Fifteen have doctoral degrees, a stated preference for the Pinellas job. Eight have experience as educational administrators in Florida. Whoever is chosen in May will replace longtime superintendent Mike Grego, who is leaving at the end of the school year. There are some some very good candidates in the field, said Andrea Messina, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association, which is assisting with the search. School Board members will begin to narrow the field when they meet on April 20 at 9 a.m. Seven of the candidates have significant experience in Florida. Stephanie Davis is an assistant principal at Dunedin High School. Chris Dunning is principal of Wendell Krinn Technical High in Pasco County and has led schools in all age levels. Theodore Dwyer, now chief accountability officer for Pittsburgh Public Schools, worked from 2009 to 2017 as manager of evaluation for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Ann Hembrook is an area superintendent for Marion County Public Schools in Florida. She has also worked in Orange and Brevard counties. Kevin Hendrick, now the Pinellas districts associate superintendent for teaching and learning, is expected to get a close look, as community members suggested him numerous times in a survey the district conducted in February. Hendrick has been with the district since 2008. Kim Moore is an assistant superintendent for career and innovative programs in Pasco. Before that, she was principal of Tampas Middleton High and then director of administration for the Hillsborough district. Michael Ramirez, now deputy superintendent for the Denver Public Schools, spent seven years in the office of school performance and accountability in Broward County. Story continues Five applicants have served as superintendents in smaller school systems outside the state. Andrew Rynberg oversees 17 schools in Western Europe for the U.S. Department of Defense. He also spent four years as an assistant superintendent in Floridas Indian River School District. Matthew Malone was superintendent of Fall River Public Schools in Massachusetts. Before that, he led the Brockton and Swampscott districts, also in Massachusetts. Ellen Solek has led the Connecticut districts of Bristol and East Haddam. She is now interim superintendent of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. Arthur Stellar has held the superintendent position in seven school systems, including a stint as acting superintendent in Boston. He has a consulting firm now, and he was a candidate for the Pinellas job in 2012. Adam Taylor led a district consisting of six schools in Rutland City, Vt. The rest of the field includes educators with a variety of backgrounds. Dawn Childress is a principal in Fort Smith, Ark. Rafaela Espinal is an assistant superintendent in the New York City Department of Education. Barbara Hagerty is the associate dean of technology innovation at Stockton University in New Jersey. Sherrell Hobbs is president and CEO of Victory Educational Solutions in Fort Lauderdale. Formerly she was assistant superintendent at Ypsilanti Community Schools, a small district in Ypsilanti, Mich. Before that, she was an educator and administrator in the Detroit public schools. Tracy Johnson is an assistant superintendent and chief of human resources for the Keller Independent School District north of Fort Worth, Texas. Jeffrey de Leons experience is largely in business and consulting. For three years he was president of FLET University, a distance university. Jason Spencer is director of school leadership for Cincinnati Public Schools. Westfield Annapolis Mall has been put up for sale by its European owners less than four years after it was acquired in a $16 billion deal. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE announced last month that the company is leaving the U.S. as consumers have abandoned shopping malls for online buying during the coronavirus pandemic. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on April 5. Advertisement Westfield Annapolis was among dozens other shopping malls in the U.S. and Britain that were acquired in 2017 by Unibail, a Paris-based real estate company. Chief Executive Jean-Marie Tritant told investors last month that all of the companys 24 U.S. malls, which are valued at $13.2 billion, would be sold by 2023. Advertisement The news of a potential sale comes as Anne Arundel County unveiled proposals this month to revitalize three town centers across the county, including Glen Burnie, Odenton and Parole where the Westfield Mall is located. This mall would be a great investment for anyone interested in creating livable communities, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement. Our Town Center Master Plan is finally being implemented, with new housing, new public space and a brand new transit center on the mall property. The draft plan released by the Office of Planning and Zoning would add pedestrian and bike paths and outdoor amenities like green spaces and event venues. The proposal covers 1,500 acres around the mall along the Route 50 corridor, including Anne Arundel Medical Center and Annapolis Harbour Center. Work has already begun to design a new multimodal transportation center at the mall featuring a transit hub for mall employees with local transportation services throughout the day. Such a redevelopment would bring people right into the community where they live, said Lisa Rodvien, an Annapolis Democrat who represents the area on the Anne Arundel County Council. Rodvien said she is especially excited about the plans for the Westfield Mall transit hub because it will get travelers out of their cars and into alternate modes of transportation. Daily Top Stories Daily Get the day's top news, sports, opinion, features and local events. > Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley has also sought to connect the mall, which lies just outside city limits, to the downtown. Buckley has proposed a bike trail called the West-East Express, or WEE, that runs along the existing Poplar Trail westward around the mall and on to Waterworks Park. Since its establishment in the 1980s, the Westfield Mall has undergone several expansions. One of the largest came in 2007 when the mall underwent a $100 million expansion that added more than 60 new retailers and pushed its total area to 1.5 million square feet, surpassing the size of Arundel Mills Mall. More than 1,000 new parking spaces were added as well, including parking garages and decks. Advertisement Mall management has brought in new tenants to lure people to the sprawling complex, such as the Discoveries: The Library at the Mall location, which opened in 2018. In January 2020, mall management announced the old Lord & Taylor department store would be remodeled into boutiques and home design stores. After the coronavirus pandemic struck in March 2020, several anchor stores closed their doors, including Sears and Nordstrom. The mall is currently anchored by JC Penney, Macys, Apple Store, Crate & Barrell, Forever 21 and The Container Store, which arrived in 2021. (Reuters) -Polish video game maker CD Projekt has taken back in-house and postponed indefinitely the release of its blockbuster game "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" for next-generation consoles, knocking its shares down as much as 4% on Thursday. The version, which was originally scheduled to launch late last year and was then delayed to the second quarter of 2022, was outsourced to Saber Interactive, part of Sweden's Embracer Group. "We are currently evaluating the scope of work to be done and thus have to postpone Q2 release until further notice," the Polish company said late on Wednesday on Twitter. CD Projekt did not give a reason for the move. In a written response to Reuters on Thursday it said it does not comment on rumours and speculation, pointing to its earlier statement. Russian media reported earlier CD Projekt has decided to end relationship with Saber's team in St Petersburg, which was responsible for the next-generation version. Embracer said it could not comment on specific relationships with business partners, but that it had "deepest respect" for CD Projekt as "one of the best game development teams globally." The Swedish company also said in a written response to a Reuters query that none of its relationships changed in a way that would have financial impact on group revenues or profitability greater than $500,000. CD Projekt said last month it would halt sales of its games in Russia and Belarus in response to Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its shares were down 2% at 1107 GMT. Jefferies analyst Ken Rumph wrote in a note that while the financial impact of the delay may be small, given it was a free upgrade for existing game owners, a second delay and in-housing came as a surprise. "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" premiered in 2015 to critical acclaim and helped the Polish studio gain worldwide recognition. It sold over 30 million copies, CD Projekt said last year. CD Projekt since has had a rocky time after the troubled roll out of its second franchise, "Cyberpunk 2077", in late 2020. Story continues In a bid to rebuild investor confidence, CD Projekt has been working to transform its studio so it can start producing high-budget games in parallel from 2022. It released Cyberpunk version for next-generation consoles in February. The company is due to publish its full-year results later on Thursday. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, additional reporting by Supantha MukherjeeEditing by Tomasz Janowski) Officer Jeff Garner was a motorcycle officer in North Richland Hills 19 years ago when he tried to pull over a red Jeep Wrangler for making an unsafe turn in front of him. What Garner, who was 29 at the time, didnt know on the afternoon of March 3, 2003, was that the man he was pulling over had just robbed a bank in neighboring Watauga. Garner pursued the man from Bursey Road to 7900 Smithfield Road when the driver left the road and made a U-turn. He opened fire, hitting the officer in the leg. Garner returned fire, striking the Jeep in the tailgate, but the gunman got away. Now Garner, a captain with the department, finally knows who shot him after DNA data in a forensic genetic genealogy test gave them the name of a man living in Oklahoma. Mark Alan Long, identified by forensic genetic genealogy company Indentifinders Internation, shot Garner on March 3, 2003 after he robbed a bank in Watauga, according to a news release from police. Long was to be charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer, aggravated robbery and two counts of robbery, according to the release. His bond would be set at $675,000. But when authorities with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations went to serve arrest warrants they learned hed been found dead near a cell tower in Oklahoma City. Police said he knew investigators were onto him when he is believed to have killed himself sometime within the last five days. Authorities in Oklahoma said evidence from the investigation into Longs death has led them to believe he killed himself, according to the release. The final ruling on his cause of death will be determined by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner. The search for the man who shot Garner in 2003 sat cold for years before North Richland Hills police Detective Erik Whitlock was assigned to the investigation in 2015. He determined from an analysis of evidence that the shooter was linked to seven bank robberies from 1998 to 2003. DNA evidence was sent to Parabon Nanolabs in 2018 but the DNA profile was simply that of an unknown man and was not able to provide a specific suspect. Story continues In 2019, Whitlock sent the DNA data to Identifinders International. In December 2021, they told police theyd identified a suspect through public DNA comparison platform GEDMatch. Undercover detectives went to Oklahoma in February armed with that DNA evidence and began surveillance on Long, getting samples of DNA from items the man used at a restaurant. They submitted that for forensic examination with DNA evidence in three of the bank robberies to which they believed he was connected. In early April, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations detectives got search warrants for Longs home and a Jeep they believed he used in the Watauga bank robbery. When they went to execute the search warrant, investigators found the revolver Long used to shoot Garner and the Jeep, in which they found a repair to damage on the tailgate consistent with that of a bullet hole. What happened on March 3, 2003 After 19 years, police are confident it was Long who entered Bank One in the 6600 block of Watauga Road on March 3, 2003 and took an undisclosed amount of money before making his getaway in a mid-1980s red Jeep Wrangler. The man told a teller he was armed, the FBI said at the time, but no shots were fired and nobody was hurt during the robbery. Witnesses described the person as a portly man with a prominent mustache, the Star-Telegram reported in 2003. He was white, about 5-foot-6 or 5-7, around 280 pounds and in his late 30s to mid 40s. He had a long mustache, possible fake, and wore a straw cowboy hat. The man had acne scars on his face and a bandage over his left eye, the FBI said in 2003. He had an earpiece with a wire hanging from it in his left ear. Garner, who had been with the department for four and a half years, didnt know about the robbery when we went to pull Long over after he saw him make an unsafe turn. Police in 2003 said he thought it was a routine traffic stop. When Garner pursued, Long ran until he went off the road, made a U-turn, pulled a revolver and opened fire at Garner as he drove past him. Garner was hit in the leg but still got off his motorcycle to return fire. Police didnt know if hed hit the driver or not, they said in 2003. Bystanders went to Garners aid after the shootout and police responded immediately, a witness told the Star-Telegram in 2003. The shooting led 10 schools in the area to go into lockdown from about 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. or later. Students were told to stay in their classrooms, but werent told why. The principal of one school said they wanted to leave it up to parents to decide how much to share with their children. One woman in 2003 told the Star-Telegram she was coming home early when she saw Garner lying in the grass next door. She and several other bystanders went to tend to his injury briefly until more police arrived and took over. Within minutes, police had coverage of all the major streets and intersections but took more time to patrol neighborhoods in the area, a police spokesman said in 2003. Traveling those residential roads and getting out of the area before neighboring police agencies were notified was probably how Long escaped, they speculated at the time. At that time in 2003, police had to pick up a phone and call each neighboring police agency to relay information about who they were looking for, then dispatchers had to relay that information to officers on patrol. It created delays of a few minutes, enough for Long to escape. It led to criticism of the way police agencies communicated with each other in emergencies like that one. No one has an extra person to sit on the phone and just start calling everybody, one Watauga Department of Public Safety official said in 2003. Garner was in the hospital overnight from March 3 to March 4, 2003, when he was released around 7 p.m. This story contains information from the Star-Telegram archives. Authorities issued a statewide alert on Thursday for a man being sought in connection with a shooting of a Phoenix police officer near Cave Creek and Beardsley roads. The officer was in stable condition Thursday evening, and police continued to search for a man they say shot her before fleeing in a 2012 light blue Toyota Prius. The car was later located. The man was identified by officials as Nicholas Cody Cowan. He was described by police as 35 years old, about 6 feet tall and 215 pounds. He has tattoos on his neck and was possibly bleeding, officials said. It's unclear if the man was injured in the shooting. The man was last seen near Third Avenue and Greenway Road, according to police. Officials advised people to call 911 if the man is seen and asked people not to approach him. Silent Witness is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to Cowan's arrest. People can report anonymously by calling 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish. The statewide alert, known as the Blue Alert, was issued just before 4 p.m. on Thursday and distributed via cellphones. The purpose of the Blue Alert notification is to immediately notify the public that there's been a violent attack on law enforcement and that the suspect is on the loose, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. According to Arizona law, a Blue Alert can be sent if a law enforcement officer has been assaulted with a deadly weapon. "Here I am once again standing before you delivering this type of news outside of a hospital," Phoenix police Chief Jeri Williams said at a news conference outside of HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, where the officer is hospitalized. "I'm angry, I'm tired and I'm frustrated." Phoenix police tweeted Thursday evening that the injured officer was in stable condition after undergoing surgery to remove the bullet at HonorHealth Deer Valley. Officers on Thursday morning were responding to a domestic violence call at a gas station in the area when the shooting occurred, according to Williams. It's unclear when exactly on Thursday morning the incident occurred. Story continues A woman told police she left her home and went to the gas station to talk to police because "she was afraid of the confrontation that might occur," Williams said. While speaking with police, a man drove into the parking lot and fired multiple rounds at officers, Williams said. The man had "some sort of romantic relationship" with the woman, Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Andy Williams later said at the news conference. One of the officers was hit by gunfire and another officer returned fire as the man drove away, Williams said. Police seek assistance: Phoenix chief asks community to help prevent violence The injured officer was only identified by officials on Thursday as a 24-year veteran at the department, whose spouse is also a Phoenix police officer. "I can tell you this about the officer. She's a wife, she's a mom, she's a dedicated public servant," Jeri Williams said. "Please keep all of our officers in your thoughts and prayers." "The officer is an incredible asset to the department and one of our best public safety leaders who is committed to serving and protecting our community," said Michael London, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association in a Thursday statement. "This is a family of public servants to our community who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving you," Williams said. "From the subways of New York City all the way to a gas station in Phoenix, Arizona, we are not immune to the violence against law enforcement in our communities that is plaguing this nation." Phoenix Police Department officers are at the scene of an officer-involved shooting at the corner of Cave Creek and Beardsley roads on April 14, 2022, in Phoenix. Eighth officer shot in four months Thursday's shooting marked the eighth Phoenix police officer shot and 13th injured since December. In December, Officer Tyler Moldovan was shot up to eight times, including once in the head, during an investigation into vehicles driving erratically. The 22-year-old was in critical condition for several weeks but has since been released from a hospital and was receiving further rehabilitation at an undisclosed medical facility. Under pressure: Phoenix police face shortages, reform calls and danger Nine Phoenix police officers about a month later were injured in what officials described as an ambush. Five officers were shot and another four were hit by bullet shrapnel. They've all since been treated. Police officials previously said the incident marked the most number of officer injuries to occur in a single incident at the Police Department. Just a few weeks ago, two more Phoenix police officers attempting a traffic stop were shot at by someone standing in the street. The officer in the passenger seat was shot in the wrist and the officer who was driving was injured by flying glass. There have been at least 18 police shootings in Arizona so far this year, according to data tracked by The Arizona Republic. At least eight of those shootings were fatal, data showed. The Phoenix Police Department, the states largest municipal police agency, accounted for at least four of those 18 shootings at least one of which was fatal, according to the data. Phoenix police in 2018 shot at more people than any other agency in the nation. But 2021 marked the departments lowest number of shootings in 18 years. This is a developing story; check back for updates. Reach breaking news reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda at lsepulveda@lavozarizona.com or on Twitter @lauradNews. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix officer injured in shooting; suspect still at large A 19-year-old woman was arrested after police said she shot two men during a fight with another woman at an apartment complex. The shooting happened just before 9 a.m. Thursday at the Tzadik Bay Apartments on South Beach Street. Police said Jayla Fisher was arrested at her home on Acklins Circle about an hour after shots were fired in a parking lot at the apartment complex. Investigators said that a fight between the two women turned violent and Fisher grabbed a gun. READ: Driver, passenger injured in shooting near downtown Orlando Police said Fisher fired the gun several times at the other woman, who is in her 20s, but she was not struck by the bullets. However, the bullets struck two men. One of those men, a 19-year-old Volusia County resident, was in the parking lot watching the fight but he wasnt involved. He was shot in the arm and left the scene on his own to get help at a hospital. He is expected to be OK. READ: 4 people accused of failing to report child abuse just days before 3-year-old found dead The other victim was a 78-year-old man, who was in his apartment when one of the bullets went through a glass window and struck him on the side of his upper torso, investigators said. The man was taken to a hospital and is expected to recover. READ: Governor DeSantis signs abortion ban into law in Kissimmee Fisher faces two felony charges of aggravated battery and one misdemeanor charge of simple battery. She will be booked at Volusia County Jail later today. Read: 2 teens shot, killed near playground at Sanford apartment complex Investigators said at least one person was shot at the Bay Apartments at 1215 South Beach Street. See map of location below: Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Apr. 14The man who was apprehended in North Stonington on Wednesday afternoon after engaging police in a pursuit that began in Massachusetts and continued across Rhode Island has been charged with reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, failure to drive in the proper lane, interfering with an officer, extradition arrest and first-degree reckless endangerment, Connecticut State Police said Thursday morning. Ian Grant, 36, of 111 Prospect St. in Dartmouth, Mass., was held on a $800,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Thursday, police said. He will face further charges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Police said that in Massachusetts earlier Wednesday, Grant fled after New Bedford police tried to stop him to serve several outstanding arrest warrants. He is also the suspect of an arson that occurred earlier that morning at his home. Dartmouth Fire District 1 said in a news release that they were dispatched at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday for a reported structure fire and "arrived within minutes to find the house engulfed in flames." There was nobody in the house. Fire Chief Peter Andrade told 12 News he saw Grant taking photos of the fire and asked if Grant would stick around to talk to firefighters or police, but then Grant got in his truck and took off. Grant escaped Massachusetts State Police after driving the wrong way on Route 195, but then Rhode Island State Police began a pursuit after spotting Grant's white pickup truck in Newport, police said. He showed what appeared to be an assault rifle while troopers pursued. Grant ultimately drove from Route 78 in Stonington onto Route 2 in Stonington and then North Stonington, where Connecticut State Police disabled his vehicle just north of the Interstate 95 entrance. Aerial footage from Sky 5 shows a cruiser performing a maneuver that involved approaching the truck from the left and hitting its side in the back, causing the truck to veer off the road. Story continues Police said Grant refused to leave his truck and an hour-long standoff ensued before Connecticut and Rhode Island troopers removed Grant from his vehicle and placed him in custody. Police said they used pepper spray and tear gas to get Grant out, and video shows police pulling him through the window of his truck. Grant was taken to Backus Hospital in Norwich for evaluation and then to Troop E in Montville. e.moser@theday.com (Bloomberg) -- Grocery stores in some parts of the U.S. are expected to start running out of certain perishable goods as soon as this weekend because of a Mexican truckers blockade that has stranded millions of dollars worth of fresh produce. Most Read from Bloomberg Roughly $150 million worth of fruit and vegetables are stalled south of the U.S.-Mexico border amid a protest over Texas Governor Greg Abbotts controversial vehicle-inspection program, according to Texas International Produce Association. The blockade, which entered its fourth day on Thursday, is impeding delivery of things like avocados, limes, tomatoes, cucumbers and mangoes. Going into this Easter weekend, consumers are going to see store shelves devoid of certain items, said Dante L. Galeazzi, chief executive officer of the TIPA. The first impacts probably will be seen in the Midwest and along the East Coast, he added. Although commercial traffic has resumed at the initial blockade site, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, local media reported that truckers were shifting their focus to other crossing sites. Some retailers, particularly those in the grocery industry, have experienced supply chain delays resulting from the extended wait times along the Texas-Mexico border, John McCord, executive director of the Texas Retailers Association, wrote in an email. Little more than a week ago, Abbott ordered state troopers to begin inspecting northbound Mexican commercial trucks to bolster highway safety in the Lone Star state. Although 25% of inspected vehicles were taken off the road because of bad brakes and other defects, the reaction from business interests and politicians on both sides of the border has been fierce. Story continues Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican like Abbott, was among the first to sound the alarm, warning earlier this week that the dispute would trigger food shortages and push the price of avocados to $5 apiece. Meanwhile, temperatures along the border have hovered close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius), making it hard for refrigerated trucks to keep fresh produce cool enough to avoid spoilage. Abbott said on Wednesday that hes seeking to replicate agreements with Mexican state governors like the one he signed with the leader of Nuevo Leon that would see Texas inspections halted in exchange for increased vigilance south of the border. McCord of the retailers association said hes seeing signs of a more normalized delivery schedule due to the agreement reached between Governors Abbott and Garcia on Wednesday. The movement of agricultural goods and other products is vital to the Texas agriculture industry and important supply chains, said Gary Joiner, a spokesman for the Texas Farm Bureau. We are encouraged by the recent agreement in the Laredo region that is facilitating movement and inspections at the port of entry. We hope other similar measures and agreements can be achieved at other points of entry. (Adds comments from retailers group in fifth, penultimate paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Prosecutors investigating the 2020 death of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona have asked that the medical staff who treated him be tried for negligent homicide. In their request Wednesday, the prosecutors said "omissions" and mismanagement by eight medical professionals in charge of Maradona placed him in a "situation of helplessness" and abandoned him "to his fate" during his home hospitalization, according to the court filing cited by the official Telam news agency. Maradona died at age 50 in 2020 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot, and after decades of battles with cocaine and alcohol addictions. Neurosurgeon and family doctor Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov are under investigation over his death as the main people responsible for the health of the former football star. Six others, including psychologist Carlos Diaz and medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, are also accused. The prosecution accuses them of "simple homicide with dolus eventualis," an offense in which a person is negligent while knowing their negligence can cause someone's death. They could face sentences ranging from eight to 25 years in prison. According to the prosecutors, the defendants "were the protagonists of an unprecedented, totally deficient and reckless hospitalization at home", and allegedly committed a "series of improvisations, mismanagement and shortcomings". The defense must now present its arguments and may ask for the case to be dismissed. Maradona is widely considered one of the greatest footballers in history and led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup. nn/dl/mlb/mtp/cwl Seven former Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. workers, all of them Black, are suing the utility for allegedly perpetuating a deep-seated culture of racism where African American employees regularly endured racial slurs, discrimination and at least one instructor who tied nooses in front of them. Filed Friday in Baltimore Circuit Court, the sweeping complaint cites several examples over more than a decade of Black employees facing retaliation for reporting bigoted outbursts to supervisors and highlights the colleague who allegedly tied nooses and discussed lynchings in front of African American trainees. The instructor was later fired after a terminated employee posted photos of the instructor holding a noose on social media. Advertisement The plaintiffs are accusing BGE and its parent company, Exelon Corp., of enabling a workplace where supervisors ignored or downplayed racism, overlooked Black employees or candidates for positions they were qualified for, and enforced the companies rules disparately depending on an employees skin color. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are BGE and its former CEO, as well as Exelon and more than a dozen supervisors for the utility, most of them white. Six plaintiffs were fired for what the complaint describes as discriminatory or retaliatory reasons, including three with at least a decade at the company. Advertisement There are two standards of performance evaluation and discipline in operation at BGE, and its been that way, said Tonya Bana, the Baltimore attorney for the plaintiffs. The suit seeks a minimum of $300,000 for each of the seven plaintiffs for alleged violations of the states Fair Employment Practices act. But actual damages could be much higher with the inclusion of at least 50 potential members of a class action. BGE, one of Baltimores oldest institutions and Central Marylands largest electric and natural gas utility with 3,200 employees, denied the allegations in a statement Monday, calling some misleading. We stand firmly behind the decisions that led to the separation of each former employee, which had nothing to do with race or any other unlawful basis, the company said. Firings were based on conduct or safety violations, such as failing to follow drug and alcohol policies, falsification of time records and using company time for personal or monetary gain, BGE said. As of Wednesday, the company had not responded in court to the complaint, typically the next step in such cases. The lawsuit also names Calvin G. Butler Jr., Exelons senior executive vice president and COO, who oversees Exelons six utility companies. Butler became BGEs first Black CEO in 2014 and served in that role until December 2019. Butler has publicly championed diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in business. In a speech last May, Butler told members of the Greater Baltimore Committee, which he chairs, that those efforts must be more than a side project. That is why DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] efforts of the past have failed, Butler said. It has been seen as only part of the work. Im here to tell you, it is the work. The complaint says Butler failed to effect that type of change at BGE, highlighting numerous examples of alleged discrimination. Former BGE worker Kevin Alston saw his life change for the better when he was hired in 2016 for one of the hard-to-get trainee jobs at the utility, Alston said in an interview. He said he saw little opportunity growing up in Northeast Baltimore, but a job as a gas mechanic meant a future with good pay and benefits, a way to provide for his family and his childrens education. Advertisement BGE meant a lot to me, if you come from where I come from. Youre not going to mess that up, he said. They robbed me of that. It broke me. Alston, a plaintiff, believes he was wrongfully terminated in 2019 in retaliation for complaining about a co-workers use of the n-word. He asked to be moved and declined to file a formal report, according to the lawsuit. But the co-worker was disciplined, and I felt instantly everyone treated me differently when I walked in the room, he said in the interview. He was told he was being let go for violating work rules and conduct, including inflating hours and failing to respond to a gas emergency, which he denies. Other workers, including four plaintiffs, said that at various times from 2007 through 2018, they witnessed instructor Joseph M. Belge tying a noose or displaying one, according to the lawsuit. The Baltimore Sun was unable to reach Belge, who is named as a defendant in the suit. Hired in 2007, Malik Smith was one of the employees who said Belge tied a noose in his presence. The complaint accuses Belge of elaborating on the purpose of the knot, allegedly saying that when people were hung by nooses, the intent was not to suffocate them, but to snap their necks. Smith notified the head of BGEs training center about the incident, one of multiple complaints he raised about coworkers racist conduct over his 13-year career at the utility company, according to the lawsuit. No meaningful corrective action was taken to address any of his concerns, the lawsuit says. Advertisement According to the lawsuit, Smith had an unblemished employment record, but was fired in October 2020 because he had tested positive several months earlier for traces of prescribed medical marijuana, the complaint says, describing it as a patently pretextual reason. The most recent complaint of a noose demonstration came from Ajtiim Lee, a plaintiff who notified both his departmental leadership and human resources. BGE substantiated the allegation that year 2018 according to a personnel file report included in the lawsuit. Mr. Belge did not conduct himself in the manner expected of a BGE leader, and failed to demonstrate behaviors consistent with the core values, said a warning dated October 2018. The complaint alleges that no significant disciplinary action was taken against the instructor and that Lee was ostracized by his white coworkers. It also says Lee took his concerns about the noose-tying to Butler, but did not get a response. Lee was fired Nov. 23, 2020, and told he was let go for using a company vehicle for personal business, the lawsuit says. After he was fired, Lee posted on social media photos of Belge holding a noose in 2015, according to the complaint. Advertisement Those photos prompted BGE to reopen an investigation into Belge, and fire him in December 2020, the company said in its statement. While the statement to The Sun did not name Belge, BGE acknowledged offensive photos taken of a former training instructor inappropriately holding up a noose during a ropes and rigging training session. There is absolutely no authorized reason why any employee would tie, display, or discuss nooses in BGEs workspaces this is reprehensible and unacceptable. BGE condemns hatred, discrimination, and violence in any form and is committed to building a more diverse, equitable, safe, and inclusive culture, both in our company and in the communities we serve, the statement continued. But for some former workers, those are empty words. When calibration technician Randall Carroll asked a white coworker to complete an overdue task, she told other colleagues he threatened her life, according to the complaint. When he sat near her, chatting with another coworker with his arms crossed and while wearing his company-issued protective glasses, she accused him of bullying her. Daily Top Stories Daily Get the day's top news, sports, opinion, features and local events. > Because they were dark shades and Im African American, I guess they said I was intimidating, Carroll told The Sun, adding a manager told him to change his look. Advertisement Carroll had almost completed 10 years at BGE when he was fired in September 2020 for not giving enough notice for an unscheduled vacation. The complaint says that was a bogus way for a manager to get rid of Carroll for his race. Exelon policy says an employee terminated for cause is prohibited from working on an Exelon project or property for at least five years. That prohibits a fired employee from working for an Exelon contractor. Despite being a skilled worker and Marine Corps veteran, its been almost impossible for Carroll to find another job in the utility sector because Exelon owns the utility infrastructure. Bana said she will seek to certify a class action on behalf of others who were unlawfully fired and banned from working in the industry at Exelon-owned projects or their contractors. Carrolls suing BGE to ensure that his children and grandchildren can work without discrimination. I just want them to go to work and be appreciated for what they know and what theyre able to do, Carroll said. If we can develop those types of atmospheres at work moving forward, the future will look a whole lot brighter for our children. ST. PETERSBURG Brett Phillips remained in the spotlight Wednesday between the stories, video clips and sound bites flying around the Internet, and the steady stream of messages on his phone stemming from his actions the night before. Phillips said he didnt mind, since it drew attention to the real story, 8-year-old Chloe Grimes second battle with cancer. Its been really cool to see the outpouring of love and reach that its had, Phillips said. Its not my story, right? Im a part of Chloes story, and thats what makes it so special, that we were able to make that happen. ... Im just super blessed that I was a part of it.' After five years cancer-free, Grimes was diagnosed on March 10 her mother Jacquies 40th birthday with papillary thyroid cancer. She is scheduled to have surgery May 3 to remove her thyroid. Chloes favorite Ray is Phillips, and as a guest of the team Tuesday, she got to throw the ceremonial first pitch to the outfielder and meet him afterward, presenting him with several items including a rubber bracelet that said, Rally For Chloe Our Princess Warrior. Phillips told Chloe that she gave him her power and he would try to do something special for her. In the third inning against the As, he did. As the Grimeses were being interviewed by Bally Sports Suns Tricia Whitaker, Phillips wearing the bracelet launched a massive home run, on the hardest hit ball of his career, creating a tear-inducing story that spanned the world. And one that will be ongoing. A GoFundMe account to help the Grimeses with expenses got a big boost from the attention, with donations increasing from $5,700 before the TV interview to nearly $19,500 after Wednesdays game, with a goal of $25,000. Phillips, through his Baseball is Fun apparel business, contributed $1,000, and the Rays Baseball Foundation matched it. It was a no-brainer, Phillips said. Hopefully well hit that $25,000 mark for her and more possibly. It would continue to help them with expenses and all that thats to come. Story continues Phillips said an assortment of merchandise is also headed to the Grimeses. Also, the ball, which was retrieved from the C-for-Chloe-ring catwalk where it landed, will be signed by Phillips. Just what an amazing young lady who through adversity and just what shes dealing with, to be able to spread joy and love what a really cool perspective for not only myself but everyone, Phillips said. This is an 8-year-old girl who is battling cancer for a second time and chooses to smile and bring Brett Phillips gifts. Like, come on. Who am I every day not to put on the lens of love and joy because she does? Like, what is my excuse? So, really cool. Dusten Knight flips script; Luis Patino return pushed to June Needing a fresh arm for their taxed bullpen, the team called up Dusten Knight, a 31-year-old right-hander known most for doing backflips on the field after getting saves in the minors. Knight, who debuted last season with the Orioles, worked 2 much-welcomed innings Wednesday against the As, allowing one run. The Rays might need to bring in another fresh arm Thursday, but manager Kevin Cash said they were so appreciative of what Knight did. Ralph Garza Jr., who worked three innings Tuesday, was sent down. To create space for Knight on the 40-man roster, the team shifted starter Luis Patino from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day, pushing back his return from a left oblique strain to at least June 11. That will give him time to build back up to starter duties. Had the Rays not needed the roster spot, they might have been able to use him as a reliever in May as he logged game innings. Miscellany Lefty Josh Fleming will step into the rotation and start Thursdays matinee homestand finale, providing an extra days rest for Drew Rasmussen and the other starters. Tommy Romero acknowledged that nerves were among the issues in his rough debut Tuesday, throwing 59 pitches over 1 innings and walking five. He said he expects to be better when he gets his next opportunity. Phillips homer Tuesday was the eighth time in 25 seasons at the Trop that a fair ball went up and did not come down. Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano. Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. Now-disgraced attorney Tom Girardi, speaking to the media in 2014, was the subject of a Times investigation that led to an audit of the State Bar. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The State Bar of California has failed to effectively discipline corrupt attorneys, allowing lawyers to repeatedly violate professional standards and harm members of the public, according to a long-awaited audit of the agency released Thursday. The audit of the State Bar was ordered last year by the Legislature in the wake of a Los Angeles Times investigation that documented how the now-disgraced attorney Tom Girardi cultivated close relationships with the agency and kept an unblemished law license despite over 100 lawsuits against him or his firm with many alleging misappropriation of client money. After the State Bar acknowledged its mistakes in handling complaints against Girardi that spanned four decades, the Legislature mandated the public examination of the attorney discipline system. The audit concluded that the State Bar failed to properly investigate some attorneys even as complaints poured in, relied on confidential warning letters and other nonpublic methods that did little to deter misconduct, and has not dealt with the conflicts of interest between its regulatory staff and the attorneys whom the agency is tasked with policing. "These are fundamental breakdowns," acting California State Auditor Michael Tilden said in an interview. "The State Bar has a lot of room to improve their policies to better protect the public from attorney misconduct." A team of auditors pored over the State Bar's internal data and identified examples of specific lawyers with disturbing track records who received little or no discipline. None of the attorneys were named in the report. One was the subject of 165 complaints over seven years, but auditors found that many of the complaints were dismissed outright or closed after the bar issued private letters to the lawyer. Although the volume of complaints against the attorney has increased over time, the State Bar has imposed no discipline, and the attorney maintains an active license, Tilden said in a letter summarizing his offices findings. Story continues Another unidentified attorney had been the subject of several complaints alleging a failure to give clients money from their settlements. When the State Bar finally examined the attorneys bank records, it found that the attorney had misappropriated nearly $41,000 from several clients, Tilden wrote. The chair of the State Bar's board of trustees, Ruben Duran, said in an interview that he was troubled by the audit's findings, calling its conclusions "some of the hardest-hitting discoveries" that the State Auditor has ever made about the agency. He said that staff and leadership wanted to ensure the public was better protected, and that many reforms had been implemented after the Girardi case exposed deficiencies. "It shouldn't matter whether your lawyer is an A-list celebrity or a solo practitioner down the street. Everyone deserves competent, ethical legal services," Duran said. He noted that the State Bar went about two decades without fee increases, and said some of the problems at the bar stem from this long-term underfunding at an agency that has to monitor more than 250,000 attorneys. Duran noted that the bar had implemented reforms that address some of the issues highlighted by the audit, including proposing a new program to monitor attorney trust accounts, increased oversight of the chief trial counsel's office, and twice yearly reviews of closed cases by an outside auditor. Last summer, the agency also hired George Cardona, a former federal prosecutor, to serve as chief trial counsel. But fully implementing the State Auditor's recommendations would require about 30 new employees and $1 million in one-time funds, Duran said. Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley), who is chair of the Assembly's Judiciary Committee, said the audit was "profoundly eye-opening." "Victims of unscrupulous lawyers should not be re-victimized by a State Bar that too often has protected those lawyers from full scrutiny," Stone said in a statement. "We will continue to push the Bar to get back to basics and reform its discipline system once and for all. Girardi was once a top plaintiffs' attorney and Democratic powerbroker who gained reality TV fame on "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alongside his third wife, Erika. His downfall in December 2020 was in part triggered by a judge finding that he had misappropriated millions from families of those killed in an Indonesian plane crash. But after the collapse of his Wilshire Boulevard law firm, scores of clients came forward saying they were swindled by Girardi and The Times documented a trail of misconduct allegations going back decades. Earlier this month, a Chicago law firm accused Girardi and other lawyers at his defunct firm of running "the largest criminal racketeering enterprise in the history of plaintiffs law," pocketing millions from clients, vendors and fellow attorneys. That Girardi's serial misconduct went unchecked for decades has forced a reckoning among the legal establishment. In addition to the State Bar's acknowledgement of past mistakes, the agency has also been conducting a broad investigation into whether its own employees or other agency insiders helped Girardi skirt scrutiny. That investigation is ongoing, Duran confirmed. Girardi is not named in Thursday's report by the State Auditor, but the findings make clear that he was not alone in sidestepping sanction by the bar's disciplinary system. "I think we definitely identified misconduct that does impact the average Californian if they are using the legal system," said Jon Kline, a principal at the auditor's office who helped lead the review. "Misappropriation is a concern: That's money that should be going to clients that the attorney has absconded with." The audit found that the State Bar failed to fully identify patterns of misconduct and investigate further, either because of its case management system or because of how it treats complaints that are withdrawn. For example, one attorney was named in multiple complaints for failing to pay settlement funds. The bar closed each after the attorney "finally paid the client," but the audit states that the bar did not obtain the lawyer's bank records until it received more than 10 complaints over two years. "When the State Bar finally examined the client trust account, it found that the attorney had misappropriated nearly $41,000 in total from several clients," the audit states. The audit found that the State Bar had also prematurely closed cases that needed further investigation or potential discipline, often through a host of confidential methods, like issuing private warning letters that are not knowable to the public. The audit found inconsistencies in the use of nonpublic methods, and indicated the agency had relied too much on such secretive forms of discipline. From 2010 to 2021, the bar used confidential letters or warnings to attorneys twice as often as it sought public discipline. During that time frame, more than 700 attorneys had at least four or more complaints each that were closed through private measures. The auditors reviewed five attorneys' cases and found the cases were closed "despite indications in its case files that further investigation or actual discipline may have been warranted." The State Bar had only one outside reviewer, and that person had been the sole person examining closed cases since 2012. The State Bar's staff was also selecting which cases the reviewer examined, and the reviewer's findings went to management, not its board of trustees. "Anytime findings are going through management, it introduces the risk that what is provided ultimately to the governing body is altered," said Kline, the principal auditor. Other errors were basic investigatory lapses, like accepting poor levels of evidence. An attorney who had overdrawn a client trust account twice in a month was asked by the bar to provide bank records. The attorney turned over bank statements but left out the month when the trust account was overdrawn. Instead, the lawyer provided a narrative of transactions in that month. Rather than request the bank statement, the State Bar accepted the lawyers explanation and closed the case. Kline declined to specify what was behind the reliance on weak evidence, but said: "There is this focus on closing cases quickly in order to keep the backlog under the control." Prior audits and other officials had previously criticized the bar for a crippling backlog, or cases that go six months without any action by the agency. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images The United States is considering sending a high-level official to Ukraine in the near future, as a sign of solidarity with the country amid its war with Russia, a person with knowledge of the matter told The New York Times on Wednesday. The official would go to Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. Since the start of the war, President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have visited neighboring countries, but no U.S. official has publicly entered Ukraine. The person familiar with the matter told the Times that because of security concerns, it's highly unlikely Biden or Harris would make the high-risk trip to Kyiv. Instead, the idea of sending a Cabinet or senior military member, who would need a smaller security team, is being explored. Typically, when a senior U.S. official visits a war zone, it isn't announced until they arrive and in the most sensitive cases, it isn't made public until they have left. Several world leaders have met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv this month, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Estonian President Alar Karis, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and Latvian President Egils Levits. You may also like Ted Cruz asked if he'd 'fellate another man' during Yale Q&A Gillian Anderson once had an 'intimate' encounter with Bill Clinton Biden needs to keep his mouth shut Supporters of reproductive rights protest in Kentucky on Wednesday. AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner In Kentucky, the state's Republican-led General Assembly voted on Wednesday to override Gov. Andy Beshear's (D) veto of House Bill 3, a restrictive measure that opponents say essentially ends abortion access. House Bill 3 makes it illegal to mail abortion pills; raises standards for minors seeking abortions; requires the state to build a public database that publishes the names and addresses of physicians who perform abortions; and creates a broad certification and monitoring system to keep track of abortions and the doctors who perform them. The Lexington Herald Leader notes that the bill does not make abortion illegal, but "sets up an extensive certification, monitoring, and complaint database that the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy and Cabinet for Health and Family Services says it lacks the resources and staff to manage." The bill also requires aborted fetuses be cremated or buried, and opponents say that, coupled with the certification process, puts undue cost burdens on abortion providers. When he vetoed the bill, Beshear said it was in part because of how expensive it is; the measure does not include any additional funds to support the new requirements. Before the vote, protesters stood outside the state Capitol and chanted, "Bans off our bodies!" Several Democratic lawmakers tried to appeal to their colleagues not to overturn the veto, including state Rep. Rachel Roberts (D), who shared earlier that she was raped at 14. "I urge you to consider the ramifications of this bill," she said. "I urge you to allow this veto. Think of me as a 14-year-old rape victim." State Sen. Karen Berg (D) declared, "It takes an amazing amount of audacity to assume you know that you can make this decision for every woman and female child in this state. I beg my colleagues to think about what they are doing." State Sen. Stephen Meredith (R) was unmoved, and called the legalization of abortion in the United States "a stain on our country" and "our greatest sin. If a mother can kill her own child, what prevents us from killing ourselves and one another?" The state Senate ultimately voted 31-6 to override Beshear's veto, and because of an emergency clause, it takes effect immediately. Story continues Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky both announced they plan to sue Kentucky's attorney general and Cabinet for Health and Family Services to stop the measure. Read more at the Lexington Herald Leader. You may also like Ted Cruz asked if he'd 'fellate another man' during Yale Q&A Gillian Anderson once had an 'intimate' encounter with Bill Clinton Biden needs to keep his mouth shut Photo credit: Amy Lerner "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below." Its hard enough to cover off-road racing to begin withthe courses are usually hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles long and you never know where the action is going to take place beforehandbut trying to cover an off-road racer may be even harder. Those characters are illusory, fleeting, usually found way out in the desert testing or pre-running, and none of them have accessible phone numbers, regular office hours, or PR people with satellite phones. Yet racer and documentarian Amy Lerner managed to capture the late, legendary desert racer Rod Hallin all his self-effacing, entertaining, hard-driving heroicsin a new documentary that is a tribute to not only Hall and his wonderful, loving family, but to desert racers everywhere who often toil in anonymity 200 miles from the nearest TV set and thousands of miles away from the recognition they so richly deserve. One More Win is the story of Halls life behind the wheel way out in the desert. Hall is the only guy to have driven in all of the first 50 Baja 1000s, winning his class many times and winning it overall in 1969. Hall was there in 1967 when the then-NORRA Mexican 1000 first ran, and he kept coming back for an incredible half a century after that. His last race he had to be lifted from his wheelchair into the cockpit as a disease similar to Parkinsons gradually took away the physical prowess and strength that had carried him for a lifetime. Photo credit: Amy Lerner It wasnt just his own strength that kept him going. His loving wife Donna was by his side throughout 50-plus years of marriage, his racing sons Chad and Josh were with him, too. And one of the brightest lights in the filmic retrospective of a life lived far better than any of us will do it is his downright-darling granddaughter Shelby, who co-drives with him throughout parts of the piece. No man is an island, entire of itself, wrote John Donne 400 years ago. And no man completes 50 years of Baja 1000s and numerous other races by himself, either. We get to meet everyone in Rod Halls incredible life along the way, from his wonderful family to all his racing competitors and friends. Story continues Photo credit: Amy Lerner In addition to hundreds of archival shots, Lerner and crew shot their own video of Hall and friends for three and a half years, starting in 2016, following Hall across deserts, up mountains, into Mexico where all SCORE International races take place now, and into physical therapy for the progressive supranuclear palsy that would eventually claim his life. He really was a much-loved character and to capture why he was so beloved was kind of an important thing, rather than just look at his racing achievements, said Lerner. Lerner first met Hall in 2010, when Hall, wearing one of many, many hats he wore over the years, was teaching off-road driving to women racers who would be running in the Rallye des Gazelles in Morocco, of which Lerner was one. We stayed in touch and wed see each other at events and he kind of became a mentor to me, Lerner said. That familiarity became a bit of an obstacle to the documentarian, not just because she knew and liked Hall, but because that familiarity would get in the way of an objective take. From that perspective, not leading people in interviews and being like, Oh, I know that story, and Yeah, you were there when this happened, was a little bit of a challenge, Lerner said. But it was part of the learning experience, because the first edit of the film that we did I realized that Id edited it for me, and it had to make sense for other people. That kind of hit me in the face, like, Okay, Ive got to just, you know, step back and make sure that all of this is getting captured in a way that people who know nothing about Rod and nothing about off-road racing are going to understand, because as you saw in the film, it became more than just a documentary of a race driver. And that was probably the toughest part for me to stay back in neutral, especially when Rod was going through (treatment for his illness). Hes going through that towards the end of the filming. Photo credit: Amy Lerner Hall passed away in 2019 at the age of 81, which was where the documentary ends. Lerner is happy to have gotten to do it, and said others had approached Hall about doing books or movies about his life, and hed always said no. With Lerner it was different, and not because only was she a racer, too, having driven in everything from the Rallye des Gazelles, Rally Jameel, and Dakar in a replica Rothmans Porsche 959 to rallies all over the world. I think he believed my intentions, which were that I thought this was a man who had a really entertaining story. And it was a piece of history that hadnt really been captured in a full, single-person-perspective way from the birth of a sport to half a century later. I thought that was kind of a cool thing. It is, indeed a cool thing, and you can see it on Amazon and Apple TV. Share your thoughts and memories of legendary off-road racer Rod Hall in the comments below. BRASILIA (Reuters) - Russia has asked Brazil for support in the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the G20 group of top economies to help it counter crippling sanctions imposed by the West since it invaded Ukraine, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov wrote to Economy Minister Paulo Guedes asking for Brazil's "support to prevent political accusations and discrimination attempts in international financial institutions and multilateral fora." "Behind the scenes work is underway in the IMF and World Bank to limit or even expel Russia from the decision-making process," Siluanov wrote. He did not elaborate on obstacles to Russian participation in those institutions, and his allegations could not be independently verified. The letter, which made no mention of the war in Ukraine, was dated March 30 and relayed to the Brazilian minister by Russia's ambassador in Brasilia on Wednesday. "As you know, Russia is going through a challenging period of economic and financial turbulence caused by sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies," the Russian minister said. Asked about the letter, Erivaldo Gomes, the Brazilian Economy Ministry's secretary of international economic affairs, indicated that Brasilia would like Russia to remain part of discussions at multilateral organizations. "From Brazil's point of view ... keeping open dialogue is essential," he said. "Our bridges are the international bodies and our assessment is that these bridges have to be preserved." U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said last week that the United States would not participate in any G20 meetings if Russia was present, citing the invasion. Almost half of Russia's international reserves have been frozen and foreign trade transactions are being blocked, including those with its emerging market economy partners, Siluanov said. Story continues "The United States and its satellites are pursuing a policy of isolating Russia from the international community," he added. Siluanov said the sanctions violate the principles of the Bretton Woods agreements that set up the IMF and the World Bank. "We consider that the current crisis caused by unprecedented economic sanctions driven by the G7 countries might have long-lasting consequences unless we take joint action to resolve it," he wrote to Guedes. Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who visited Moscow just days before the invasion, has kept Brazil neutral in the Ukraine crisis and has not condemned the invasion, drawing criticism from the Biden administration. Bolsonaro expressed "solidarity" when he visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Feb. 16 about a week before the invasion began. Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Franca has said Brazil opposes the expulsion of Russia from the G20 as sought by the United States. "The most important thing at this time is to have all international forums, the G20, WTO, FAO, functioning fully, and for that all countries need to be present, including Russia," Franca told a Senate hearing on March 25. (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga and Anthony Boadle; Additional reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by Andrea Ricci) By Pavel Polityuk and Oleksandr Kozhukhar KYIV/LVIV, Ukraine (Reuters) - (This April 14 story corrects paragraph 21 to make clear that Moldova did not directly accuse Russia's army of trying to recruit its citizens; corrects third bullet point to say that Ukraine alleges Moscow is massing troops in Belarus and Transdniestria not Moldova and Transdniestria) Russia said its lead warship in the Black Sea sank on Thursday after an explosion and fire that Ukraine claimed was caused by a missile strike, dealing a blow to Moscow as it readied for new attacks that were likely to determine the conflict's outcome. The Moskva, Russia's flagship in its Black Sea fleet, sank as it was being towed to port in stormy weather, Russian news agencies quoted the defence ministry as saying. Russia said earlier that over 500 crew aboard the Soviet-era missile cruiser were evacuated after ammunition on board exploded. Ukraine said it hit the warship with a Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship missile. Russia, which has not acknowledged an attack, said the incident is under investigation. Reuters was unable to verify any of the statements, including whether the ship had sunk. "While the cruiser 'Moskva' was being towed to the destination port, the ship lost stability due to damage to the hull from the fire," the defence ministry said. "In the stormy sea conditions, the ship sank," it said. The incident came as Russia's navy continues its bombardment of Ukrainian cities on the Black Sea nearly 50 days after it launched the invasion. Residents of Odesa and Mariupol, on the adjacent Azov Sea, have been bracing for new Russian attacks. The United States said it did not have enough information to determine whether the Moskva was hit by a missile. "(But) certainly, the way this unfolded, it's a big blow to Russia," said national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Russian forces have pulled back from some northern parts of Ukraine after suffering heavy losses and failing to take the capital Kyiv. Ukraine and its Western allies say Moscow is redeploying for a new offensive in the eastern Donbas region. Story continues Russia launched its assault in part to dissuade Ukraine from joining NATO. But the invasion has pushed Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, and nearby Sweden to consider joining the U.S.-led military alliance. Moscow warned NATO on Thursday that if Sweden and Finland join, Russia would deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles in a Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea, in the heart of Europe. Commenting on Russia's military setbacks, CIA Director William Burns said the threat of Russia potentially using nuclear weapons in Ukraine cannot be taken lightly, but that the agency has not seen much practical evidence reinforcing that concern. STAGING TROOPS Russia's navy has fired cruise missiles into Ukraine and its Black Sea activities are crucial to supporting land operations in the South and East, where it is battling to seize full control of the port of Mariupol, its main target in the Donbas. Russia said on Wednesday more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines from one of the units still holding out in Mariupol had surrendered. Ukrainian officials did not comment. If taken, Mariupol would be the first major city to fall to Russian forces since they invaded, allowing Moscow to reinforce a land corridor between separatist-held eastern Donbas areas and the Crimea region it seized and annexed in 2014. Ukraine said thousands of people were believed to have been killed in Mariupol, where efforts were under way to evacuate civilians. On Thursday, Russia's defence ministry said 815 people had been evacuated from the city over the past 24 hours. Ukraine said that figure was 289. Ukrainian officials have long warned that Russia was massing troops for assaults in the East, including on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. But Ukraine's deputy defence minister, Hanna Malyar, said on Thursday that Russia was also staging troops along the country's borders with Belarus and Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region. Authorities in Transdniestria, bordering southern Ukraine, denied Russia was preparing forces there. Asked about reports that Russia's army was trying to recruit Moldovan citizens in Transdniestria, Moldova's foreign minister said "these are dangerous things and should be discouraged". Moscow's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Maylar said that shelling in Kharkiv had killed four civilians, with missile strikes there and in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions in the South. Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said three civilians were killed in the region. Russia said Ukraine had carried out a helicopter attack on the Russian Bryansk region, the latest of several cross-border attacks that Moscow has said may trigger a retaliatory strike on Kyiv. Seven people were injured in the Bryansk attack, which hit residential buildings, Russian officials said. Another Russian region, Belgorod, said a village there was attacked but that no one was wounded. Neither side's statements could be verified. Ukraine's military did not reply to requests for comment. 'TERRIBLE THINGS' Moscow's incursion, the biggest attack on a European state since 1945, has seen more than 4.6 million people flee abroad, killed or wounded thousands and raised fears of conflict between Russia and the United States, the world's top nuclear powers. Andriy Nyebytov, head of the Kyiv region police, said more than 800 bodies had been found in three districts which had been occupied by Russian forces. "We are finding terrible things: buried and hidden bodies of people who were tortured and shot, and who died as a result of mortar and artillery fire," Nyebytov said in televised comments. His statements could not immediately be verified. Russia has denied attacking civilians and said some reports have been staged for propaganda purposes. Warning that spillover effects from the Ukraine war were worsening crises elsewhere, U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths on Thursday released $100 million in emergency funding for Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen. (Additional reporting by Natalia Zinets and Elizabeth Piper in Kyiv, Max Hunder in London, David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Reuters bureaus; Writing by Rami Ayyub and William Maclean; Editing by Nick Macfie, Daniel Wallis and Cynthia Osterman) Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia July 20, 2018. Alexei Nikolsky/Reuters Russia threatened to deploy nukes to the Baltics if Finland and Sweden join NATO. Lithuania scoffed at the threat, as Russia is already assessed to have nuclear assets in the region. Experts said it was an "empty threat" from Russia. Russia on Thursday threatened to deploy nuclear weapons to the Baltics if Finland and Sweden join NATO, despite the fact it's already assessed to have such assets in the region. "If Sweden and Finland join NATO, the length of the land borders of the alliance with the Russian Federation will more than double. Naturally, these boundaries will have to be strengthened," Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said on Telegram. "There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic the balance must be restored," Medvedev, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said. Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas responded by saying the Russian threat is "quite strange" given Russia currently has nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic sea, per Reuters. Kaliningrad is located between Lithuania and Poland, both NATO members. "The current Russian threats look quite strange, when we know that, even without the present security situation, they keep the weapon 100 km from Lithuania's border," "Nuclear weapons have always been kept in Kaliningrad...the international community, the countries in the region, are perfectly aware of this...They use it as a threat," he added. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) in 2018 published satellite images that it said showed "a major renovation of what appears to be an active nuclear weapons storage site in the Kaliningrad region, about 50 kilometers from the Polish border." Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden, in a tweet said Medvedev's warning was a "fairly empty threat" given the apparent presence of Russian nukes in Kaliningrad. Story continues Hans Kristensen, the director of the nuclear information project at FAS, also downplayed Medvedev's nuclear threat and challenged the Russian politician's suggestion that a "balance" would need to be restored if Finland and Sweden joined NATO. "What balance? Even if Finland/Sweden join, there will be no nukes in east Europe," Kristensen tweeted on Thursday. "This is a good reminder that Russia uses nukes to compensate for what it sees as inferior conventional capabilities. Ukraine flop and NATO expansion will likely reinforce that." Russia's war in Ukraine has pushed Finland and Sweden closer than ever to joining NATO. The leaders of both countries on Wednesday signaled a decision on whether to pursue membership in the alliance could be made in the near future. Read the original article on Business Insider Russia has been accused of "abandoning" the bodies of 1,500 soldiers in Ukraine as tens of thousands die in Vladimir Putins invasion. (AP) Russia has been accused of "abandoning" the bodies of 1,500 soldiers in Ukraine as tens of thousands die during Vladimir Putins invasion. Ukraine has claimed more than 20,000 Russian troops have been killed since Putin ordered his troops to begin their offensive on 24 February. While the number has not been independently verified, last month a Nato source put the numbers of Russian soldiers killed at between 7,000 and 15,000. The Kremlin has remained largely quiet about how many of its soldiers have died as a result of Putin's invasion, though it has acknowledged suffering "significant losses". Read more: Russian commander deliberately killed by his own demoralised troops, Western officials claim Ukrainian soldiers walk in a building previously used by Russian soldiers as a temporary base in Malaya Rohan, on the outskirts of Kharkiv. (AP) A view of houses destroyed by Russian forces' shelling in the outskirts of Chernihiv, Ukraine. (AP) On Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities claimed Russia has left behind the bodies of their troops killed, and offered the mothers of the dead to have access to their loved ones. The defence ministry tweeted: "There are more than 1,500 corpses of Russian soldiers in the morgues of the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Their command isnt even thinking about bringing them home. "Dnipro deputy mayor Mykhailo Lysenko said that the city authorities are ready to provide Russian mothers with access to the bodies of their sons, since the government that sent them to die in Ukraine lacks the courage to do so." Oleksiy Arestovych, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, said on Friday that the Kremlin had refused to accept the corpses of 3,000 of its regular soldiers early in the war. Watch: Emergency services clear rubble from destroyed Kyiv fire station He told The Washington Post: They said, We dont believe in such quantities. We dont have this number. Were not ready to accept them." There have been prior reports of the Russian army leaving its dead behind. On 3 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed the invaders had brought crematoriums with them to dispose of their dead. He told reporters: "The Russian people are dying here, nobody is counting them, people dying in this war. Do you know they have brought a cremation chamber with them? Story continues "They're not going to show the bodies to their families. They're not going to tell the mothers that their children died here." Russian soldiers are reporting running low on morale after many of their men were killed. (Getty) Western officials claimed last month that an army commander was killed by a group of demoralised soldiers fed up with the scale of losses. (Getty) Morale is said to be dropping amongst Russian troops, and Western officials claimed last month that an army commander was killed by a group of demoralised soldiers fed up with the scale of losses during the invasion of Ukraine. The commander of the 37th rifle brigade, named by officials as Colonel Medvechek, is understood to have been run over by one of his own soldiers who had grown frustrated by his unit's heavy losses. Russia is believed to be sending top leaders to the frontlines in a bid to bolster low morale among troops. Putin had reportedly hoped to take over Ukraine in a matter of days, but now seven weeks into the conflict troops have retreated from areas in the north to focus on renewed assault on cities in the south of the country. Since being pushed out of those areas, Putin has faced fresh accusations of war crimes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Western intelligence has indicated Russian forces are regrouping for a new eastern offensive in the Donbas region. (AP) Ukraine accused Russian troops of killing hundreds of civilians in the town of Bucha, just outside of Kyiv, following their retreat. On Thursday, Russia was expelled from the UN Human Rights Council after delegates voted 93 to 24 to remove them following allegations of Russian soldiers carrying out mass killings, rape and torture. Instead Western intelligence has indicated forces are regrouping for a new eastern offensive in the Donbas region. Zelenskyy told BILD he expects intense fighting in the coming days. "It could be a big war in Donbas like the world has not seen in hundreds of years," he told the German outlet. "We will go on defending our country until the end." Chernihiv - Evgeniy Maloletka /AP European countries that continue to buy Russian oil are "earning their money in other people's blood", Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The Ukrainian President singled out Germany and Hungary in an interview with the BBC, amid mounting frustrations that some EU countries have not been tough enough with Moscow on oil sales. "We don't understand how you can make money out of blood...For example the oil embargo is, I think, one of the key issues which we know has been blocked by Germany and Hungary among European countries," Mr Zelensky told the BBC from his situation room in Kyiv. Germany has backed some sanctions against Russia and halted the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project with Moscow days before the invasion, but has so far resisted calls to support tougher action on oil sales. "It is a different time now," Mr Zelensky said on Thursday, adding: "It is no longer an issue of business and money...it is an issue of survival". 01:07 AM What happened today Russia on Thursday said the Moskva, the flagship of its Black Sea fleet, has sunk after Ukraine claimed to have struck the vessel with missiles A British man fighting in Ukraine was paraded on Russian television on Thursday night after being captured and apparently severely beaten Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday accused European countries of "earning their money in other people's blood" if they bought Russian oil. In an interview with the BBC, he accused Germany and Hungary of standing in the way of blocking Russian energy sales Almost one million Ukrainians who fled abroad since the start of the war have returned to the country including a growing number of women, children and elderly people Joe Biden's popularity plummeted to the joint lowest level of his presidency as a poll showed only 33 per cent of Americans approve of his job performance and only 39 per cent said they approved of his handling of the Ukraine crisis William Burns, the CIA director, said Putin had "stewed" in grievance, ambition and insecurity. He said US intelligence operations during the Ukraine crisis would serve as a model for its use in the future The UK sanctioned two close associates of Roman Abramovich in what the Government said was its largest asset freeze ever. Eugene Tenenbaum, Chelsea Football Club director, and another Abramovich business associate, David Davidovich, were sanctioned for their close association with the oligarch Story continues 12:27 AM Mariupol being 'starved to death', says UN The head of the UN World Food Program said people are being "starved to death" in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol and he predicted the country's humanitarian crisis is likely to worsen as Russia intensifies its assault in the coming weeks. WFP executive director David Beasley also warned on Thursday that Russia's invasion of grain-exporting Ukraine risks destabilising nations far from its shores and could trigger waves of migrants seeking better lives elsewhere. The war was "devastating the people in Ukraine," Mr Beasley told AP, lamenting the lack of access faced by the WFP and other aid organisations in trying to reach those in need. A local resident sits next to a fire in a courtyard outside a building in Mariupol - REUTERS 10:40 PM Mother of Aiden Aslin pleads for his release The mother of a British man fighting for the Ukrainian army who has been taken captive by Russian forces has pleaded with the Government to secure his release. Images on Russian television appeared to show Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, being led around in handcuffs with a cut on his forehead. His mother Ang Wood, of Balderton, Nottinghamshire, told the Telegraph she believes the images were legitimate due to a tattoo on her son's arm that said "Happy Days". She called on the Russian government to treat her son as a prisoner of war in accordance with international rules. Ms Wood told the Telegraph she was "in bits", adding: "I now hold Vladimir Putin to the terms of the Geneva Convention. Aiden is a serving member of the Ukrainian armed forces and as such is a prisoner of war and must be treated with humanity. "It already looks like he has been beaten up. It is time now for the British Government to get involved and help secure Aiden's release." Read more: Russian state TV parades captured Briton Aiden Aslin Mr Aslin was captured by Russian forces in Mariupol 09:50 PM Kyiv mocks sinking Moskva in Twitter post Ukraine's government has used its official Twitter account to mock the Moskva, which earlier on Thursday sank following a fire onboard. Russia's Black Sea flagship was set on fire by an explosion of ammunition and sank as it was being towed back to port. During the first days of the war, the Moskva was reportedly the ship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a stand-off. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: "Russian warship, go f--- yourself". On Thursday Kyiv tweeted: Russian warship, what are you sinking? Ukraine / (@Ukraine) April 14, 2022 08:57 PM Churchgoers in Ireland raise 3.25 m for Ukraine Catholic churchgoers on the island of Ireland have raised 3.25 million Euros for the people of Ukraine since the war began. Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin paid tribute to the generosity of parishioners. Irish bishops had asked for a special collection in parishes across the island, in the wake of the Russian invasion. The collection took place largely over the weekend of March 26-27. In a joint statement, the archbishops said: "Since the outbreak of this war, over seven million people have been displaced and nearly five million people have been forced to emigrate from Ukraine, becoming international refugees. "As Christians, our Gospel imperative is to support the victims of this appalling humanitarian crisis, in the words of the Holy Thursday Liturgy, 'where charity and love are found there is God'. "The large funds raised by Irish parishes will be channelled to assist those who are suffering such devastation to their lives and livelihoods. 08:46 PM 16,400 people have arrived in UK under Ukraine visa schemes Around 16,400 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes by Monday, according to Government figures. About 13,200 had arrived under the Ukraine family scheme and 3,200 under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme, provisional data shows. Some 94,700 applications have been received for both schemes and 56,500 visas had been granted by Thursday, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office said. Less than half (45.1pc) of visa applications made under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme have been granted, the figures show. There has been widespread concern about the length of time it has taken for visas to be issued to refugees under this route, with Home Secretary Priti Patel apologising "with frustration" last week. In comparison, 80.3pc of applications under the family scheme have resulted in visas being issued. People fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine gather at the train station in Lviv, Ukraine - PAVLO PALAMARCHUK/REUTERS 08:42 PM Nestle and Pepsi face pressure from European employees over Russia Nestle and PepsiCo face pushback from workers in Ukraine and eastern Europe angered by the companies' decisions to maintain some business in Russia, according to internal corporate communications. The emerging employee activism comes on top of Ukraine's repeated appeals to Western companies to go beyond current sanctions and cut all commercial ties with Russia, with the mayor of Kviv calling such payments to Moscow "bloody money". The employees speaking out, or even resigning in some cases, over the companies' response to Russia's invasion are mainly based in Ukraine, Poland or Eastern Europe and are a small fraction of the hundreds of thousands of workers the food makers employ. An internal memo seen by Reuters shows Nestle has seen an unspecified number of Ukraine employees quit and others bullied on social media for remaining with a company doing business with Russia. 08:23 PM Russia says flagship missile cruise ship has sunk after fire Russia's defence ministry said the missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, sank as it was towed back to port in stormy weather following an explosion and fire, Russian news agencies reported on Thursday. The defence ministry had said earlier on Thursday that the Soviet-era ship had been badly damaged by the fire, which Ukraine said was a result of its missile strike. 07:56 PM US State Department says defence alliance expansion would promote European stability The United States would not be concerned that an expansion of a defence alliance would do anything other than promote stability in Europe, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday. "Without speaking to any countries in particular, we would not be concerned that the expansion of a defensive alliance would do anything other than promote stability on the European continent," Price told a news briefing. He was responding to a question of whether the United States would be concerned that Russia could escalate the confrontation over Ukraine if Sweden and Finland join the NATO alliance. 07:20 PM Germany seizes world's largest yacht owned by Russian oligarch Germany has officially confiscated the world's largest superyacht owned by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, as part of sanctions against Moscow following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, police sources said Thursday. The 156-metre (1,680-feet) long "Dilbar" has an estimated value of $600 million ((555 million euros) according to Forbes magazine. Since last October the boat has been docked for repairs in a Hamburg shipyard. German customs had been eyeing the superyacht for several weeks, but could not formally seize it earlier due to a legal imbroglio over its ownership. Eventually the German Federal Judicial Police indicated that they had succeeded "after lengthy investigations, and in spite of concealment via offshore companies, in identifying the owner of the M/S Dilbar and it is Gulbakhor Ismailova, the sister of Alisher Usmanov". "The luxury yacht is now under the sanctions regime and so could be confiscated in Hamburg," police added on Twitter. The Dilbar, a luxury yacht owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov - YORUK ISIK/Reuters 06:55 PM Kremlin accuses Ukraine of conducting helicopter attack in Russia Moscow has accused Ukraine of conducting a helicopter attack in Russia, in the latest of a series of cross border attacks that the Kremlin has said may trigger a retaliatory attack on Kyiv. "On April 14, 2022, using two combat helicopters equipped with heavy offensive weapons, military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine illegally entered the airspace of the Russian Federation," Russia's investigative committee said. "Moving at low altitude, they carried out at least six air strikes on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo," it added, noting that six buildings were damaged and seven people were injured. Ukraine's defence ministry, which has declined to comment on several border incidents including a strike on a fuel depot in the city of Belgorod earlier this month, has not commented on the alleged attack. It comes a day after Russia's defence ministry said the continuation of "sabotage and attacks" by Ukrainian forces could trigger strikes on Kyiv. "If such incidents continue, then consequence from the armed forces of the Russian Federation will be attacks on decision making centres, including in Kyiv, which the Russian army has refrained from to date," the defence ministry said. 06:36 PM US cannot 'take lightly' threat Russia could use nuclear weapons, says CIA chief The threat of Russia potentially using tactical or low-yield nuclear weapons in Ukraine cannot be taken lightly, but the CIA has not seen a lot of practical evidence reinforcing that concern, CIA Director William Burns said on Thursday. Burns' most extensive public comments since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb 24 underscored concerns that the biggest attack against a European state since 1945 risks escalating to the use of nuclear weapons. He spoke at Georgia Tech of the "potential desperation" and setbacks dealt Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces have suffered heavy losses and have been forced to retreat from some parts of northern Ukraine after failing to capture Kyiv. For those reasons, "none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons," Burns said. 06:12 PM Ukraine says explosion aboard Russian warship was missile strike Russia said the crew of its Moskva warship were evacuated on Thursday after an explosion of ammunition aboard that Ukraine said was caused by a missile strike, and a US defence official said the stricken vessel was still trying to put out a fire. The warship, Russia's Black Sea fleet flagship, is still believed to be afloat and the United States is under the assumption that it is heading to Sevastopol, the senior US official said. "Our assessment is that she still appears to be battling a fire on board," the official added. Russia's defence ministry said the fire on the Soviet-era missile cruiser had been contained but left the ship badly damaged. It did not acknowledge the ship, which had more than 500 sailors aboard, had been attacked and said the cause of the fire was under investigation. Ukraine's southern military command said it hit the warship with a Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship missile and that it had started to sink. 05:45 PM France to transfer French embassy in Ukraine back to Kyiv France will "very soon" transfer back its embassy in Ukraine to Kyiv from Lviv, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in a phone call. The French embassy was moved to Lviv in early March, the Foreign Ministry statement said. European politicians have flocked to the Ukrainian capital since Russian forces withdrew from the country's north in the face of strong Ukrainian resistance earlier this month. 05:30 PM Millions of disabled people's lives at risk in Ukraine, UN committee says A UN committee said on Thursday that the lives of some 2.7 million people with disabilities are at risk in Ukraine, citing reports that many are trapped or abandoned in their homes, care centres and orphanages without basic supplies or medicines. "The Committee is deeply disturbed that the fate of people with disabilities in Ukraine is largely unknown," it said in a statement sent to journalists. "People with disabilities have limited or no access to emergency information, shelters and safe havens, and many have been separated from their support networks, leaving them unable to respond to the situation and navigate their surroundings," it added. The Committee did not say exactly how it had obtained the reports about those who were trapped. However, it noted that few people with disabilities were among those internally displaced or who had reached Ukraine's borders as refugees, "indicating that many of them have not been able to flee to safety". 05:15 PM Russia says destroyed 7 military facilities in Ukraine in the past 24 hours Russian aviation has destroyed seven military facilities in Ukraine in the past 24 hours, including an artillery missile depot, Interfax news agency quoted Russian defence ministry as saying on Thursday. A bulldozer works at a central stadium damaged by Russian forces' shelling in Chernihiv, Ukraine - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP 04:40 PM US deciding on sending envoy to Ukraine, Biden says President Joe Biden said on Thursday that top US officials are deciding soon whether to send a senior official to Kyiv in a show of support for Ukraine. "We're making that decision now," Biden told reporters as he prepared to leave for a trip to North Carolina. A source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday that it is possible Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin or Secretary of State Antony Blinken might go, but that Biden is unlikely to do so. 04:12 PM The West needs to cut through Kremlin propaganda to show what is really happening in Ukraine, says Navalny By James Kilner The West must flood the Russian internet with advertising to cut through Kremlin propaganda and show ordinary people what is really happening in Ukraine, jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny said today. Russians have a completely distorted view of the conflict and believe that Vladimir Putin is waging a small, very successful war, Mr Navalany said. Since the start of the invasion, the Kremlin has taken near-totalitarian control of all media, shutting independent outlets and banning social networks such as Facebook. But Mr Navalny said 85pc of Russian adults were still accessing Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other sites every day with VPNs that allow them to get around the Kremlins firewall. "We need ads. Lots of ads," he said. "A huge, national anti-war campaign will start with an advertising campaign. 200 million impressions a day to reach every Russian internet user twice. Stories, posts... Across Russia, in cities and villages. On every tablet and every phone. "Truth and information hit Putin's insane regime as hard as Javelins [anti-tank missiles]," Mr Navalny said on Twitter. Navalny is currently serving a decade-long prison sentence after being convicted on charges widely seen as politically motivated. His Twitter account is managed by his supporters. Alexei Navalny - Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP 03:52 PM Ukrainian parliament calls Russian army's actions 'genocide' Ukraine's parliament on Thursday backed a resolution recognising the actions of the Russian military in the country as "genocide". "The actions committed by the armed forces of Russia are not just a crime of aggression, but pursue the goal of the systematic and consistent destruction of the Ukrainian people, their identity and the deprivation of their right to self-determination and independent development," the text approved by a majority of 363 lawmakers said. 03:40 PM Kyiv rejects Moscow's claim it struck border region Kyiv on Thursday rejected claims by Moscow that Ukrainian forces had carried out attacks along the border between the countries including a strike Russia said left seven injured. Ukraine's national security and defence council instead accused Russia of staging "terror attacks" on its own territory to stir up "anti-Ukrainian hysteria" in the country. 03:37 PM US believes Russian warship still dealing with fire The US believes the Russian warship Moskva is still dealing with a fire and is under the assumption that the cruiser is heading to the Crimean city of Sevastopol, a senior US defence official said on Thursday. "Our assessment is that she still appears to be battling a fire on board," the official said, adding that the ship is believed to have experienced significant damage. Russia said the crew of the warship had been evacuated and measures were being taken to tow the stricken ship back to port. 02:46 PM US preps new effort to crack down on Russian sanctions evasion The United States is preparing new efforts to crack down on sanctions evasion by Russia, President Joe Biden's national security adviser said on Thursday. "Where our focus will be over the course of the coming days is on evasion," national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview at the Economic Club of Washington. "I think we'll have some announcements in the next week or two that identify targets that are trying to facilitate that evasion both inside Russia and beyond," Sullivan said, without giving details. He also said that any efforts by Russia to disrupt weapons transfers benefiting Ukraine could escalate the standoff with the West. 02:32 PM Killing of Ukrainian civilians likely to be war crime, says Coveney The killing of Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces is likely to be a war crime, Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has said. Mr Coveney was speaking during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday. He was visiting areas in the Ukrainian capital directly affected by the Russian invasion, and meeting Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and defence minister Oleksii Reznikov. Speaking during a press conference with Mr Kuleba, Mr Coveney said it was a privilege to be with him and said he brought a strong message of solidarity from the Irish Government and people. Mr Coveney also said Ireland is pushing for a "maximalist" package of sanctions against Russia. He told the press conference he wanted to bring the "madness" of the war to an end. Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova visits a mass grave in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv - FADEL SENNA/AFP 02:06 PM Russia says Ukrainian helicopters hit homes in Bryansk region Russia's investigative committee said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had carried out at least six helicopter air strikes against the village of Klimovo in the Russian region of Bryansk, injuring seven people. The Bryansk region governor said earlier that two residential buildings in the village had been hit by shelling. Ukraine's defence ministry and military did not respond to requests for comment about cross-border shelling in the area. 01:55 PM British fighter in Ukraine captured by Russians Aiden Aslin, who joined Ukraines military as a marine in 2018, appears to have been photographed restrained in handcuffs after allegedly surrendering to Russian troops. The man shows signs of being badly beaten in the image, which was posted by a pro-Russian Twitter account. The caption read: "Aiden Aslin. Britain, Nottingham. An English mercenary who fought on the side of the Nazis in Mariupol. Many lost it, but we found it. An interesting interview is coming soon." A friend of Mr Aslin told The Telegraph the picture does look like him and his distinctive tattoos can be seen. Mr Aslins unit was defending the southern city of Mariupol, which has been destroyed by constant bombing from Russia. Read the full story by Verity Bowman Aidan Aslin, AKA Johnny Aslin, after allegedly being captured by Russian forces in Mariupol 01:41 PM EU payment in roubles for Russian gas would violate sanctions regime Payment for Russian gas in roubles by European Union buyers as demanded by President Vladimir Putin would break the EU's sanctions regime against Moscow, an internal European Commission note said. Putin has warned Europe it risks having gas supplies cut unless it pays in the Russian currency as he seeks retaliation over Western sanctions for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. In March, Moscow proposed that energy buyers open accounts at Gazprombank, where payments in euros or dollars would be converted to roubles. The European Commission's note, making clear it is technical, preliminary, and based on an unofficial translation of the Russian Presidential Decree of March 31, said the law added several new layers of obligations on EU gas buyers, taking the effective completion of the purchase out of their hands. "This mechanism would lead to a breach of the existing EU restrictive measures adopted in respect of Russia, its government, the Central Bank of Russia, and their proxies," the internal note, seen by Reuters, said. 01:15 PM Strains in German coalition as junior partners turn on Scholz over Ukraine Frustration is growing among German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's junior coalition partners over what they say are shortcomings in his leadership on Ukraine, highlighting an internal rift that risks undermining Western unity against Russia. After a dramatic policy pivot at the start of the crisis, when Scholz halted the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project with Russia days before its invasion of Ukraine, and then vowed a big jump in defence spending, his partners accuse him of dithering. "I have the impression that Mr Scholz is not aware of the serious damage he is doing to Germany's reputation in Central Europe, in Eastern Europe, basically in the whole of Europe," Anton Hofreiter, Greens chairman of parliament's Europe committee said. Seven weeks into the war, the junior Greens and liberal Free Democratic (FDP) parties in Scholz's coalition are vexed that Berlin is not meeting Ukrainian pleas to send it more heavy weapons, amid warnings from Kyiv that Russia is ramping up for a major offensive in Ukraine's south and east. Some in the three-way coalition with Scholz's left-leaning Social Democratic Party (SPD) also want him to do more to reduce German energy dependence on Russia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attending a meeting of Germany's Security Cabinet amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine - Annegret Hilse/REUTERS POOL 12:57 PM US can't confirm yet what damaged Russian warship, Pentagon says The United States does not have enough information now to confirm what caused an explosion on a Russian warship that Ukraine has claimed was caused by one of its missiles, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said on Thursday. "We don't know what caused that explosion," Mr Kirby said in an interview on MSNBC. "We've seen the social media reports that this was maybe a Ukrainian coastal defense missile (that) hit it. We can't rule that out, we just don't have enough information right now," he said. 12:47 PM Accusing Russia of genocide in Ukraine could widen war, Macron says French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that accusing Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine could lead to the war spreading, as he defended his decision not to use the term. "The word genocide has a meaning" and "needs to be characterised legally, not by politicians," Mr Macron told France Bleu radio during a trip to northern France. "States that consider that it is genocide have an obligation under international law to intervene. Is that what people want? I don't think so," he explained. It would mean becoming a "co-belligerent" in the war, he said, potentially drawing Western countries in the Nato military alliance into the conflict. 12:36 PM Washington's Russian Embassy used as projector screen by pro-Ukraine pranksters The Russian embassy in Washington DC has a facade that, by and large, is large, flat and white. It is a design that, however accidentally, gives the building some resemblance to a projector screen, reports Tom Ough. That is exactly how it has been used by pro-Ukrainian pranksters. A video uploaded to social media this morning shows Boris Nemtsov Plaza, home of the embassy, at night-time. Onto the thick foliage of the trees to the embassys right is projected the Ukrainian flag, vivid blue and yellow against a dark backdrop. The flag, apparently beamed from the other side of the wide avenue, begins to tack to the left. Inexorably it moves towards the Russian embassy, arriving at the top-left corner. The embassy is already lit by large, faint spotlights in the red, white and blue of Russias flag and by a second, weaker Ukrainian flag, suggesting some prankster coordination. It is the stronger flag that prompts the interception attempt that has made this video go viral. Up sweeps a white Russian spotlight, straight to the incoming Ukrainian flag. Theyre trying to drown you out, comments an onlooker. The attempted military escort is thwarted. The Ukrainian flag is so bright that the white spotlight hardly shows up. Emboldened, the Ukrainian flag makes a further incursion into Russian territory, adding insult to injury by provocatively bobbing up and down. More cat and mouse. pic.twitter.com/dagrsnQlLo Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) April 14, 2022 12:32 PM Kyiv says 30 people returned to Ukraine in Russia prisoner swap Ukraine said Thursday that 30 prisoners of war were being returned to the country as part of the most recent exchange of captives with Russia, following an order from President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Five officers and 17 servicemen were exchanged. Also eight civilians, including one woman, were released. In total, 30 of our citizens are going home today," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in a statement on social media. 12:22 PM Russia should diversify energy exports towards Asia, Putin says Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for diversification of energy exports towards Asia, warning that European countries were destabilising the market by moving to cut out Russian deliveries. "We need to diversify exports... step by step shift the direction of our exports to the fast-growing markets of the south and east," Putin said at a televised meeting on the energy sector. He criticised moves by European countries to stop using Russian energy, saying these "further destabilise the market and push up prices". 11:49 AM Russian official says Ukraine shelling hit residential buildings in Bryansk The governor of Russia's southern Bryansk region said on Thursday that residential buildings in the village of Klimovo had been hit after coming under fire from the Ukrainian army. "Today, the village of Klimovo came under fire by Ukrainian armed forces. Two residential buildings were damaged as a result of the shelling and there were casualties among the residents", governor Alexander Bogomaz said on his Telegram channel. Ukraine's defence ministry and military did not immediately respond to requests for comment after Russia earlier said mortars had landed near a border facility in the Bryansk region. 11:25 AM Pictured: Anti-tank weapon provided by UK to Ukraine ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA - ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA 11:22 AM China rejects 'pressure or coercion' over Russia relations China has said it would reject "any pressure or coercion" over its relationship with Russia, in response to a call from US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for Beijing to use its "special relationship with Russia" to persuade Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian defended China's position on the war, saying it had "made considerable efforts to de-escalate the situation, defuse the crisis and rebuild peace." "China is playing a constructive role in the Ukraine issue," Mr Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. China has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine by strategic partner Russia, or even refer to the conflict as a war in deference to Moscow, which uses the term "special military operation." "We oppose unfounded accusations and suspicions against China, nor will we accept any pressure or coercion," Mr Zhao said. "Time will tell that China's claims are on the right side of history." 11:12 AM Russia says crippled warship to be towed back to port Russia said the crew of its Black Sea fleet flagship were evacuated on Thursday and measures were being taken to tow the ship back to port after an explosion of ammunition on board that Ukraine said was caused by a missile strike. Russia's defence ministry said the fire on the Soviet-era missile cruiser Moskva had been contained, but left the ship badly damaged. It did not acknowledge the ship had been attacked and said the cause of the fire was under investigation. Ukraine's southern military command said that it hit the warship with a Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship missile and that it had started to sink. Reuters was unable to verify either side's statements. The loss or disabling of the Moskva would be another blow for Russia - on the 50th day of its war in Ukraine - as it readies for a new assault in the eastern Donbas region that is likely to define the outcome of the conflict. Russia's navy has launched cruise missiles into Ukraine and its activities in the Black Sea are crucial to supporting land operations in the south of the country, where it is battling to seize full control of the port of Mariupol. 11:02 AM Nearly one million refugees who left Ukraine have returned Almost one million Ukrainians have returned to the country since the start of the invasion, border force officials have said. Andriy Demchenko, the spokesman of the State Border Guard Service, said that over 870,000 Ukrainians have returned to the country since the start of the Russian, with around 25,000 to 30,000 returning each day. Over n 4.5 million people have fled from Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the United Nations. 10:54 AM Pictured: ICC prosecutor visits mass grave in Bucha gg - Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images 10:53 AM Dutch government to instruct firms not to pay for Russian gas in roubles The Netherlands' government will instruct companies not to pay for Russian gas in roubles, as Moscow has proposed, a spokesperson said on Thursday, as doing so would violate European Union sanctions. A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs said the country had adopted the position following a decision by the European Commission on Wednesday. The position is being communicated to energy companies, they said. 10:25 AM China defends stance on Russia after US criticism China on Thursday defended its stance on the Ukraine conflict as being "on the right side of history", after a US warning that Beijing's unwillingness to sanction Russia could affect its relations with other economies. Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, treading a diplomatic tightrope between backing its close ally and maintaining ties with the West by avoiding outright violations of sanctions placed on Russia. That has put China at odds with the United States and its allies, which have responded with fury to the seven-week-old conflict, sanctioning Russia's financial system and other parts of its economy in an effort to get President Vladimir Putin to back down. 10:09 AM Russia says it has contained fire on the Moskva missile cruiser Russia's defence ministry said on Thursday it had contained a fire on board the Moskva missile cruiser, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, and that measures were being taken to tow it back to port. The ministry, which said the blaze broke out after ammunition blew up on board, said the cruiser's main weaponry had not been damaged and that its crew had been evacuated onto other ships. The defence ministry had said on Thursday that the ship had been badly damaged by the fire, the latest setback for Russia which has suffered a series of blows since it sent troops into Ukraine on February 24 in what it called a "special military operation." 09:58 AM Russia says it is limiting oil data access to protect local market Russia's Energy Ministry is limiting access to its statistics on oil and gas production and exports, it said on Thursday. The ministry "is limiting the distribution of information, which could be used as an additional pressure on the Russian market and its participants," it said. The ministry unit which compiles the data, the CDU TEK, did not publish monthly data on April 2, according to two clients, in the first such delay in years. "The industry's statistical data, amid the restrictions, is quite sensitive to manipulation, which endangers operations of CDU TEK's counterparties," the ministry said. 09:45 AM Russian subs fire missiles in Sea of Japan amid Ukraine tension Russian submarines in the Sea of Japan have fired cruise missiles during exercises, the defence ministry said Thursday, at a time of tension with Tokyo over its support for Ukraine. The ministry announced two submarines off far eastern Russia, the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and the Volkov, fired Kalibr cruise missiles from underwater at a target. It posted video footage of the missiles rising out of the sea as the submarine crews simulated coming under missile attack. Japan has joined tough Western sanctions on Moscow and welcomed several hundred Ukrainians fleeing the conflict as well as sending non-lethal military aid. 09:20 AM Kharkiv governor: four civilians killed, 10 wounded in shelling The governor of Ukraine's Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyegubov, said four civilians had been killed and 10 wounded during Russian shelling of the city of Kharkiv on Thursday. Reuters could not immediately verify Mr Synyegubov's remarks. In a statement, the Kharkiv region governor also urged residents of some towns to evacuate since he said military operations were expected to take place in the area. 09:19 AM Watch: Archive footage of Moskva in action during a training exercise 09:06 AM Ukraine's foreign minister adopts puppy from Mariupol Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has adopted a puppy from the besieged port city of Mariupol, and named it Marik after the city's nickname. The puppy was born to a dog whose owners went missing, he said in an Instagram post, adding: "I couldn't resist giving him a chance at a happy dog life". "So now my other two dogs Gustav and Benji have a friend," he added. 08:59 AM Around 16,400 people have arrived in UK under Ukraine visa schemes Around 16,400 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes as of Monday, according to Government figures. rwgt - AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File 08:32 AM Russian threat to increase military in the Baltic region is "nothing new" - Lithuanian PM Russian threat to increase military in the Baltic region, including nuclear, is "nothing new", Lithuania's prime minister Ingrida Simonyte said on Thursday. "That Russia threatens, it is nothing new," she told reporters. "Kaliningrad is a very militarized zone, has been for many years, and it is in the Baltic region". Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, on the shore of the Baltic Sea, is sandwiched between NATO members Lithuania and Poland. One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies warned Nato on Thursday that if Sweden and Finland joined the US-led military alliance then Russia would have to bolster its defences in the region, including by deploying nuclear weapons. 08:20 AM Russia opens criminal cases into alleged torture of its soldiers by Ukraine Russia's Investigative Committee said on Thursday it was opening criminal cases into Ukrainian servicemen's alleged torture of their Russian counterparts as Moscow continues its military campaign in Ukraine. The committee, which probes major crimes, said some Russian soldiers had been captured by Ukrainian forces in the Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv regions and held illegally by Ukraine's security service. "Russians were subjected to physical violence and torture in order to force them to give false explanations about the actual conditions of their illegal detention on the premises of the Security Service of Ukraine, as well as on (Russia's) special military operation," it said in a statement. Reuters could not independently verify the committee's allegations. Ukraine has said it checks all information regarding the treatment of prisoners of war and will investigate any violations and take appropriate legal action. 08:19 AM Russian rouble falls with capital control measures in focus The Russian rouble weakened on Thursday, driven by expectations that Russia may relax its temporary capital control measures further, while stocks fell as the country continued what it calls "a special military operation" in Ukraine. The Russian central bank is considering easing requirements for mandatory foreign currency revenue sales by export-focused companies, business daily Vedomosti reported, citing a central bank official. Currently, Russian exporters are obliged to sell 80 per cent of their forex revenues in the first three days after receiving it under a rule established by President Vladimir Putin in late-February to limit rouble's volatility amid western sanctions. At 07:39 GMT, the rouble fell 2 per cent to 81.50, heading away from its strongest level since Nov. 11 of 71 it hit last week. 07:51 AM Russian finance minister to attend G20 meeting virtually G20 host Indonesia said on Thursday that Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has confirmed he planned to attend next week's meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 major economies virtually. Indonesian finance ministry official Wempi Saputra also told a briefing that Jakarta was considering whether to invite Ukraine to the meeting, which will be held on April 20 in Washington, to discuss the impact of the war in Ukraine. 07:36 AM Russia warns Nato over Sweden and Finland membership Russia on Thursday warned Nato that if Sweden and Finland joined the military alliance then Russia would have to bolster its defences and that there could be no more talk of a "nuclear free" Baltic. "There can be no more talk of any nuclearfree status for the Baltic - the balance must be restored," said Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council. "Until today, Russia has not taken such measures and was not going to," Mr Medvedev said. 07:27 AM Read the MoD's latest intelligent update on Ukraine Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 14 April 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/vFayCbnSMF #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/tmpiigcR8c Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) April 14, 2022 07:23 AM Ukrainian towns Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka likely to be Russian targets, UK says The Ukrainian towns of Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka are likely to be targeted by Russia for levels of violence seen in other urban centres since Moscow invaded Ukraine in late February, British military intelligence said on Thursday. In an update on the war, Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that "widespread missile and artillery strikes and efforts to concentrate forces for an offensive" showed a reversion to traditional Russian military doctrine. The MoD added that Ukraine's continued defence of Mariupol was currently tying down significant numbers of Russian troops and equipment. 07:08 AM Nine humanitarian corridors agreed for Thursday Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said nine humanitarian corridors had been agreed for Thursday to evacuate civilians, including by private car from the besieged city of Mariupol. Other evacuation routes are from Berdiansk, Tokmak and Enerhodar, and ones in the eastern Luhansk region will operate if occupying Russian forces stop their shelling, Vereshchuk added in a statement. 07:02 AM Ukraine says it is restarting evacuations Ukraine said Thursday it was reopening humanitarian corridors allowing for the evacuation of civilians from war-scarred regions of the country after a day-long pause that Kyiv attributed to Russian violations. Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in a statement on social media that nine routes in the east and south of the country would be operating a day after they were shut because routes, she had said, were "too dangerous". 06:43 AM The latest pictures from Mariupol A hand grenade is seen tied to window's guard of a house in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol under the control of Russian military and pro-Russian separatists, on April 13, 2022. - Photo by Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images hg - Photo by Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images f - Photo by Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images 06:36 AM Putin assured me gas supply is safe, Austrian leader tells APA Russian President Vladimir Putin told Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer when they met this week that Austria's supply of gas from Russia is safe and the country can continue to pay for it in euros, Mr Nehammer told national news agency APA. Mr Nehammer met Putin near Moscow on Monday and had until now not publicly mentioned their discussion on Austria's security of gas supply. The country obtains 80 per cent of its natural gas from Russia and opposes an immediate European Union gas embargo on Russia, arguing it is not possible for the time being. Putin said "that the gas supply is secured, that Russia will deliver the contractually agreed quantities and that payments can continue to be made in euros", APA on Thursday quoted Mr Nehammer as saying in an interview carried out on Wednesday. 06:25 AM Ireland's foreign minister visits Kyiv Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney is visiting Kyiv on Thursday. Mr Coveney will visit areas in the Ukrainian capital directly affected by the Russian invasion and meet Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and defence minister Oleksii Reznikov. He is the first foreign minister on the UN Security Council to visit Kyiv since the war began. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said: "His discussions with the Ukrainian government will focus on how Ireland can continue to provide political, security and humanitarian support to Ukraine, assist Ukraine in its application for EU candidate status, take forward further EU sanctions on Russia and hold Russia to account for its brutal and unjustified invasion." Ireland has provided 20 million euro in humanitarian aid to the country and Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring counties, and 33 million euro in non-lethal assistance for the Ukrainian military through the European Peace Facility. 05:55 AM Moskva fire: 'We don't understand what happened' Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said that "a surprise happened" with the Moskva, the Russian navy's Black Sea flagship. Russian state media said on Thursday that the Russian warship had been "seriously damaged" by an ammunition explosion. The warship became notorious after Ukrainian border guards cursed its Russian crew just weeks earlier, when the ship fired on 13 Ukrainian defenders on Snake Island. Mr Arestovych said: "It burns strongly. Right now. And with this stormy sea, it is unknown whether they will be able to receive help. "We don't understand what happened." 05:46 AM Trafficking fears for children in care home Left in care homes and now threatened by war, thousands of already vulnerable Ukrainian refugees are at risk of being trafficked as they are uprooted by fighting across the country. Some have come under Russian fire in their care homes. Others fled amid the sound of explosions and gunfire. Many remain unaccounted for, lost in the chaos of Ukraine's sprawling and often disorganised social service system. "There was a big problem of forced labour in the orphanages before the war (and) trafficking for the sex industry," said Eric Rosenthal, director of Disability Rights International in Washington. Now there is an even greater danger "of children being targeted, children being left behind, children being abandoned". There are more than 100,000 children in orphanages, boarding schools, or homes for the disabled in Ukraine, the highest number in all of Europe, according to the UN's refugee agency. 04:59 AM Grateful Estonia: 'Britain has definitely done a lot' A high-ranking Estonian defence chief has praised the UK for its support deterring Russian aggression in Ukraine, but called on Western allies to double the number of troops being sent to the country's eastern border. Kusti Salm, permanent secretary for the Estonian Ministry of Defence, said Nato forces needed to ramp up their presence in the Baltic States to warn Russian president Vladimir Putin against further invading Europe. Calling Russia "a historic-level murderer", Mr Salm told journalists at a press conference in Tallinn, the country's capital, that the threat from the Russian Federation was now "as clear as anything can be". "There's not enough words of thank you for Britain. Britain has definitely done a lot, so we are extremely grateful," he said. "There has been no hesitation in its commitment to the allied principles. But everyone can always do more. "We need to make sure that the deterrent message the allied forces are sending to Russia is that they shouldn't even have a thought about invading Nato or attacking Nato." Since the war in Ukraine began, Britain has doubled the number of soldiers it has based in Estonia as part of the Nato Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in the country, bringing the total to 1,650. 04:13 AM Space agency cuts Moon mission with Russia The European Space Agency has ended cooperation with Russia on three missions to the Moon. ESA said it would "discontinue cooperative activities" on Luna-25, 26 and 27, a series of Russian lunar missions on which the European agency had aimed to test new equipment and technology. In late March, collaboration on ExoMars, a plan to land a rover on Mars to drill into the soil and search for signs of life, also was suspended. "As with ExoMars, 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," ESA said. 03:24 AM Russia claims more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines surrendered Troops said to be prisoners of war stand in formation in a location given as Mariupol. The still image was taken from video that Russian TV released and said showed Ukrainian marines surrendering - RURTR/via Reuters Ukrainian fighters defending Mariupol have managed to regroup for a last stand to keep the city from falling to Russia, commanders have said. The defiant message came as Russia claimed more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines fighting in the besieged city had surrendered, with those remaining urged to end their "pointless resistance". Ramzan Kadyrov, the pro-Kremlin leader of Chechnya, has urged the remaining resistance fighters in the Azovstal industrial district to give up, which would all but pave the way for a Russian victory in Mariupol. READ MORE: Heroic defenders of besieged Mariupol regroup for last stand after 1,000 surrender 02:54 AM Russian billionaire's superyacht docks without clearance The US embassy is cooperating with Fijian authorities after a Russian oligarch's yacht docked in Fiji's Lautoka port. "The United States is committed to finding and seizing the assets of the oligarchs who have supported the Russian Federations brutal, unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine," the embassy said of the superyacht Amadea, owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, which docked without customs clearance. "We and several of our EU partners have already frozen or seized many assets of these oligarchs. "We are working closely with governments and private sector partners in Europe, and the entire world, including Fiji, on this issue." 02:46 AM Crew detained after oligarch's yacht arrives in Fiji Fiji police are today investigating the arrival of a luxury vessel owned by a Russian oligarch, questioning its captain about how he brought the boat to the Pacific island nation without customs clearance. Fiji newspapers reported that police seized the superyacht Amadea, owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov - who has been sanctioned by the UK, US and EU - and detained its crew. An official at the National Police Command and Control Centre confirmed to Reuters that the captain of the vessel, which arrived on Tuesday, was being questioned. Commissioner of Police, Brigadier General Sitivini Qiliho, told the Fiji Sun newspaper that the Attorney General's office had been contacted by a foreign government requesting assistance in a criminal matter, and Fiji had agreements with other countries to enforce sanctions on Russian oligarchs. Fiji had been alerted about the approach of the Amadea before it moored at Lautoka Wharf. The Marine Traffic website showed Amadea left Mexico 18 days ago. 02:37 AM In pictures: More war horrors for Ukrainian civilians A dog stands beside a man as he smokes in front of a destroyed house in Bohdanivka village, northeast of Kyiv - GENYA SAVILOV/AFP Civilians pass by a Russian soldier in central Mariupol as Russian troops intensify a campaign to take the strategic port city - ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP Local resident Nadiya, 65, in front of a hole in a house after shelling in the village of Zalissya, northeast of Kyiv - GENYA SAVILOV/AFP A road service worker stands in front of destroyed houses in the village Zalissya, northeast of Kyiv - GENYA SAVILOV/AFP 02:31 AM Ukrainian governor says missiles hit Russian ship Russia said on Thursday that 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. Russia's defence 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. Russian news agencies said the Moskva, commissioned in 1983, was armed with 16 anti-ship "Vulkan" cruise missiles with a range of at least 700 km (440 miles). The Moskva is the second major ship known to have suffered serious damage since the start of the war. 02:11 AM Australia increases sanctions on Russian businesses Australia imposed targeted financial sanctions on 14 Russian state-owned enterprises on Thursday, including defence-related entities such as a truckmaker and shipping companies. Sanctions will also extend to electronic company Ruselectronics, responsible for the production of around 80pc of all Russian electronics components, and Russian Railways, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said. Australia has now sanctioned about 600 individuals and entities, including most of Russia's banking sector and all organisations responsible for the country's sovereign debt. It has also supplied defence equipment and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, while banning mining exports to Russia. 01:55 AM Ammunition blows up on flagship of Russian fleet The flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, the Moskva missile cruiser, was badly damaged when ammunition on board blew up, Interfax news agency quoted the defence ministry as saying on Thursday. The blast is yet another military setback for Russia, which has suffered a series of blows since invading Ukraine. Interfax said all the crew had been evacuated. It cited the ministry as blaming the blast on a fire and said the cause was being investigated. A satellite image offers a view of the Russian Navy's guided missile cruiser Moskva at port in Sevastopol, Crimea, on April 7 - MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES A Ukrainian official earlier said that the Moskva had been hit by two anti-ship missiles but did not give any evidence. The 12,500 tonne ship usually has a crew of around 500. "As the result of a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser, ammunition detonated. The ship was seriously damaged," the Russian Defence Ministry said. "The crew was completely evacuated." 01:40 AM War threatens to devastate struggling countries' economies A UN task force is warning in a new report that Russia's 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. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has launched the report, 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 pandemic, climate change and a lack of access to adequate funding for their economic recovery. Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the UN 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 calls on international financial institutions to do everything possible to ensure more liquidity immediately. 01:33 AM Today's top stories China donates batch of medicines, equipment to South Sudan Xinhua) 08:45, April 14, 2022 JUBA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China through its ninth batch of medical team in South Sudan on Wednesday donated medicines and equipment to the African country's main referral hospital. Yolanda Awel, South Sudan's minister of health who received the new batch of medical assortments in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, hailed the mutual bilateral relationship between the two countries. "I applaud the mutual relationship that the government of South Sudan has with the government of China. This cooperation will go a long way since we have numerous (health) projects coming up," Awel said during the handing over ceremony. "As we receive this batch of medicines and equipment, we need to adhere to medical guidelines, best practices and management," she added. Awel noted that the latest donation will ease pressure on the Chinese-built Juba Teaching Hospital, and also provide essential health services to the population in the capital. Anthony Lupai, director general of Juba Teaching Hospital, said that successive teams of Chinese doctors, nurses and technicians have hugely supported the health sector of the country since 2013. "We have been here witnessing the kindness of the Chinese medical team. Every year they send a group in all departments helping us, they are here because of their solidarity with the people of South Sudan," said Lupai. He disclosed that Chinese medics do not only treat locals but also help in other aspects such as training South Sudanese health workers. "I have been on the ground, I have witnessed the numerous things that they have been bringing to Juba Teaching Hospital," Lupai added. Hua Ning, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, congratulated the Chinese medical team for their dedicated and selfless service to the people of South Sudan. "I am here to congratulate the ninth batch of the Chinese medical team for their excellent performance in Juba Teaching Hospital. They have been conducting daily health services to the local patients, and they have also hosted training programs for the health care students," said Hua. Hua added that recently a technical team sent from China had also completed an on-site survey and assessment of the China-aided Project of Phase II of Expansion and Modernization of Juba Teaching Hospital in South Sudan. "We are committed to advancing our very strong cooperation in the health sector, and we are going to promote the existing cooperation between Chinese hospitals and South Sudanese hospitals, especially the Juba teaching hospital," said Hua. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) P. Tyson Bennett, an attorney who advised the Anne Arundel County Board of Education for more than three decades, died Tuesday of complications from dementia. He was 74. Tyson Bennett in his Annapolis law office in 1990. (Check with Baltimore Sun Photo) Colleagues and family members remembered Mr. Bennett for his kindness, calmness and vast knowledge of the law. Advertisement Our firm was proud to have Tyson as a partner and proud of his accomplishments, especially those in education law, and we will miss him, Darren Burns of Mr. Bennetts former firm, Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr. Advertisement In addition to serving as the boards attorney from 1983 to his retirement in 2018, Mr. Bennett was a member of the school board from 1975 to 1977. P. Tyson Bennett, Esq., longtime Board of Education Counsel and Board Member, Anne Arundel County Public Schools. (courtesy of Kalas Funeral Home) Because he had been a school board member and was from Anne Arundel, what happens to Anne Arundel County schools matters personally, Burns said. His role as a lawyer, his hometown pride in helping the board be the best it can, for this school system, shone through in what he did. Burns said the job of board attorney is largely about helping the board run meetings, adopt policies and inform members on how state law affects the local school system. Burns took over as the boards attorney after Mr. Bennetts retirement and said Mr. Bennett mentored him in the field of education law. He was excellent at advising about policy, and very good at parliamentary process, Burns said. Former members of the Board of Education who worked with Mr. Bennett said his knowledge of the law was unmatched, and appreciated by the board, whose members dont always have a legal background. Former board Vice President Terry Gilleland said the board attorney is often the last person to give members advice when members are considering an appeal of a decision made by the superintendent about subjects like redistricting and out-of-area transfers. Gilleland worked with Mr. Bennett from 2016 to 2018, as well as when he was the student member of the board from 1994 to1995. He certainly left a massive footprint, a constant for three-plus decades in the midst of changing board members and changing superintendents, Gilleland said. Advertisement Former board President Stacy Korbelak said Mr. Bennett was a calming presence whose dedication to the field of school board law was remarkable. His institutional knowledge from 35 years of service, combined with fresh perspectives he gained through conversations with colleagues and work around the state, were essential to the boards operations. Im not really sure how the board would have run if he hadnt been around and in the room, she said. Former board President Patricia Nalley said Mr. Bennett kept meetings orderly, and could be relied upon to answer a question. I never saw Tyson flustered, she said. Nalley and other board members named the boards caucus room for Mr. Bennett when he retired in 2018. Board of Education attorney P. Tyson Bennett was recognized by the board at his retirement on June 6, 2018. He served as the board's lead counsel for 35 years and the board's caucus room was named in his honor. (Rachael Pacella / Capital Gazette) The current board and Superintendent George Arlotto issued a statement Wednesday expressing their condolences to Mr. Bennetts family. Advertisement Serving first as a board member and then as the longtime counsel to the board, Tyson was a gentle giant who could be counted on for sage and well-thought-out advice that moved our school system forward. The fruits of his efforts can be seen in the countless lives he made better, and his influence on our school system and, therefore, its children, will be felt for decades to come. Mr. Bennetts daughter, Meredith Bennett, said her father was a lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County, growing up in Mayo and living in Heritage Harbor near Annapolis with his wife, Kris Powell Bennett. He was active in local politics, including a run for state Senate in the early 80s. He was driven by a desire to help people get a great education, she said. She said her father loved sharing what he knew with others. Through the Education Law Association, he traveled around the country and shared the successes of the Anne Arundel County school board. Her father loved classical music, Meredith Bennett said, and supported the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Opera Company and Maryland Hall. He had a great sense of humor, and was clever and witty, she said, and a great caregiver for his dog, Remi. Advertisement A viewing for Mr. Bennett is scheduled for Friday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. A funeral service will be held at Mayo United Methodist Church at noon on Saturday. He is survived by his daughter Meredith, wife Kris Powell Bennett, stepdaughter Alexis Powell Cooke and step-grandchildren Reeves and Cecilia Cooke. In lieu of flowers, donations should be directed to the Alzheimers Association or Anne Arundel Medical Center. A criminal case has been opened against a Siberian journalist whose news website had published content critical of Russias military operation in Ukraine, Russian media reported on Thursday. Mikhail Afanasyev, chief editor of Novy Fokus in the Russian region of Khakassia, was arrested by security forces Wednesday over the websites reporting on 11 riot police who allegedly refused deployment to Ukraine as part of Russias military action there. Afanasyev was accused Thursday of disseminating deliberately false information about the Russian armed forces, an offense which carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence under a law passed last month. Afanasyev has published numerous investigations into sensitive issues in Khakassia, such as organized crime and alleged abuses of power by local officials. He was accused of libel in 2009 over reporting that criticized the Russian governments response to an explosion at the countrys largest hydroelectric plant that year. And in 2016, he reportedly faced death threats from a criminal gang active in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, after he detailed the groups illegal activities and suspected ties to local police. Another Siberia-based journalist was also arrested Wednesday on suspicion of breaching Russias new laws on media coverage of the situation in Ukraine. Sergei Mikhailov, founder of the LIStok weekly newspaper based in the Republic of Altay, was reportedly placed in pre-trial detention over the outlets alleged calls for sanctions against Russia. LIStoks website has been blocked since March for promoting activities opposing Moscows actions in Ukraine. Refugees fleeing from Ukraine are seen after crossing Ukrainian-Polish border due to Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine on March 6, 2022. Beata Zawrzel/Getty Images A growing number of Ukrainian women are accusing Russian troops of sexual violence during the war. The UN is urging an investigation into the accusations as reports of rape and violence pile up. "Rape is used now as a weapon of war by Russian invaders in Ukraine," a UN official said. Several ambassadors in the United Nations are urging the International Criminal Court to independently investigate the growing number of accusations from Ukrainian women of Russian soldiers' use of sexual violence and rape. "We are increasingly hearing of rape and sexual violence. These allegations must be independently investigated to ensure justice and accountability," Sima Bahous, executive director for UN Women, told the UN Security Council Monday. "The combination of mass displacement with the large presence of conscripts and mercenaries, and the brutality displayed against Ukrainian civilians, has raised all red flags," she added. Ambassadors for France, Norway, Germany, Gabon, and Ukraine expressed support for an investigation. Though Russia has repeatedly denied attacks on civilians since invading Ukraine in late February, Ukrainian civilian casualties are heavily documented and now, horrifying accounts of sexual violence are coming to the forefront of these abuses. Kateryna Cherepakha, president of La Strada Ukraine, a human rights organization, told the UN Security Council Monday that the organization had received information on nine separate cases in which 12 women and girls accused Russian troops of rape, Reuters reported. "This is just the tip of the iceberg," Cherepakha said. "We know and see and we want you to hear our voices that violence and rape is used now as a weapon of war by Russian invaders in Ukraine." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed the reports, telling Lithuanian lawmakers via video Tuesday there are "hundreds of cases of rape" in areas of the country impacted by Russian troops, Al Jazeera reported. Story continues Russia denied the allegations during the council meeting. "No convincing evidence has been presented for any of these crimes, but it's understandable that you have trampled the presumption of innocence a long time ago," Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russian deputy ambassador to the UN, said at the meeting. But, as Ukrainian forces have liberated cities from Russian control, dozens of civilians and advocacy groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have shared devasting accounts of sexual brutality. Low morale, conscripts, and foreign fighters within the Russian forces could be driving soldiers to commit sexual abuse during the war, Insider previously reported, citing previous instances when Russian troops committed the same type of violence. Some of the war's worst abuses including sexual violence were discovered in Bucha, a suburb just over an hour's drive away from the Ukrainian capital. Lyudmyla Denisova, the Ukrainian Parliament's Human Rights Commissioner, shared with BBC an instance in Bucha when a group of "About 25 girls and women aged 14 to 24 were systematically raped during the occupation in the basement of one house in Bucha." "Russian soldiers told them they would rape them to the point where they wouldn't want sexual contact with any man, to prevent them from having Ukrainian children," she told BBC. At least nine of the women and girls were impregnated, she said. The United Nations did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider TAMPA Ukraine and Russia dont just share a border but also cultural and historic ties that go back centuries. So when Russian restaurant owner Kirill Chemodanov was asked by Ukrainian students from the University of South Florida to help raise money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine, he didnt hesitate. Babushkas, his Russian restaurant in Hyde Park, will host a benefit dinner on Saturday. We cant be blind to the suffering of Ukrainian people, Chemodanov said. We would like to invite more people and businesses to support the people of Ukraine. The event will start at 6 p.m. at Babushkas at 901 W Platt St. The organizers say proceeds will go to Razom, a human rights and humanitarian aid nonprofit that has been raising money for Ukraine since 2014. Razom is a Ukrainian word meaning together. Chemodanov opened Babushkas in December. He and his father, Alexander Chemodanov, also own and run another Babushkas in Temple Terrace. The family hails from Novorossiysk, Russia, a port city on the Black Sea. Chemodanov said it wasnt a difficult decision to support Ukraine despite his familys ties to Russia. The restaurants are one of the main gathering places for Russian and eastern European people in the Tampa Bay region, he said. Both restaurants have been flying Ukraine flags since the start of the invasion in February, In the early weeks of the war, both restaurants offered free borscht, a red beet soup, to people who showed proof they had donated money to Ukraine. The restaurant also hosted a protest March 5 where about 100 people rallied in support of Ukraine. There was also an immigration attorney present for Ukrainians who needed assistance. Chemodanov told the Tampa Bay Times in March that some in the local Russian community were upset that the restaurant isnt supporting their own country. We do whats right, Chemodanov said. Nobody from my family supports what is going on. His father also lives in Tampa Bay, but his mom is still living in Russia. The family is working to try and get her out of the country. Story continues The dinner costs $60 per person to attend and includes a 4-course tasting menu of Ukrainian dishes and cocktails, said Chemodanov. The menu will include vareniki, which are similar to perogies, Chicken Kiev, some traditional Ukrainian salads and borscht. Ukrainian Students of USF, the student group that is helping organize the event, is also arranging for Ukrainian musicians to perform. It doesnt matter where you are from, this is an international issue, not only between Russia and Ukraine, said Ivan Cherniavskyi, a Ukrainian student at USF who helped organize the event. Only together as one international community can we stop this war and help those in need. If youre interested Where: Babushkas, 901 W Platt St., Tampa. When: Saturday, 6 p.m. Cost: $60 per person. Reservations: To reserve a table, use opentable.com or call 813-647-9239. As Russian strikes pounded the besieged port city of Mariupol in Ukraine, Facebook posts shared in various languages claimed US General Roger L. Cloutier was captured by Russian forces there. However, NATO said the rumour was "completely false" and that Cloutier, who leads NATO's Allied Land Command, had not been to Ukraine since July 2021. Cloutier was in Turkey when the false claims about his whereabouts circulated online. "There are rumours that Major General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, commander of the United States Army Africa (what is the commander of the United States Army Africa doing in Ukraine?) was captured in Mariupol, where he was helping to command Azov forces," reads a Thai Facebook post shared on April 7. "It was reported that he was caught attempting to leave Mariupol disguised as a villager," it adds. Cloutier heads NATO's Allied Land Command and previously commanded the US Army Africa and Southern Europe Task Force. The Azov Regiment, which is entrenched in Mariupol, has been at the heart of the propaganda war between Ukraine and Russia, as Moscow claims to seek the "denazification" of its pro-Western neighbour. Created in 2014 by far-right activists, the regiment initially displayed emblems such as the "Wolfsangel" (wolf hook) that is associated with Nazi Germany. It has since been integrated into Ukraine's national guard, and experts say it has been "de-ideologised". A screenshot of the misleading Facebook post, taken on April 13, 2022. Similar Facebook posts circulating in various languages, including English and French. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in Russia's bloody siege of Mariupol, a strategic port city in the southeast between Russia-occupied Crimea and pro-Russian separatist regions in Ukraine's east. NATO denial However, the Facebook posts are incorrect. "These claims are completely false," a representative for the headquarters of NATO's Allied Command Operations, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) told AFP. Story continues The spokesperson said Cloutier last visited Ukraine in July 2021, when he attended talks in the capital Kyiv aimed at strengthening NATO's partnership with Ukrainian forces. According to social media posts, Cloutier was in Turkey as the false rumour about his capture in Ukraine spread online. Cloutier shared a photo on LinkedIn on April 5 showing him speaking at a NATO event in the Turkish city of Izmir, where the political and military alliance's Allied Land Command is based. NATO's Alliance Land Command posted the same photo on Facebook on that day. On April 6, Cloutier replied to a comment from a LinkedIn user asking about rumours of his detention in Ukraine. "These rumors are completely false," he wrote. A screenshot of Cloutier's reply on LinkedIn, taken on April 11, 2022. US fact-checking agency PolitiFact also debunked this claim. AFP has debunked a wave of misinformation surrounding the conflict in Ukraine. Seniors at two high schools in Alabama swapped schools for a day as a prank and were suspended by their administrators a punishment they now say is too harsh , according to local media reports. More than a dozen seniors from Chilton County High School, in Clanton, and Jemison High School, in Jemison, attended classes at the opposite schools campus on Monday, April 11, according to Al.com. The schools are located about 15 miles from one another, about 50 miles south of Birmingham. The students managed to attend half a days worth of classes before they were found out by school officials, according to AL.com. The prank, which students planned on Snapchat, resulted in three-day suspensions for multiple seniors, according to WVTM. My scholarships are in jeopardy because of this, Jemison High School senior Haileigh Greer told WBRC. She also told the outlet that she had been kicked off the school softball team. I dont mind the three day suspension. I understand, Greer told WBRC. But we shouldnt have got kicked off the teams. I mean I have played softball since I was 8 and I got kicked off my senior year. Neither the Chilton County Schools Board of Education nor the superintendent responded to a request for comment from McClatchy News. In a statement sent to WVTM13, superintendent Jason Griffin said Chilton County schools follows law, policy and procedure in all aspects of day to day operations. According to AL.com, Chilton Countys code of conduct largely leaves punishment decisions up to administrators, with pranks usually considered minor infractions but going to other campuses without permission being more serious. Chilton County Schools superintendent when asked about reports of a senior prank involving students from another school attending class: pic.twitter.com/6aNdQaatDM #WVTM13 (@WVTM13) April 13, 2022 The communitys reaction to the punishment was swift. Story continues A Change.org petition, which asks to stop the punishments for what it calls a harmless prank, was started on April 13 and has been signed by nearly 13,000 people as of the following afternoon. Aaron Ellison, who identified himself as a Jemison High School alum on Facebook, wrote in a post that he supported the students. I want to commend the 2022 senior classes from both schools for coming up with a prank that did not involve the destruction of property, the defacing of school property, did not cause any harm to anyone, and under any normal conditions would have been a laughable deed, he wrote. What this prank did do was expose security issues at both campuses. Is this the fault of the students? I think not! Some local businesses also posted their support for students, including one with a discount themed for the class of 2022. Hey Seniors, found yourself with an unexpected vacation from school this week? Trendy Chic Boutique in Clanton, posted on Facebook. Come shop with us and receive 22% off your purchase. Done playing with you idiots. NC teacher resigns after outburst caught on video Principal told girls to follow dress code or boys might touch them, students in WV say Teacher overwhelmed by response to her request for period products for Texas students Amrik Singh Dhaliwal is a former president of the Stockton Sikh Temple. Thousands of Sikh devotees and spectators are expected to overflow the streets of Stockton as they come together to celebrate the 23rd annual Vaisakhi Day Parade on April 17. The parade, which has not taken place for the past two years because of COVID-19, returns this year to the streets of Stockton. April events in San Joaquin County: From festivals to runs, here's some fun you don't want to miss A recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, will kick off Sunday morning at the historical landmark at 1930 Sikh Temple St. A procession known as Nagar Kirtan will start at noon from the temple. The procession will stroll the streets west on Fifth Street, north on San Joaquin Street, east on Washington Street, and south on California Street ending at 4 p.m. back at the temple. Amrik Singh Dhaliwal, former president of the Gurdwara Sahib Stockton for 12 years and a Lodi grape farmer, said preparation and planning for the event takes about two weeks. When he was president, he would plan four months in advance. Music, theater and more: 5 things to do in Stockton and San Joaquin County The Gurdwara Sahib Stockton is the first-ever Sikh temple established in the United States and one that attracts many visitors. There are about 10,000 Sikhs living in San Joaquin County and about 500,000 Indians in the United States, Dhaliwal said. The temple expects from 10,000 to 15,000 people this Sunday for the festival and parade. "Sikhism is a way of life," he said. Dhaliwal said for those attending the Gurdwara for the first time, some key protocols to follow are wearing a turban or headscarf; not bringing any type of drugs, being intoxicated or having any weapons; being a good civilian; and respecting everyone. If you go When: 12-4 p.m. April 17 Where: Gurdwara Sahib Stockton, 1930 Sikh Temple Street, Stockton Admission: Free Information: https://www.visitstockton.org/events/annual-sikh-parade-festival/ (4/13/22)Amrik Singh Dhaliwal is a former president of the Stockton Sikh Temple. CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow. This article originally appeared on The Record: Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi Sunday with annual Stockton parade COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Thousands of fans filled the streets of downtown Columbia for a celebration of South Carolina's second women's basketball national championship Wednesday. The Gamecocks won the title with a 64-49 victory over UConn in Minneapolis on April 3. Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley, her players and staff rode on cars, floats and trucks to South Carolina's Statehouse where they were honored by officials. There were more than 60 vehicles in the parade. Staley thanked her FAMS," who have helped the program once more lead the country at 12,268 fans per home game. Staley, riding in a white convertible Rolls Royce, signed T-shirts and took selfies with people lined up along the route. How much you love us, really resonates with me, she said at the podium. Columbia Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann and the city council proclaimed April as South Carolina national championship month. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina) told the team they would be honored at the White House in a few weeks. You'll be received by the president of the United States, Clyburn said. When the Gamecocks won the NCAA Tournament in 2017, a White House invitation didn't come until months later, after South Carolina had started fall practice. Staley declined the invite, saying she was totally focused on the upcoming season. Interim university President Harris Pastides called it the Dawn of a new dynasty." He told the crowd to be proud of Staley, who has done more for gender equity and for equality in women's athletics than anyone in modern history. Staley closed by saying, Let's run it back with another title next season as the fans cheered. ___ More AP womens college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 ST. PETERSBURG City officials on Thursday proposed rental and down-payment assistance for the citys lowest-paid workers who are required to live within city limits. More than 20 positions within St. Petersburg government library assistants, maintenance workers, mail and cashier clerks have city residency requirements. Its a rule the workers union advocated for in the 1990s because union leaders learned the city was hiring few Black residents, instead employing older white workers who lived outside of St. Petersburg. The average city employee required to live in the city earns $36,702 annually and should pay no more than $917.55 of their monthly income for housing, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The department defines cost burdened as paying more than 30 percent of household income for housing. With the median rental in St. Petersburg costing about $1,500 per month, that leaves more than a $500 gap for employees making the average wage. Officials at the City Councils Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee said a rental assistance program for those 246 workers, if all applied and were qualified, would cost the city $1.47 million for one year. The city would pay up to $500 per month directly to landlords to ensure rent is no more than 30 percent of their household gross income. Employees who have worked for the city for at least two years would qualify. The assistance would be taxable, and landlords would have to agree to participate in the program. It is also subject to union approval. The union, Service Employees International Union-Florida Public Services Union, is pushing the city to adopt rent control to reduce housing costs and displacement. City officials also proposed an employee down-payment assistance program for city employees looking to buy a home. The city would provide $10,000 in down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers earning less than $60,040 with a household income of less than 140 percent of the annual median income. Story continues Employees would have to work for the city for at least two years, purchase a home within the city limits and attend a first-time homebuyer education training class. After five years of continued occupancy, the purchase assistance loan would be fully forgiven. The home purchase price could not exceed $450,000. Workers who receive the assistance and then leave the city before the five-year timeframe would have to pay the city back a prorated amount based on how long the home was occupied. City council members expressed support for both programs. The citys next step is to discuss the proposal with the union. ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports The Browns and Baker Mayfield may eventually need each other in 2022. Someone may be trying to blow things up before it ever gets to that point. A new article from Jake Trotter of ESPN.com throws more bituminous on the burn pile in Cleveland, highlighting how and why player and team got to the point [more] Environmental groups are calling for third-party oversight at Baltimores Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant after an inspection conducted last week found continuing equipment problems resulting in high levels of bacteria and nutrients released into the river. It comes a few weeks after the Maryland Environmental Service took charge of Baltimores other wastewater facility, located along the shores of Back River in Dundalk, citing declining conditions after months of failed inspections. Advertisement Blue Water Baltimore is advocating for third-party oversight of the facility in the same way that we have at Back River right now, said Alice Volpitta, the organizations Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper. Whether thats MES or another entity, its clear to me that Baltimore City is not capable of bringing this facility back into compliance or properly operating it at this time, and they need help. In response to questions about whether the state planned to initiate a similar takeover at the Patapsco plant, Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles wrote: We are in discussions with the City and MES about immediate fixes to the unacceptable conditions at Patapsco. Advertisement Since the takeover, the Maryland Environmental Service has placed a dozen extra operators at Back River, which had struggled with understaffing and maintenance issues, according to Maryland Department of the Environment spokesman Jay Apperson. MES staffers are overseeing and assisting with city repair efforts, and the training manager from MES has been brought in to help more Baltimore City workers pass licensing exams, Apperson said. But the city has filed a legal challenge of the states takeover at Back River, arguing it was politically motivated and that some of the states efforts would be duplicative. Under state law, the city would be responsible for reimbursing the state for its actions at the plant. Our interest is in water quality. I dont care whose feelings get hurt, said Doug Myers, Maryland senior scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. From the water quality standpoint, [Patapsco] is in as much need of a takeover as Back River is. Both plants are already facing lawsuits from the state and from Blue Water Baltimore over repeated violations of their environmental permits. Officials have said that discussions are underway to establish a legally binding consent decree for the city-run facilities, which also handle waste from Baltimore County. Previously, Blue Water Baltimore had agreed to a stay in its federal suit while settlement negotiations were underway in the state case. But Wednesday afternoon, the group filed a request in U.S. District Court for Maryland to restart the proceedings. At this point, were not seeing the progress that we need to see to assure us that anything is going to change, Volpitta said. Blue Water Baltimore is an intervenor in the states lawsuit against the city, and remains involved in the settlement talks, she said. By proceeding with our federal case, we have the ability to go through the discovery process and potentially to depose former DPW employees to really get a handle on what needs to happen at these facilities to bring them fully back into compliance, Volpitta said. Advertisement In a court filing, the city argued that the proceedings should remain on pause. Leaving the stay in place for no more than another six months will avoid the cost to the City of litigating the same set of facts simultaneously in both State and federal courts, preserve judicial resources, avoid piecemeal litigation, and avoid the risk of conflicting State and federal remedies, the citys filing stated. Baltimore Citys Department of Public Works declined to comment further on the recent inspection at the Patapsco plant, or about the court filing from Blue Water Baltimore. Meanwhile, when a Maryland Department of the Environment inspector visited the Patapsco plant last week, the water flowing from the plant into the Patapsco River was an opaque dark grey with visible particulates. The facilitys inability to adequately separate solid waste from liquid, a necessary part of the sewage treatment process, was becoming increasingly problematic, the inspector wrote. This condition is not acceptable, and measures must be taken to correct the problem of high solids in the final effluent and throughout the treatment system, he wrote, ordering the city to submit a report in 30 days describing a permanent solution. Advertisement For Myers, the most concerning part of the inspection report, dated April 6, was an image of scum floating in the chlorination area. One of the final steps in the wastewater treatment process, chlorination is meant to disinfect the water before it heads to the river. [The scum] means that the chlorination probably isnt working very well, which means theyre going to be passing a lot of bacteria out of the effluent, Myers said. In fact, the inspector noted that the plant exceeded a limit for fecal bacteria in January by nearly double. The inspector also noted that the monthly average amount of suspended solid particles in the plants final product had increased nearly threefold between late December and late February, exceeding the plants limits. In high concentrations, these solids can clog the gills of fish swimming in the river, and lower dissolved oxygen levels in the water, harming marine life. The plant also exceeded its limit for nutrients, which can imperil the health of waterways by stimulating algae growth, also starving the ecosystem of needed oxygen. Both of Baltimores facilities have faced issues handling solid waste during the treatment process. At Patapsco, one of the problems has been tied to difficulties processing the sludge removed from the plant. High hydrocarbon levels in the sludge have raised fire hazard concerns, and forced the citys contractor to process it more slowly without the use of an air dryer for more than six months. That has resulted in a backup within the facility. Advertisement City officials said they were negotiating with the contractor, Synagro Inc., to try to remove the sludge from the process earlier so it wouldnt contain hydrocarbons. At the time of last weeks inspection, piles of sewage sludge were being stored at a transfer facility, encircled by sandbags. But some of the sludge had breached the sandbags, spilling close to the road. Storm drains were covered with a filter cloth and topped with gravel, but the inspector wrote that this will not prevent pathogenic bacteria from untreated sewage sludge entering the waters of the State. Within the facility, located in Wagners Point along the Patapsco, equipment issues were common. One building had all six of its grit chambers clogged with rags and debris, according to the states inspection report. Efforts to clear the basins were underway as of last week, but the problems were spilling over into other parts of the facility, where workers had to use nets to manually remove fats, oils and greases overwhelming a series of tanks. But some of those materials were deposited on walkways rather than in the trash, according to the report, meaning they could get back into the system. Volpitta said the plants woes are troubling, not least because she often sees fisherman nearby in the Patapsco. Were not talking about some barren wasteland or some random point in the middle of the ocean where nobodys ever going to interact with the pollution. Were talking about a really popular fishing spot, she said. Meanwhile, Tuesday night, about 200 citizens attended a public meeting in Dundalk, organized by the Back River Restoration Committee, to discuss the problems at the Back River plant, including legislators, Maryland Department of the Environment Water and Science Administration Director Lee Currey and nonprofit representatives like Volpitta. Advertisement Residents expressed frustrations about the plants continued violations, and a lack of timely notifications about water quality for swimmers and boaters. Melody Arbaugh, a homeowner in the Sussex community across the river from the plant, said she was upset with both the citys operations of the plant and the states oversight. This latest debacle, although classified as water pollution, found its way onto dry land in our yard, she said, according to a video of the meeting posted to the Restoration Committees Facebook page. In March, at least 250 fish were found dead in Back River, along with floating materials that MDE officials deemed mats of algae, although some locals feared it was sewage. Once again on Tuesday, solid materials were discovered on the river, and the department is testing them, Apperson said. Make no mistake, public trust is nonexistent at this point, Arbaugh said before Tuesdays crowd. An antiabortion sign sits off a country road not far from Christy and Bryan Berghoef's home in conservative Holland, Mich. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Growing up in this small town near the western edge of Michigan, Christy Berghoef learned to live by a simple rule. To be Christian is to be Republican is to be 'pro-life,' she said recently, sitting in a renovated shed-turned-office behind her house on the 40-acre farm of willows and gladiolus where she was raised. "All else makes you a 'baby killer.'" Berghoef abided those harsh judgments. As a child, she prayed for abortions to end. In her teens, she marched in antiabortion vigils and carried signs at protests. After college, she found a job on Capitol Hill for her Republican congressman, where she was recruited to be a legislative aide on antiabortion law. Her politics eventually shifted even as her faith stayed firm. She switched her voter registration to Democratic. Her definition of "pro-life" expanded to tightening gun control and protecting the rights of immigrants. She now believes in what is considered sacrilege in the wood church where she was raised in the Midwest that abortions should never be outlawed, though she'd rather see fewer of them. In a city of 33,000 that's home to nearly 200 churches and where "Pray for the unborn" billboards are as common as campaign signs in a presidential election year, Berghoef, a worship leader at a liberal church where her husband pastors, is part of a new, if disconcerting, breed of Christians challenging the teachings of their elders. The Republican Party, evangelical Christianity and the antiabortion movement have been inextricably joined in a battle that for the last five decades has shaped the contours and passions of American politics. The powerful alliance is a major reason President Trump was elected and able to shift the Supreme Court rightward. As the nation awaits the court's opinion in a case that could dismantle Roe vs. Wade, the ruling that guaranteed the right to abortion, Berghoef is among an increasingly vocal minority of former conservatives who have been condemned by many in their faith as supporting a grave sin. Story continues The Rev. Bryan Berghoef leads a service at Holland United Church of Christ, which he and wife Christy Berghoef started in her Michigan hometown. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) "I wish someone had told me back when I threw all my energy into this 'pro-life' movement that it's not about saving the lives of the little babies in the pictures," said Berghoef, a 47-year-old mother of four. "It's about politics and being on the 'right' side of your community." Americans' views on abortion have remained relatively the same in recent years. About 59% believe it should be legal in all or most cases, according to the Pew Research Center. Conversely, roughly 39% want it to be illegal in all or most circumstances. Opposition is strongest among white evangelicals, among whom 77% oppose abortion in nearly all cases. In the town of Holland, that percentage can feel even higher. "Abortion is morally wrong in any case!!! No argument!!" one person commented on Facebook in reply to one of Berghoef's many postings touching on the subject. It's a tone she's become accustomed to. As a regular contributor to the local newspaper, she's learned that describing her stance as "broadly pro-life" will get a reaction. "The way people fight for abortion shows they are very 'pro-abortion,'" said one letter to the editor criticizing her. Private messages from conservative Christians have been harsher, calling her a "murderer." Berghoef, who grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, is in a corner of a traditionally conservative community taking a different stance. As a former Republican activist, she also believes she can be a bridge between bitterly opposing sides as the nation anticipates the possibility of a post-Roe landscape that could further divide Americans and outlaw abortion in as many as 26 states. "One of the most frustrating things for me on this issue of abortion is that it's described as if 'It's my body, my choice and I can do whatever I want,' or you are seen as 'murdering babies' if you are 'pro-choice,'" Berghoef said. "Those are your two options. I reject both." Raised on a farm and transformed by city life, Berghoef, whose elongated vowels thread an upper Midwestern accent, at once fits in with the culture of Holland and stands out. She often sports Ugg boots over jeans with a sweater and scarf. She carries a carpenters tools. She recently finished gutting and renovating her kitchen with concrete countertops and wooden shelves. In her backyard, she's rebuilt a small Civil War-era shed she found on Craigslist, turning it into an office and reading space. Berghoef descends from Dutch immigrants who moved to the Dakotas in the 19th century and later relocated to this Michigan town. The conservative Dutch faithful came to the frigid Midwest in search of religious freedom. Today, the Holland area is dominated by the Christian Reformed Church and its cousin, the Reformed Church in America. Streets and cities are named after Dutch originals. Downtown, a park with a Dutch windmill and tulips attracts tourists each spring. The Berghoefs share a recent Sunday dinner. Christy Berghoef, far right, grew up Republican, Christian and antiabortion, but now supports the right to the procedure and speaks out on her belief as a Christian that "pro-life" should have a larger meaning. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Ottawa County, where Bible verses mingle with talk radio and Trump won with 60% of the vote in 2020, is one of the most reliably Republican counties in the state. It's also among the least diverse 83% of the population is white. While the Southern Baptist Church dominates the Bible Belt and is the largest evangelical denomination in the nation, Reformed churches those in western Michigan in particular have long been a powerhouse of conservative Christian thought and politics. It's the world where Berghoef attended a Christian school, signed a "pro-life pledge" and went to church each week. On Sundays, stores were closed for the Sabbath and bike rides were discouraged. At services, Berghoef remembers politics rarely coming up, she said, "except that we absolutely would never support abortion and would vote 'pro-life.'" To a young Berghoef, the hand of God was intrinsic to everyday existence. But one had to be ever watchful for acts of evil. "If a woman had an abortion, we called her a murderer," she said. "Doctors who performed abortions were murderers with no respect for life." It was an uncompromising world, she said, "with little room for nuance." For a child, the "simplicity was easy to embrace." Her passion for stopping abortions led her to study political science at Calvin University in nearby Grand Rapids. After graduating in 1999, at a time when more states were moving to restrict abortions, she joined the office of Republican Rep. Peter Hoekstra in Washington, D.C. "I wanted to push these laws that would make abortion illegal because I wanted to protect the unborn," Berghoef said. But in the nation's capital, she saw homelessness and poverty on her walks to work. She reflected on the parables and teachings of her youth and wondered how her focus on abortion was helping those whom Jesus described as "the least of these." In conversations with members of Congress, she said, she was shocked to hear talk of abortion as a political issue instead of a moral one. While responding to constituent letters, Berghoef researched data on abortion. Holland, Mich., is home to the 1872 lighthouse known as Big Red and to a largely Republican population. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) She felt herself changing. She wondered whether she had been naive in believing that her fight saved souls and lives. Such questions were a challenge to her faith and identity. "I started to realize that the thing that's actually going to bring down this abortion rate is all these things that my party, the Republicans, were working against: affordable healthcare, access to contraceptives, expanded availability of child care and better educational opportunities for women." "I felt like I could no longer be a Republican. I didn't want to be a Democrat," Berghoef said, remembering that pivotal moment years before casting her first vote as the latter. "I became a political nomad." She returned to Michigan and enrolled at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, where she met her now-husband, Bryan, an aspiring pastor on a similar journey. Over two decades, they launched small churches in Traverse City, Mich., and Washington. She found a part-time job at the Faith and Politics Institute, a group whose mission is to bring together politicians on both sides of the aisle. Her spirituality remained the same. Her politics veered leftward. But something felt off. D.C. wasn't home. Being progressive church planters was difficult in a big, liberal city, where for many, picking a house of worship seemed like shopping at a department store. It also wasn't easy to support a family of six on part-time jobs while running a new church. The lease to their house was running out. And their son, who had severe dyslexia, wasn't getting the care he needed in school something that was readily available back home in Michigan. God was telling the family it was time to go. Christy Berghoef's transformed Civil War-era shed has served as a backyard office, a church broadcast studio and a meeting space for heavy discussions with other Christians weighing issues like abortion. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) The return to the Midwest was a delicate one. The family moved to Holland in 2014, settling in a small house on the same plot where Berghoef grew up. Her dad, who remains a conservative, antiabortion Christian, still lived on the property, where he tended to his flower farm. The old bonds of love were as strong as the new divides of politics. "Like us, they're passionate about following Jesus," she said. "But we have very different experiences in the world. Some of my family members have just lived here their whole life. They've never left. This is the world they know." More settled in her liberal views, Berghoef made waves in the tightknit community with her Facebook postings and articles in church journals and the local paper. "At the risk of angering my friends who lean progressive, I will admit I personally consider myself broadly pro-life (from the womb to the tomb)," she wrote in one piece. "At the risk of confounding my friends who lean conservative, the evidence does not reveal that the most effective way to reduce abortion in this country is to simply overturn Roe vs. Wade, but rather to examine who is having abortions and why, and work at those things." Her middle-of-the-road statement and other opinions such as her stance against Trump's first presidential campaign were radical for Holland. Old high school friends blocked her on Facebook and refused to speak to her, describing her as supporting "baby killers." Others reached out to her to share their secrets of undergoing abortions and hiding them out of fear of being ostracized. A small Bible study started meeting at the Berghoef home. A community within a community began to grow. By the weekend after the 2016 election, it was a church with its own rented hall. Christy and Bryan had left their denomination for the more liberal United Church of Christ. Today, Holland UCC, as it's called, attracts a variety of ex-conservative Christians and a few agnostics. One of the few local churches open to LGBTQ Christians, its members have also marched in Black Lives Matter demonstrations. The logo on the church's website is a white comma over a rainbow circle, a reminder to never "put a period where God has placed a comma, because God is still speaking." Christy Berghoef, right, grew up in the Christian Reformed Church. She's now a leader at the more progressive Holland United Church of Christ, where her husband, Bryan Berghoef, left, is pastor. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) But abortion remains a most potent subject, one millions of conservative Christians see as indivisible from their faith. "I don't think many in our community would support making it illegal, but we come in with different views," said Bryan Berghoef, who lost a Democratic bid for Congress in 2020 and was mocked by other Christians for not being "pro-life" enough. Some in Holland questioned how a man could be both a pastor and a Democrat. "We welcome people in however they are and whatever they believe, wherever they are on their journey," he said, thinking of the long road to where he is today. Over the years, the church has led the annual Women's March in Holland. But last year, after the Texas Legislature passed a law allowing civil lawsuits against people who indirectly aid in abortions such as Uber drivers Holland UCC decided to not officially take part in the protest march formed in response. The gathering, in the hundreds, was large for Holland, though nowhere close to the size of the crowds at antiabortion events. A church member who was a survivor of rape was among the organizers. The Berghoefs, who were not in town at the time, said they would have joined as long as they were not representing the church. In the spruced-up shed in their backyard, the couple have created an informal community space for likeminded individuals to come together over craft beers and Michigan wines. During the waves of the pandemic when the church met only online, it's where he broadcasted sermons and she played guitar to lead worship songs with titles such as "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me" and "Change My Heart Oh God." On a recent chilly spring evening, a few church members and fellow Christians had come to the shed to swap stories with Christy Berghoef over what it meant to be "pro-life" and "pro-choice." Some were Holland UCC members. Others were part of more traditional faith communities. Judy and Scott Vander Zwaag had joined the church several years ago after spending much of their adult lives in a conservative Holland congregation. Former Republicans, they had crossed political aisles and denominations later in life. Vern and Kris Swieringa belong to the Christian Reformed Church, but have also become more politically liberal over time. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) "I feel bad about how I treated others in the past and the things I said or did when it came to being 'pro-life' or 'pro-choice,'" Scott Vander Zwaag said. He had spent years as an elder in his former church. His duties included determining who wasn't following church teachings on sex and marriage. The group spoke of how abortion wasn't always a Republican issue. Up through the 1960s, conservative Christians advocated for the right to abortion as a matter of separation of church and state. Then, in response to the civil rights movement, which fractured old Democratic alliances, evangelical leaders launched the "pro-life" movement as a political strategy to unite voters. They also discussed how Michigan was one of the states where a law banning abortion in nearly all cases was already on the books, dating to 1931. If Roe were overturned, the legislation may apply once again. Kris and Vern Swieringa, who were still members of the Christian Reformed church Vern pastored one about 30 minutes away were also in the shed. "Personally, I'm against abortion," Kris Swieringa said. "But making a law won't make something go away. I look at these groups against abortion and they don't care about rape or incest or when a mother is in danger. They just want to make abortion illegal. Republicans are so much about a child before it's born. But what laws do they pass to help a child after it's born?" A close friend, she said, had recently had an ectopic pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes and required an abortion. Berghoef guided the conversation, at once speaking like a counselor, friend and pastor. "The things we grew up with in the church are the same things that make us question some of its positions now," she said. "We were taught to be loving, truthful, serve our communities and seek justice the same way Jesus did." Each had lost friends and at times family for speaking out on abortion or politics. To them, it was the right thing to do. The Christian thing to do. Night falls over Holland Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, known as the Pillar Church, established by Dutch settlers in 1847 as the first church in the Michigan town. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Frank James, the primary suspect of the Sunset Park subway shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday that left at least 29 injured, including 10 commuters with gunshot wounds, has been taken into custody, according to law enforcement. Officials said that the gun used during the shooting has been linked to the 62-year-old man and was sold to him by a licensed firearms dealer at a pawn shop in Columbus, Ohio, in 2011. A gas mask bought on eBay was also linked to James. BREAKING: NYPD @NYPD9Pct in Manhattan reports they have Frank R. James, Suspect in Subway Shooting, in custody pic.twitter.com/DSQGoGGnqo Boro Park 24 News (@BoroPark24) April 13, 2022 James was born in the Bronx but has since moved to different locations for short periods of time, according to his sister, Catherine James Robinson. She has not seen or heard from him since their sister Barbara Jean Gray died a few years ago. James also has ties to Wisconsin, Philadelphia and New York, according to police. Catherine said her brother is about 6 feet tall and weighs around 300 pounds, contradictory to the initial description released by police. In several videos uploaded to his YouTube channel, which is now defunct, James goes on rants about death, a race war, wanting to "exterminate" groups of people and the need for more mass shootings. He claimed in one video posted in March that he suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. James also heavily criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams for his handling of homeless people on subways. Officials said no explosives or weapons were discovered in the U-Haul van that was connected to the shooting. But they did find food, and it appeared James might have slept in the van. A license plate reader spotted the vehicle going across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn from Staten Island around 4 a.m. on the day of the shooting. Investigators have an enormous range of video recorded on transit system cameras, according to Metropolitan Transit Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. Story continues 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. pic.twitter.com/MaeF16i4bX NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 13, 2022 The cameras on the trains where the shooting took place reportedly experienced technical issues. I think that in the one location by the turnstile, there was apparently a server problem, which they had been working on the day before, Lieber said. But the bigger issue is, theres so much video evidence from all of the stations on this line that there are images of this fellow that are going to be found. The FBI has also started an investigation into Tuesdays shooting and had asked the public to share any information on the bureaus website. The U.S. Marshals Service was also involved in the search for James. New York police, the MTA and Transport Workers Union had offered $50,000 for any information that could lead to the arrest of James. Lieber told NextShark in a statement regarding the arrest of James: Transit riders and all New Yorkers will rest a little easier tonight thanks to the incredible work of the NYPD. Since the attack, the MTA has been cooperating closely with police on the investigation, reviewing countless hours of video from thousands of cameras across the subway and bus network." With the support of Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams has made a powerful commitment to subway safety and has already taken significant steps to increase the presence and visibility of NYPD officers in the transit systemespecially on platforms and trains, where riders want to see them most. We look forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership as we restore riders confidence in the transit system. A man by the name of Zack Tahhan, who immigrated from Syria five years ago, was identified as the man whose call to the police led to the arrest of James on Wednesday. Let it be known this man who has sold me Juul pods many times was more effective in catching the Brooklyn shooter than the entire NYPD!!!!!! https://t.co/ExLxefQyal Casey Mink (@Casey_Mink) April 13, 2022 Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Swedish Restaurant Exposed For Having Xi Jinping 'Bat Man' Posters Monkey on a Motorcycle Grabs and Drags Little Girl Down Street in Indonesia Daughter of Vietnamese refugees Margaret Vo Schaus sworn in as NASAs new CFO Tucker Carlson guest: Military doesn't need women or gays, just men who want 'throne of Chinese skulls' BERLIN (AP) A man who allegedly launched a grenade into a crowd of civilians waiting for food in Damascus in 2014, killing at least seven people, has been charged in Germany with war crimes and murder, prosecutors said Thursday. The stateless man, identified only as Moafak D. in line with German privacy rules, was a member of the Free Palestine Movement, one of the groups that at the time controlled the Yarmouk district of the Syrian capital on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, federal prosecutors said in a statement. They said that, on March 23, 2014, the suspect launched a grenade from an anti-tank weapon into a crowd in the district's Rejeh Square who were waiting for food aid from UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. At least seven people were killed and three wounded, including a 6-year-old child. The Yarmouk district, which grew out of a Palestinian refugee camp, was cordoned off by the Syrian government from July 2013 to April 2015, causing shortages of food, water and medical supplies. The suspect was arrested in Berlin on Aug. 4. Prosecutors didn't say how or when he came to Germany. He has been charged at a regional court in the German capital with war crimes, seven counts of murder, three of attempted murder and three of bodily harm. Germanys application of the rule of universal jurisdiction, allowing the prosecution of serious crimes committed abroad, led in January to the first conviction of a senior Syrian official for crimes against humanity. The Berlin court will now have to decide whether to bring Moafak D.'s case to trial. In 10 days, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has gone from popular Twitter contributor and critic to the company's largest individual shareholder to a would-be owner of the social platform a whirlwind of activity that could change the service dramatically given the sometimes whimsical billionaire's self-identification as a free-speech absolutist. Twitter revealed in a securities filing Thursday that Musk has offered to buy the company outright for more than $43 billion, saying the social media platform needs to be transformed as a private company" in order to build trust with its users. I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy, Musk said in the filing. I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Later in the day, during an onstage interview at the TED 2022 conference, he went even broader: Having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization." Since it burst onto the scene in 2006, Twitter has been home to flourishing social and political commentary, shared news, scandal gossip, cat memes and dress color arguments. But it has also provided a platform for viral misinformation and lies, bullying and hate speech and gangs of trolls who can shout down posters they disagree with by unleashing tidal waves of vile images, threats and similar acts of online aggression. Twitter has devoted a substantial amount of effort to stanching the latter while preserving the former though not always in ways that satisfy most users. Like other platforms, it has established restrictions on tweets that threaten violence, incite hatred, bully others and spread misinformation. Such rules drove Twitter's decision to ban former President Donald Trump following the 2021 Capitol insurrection. Twitter has also become a destination for brands and advertisers, many of whom prefer stronger content restrictions, and a megaphone for high-profile figures like Trump and Musk, whos used it to rally supporters and promote business ventures. Story continues Musk, who described Twitter as a de facto town square, detailed some specific potential changes Thursday like favoring temporary rather than permanent bans but has mostly described his aim in broad and abstract terms. He said he wanted to open up the black box of artificial intelligence technology driving Twitters feed so that people would have more transparency about why some tweets might go viral and others might disappear. I wouldnt personally be in there editing tweets," he said, but you would know if something was done to promote, demote or otherwise affect a tweet. The billionaire has been a vocal critic of Twitter, mostly over his stated belief that it falls short on free-speech principles. The social media platform has angered followers of Trump and other right-wing political figures whove had their accounts suspended for violating its content standards on violence, hate or harmful misinformation. Musk has described himself as a free-speech absolutist but is also known for blocking other Twitter users who question or disagree with him. While Twitter's user base remains much smaller than those of rivals such as Facebook and TikTok, the service is popular with celebrities, world leaders, journalists and intellectuals. Musk himself has more than 81 million followers, rivaling pop stars such as Lady Gaga. Twitter shares closed at $45.08, down just under 2%, well below Musk's offer of $54.20 per share. That's generally a sign that some investors doubt the deal will go through. The stock remains down from its 52-week high of about $73. Musk called that price his final offer, although he provided no details on financing. The offer is non-binding and subject to financing and other conditions. Twitter said it will decide whether accepting the offer is in the best interests of shareholders. It's unclear, though, just how Twitters board will react after evaluating the offer. It likely will negotiate, seeking a higher price per share, or it may want provisions to ensure that the board remains independent of Musk, said John Coffee, a professor at Columbia Universitys law school and head of its corporate governance center. The board could adopt poison pill provisions to offer more shares and dilute the value of Musks holdings, if Musks stake grows to 10% or 15%, Coffee said. Even then, Musk could still take over the company with a proxy fight by voting out the current directors. At the TED conference, Musk said he has the money. I could technically afford it, he said to laughs. Should Musk go through with his takeover attempt, he likely could raise the roughly $43 billion he needs, possibly by borrowing billions using his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX as collateral. Most of Musks fortune, estimated by Forbes to be nearly $265 billion, is tied up in shares of Tesla. The company allows executive officers to use shares as collateral for loans, but limits the borrowing to 25% of the value of the pledged shares. Data provider FactSet says Musk owns 172.6 million shares worth $176.47 billion. Just over 51% of his stake already is pledged as collateral, according to a Tesla proxy statement. That means Musk could use the remaining stake to borrow about $21.5 billion. He also could borrow on his stake in privately held SpaceX. Musk revealed in regulatory filings over recent weeks that hed been buying Twitter shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31, ending up with a stake of about 9%. Only Vanguard Group controls more Twitter shares. A lawsuit filed Tuesday in New York federal court alleged Musk illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission could punish Musk for hurting other investors by taking too long to disclose his buying up of Twitter shares, but its unlikely that it will do anything to stop a takeover, said Chester Spatt, a former SEC chief economist. This is going to play out reasonably quickly, said Spatt, now a finance professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Jacob Frenkel, a former SEC enforcement attorney now with the Dickinson Wright law firm in Washington, said it is difficult to prove an investors intent in disclosure cases. The mere fact of the violation around the disclosure does not mean that there was fraud, Frenkel said. However, there is plenty of fodder for an investigation into whether anyone with knowledge of Musks share purchases traded in the stock before Musks public disclosures, Frenkel said. After Musk announced his stake, Twitter quickly offered him a seat on its board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the companys outstanding stock. But the company said five days later that hed declined. The decision coincided with a barrage of now-deleted and not-always-serious tweets from Musk proposing major changes to the company, such as dropping ads its chief source of revenue and transforming its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter. The turnabout led CEO Parag Agrawal to warn employees earlier this week that there will be distractions ahead and to tune out the noise and stay focused on the work. Twitter hasn't done as well as its social media rivals and lost money last year. The company reported a net loss of $221 million for 2021 largely tied to the settlement of a lawsuit by shareholders who said the company misled investors about how much its user base was growing and how much users interacted with its platform. Its co-founder Jack Dorsey resigned as CEO in late November and was replaced by Agrawal. Im not saying I have all the answers here, but I do think that we want to be just very reluctant to delete things and just be very cautious with permanent bans, Musk said. It wont be perfect," he said, but there should be a perception and reality that speech is as free as reasonably possible. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is vowing to continue the truck inspections that have snarled traffic at the Texas-Mexico border until there is action from both President Biden and Mexican officials to stem the ongoing migrant crisis at the southern border. Abbott spoke Wednesday as he signed a memorandum of understanding with the governor of Nuevo Leon that would see inspections stopped at the bridge in Laredo in return for what he called "enhanced border security enforcement measures" at the ports of entry and along the Rio Grande from Nuevo Leon. ABBOTT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH NEIGHBORING MEXICAN STATE TO SCALE BACK BORDER INSPECTIONS OF TRUCKS "The effect of this will be that the bridge from Nuevo Leon and Texas will return to normal effective immediately right now, it will remain that way as long as Nuevo Leon executes this historic agreement," he said. April 13, 2022: Several dozen commercial trucks wait to cross the Pharr-Reynosa International bridge in Pharr, Texas. (Photo by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images) The Republican governor had ordered that trucks coming over from Mexico undergo increased inspections, and come as part of a slew of measures to combat the migrant crisis -- including bussing migrants to Washington D.C. Border governors have warned about the dangers of the massive flow of migrants -- as well as drugs such as fentanyl -- into the United States. The inspections have gridlocked traffic for days, with Customs and Border Protections (CBP) saying on Tuesday that wait times exceeded five hours and that commercial traffic have dropped by as much as 60%. "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 (DPS) at the order of the Governor of Texas," CBP said in a statement. FIRST TEXAS BUS DROPS OFF MIGRANTS BLOCKS FROM US CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON, DC The White House ripped into Abbott, saying the moves are "impacting peoples jobs and the livelihoods of hardworking American families." Story continues "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," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. But Abbott pushed back, saying that Texas "has been overrun with a record number of illegal immigrants crossing from Mexico into Texas with the assistance of cartels." He said that he had been contacted by both the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, and all Mexican border governors. "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 Nuevo Leon." He then put the ball into the court of the White House, saying that "the ultimate way to end the clogged border is for President Biden to do his job and to secure the border." "If you want relief from the clogged border, you need to call President Biden and tell him to maintain the Title 42 expulsion policy that has been in place for years," he said, referring to the soon-to-expire public health order. "You need to tell President Biden to aggressively enforce the Remain-in-Mexico policy. You need to call your member of Congress and insist that they hold the Biden administration accountable, and you need to demand that President Biden enforce the immigration laws that have already been passed by the US Congress," he said. He also urged those concerned with the clogged traffic to put pressure on Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and "urge him to collaborate with Texas to end the influx of cartel activity from Mexico into Texas." "Clogged bridges can end only with the kind of collaboration we are demonstrating today between Texas and Nuevo Leon," he said. Fox News' Jon Brown contributed to this report. The New York Public Library made four banned books available nationwide on SimplyE, its free-reader app. The titles include Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The library worked in coordination with the publishers and authors to make the titles available to the public for free, with no wait times or download limits. Normally publishers allow libraries to only lend out e-books to a single person at a time, often leading to long hold times at public libraries. While the titles are only available for a month (the titles will disappear by the end of May), interested readers dont need to hold an NYPL library card or live in the region. The books will be released through NYPLs Books For All program, which makes hundreds of titles in the public domain available to anyone nationwide. The NYPL has voiced its opposition to a recent spike in book banning across school districts nationwide, largely driven by conservative activists groups . Over the last nine months, more than 1,000 books have been banned or temporarily pulled from school districts, according to a report PEN America released this week. These recent instances of censorship and book banning are extremely disturbing and amount to an all-out attack on the very foundation of our democracy, said New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx. The 1999 young adult novel Speak, about a ninth grade girl who has refused to talk since being raped at a party, is included in ALAs list of 100 most challenged books between 2000 and 2009. Parents often voice opposition to its graphic, sexual content. King and the Dragonflies, about a middle school boy who struggles with the loss of his brother and his sexual identity, is the winner of the 2020 National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature, was flagged for removal in Keller, Texas. Stamped was challenged by parents in Round Rock, Texas last year, in part due to a tweet by by its author that criticized then-Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Angela Montefinise, vice-president of communications and marketing, told Engadget in an email that the SimplyE app had to increase its server capacity three times today to account for the spike in downloads. Currently there are no future plans to release any more banned titles on the app. At this point were not planning to release more books as part of this project, but well see how things go, wrote Montefinise in an email. Bullets rang out in a drive-by shooting in the 400 block of 11th Street NW. One man was shot in both legs. CANTON A 56-year-old man told police he was just hanging out near his apartment when he was shot in both legs in a drive-by shooting Tuesday night. According to Canton police, the victim said he was outside in the 400 block of 11th Street NW around 8:30 p.m. when two groups of people started arguing. More: 'My mother became a crime scene.' Canton drive-by shooter gets life term More: Javier Blood acquitted on all charges in Canton fatal drive-by shooting A car was seen pulling up on Dewalt Avenue NW, described by one witness as a black or dark gray Infinity, with two known suspects. One began firing outside the driver's side window, the witness told a police dispatcher. Canton drive-by suspects flee the scene A second witness who called 911 told police he was afraid to check on the victim. "They're still out there riding outside, so I'm not going back back outside," the man told a dispatcher. One bullet hit a woman's car window while she was in the vehicle, she told police. She was uninjured. "Oh, my God, they shot my car. ... My window got a gun bullet in it," the woman told police. Police aren't sure whether the 56-year-old was the intended target. The Canton Fire Department took the victim to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital for treatment of what was described as non-life threatening injuries. Detectives continue to investigate the incident. Reach Cassandra cnist@gannett.com; Follow on Twitter @Cassienist This article originally appeared on The Repository: Drive-by shooting victim shot in both legs, stray bullet hits vehicle INDIAN RIVER COUNTY An after-hours voicemail that a school official said was threatening in nature led to a daylong lockdown and an increase in deputies at Oslo Middle School Thursday. The School District of Indian River County notified parents of the increased safety measures following the discovery of the voicemail as classes started Thursday, a spokesperson said. Oslo Middle students arrested: 5 Oslo Middle students arrested after fight; Indian River superintendent calls it 'middle-schoolish behavior' First Black valedictorian : Jayden Hughes is first Black valedictorian in Sebastian River High School's 27-year history Someone called in yesterday afternoon after school hours and left a voicemail that was threatening in nature, said school district spokesperson Cristen Maddux. The message was left at the schools front office around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Maddux said she was made aware of the increased security shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday. She said a school employee heard the message and reported it to deputies. Its all part of an active investigation, said Indian River County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Debbie Carson. We dont believe it was credible.. In March at least five students were arrested after deputies were called to the school to break up fights that spilled over into its principals office as students were being dismissed. Around 10 law enforcement vehicles could be seen outside Oslo Middle School following a 'large fight' that led to reports of minor injuries among staff members and one student's arrest on Friday March 4, 2022. It hasnt been linked to anything at this point, Maddux said. It sounded like an automated type call off an app or something. Several online text-to-speech messaging services allow users to type messages and send them as calls or voicemails. Carson said the nature of the threat was not being disclosed as part of the investigation. The school was code yellow lockdown meaning students would be locked inside their classrooms, although the school day would resume and end normally, Maddux said. Both school and law enforcement spokespeople said there was no connection between a law enforcement presence at a park near the school early Thursday and the school lockdown. Story continues Carson said it was an unrelated investigation at South County Park, 800 20th Ave, which is just south of the school in the 400 block of 20th Avenue Southwest separated by 5th Street Southwest. What happened at South County was a suicide of an adult male, Carson said. She said the person was known to law enforcement for attempting suicide. Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Oslo Middle School locked down due to 'threatening' voicemail PARIS (AP) Films by David Cronenberg, Park Chan-wook and Kelly Reichardt will vie for the coveted Palme d'Or at a Cannes Film Festival set to unspool against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Cannes film festival artist director Thierry Fremaux and president Pierre Lescure announced the lineup to this year's festival, Cannes' 75th, in a press conference Thursday in Paris. After canceling the 2020 event and hosting a slightly scaled down 2021 edition, the French Riviera festival is looking to reclaim its pre-pandemic allure with some 35,000 accredited attendees expected next month. The 18 films announced in Cannes' prestigious competition lineup feature new works by several former Palme winners, including Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda ("Broker"), Swedish social satirist Ruben Ostlund ("Triangle of Sadness") and Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne ("Tori and Lokita"). Also in competition: Cronenberg's Crimes of the Future, starring Lea Seydoux, Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen; Kelly Reichardts Showing Up, which reunites her with Wendy and Lucy star Michelle Williams; Chan-wook's Korean mystery thriller Decision to Leave; and French filmmaker Claire Denis Stars at Noon" with Margaret Qualley. The 75th anniversary of the French Riviera film extravaganza is happening in special circumstances: the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, a world that has changed and will keep changing, Fremaux said. The biggest Hollywood splashes expected at Cannes had already been announced, including a screening of Top Gun: Maverick, which will be accompanied by a tribute to star Tom Cruise. The Top Gun sequel will play out of competition, as will Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic Elvis," starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. Organizers will announce the jury at a later date. Cannes international village of flag-waving pavilions annually hosts more than 80 countries from around the world. But organizers earlier said no Russian delegations would be welcome at the this year because of Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. Russian director, Kirill Serebrennikov, who recently fled Russia for Berlin after several years banned from travel, will premiere his latest film, about composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky Story continues As usual, most of the directors in the competition are men. Only three of the 18 films competing for the Palme d'Or were directed by women. Last year, Julia Ducournau became only the second woman in Cannes history to win the top prize, for her film Titane," the body-horror thriller. The festival will open on May 17 with the premiere of the zombie comedy Final Cut, by The Artist director Michel Hazanvicius. The film had earlier been scheduled to debut in January at the Sundance Film Festival but was pulled when the festival shifted to a virtual edition amid a virus surge. Ethan Coen will debut his first feature without his brother, Joel, in the out-of-competition documentary Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind. Other highlights include George Miller's first film since 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road": Three Thousand Years of Longing," a fantasy romance with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton. And Brett Morgan will premiere Moonage Daydream," a David Bowie documentary. As has been the case since 2017, no Netflix films are in competition at Cannes. The streamer and the festival have been an impasse due to the country's rigid windowing rules. Once a film plays in cinemas in France, it can't stream for 15 months. Earlier this year, though, Netflix signed a three-year agreement with French film guilds to spend a minimum of $45 million financing French and European films to play theatrically in France. The Cannes Film Festival runs May 17-28. Baltimore City firefighters salute as an ambulance carries the body of Lt. Paul Butrim from the scene of a vacant row house fire on S. Stricker Street. Four firefighters were trapped in a collapse while fighting the fire Monday morning. Three have died and a fourth is in critical condition. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun) The deaths of three Baltimore firefighters in a January blaze have been classified as homicides, police said, after investigators determined the fire was incendiary. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Wednesday declared the fire incendiary, a definition that includes fires intentionally set as well as fires that were not intentionally set but resulted directly from other criminal activity, according to a news release from the agency. Advertisement The agency has also made contact with a person of interest who investigators believed had information about the deadly blaze in Southwest Baltimores Mount Clare neighborhood. A reward for information about the person of interest ballooned to $100,000 as ATF circulated a surveillance photo and video of a man walking down South Stricker Street seven hours before the abandoned rowhouse caught fire. Firefighters arrived just before 6 a.m. Jan. 24 and entered the burning house that partially collapsed minutes later, killing Lts. Paul Butrim and Kelsey Sadler and paramedic/firefighter Kenneth Lacayo. Firefighter/EMT John McMaster was seriously injured and has since recovered. Advertisement ATF declined to identify the man considered to be a person of interest. The man has not been charged with a crime or taken into custody, ATF spokeswoman Amanda Hils said. The agency said it appreciates the numerous tips it received from the public but declined to say whether any reward money has been distributed. Blair Adams, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore Fire Department, said Fire Chief Niles R. Ford did not have a comment on ATFs announcement. The on-scene portion of the fire investigation concluded in February and what remained of the burned rowhouse was torn down. Firefighters demolished parts of the rowhouse hours after its initial collapse to recover the body of Butrim, who died at the scene. Sadler and Lacayo were pulled from the rubble nearly two hours after the burning structure collapsed. They died later at Shock Trauma. McMaster was removed from the debris within 30 minutes and spent three days in the hospital. Josh Fannon, president of the Baltimore Fire Officers Association, said the news that the fire was classified as incendiary is bittersweet. It is a reopening of a terrible wound that is only in the earliest stages of healing and we join in our brothers and sisters in our continued and shared bereavement, Fannon said in a statement. On the other hand, we now have confirmed our suspicions that this was a criminal act and are united in our assistance and support of law enforcement in their continuing investigation that will hopefully lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Fire investigators have not said whether the fire was set intentionally or accidentally. But the incendiary classification does allow the State Medical Examiners Office to make an official ruling on the cause of the firefighters death. More than two months after their deaths and cremations, a medical examiner ruled Tuesday that Sadler, Laycao and Butrim died by homicide. The families of the fallen firefighters could not receive their respective death certificates without an official ruling, and consequently have been unable to apply for some death benefits, Fannon said. Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said his homicide detectives will now launch their own investigation, which will be conducted in conjunction with ATF. Mayor Brandon Scott said he spent time with some family members of the fallen firefighters when they were honored during Opening Day ceremonies at Camden Yards on Monday. He expressed confidence Baltimore police and federal investigators will solve the case. Advertisement Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. > Our homicide detectives are working every day bringing some sense of peace and closure to families and we know theyll do the same in this one, Scott said during remarks to the media Wednesday afternoon. The Maryland State Fire Marshal is assisting ATF and Baltimore Police with the fire investigation. The fire at 205 S. Stricker St. is one of the deadliest for firefighters in city history. The vacant property had caught fire at least two other times, including in 2015 when three firefighters were injured while extinguishing heavy flames. During the incident, firefighters battled flames on the first floor and used a chain saw to cut through the ceiling of the third floor. Three firefighters were sent to the hospital with injuries, including one who was transported from the scene by stretcher. The city firefighters deaths have drawn renewed attention from city officials to tackle a decadeslong problem of abandoned buildings that become safety hazards. About 15,000 homes in the city sit empty. Scott announced in March that the city will spend $100 million of its federal American Rescue Plan dollars on funding rehabilitation efforts for vacant properties and other housing initiatives. This month, two Baltimore firefighters have been rescued after falling through the floor of a burning building, including an incident Tuesday night. While fighting a fire in the Oliver neighborhood of East Baltimore, a firefighter fell through a houses first floor into its basement just before 10:30 p.m. The firefighter entered a rowhouse that is under construction in an attempt to stop a fire that started in a vacant rowhouse and ultimately spread to four other homes. The firefighter was immediately rescued and taken to the hospital, according to the fire department. He has since been released. Advertisement Baltimore Sun reporter Lea Skene contributed to this article. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen confirmed the Biden administration's intention to use sanction tools against China if Beijing ever moved aggressively toward Taiwan. In response to Congressman Patrick McHenry's (R-NC) questioning on April 6, Yellen confirmed the administration's ability and resolve to sanction China if aggression against Taiwan ever came to light. She backed her position by stating, I believe we've shown we can impose significant pain on aggressive countries, as evidenced by sanctions against Russia. Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, tensions have mounted between China and Taiwan. Earlier this year, Taiwan spotted Chinese warplanes in its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Further, President Tsai Ing-wong called for unity in defense of the nation and strengthened military surveillance operations. Last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hya Chunying reiterated One-China policy sentiments, stating that Taiwan as an "inalienable" part of China's territory is "an irrefutable historical and legal fact." This was further emphasized in China's response last week to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's scheduled, but then canceled, visit to Taiwan, which Beijing called "the most serious provocation." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian reconfirmed these statements on April 7, stating that "the Chinese people's resolve and will to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering." Featured Image via Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Sacramento Teacher Gets Death Threats After Using 'Slant-Eyes' to Explain Racism in Zoom Class The Office Actress Speaks Out on Shows Racist Portrayal of Asian Women in Episode Olivia Rodrigo visits White House to tell young people COVID-19 vaccinations are 'good 4 u' Doctor Who Assaulted Evelyn Yang, Dozens of Women, Hit With New Federal Charges Former President Trump joined President Biden in calling Russias war in Ukraine a genocide during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday night. While Trump was slamming Biden for policies he said have led to record high inflation, he said, And now add to that whats going on in Ukraine. Thats a genocide. The comment comes a day after Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of genocide on Tuesday. 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. Biden later affirmed his belief that Putins actions constitute genocide during an exchange with reporters but said his lawyers would make the ultimate determination. Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being Ukrainian, Biden said. The evidence is mounting. Trump, who boasts of a close personal relationship with Putin, had previously called Russias invasion a holocaust. Trump elaborated on his comments later in the interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, saying, This is a genocide thats taking place. We have the strongest, most capable nuclear anywhere in the world because of what I did, Trump said, reiterating his claim that Putin would not have invaded were he in office. Trump said the U.S. has a more powerful nuclear arsenal than Russia and that people shouldnt be pushing us around. I think in 100 years people are going to look back and they are going to say, How did we stand back and NATO stand back?' Trump said. Though the Biden administration has refused to send troops into Ukraine or impose a no-fly zone over the country, the U.S. has ramped up military support for Ukraine amid the invasion. Biden announced Wednesday that his administration would authorize $800 million in additional security assistance to Ukraine, including artillery, helicopters and armored personnel carriers. Story continues Though the U.S. has not officially labeled Putins war genocide, it has determined that Russia is committing war crimes. The civilian toll of the war is unclear; however, the United Nations estimates that nearly 2,000 civilians have been killed, while the mayor of Mariupol this week claimed that 10,000 had died in his city alone. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Two lawyers who served at the most senior level in the Trump White House are today set to talk to the committee investigating events leading up to the 6 January insurrection. Former White House counsel Pat Cipollone and his onetime deputy Pat Philbin are reportedly speaking to the committee on a semi-formal basis rather than giving full testimony. Meanwhile, the latest Capitol riot defendant to go on trial is blaming his actions on Donald Trump and his false claims about a stolen election, in a rare mention of the former presidents role during the ongoing hearings. Dustin Byron Thompson, an Ohio man charged with stealing a coat rack from the Capitol, did not deny that he joined the mob on 6 January 2021. But his lawyer vowed on Tuesday to show that Mr Trump abused his power to authorise the attack. Describing Mr Trump as a man without scruples or integrity, defence attorney Samuel Shamansky said the former president engaged in a sinister plot to encourage Mr Thompson and other supporters to do his dirty work. Key Points Ohio man blames Trump for storming the Capitol McConnell warns GOP not to screw up midterms, says Trump not a fan Trump launches personal attack on Fiona Hill after comparison to Putin Will Donald Trump be charged over Jan 6? An evolving question for the DOJ Canadian billionaire hit with record-breaking fine for illegal $1.75m donation to Trump fund GOP pollster says party mocks child Trump in private 05:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar A Republican pollster says that the party mocks Donald Trump as a child in private and is laughing at the one-term president. Frank Luntz made the comment in the wake of New Hampshire s Republican governor, Chris Sununu, telling the annual Gridiron Club dinner that Mr Trump is f***ing crazy. Read the full story here: GOP pollster says party mocks child Trump in private Trump says he probably wouldnt have any interest in returning to Twitter 04:30 , Gustaf Kilander Donald Trump has said that he wouldnt go back to Twitter if his ban was lifted during an interview in which he also boasted about Hispanic support for the Republican Party. Story continues Mr Trump also told SiriusXMs Americano Media people would be very happy about his plans for the 2024 election, which he said would be made public after the midterms in the fall. Ill tell you this: I think a lot of people are going to be happy. Ill announce it after the midterms, but a lot of people are going to be very happy, Mr Trump told La Politica. He also claimed credit for Hispanic support for the GOP in the interview obtained by Fox News Digital. I think we really have a relationship I think I started it and did very well in 2016. We did much better in almost every way as you know I got 12 million more votes in the second election in 2020. But we did really well with the Hispanics, he said. Read more: Trump says he probably wouldnt have any interest in returning to Twitter Texas Governor Abbott buses migrants from border and leaves them at Foxs DC HQ 03:15 , John Bowden Texas Governor Greg Abbott is going forward with his plan to bus undocumented migrants to Washington DC despite concerns from most legal experts regarding his total lack of authority to do so. The Texas Republicans administration oversaw the first arrival of a busload of undocumented migrants to the nations capital on Wednesday; the bus arrived at the headquarters of right-leaning network Fox News, which was the first to report on the scene and had a story published within minutes of their arrival. The building also houses C-SPAN and NBC Newss offices, but Foxs coverage touted news of the event as an exclusive while NBC did not publish an article on the subject until after noon on Wednesday. The White House has blasted Mr Abbotts efforts as a publicity stunt. State officials do not have legal authority outside of their own jurisdiction, and its not clear if the group of migrants that arrived on Wednesday did so with the cooperation, consent or knowledge of Washington DC city officials. The Biden administration recently announced that the CDC would rescind the Title 42 authority granted under the Trump administration to turn away asylum-seekers at the border, a move which Republicans argue is going to further drive illegal migration and asylum claims, which are legal but require a person to be physically present at the US border or inside the country for claims to be processed. Read more: Texas Governor Abbott buses migrants from border and leaves them at Foxs DC HQ Idea that Trump is invincible among Republicans is far from proven, political science professor says 02:02 , Gustaf Kilander Political science professor Jonathan Bernstein wrote in an opinion piece for Bloomberg that the idea that Donald Trump is invincible among Republicans is far from proven. Dr Bernstein went on to note that Mr Trumps 2016 nomination was narrow and that it was aided by all sorts of odd events and a fair amount of luck. He also has an electoral record now, and its not exactly an impressive one; after all, he lost re-election, and Republicans lost the House (in 2018) and the Senate (in 2020) while he was in office, the professor wrote. His tantrum over losing the presidency and his false claims about fraud have widely been credited for the loss of two Senate seats in Georgia. Republicans may trust Trump more on policy than they once did, but they should have even less confidence that hell be a team player now, he added. This could all mean more opposition from party actors in 2024 compared to previous races. None of this is to say that Trump wont be the nominee, Dr Bernstein concluded. Its just a case for uncertainty. Trump supporters trick airport workers to page fake passengers at airports Thursday 14 April 2022 00:45 , Gustaf Kilander Trump supporters are tricking airport workers to page fake passengers at airports, according to The Daily Beast. The new trend comes after years of conservatives fighting mask mandates on planes and involves tricking airport staff into paging fake passengers with names that sound like right-wing memes, such as Lets go Brandon, which is code for f**k Joe Biden. Daily Beast political reporter Will Sommer said the trend is a sign of the prankishness of the American right right now. He added that one of the more well-known pranksters does it and has his little snicker at the Cinnabon. These videos rack up tens of thousands of views, he said. Ingraham says Trump and Hannity endorsing Dr Oz was a mistake' Wednesday 13 April 2022 23:30 , Gustaf Kilander Fox News host Laura Ingraham has said that she thinks that fellow Fox Anchor Sean Hannity and Donald Trump endorsing Mehmet Oz for senate in Pennsylvania was a mistake. On Tuesday night, Ms Ingraham said she couldnt support Dr Oz because of his previous statements on guns and abortion. She ran a short clip on her programme showing the celebrity doctor questioning that a fetus has a heartbeat at the age of six weeks. Alongside former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, they said that Dr Oz has never rejected his previous comments. He has said that hes pro-life. A Trump endorsement, and waving the Trump flag, doesnt make you Donald Trump, Ms Conway said. Mr Trump did something I dont see Oz doing on the issue of abortion hes had a conversion, she added. Hannity, I believe, endorsed Oz I think it was a mistake. Im not afraid to say it. It was a mistake to endorse Oz, Ms Ingraham said. Trump to host Ohio rally as race to replace retiring senator heats up Wednesday 13 April 2022 22:12 , Gustaf Kilander Donald Trump will hold a rally in Ohio as the race to replace retiring GOP Senator Rob Portman is intensifying. The rally will be held on 23 April in Delaware, a town north of the state capital of Columbus. The GOP candidates are competing for Mr Trumps endorsement in the race. Fighting for his support are the author and venture capitalist JD Vance, businessman Mike Gibbons, the previous state Treasurer Josh Mandel as well as the former Ohio Republican Chair Jane Timken. Most polls have shown a tight race so far. Democrats have largely stepped in line behind Representative Tim Ryan, one of many Democrats who ran for president in 2020. Trump PAC throws money on Georgia governors race Wednesday 13 April 2022 21:02 , Gustaf Kilander The political action committee of Donald Trump, Save America PAC, has transferred half a million dollars to a PAC aiming to unseat Georgia GOP Governor Brian Kemp. Its Mr Trumps first large financial stake in a midterm race, according to Politico. People close to Mr Trump say its an initial cash boost as the campaign nears the 24 May primary between Mr Kemp and former Senator David Perdue, who has been endorsed by Mr Trump. Mr Trumps PAC has more than $110m on hand, meaning its one of the wealthiest political organisations. Book reveals Trump put McConnell in tight spot as GOP leader scrambled to win Georgia senate runoffs Wednesday 13 April 2022 20:35 , Gustaf Kilander After the 2020 election, Donald Trump was sure he could overturn the results, telling then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he had been speaking to officials in Pennsylvania and Michigan, states that Joe Biden won, who told him that they would be able to keep Mr Trump in the White House. Ive been calling folks in those states and theyre with us, Mr Trump said, according to a new book by New York Times political reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns. A CNN excerpt details how Mr Trumps false claims put Mr McConnell in a tight spot while he was trying to focus on the two Senate runoffs in Georgia, both of which were later won by Democrats. Mr McConnell stayed quiet about Mr Trumps lies to try to stop him from ruining the GOPs chances in Georgia, the book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for Americas Future states. Weve got to stay focused on Georgia, Mr McConnell told colleagues after getting off the phone with Mr Trump. What it looks to me like hes doing is setting this up so he can blame the governor and the secretary of state if we lose, Mr McConnell told the reporters. Hes always setting up somebody to blame it on. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk claims higher buildings leads to more liberal voters Wednesday 13 April 2022 20:01 , Gustaf Kilander Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has claimed that living in higher buildings leads to people becoming more liberal voters. We have a huge housing crisis in our country, the likes of which we have not seen in a long period of time, Mr Kirk said during an event hosted by Turning Point USA Mr Kirks organisation pushing conservative ideas on high school and university campuses. I believe that we need to build horizontally, not vertically. Its one of my speeches developers dont like it when I say this, but its true, he added. The higher the building, the more liberal the voter. It just is. The closer to the ground you are, the more conservative you are. We should encourage people to spread horizontally and not vertically. Look at Denver. The higher the high rises has Denver become less free, or more free? Its become a dystopian nightmare, he claimed. Now, you might say, Charlie, its a correlation with causation. Think about it. If youre on the 32nd floor, renting not owning, if youre not in the weeds and in the yard and understanding what it takes to grow food and to maintain the land are you gonna be more or less likely to actually be a conservative? he asked. Charlie Kirk asserts that tall buildings make people liberal: "The higher the building, the more liberal the voter. It just is. The closer to the ground you are, the more conservative you are" pic.twitter.com/ar5TlJYgWh Jason Campbell (@JasonSCampbell) April 13, 2022 The higher the building, every single study shows, they become more liberal over time, he said. Its happening in Phoenix, its happened in Denver, happened in Atlanta, happened in Dallas, happened in Chicago everywhere, and yet few people actually say that out loud. While its unclear what studies Mr Kirk was referring to, The Atlantic staff writer Derek Thompson wrote in September 2019 that its conceivable that living in a city might naturally promote ideologies that correspond with the modern Democratic Party. The modern city brings its residents into constant interaction with the fact of, and necessity for, state intervention. Urban residents trade cars for public transit, live in neighborhoods with local trash codes, and deal with planning commissions about shadows, ocean views, and parking rights, he added. Mr Thompson noted that those who live in cities are exquisitely sensitive to the consequences of individual behavior in a dense place where one mans action is another mans nuisance. As a result, residents of dense cities tend to reject libertarianism as unacceptable chaos and instead agitate for wiser governance related to health care, housing policy, and climate change. Obama appears to take shot at Trump over birther conspiracy Wednesday 13 April 2022 19:29 , Gustaf Kilander Former President Barack Obama appeared to take a shot at Donald Trump over his past false claims that his predecessor in the White House wasnt born in the US. Mr Obama appeared on NBCs Today programme to promote his Netflix show Our Great National Parks. Together with host Al Roker, Mr Obama led a group of kids on a scavenger hunt in the Great Falls National Park in Virginia. 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 Mr Obama at one point remembered seeing whales migrating in Hawaii and one of the kids noted that he was born in the island state. I was born in Hawaii, yeah Honolulu. See, you know more than some people know about where I was born, he said. After providing his long-form birth certificate, Mr Obama joked at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner that no one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald. Thats because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter, like: Did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac? he added. Trump says he wouldnt go back to Twitter if he was allowed Wednesday 13 April 2022 19:02 , Gustaf Kilander Donald Trump has told SiriusXMs Americano Media that he wouldnt go back to Twitter if his ban was lifted during an interview in which he also boasted about Hispanic support for the Republican Party. Mr Trump also said people would be very happy about his plans for the 2024 election, which he said would be made public after the midterms in the fall. Ill tell you this: I think a lot of people are going to be happy. Ill announce it after the midterms, but a lot of people are going to be very happy, Mr Trump told La Politica. He also claimed credit for Hispanic support for the GOP in the interview obtained by Fox News Digital. I think we really have a relationship I think I started it and did very well in 2016. We did much better in almost every way as you know I got 12 million more votes in the second election in 2020. But we did really well with the Hispanics, he said. I did great with the Hispanics. And you know why? Because theyre very incredible people with great energy, and theyre very entrepreneurial. And they also understood the border. You know, they understand the border better than anybody else. And they want security at the border, he added. In the summer of 2015 when Mr Trump announced his 2016 bid for the White House, he said: When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending the best. Theyre not sending you, theyre sending people that have lots of problems and theyre bringing those problems. Theyre bringing drugs, theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists and some, I assume, are good people, but I speak to border guards and theyre telling us what were getting, he added at the time. Concerning Twitter, Mr Trump said in the interview set to air on Wednesday night that he probably wouldnt have any interest in going back. You know, Twitter has become very boring. Theyve gotten rid of a lot of their good voices a lot of their conservative voices, he added. Ex-Trump chief of staff says The Rock could could give him a run for his money in 2024 Wednesday 13 April 2022 18:29 , Gustaf Kilander Former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney has said that actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson could give the former president a run for his money in the 2024 presidential election. Mr Mulvaney told Politico on Tuesday that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis could give him a run for his money, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott can give him a run for his money and The Rock could give him a run for his money. Its a short list, he added. By the way, theres one other person who could beat him, which is himself, he added. Mr Mulvaney resigned from his position as special envoy to Northern Ireland after the 6 January insurrection. Donald Trump is sometimes his own worst enemy when it comes to campaigning, Mr Mulvaney said. Kid at Trump rally says on TV that hes excited to see Joe Biden Wednesday 13 April 2022 17:58 , Gustaf Kilander A video of a kid at a Trump rally in North Carolina has gone viral after he said he was excited to see Joe Biden and quickly being corrected by his parents. Lawyer Ron Filipkowski shared the clip from the Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN), best known for its live streams of Trump events on its YouTube channel after its founding in 2015. The video, filmed ahead of the rally on Saturday, had received around 2.7 million views as of Wednesday morning. In the footage, the RSBN reporter asks the parents how excited they were when they found out there was going to be a rally in Selma, southeast of Raleigh, North Carolina. Just as excited as he was, the mother said, nodding towards the father. Hes the one who told me about it. Kid at Trump rally says on TV that hes excited to see Joe Biden Ex-White House chief removed from NC voter roll as he's investigated for 2020 voter fraud Wednesday 13 April 2022 17:23 , Gustaf Kilander Former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has been removed from the North Carolina voter roll as hes investigated for possibly committing voter fraud in the 2020 election. North Carolina State Board of Elections spokesman Patrick Gannon said in a statement that on 11 April, officials in Macon County administratively removed the voter registration of Mark Meadows after documentation indicated he lived in Virginia and last voted in the 2021 election there. John Bowden has the story: Trump chief of staff purged from NC voter rolls, under investigation for voter fraud GOP pollster Frank Luntz says Republicans are mocking Trump behind his back, think hes a child' Wednesday 13 April 2022 16:55 , Gustaf Kilander Republican pollster Frank Luntz has alleged that GOP lawmakers are laughing at Donald Trump behind his back and are mocking him because they think hes a child. After New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu said during the Gridiron Dinner in Washington, DC that Mr Trump is f***ing crazy, Mr Luntz told The Daily Beast that I dont know a single Republican who was surprised by what Sununu said. The press often will ask me if I think Donald Trump is crazy. And Ill say it this way: I dont think hes so crazy that you could put him in a mental institution. But I think if he were in one, he aint getting out! Mr Sununu said. Mr Luntz said Mr Sununu said what Republicans are already thinking. They wont say it [in public], but behind his back, they think hes a child. Theyre laughing at him. Thats what made [Sununus comments] significant, Mr Luntz told The Daily Beast. Trump isnt the same man he was a year ago, the pollster added. Even many Republicans are tired of going back and rehashing the 2020 election. Everybody else has moved on, and in Washington, everyone believes he lost the election. Questions from Trumps first impeachment remain unanswered Wednesday 13 April 2022 16:20 , Gustaf Kilander Questions from Donald Trumps first impeachment remain unanswered as the war in Ukraine enters a new phase. In 2019, Mr Trump secretly withheld military aid to Ukraine before asking President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce investigations into then-candidate Joe Biden and his family. Lawmakers and witnesses from the following impeachment say the scandal is directly connected to the current conflict, Politico reports. The chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Virginia Democrat Mark Warner, told the outlet that Mr Trumps actions absolutely negatively affected Ukraines preparedness to fight Russia and made them unsure of the commitment of the US to their security. Remember, this was the guy who tried to extort political favours from President Zelenskyy for his own personal political gain, Mr Warner said. But the fact is we need to continue to get all the aid we can, as quickly as possible. Democrats continue to insist that Trump bears some of the responsibility for the current crisis in Ukraine. The former presidents willingness to condition support on political investigations, Democrats say, signaled to Putin that the west wouldnt be united behind Ukraine. Politico Former Roger Stone aide urged Trump supporters to descend on the Capitol week before insurrection Wednesday 13 April 2022 15:55 , Gustaf Kilander A former aide to Republican political operative Roger Stone urged Trump supporters to descend on the Capitol a week before the insurrection on 6 January 2021. According to The New York Times, Right-wing communications advisor Jason Sullivan, a promoter of QAnon conspiracy theories, said during a conference call on 30 December 2020 that the election had been stolen and told Trump supporters to go to Washington, DC and make congressional representatives sweat before they certified President Joe Bidens election victory. If we make the people inside that building sweat, and they understand that they may not be able to walk in the streets any longer if they do the wrong thing, then maybe theyll do the right thing, The Times quoted Mr Sullivan as saying. A lawyer for Mr Sullivan told the paper that he wasnt condoning any violence. Trump struggling to get evangelicals to support bid to oust Georgia governor Wednesday 13 April 2022 15:20 , Gustaf Kilander Donald Trump is struggling to get evangelical Christians to support his bid to oust Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp. Mr Trump deemed Mr Kemp to be insufficiently supportive of his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. While evangelicals support Mr Trump and like his preferred candidate for the governorship, former US Senator David Perdue, they also support Mr Kemp. Mr Perdue and Mr Kemp will face off in the Republican primary on 24 May. Evangelical voters make up a third of Republican voters in the state and half of GOP primary voters. Mr Trump is backing candidates across the country who support his false 2020 election claims, but voters are concerned about other issues, Bloomberg noted. Evangelicals in the state say they like Mr Kemp for pushing a bill that bans abortion when a heartbeat is found, for not closing churches during the pandemic, and for his opposition to mask mandates. The executive director of the conservative Christian group Faith and Freedom Coalition, Tim Head, told Bloomberg that most evangelicals do feel strongly that Brian Kemp has delivered very well. Pence claims he stood toe to toe with Putin Wednesday 13 April 2022 14:45 , Andrew Naughtie As Donald Trump makes a haphazard effort to walk back his long history of remarks praising Vladimir Putins strength and supposed strategic brilliance, former vice president Mike Pence claimed yesterday that he had told Mr Putin some hard truths when encountering him during his own time in office. Pence: Ive also met Vladimir Putin. I stood toe to toe with him and told him things he didnt want to hear pic.twitter.com/Nm87SJKzuJ Acyn (@Acyn) April 12, 2022 Lauren Boebert gets a primary challenger Wednesday 13 April 2022 14:10 , Andrew Naughtie Far-right Colorado representative and gun-themed restaurant owner Lauren Boebert, who infamously tweeted the words This is 1776 on the day of the Capitol riot, has attracted a Republican primary challenger. Longtime state legislator Don Coram says on his campaign website that When the fringe leaders of both political spectrums have taken all the oxygen in the room and act more like out-of-touch celebrities than members of Congress, we have a problem a judgment shared by many less outre Republicans than Ms Boebert, but not by Donald Trump, who has endorsed her for re-election. Shelby County Commission District 6 Democratic Primary candidates: Alex Boulton, left, and Charlie A. Caswell Jr. Where and what is District 6? District 6 encompasses northwest Shelby County, including Egypt, Raleigh and parts of North Memphis. The district stretches east to Summer Avenue, west to Range Line Road, north to Loosahatchie River Drainage Canal and south to Wolf River. It is home to more than 69,000 people. Current District 6 Commissioner Willie Brooks, who has held the position since 2014, is running for Shelby County Register of Deeds. Find out here: Who's running in the Shelby County 2022 primary? Who's running: Here's who's running for judge, school board in Shelby County general election Who are the candidates; what are their platforms? There are two candidates running in the Democratic primary for this position are Alex Boulton and Charlie A. Caswell, Jr. Alex Boulton is looking to represent District 6 on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners Alex Boulton grew up in the Raleigh-Frayser area. He currently works as a recruiting manager, connecting contractors to candidates looking for work. He also worked as a legislative aide for then-State Sen. Lee Harris, now the County Mayor, and Senator Sara Kyle in 2015. Boulton served as treasurer and later president of the Shelby County Young Democrats. "District 6 has been underserved for almost three decades. I was born and raised in the Raleigh-Frayser area my entire existence in Memphis. I have seen communities such as Bartlett, Lakeland, Arlington, Germantown, and Collierville have spontaneously [grown] as it relates to providing jobs, great school systems low crime rates. My role as the next commissioner of District 6 is to promote community unity. We fix it by 'sixing' it together. Six it together promotes improving the community, building more community relationships, and fostering civic pride." Shelby County primary 2022: Three vie for Democratic nomination to represent newly altered District 10 Charlie A. Caswell Jr. grew up in Dixie Homes apartments in North Memphis. He is currently the executive director of Legacy of Legends Community Development Corporation, which serves children ages 5 to 17 in the Frayser-Raleigh area, focusing on addressing "adverse childhood experience and trauma" and connecting them to counseling and mental health services. Caswell said he understands the lasting impact exposure to violence at an early age can have on mental health. As commissioner, he hopes to focus on youth by prioritizing education, mental health and job skills for economic development. Story continues "I've been a big advocate for children, and I'm going to help in addressing social-emotional learning for our youth and our children, knowing the lack of resources really being spent around it, especially coming out of the pandemic. I'm really looking to use that seat as a commissioner to focus on addressing that in education. I think that has an impact on academic outcomes." Astrid Kayembe covers South Memphis, Whitehaven and Westwood. She can be reached at astrid.kayembe@commercialappeal.com, (901) 304-7929 or on Twitter @astridkayembe_. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Meet the District 6 on Shelby County Board of Commissioners candidates By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - U.S. backed Kurdish-led forces tightened the siege on neighborhoods under the control of the Syrian government in two Kurdish-controlled cities in northeast Syria, officials from both sides said on Thursday. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said they took over about 10 government offices ranging from the local finance, grains and education branches in a zone in the heart of the city of Qamishli. The grouping of U.S.-backed militias, which is dominated by the Kurdish YPG, also prevented for a sixth consecutive day the entry of wheat and fuel to the other zone in the city of Hasaka under control of Syrian government forces. Most of the neighborhoods of the two biggest cities in northeastern Syria have been under SDF control since Syrian troops handed control to the Kurds in the early years of the 11-year war to fight mainly Sunni rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar al Assad. The SDF also closed a highway leading to government-run Qamishli airport, two witnesses said - a crisis that the Kurdish led forces blame on Damascus for besieging the mainly Kurdish inhabited Sheikh Maqsoud district in the northern city of Aleppo since the beginning of the month. Over 200,000 mainly Kurdish inhabitants live in the area. Russian-mediated talks failed on Tuesday to defuse the crisis with the YPG insisting that the Syrian army must lift restrictions that have prevented trucks carrying food and wheat to the Aleppo enclave it administers. "The Syrian regime has been for a while holding back food supplies to Sheikh Maqsoud in an attempt to exert political pressures on the SDF," said Mohammad Abdul Sattar Ibrahim, a Syrian analyst in touch with Kurdish officials. Russian forces have, however, consolidated their military foothold in the area where most of Syria's oil and wheat is produced after Turkish threats prompted the YPG to seek Russia's help to reinforce frontlines with Turkey-backed rebels. Story continues Syrian officials have accused the SDF of starving people. "The SDF are preventing entry of wheat, foodstuffs and fuel that are needed to run bakeries and this is adding to the hardship of people in these difficult times," Ghassan Khalil, the governor of Hasaka told state media. The YPG and Syrian authorities have for years been tacit allies, with lucrative oil and commercial links between them. Assad has in the past two years accused the YPG of treachery and helping Washington lay its hands on Syria's oil and wheat production. Syria also accuses the Kurds of harbouring separatist ambitions, which the YPG denies. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Grant McCool) By Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States believes the Russian warship Moskva is still dealing with a fire and the ship is believed to have experienced significant damage, a senior U.S. defense official said on Thursday. The warship, a Soviet-era missile cruiser, is still believed to be afloat and the United States is under the assumption that the cruiser is heading to Sevastopol, the official said. "Our assessment is that she still appears to be battling a fire on board," the official said. Russia said the crew of the warship had been evacuated and measures were being taken to tow the stricken ship back to port, after an explosion of ammunition on board that Ukraine said was caused by a missile strike. (Reporting by Idrees Ali, writing by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) STORY: As Ukraine prepares for an aggressive Russian assault expected in the east, the White House on Wednesday announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine. The latest package includes artillery systems, artillery rounds and armored personnel carriers, U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy 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. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby told reporters the new military equipment should provide immediate help. "These are not highly complex systems. The systems that will probably require some additional training for Ukrainian forces are the Howitzers, the TPQ-36 counter-artillery radar. Not a very difficult system to operate, but it's not one that they have in their inventory." With evidence of attacks on civilians mounting, Biden this week called the Russian invasion a genocide -- the Kremlin said Wednesday the comments were wrong and unacceptable. Since Russian forces invaded in February, the U.S. aid to Ukraine has reached more than $2.5 billion with the latest package. The Hill Ukraine launched an offensive Friday to drive out Russian troops in the northeast part of the country. The two militaries have been engaged in an arduous battle with neither side able to gain the upper hand, The New York Times reported. However, Ukrainian troops are rallying to form an offensive against the Russian forces, which The United Kingdom on Thursday said it would support whatever decision Sweden and Finland make about whether to join NATO, despite threats from Russia against the two countries joining the military alliance. Russian threats towards the Nordic & Baltic states are not new and only strengthen our unity, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted. Sweden and Finland are free to choose their future without interference the UK will support whatever they decide. Russias invasion of Ukraine, now in its second month, has sparked urgent debate in Sweden and Finland over whether the countries should join NATO. Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev, a former president of Russia, warned in a Telegram post on Thursday that should the two European countries join NATO, it will no longer be possible to talk about any nuclear-free status of the Baltic. Russia would need to seriously strengthen the grouping of land forces and air defense, deploy significant naval forces in the waters of the Gulf of Finland, Medvedev said. Russia has similarly opposed Ukraine joining the military alliance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has previously sought for Ukraine to join NATO, gave the military alliance harsh marks in an interview with CBS Newss 60 Minutes last weekend. When youre working in diplomacy, there are no results. All of this is very bureaucratic, Zelensky said. Thats why the way I am talking to them is absolutely justified. I dont have any more lives to give. I dont have any more emotions. Im no longer interested in their diplomacy that leads to the destruction of my country, the president noted. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Carroll Community College and the American Red Cross hosted their third blood drive of the year this week. The blood drive, held Wednesday and continuing Thursday, is a way to support hospitals and other places in need by providing the Red Cross with a space where anyone in the community can give blood, according to Amanda DeRose, the colleges assistant director of student engagement. DeRose said student volunteers are helping with check-in procedures and providing snacks to donors. That also supports our service learning here at the college, so students, especially in our biology or healthcare fields, can see firsthand how what theyre learning may translate to a career, DeRose said. Thursdays appointments are full. For other opportunities, schedule an appointment at https://www.redcrossblood.org/. Tony Banks helps nursing student Olivea Miserandino while donating blood at Carroll Community College in Westminster Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Carroll Community College is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive April 13-14 from 9:00 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. (Dylan Slagle / Carroll County Times) The Ukrainian Prosecutor General on Thursday said it had found 6,492 cases of alleged crimes of aggression and war crimes since the onslaught of Russias invasion nearly 50 days ago. The governmental body said the majority of these alleged instances fell under the category of "breaking the law and customs of war," while some cases were also believed to have been involved in "planning, preparing for or starting and waging an aggressive war" along with fueling "propaganda of war" strategies. RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES The prosecutors office pointed to 570 "suspects" affiliated with the military or in the political sphere who are believed to have been involved. Another 2,941 "crimes against national security" were also announced. The number of Ukrainians killed since fighting began in February remains unclear. The United Nations on Wednesday said 4,450 civilian casualties had been verified with 1,892 killed and 2,558 injured, but actual figures are expected to be much higher. Mayor of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol said this week that the death toll in the partially besieged city is believed to be well over 10,000 and could surpass 20,000 following weeks of intense bombardment by Russian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that "massacres" have occurred in Borodyanka, Hostomel and Makariv, along with cities and villages in the Chernihiv, Kharkiv and the Donbas regions. KREMLIN CRACKDOWN SILENCES WAR PROTESTS, FROM BENIGN TO BOLD Moscows mass human rights abuses first caught global attention earlier this month after Russian troops vacated areas surrounding the capital city of Kyiv and more than 400 civilians in the suburb of Bucha were found to have been killed and left in streets or in mass graves. Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, traveled to Bucha this week to launch the international courts investigation into the alleged war crimes. Story continues "Ukraine is a crime scene. Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC are being committed. We have to pierce the fog of war to get to the truth," Khan said in an ICC Twitter post. The chief prosecutor also traveled to Borodyanka, an area roughly 30 minutes from Bucha, to investigate additional claims of war crimes Thursday. "Responsibility for the Russian military for war crimes is inevitable. We will drag them all to the tribunal," Zelenskyy said in a Wednesday address. "And not only for what was done in Bucha." The Ukrainian president also pointed "tens of thousands" of mines that Russian troops left behind in residential areas as an additional attempt to further maim and kill Ukrainian citizens. Poland and Lithuania have also set up teams that will investigate Russia for war crimes in coordination with the ICC. A current and a former UFPD officer filed a pair of complaints alleging discrimination, including gender bias. Two people associated with the University of Florida Police Department have filed complaints against the college alleging racial discrimination. According to The Gainesville Sun, the complaints were sent to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Florida Commission on Human Relations by a current officer and a former officer, Andrielle Boone and Brian Ausgood, respectively. A current and former member of the University of Floridas police department have filed complaints against the college alleging racial discrimination. (Photo: AdobeStock) Ausgood was terminated from the department just over 11 years after he started in October 2010, while Boone remains employed at the university. Both officers say they experienced racial discrimination, and Boone claims that she was also discriminated against due to her gender. She has been with the UFPD since 2014. Their attorney, Marie Mattox, said she has not seen a lot of officers file discrimination cases because it can damage their careers. Police officers try to stick together, she said. You know that youre going to have a hard time getting a job somewhere else. If you leave and youve accused one police department of racism, its very difficult to get another job, especially if they start targeting you after you have complained of race discrimination. In an email statement, Hessy Fernandez, a spokesperson for the University of Florida, denied the allegations. The University is aware of complaints that have been filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and denies their allegations, Fernandez said, according to The Sun. The University does not provide specific comment on pending litigation; however, it reaffirms its and the UF Police Departments commitments to fostering and promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where students and employees feel valued and respected. The Sun notes that Boone was put on a Brady list, which is a designation that an officer has been deemed impaired or that their credibility has been questioned. She said her labeling came after she reported another co-worker for unlawful employment practices. Story continues In addition, the legal document states that after Boone became pregnant in 2018, one of her co-workers began asking about who the father could be, accusing her of having a workplace relationship with another officer. Ausgood said he experienced racial discrimination that included being denied special training and reassignment. A deputy chief filed a complaint against him for making false allegations, providing an untruthful testimony, acting in a retaliatory manner, falsifying documentation, neglect of duty and untruthful statements related to activities and whereabouts while on duty and Ausgood was later issued a three-day suspension. He also asserts that attitudes toward him shifted toward negative after he spoke out against a colleagues mistreatment when a Black officer was facing punishment without his rights of due process, according to his complaint. In a key December 2020 conversation, Ausgood reportedly had his say and stood up for the forces Black officers. During the meeting, the Chief minimized my concerns and only legitimized the actions of the individuals (who are command staff members). I was told during the meeting that I would not be getting her approval to attend Executive Leadership training that was scheduled for the next fiscal year, according to his complaint. The Alachua County NAACP and the Atkins Warren chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives have also expressed their concerns about the leadership in the University of Florida Police Department. The NAACP is, in fact, weighing additional legal action. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post University of Florida Police Department under fire after racial discrimination complaints appeared first on TheGrio. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration has given the green light for Nigeria to buy advanced attack helicopters worth nearly $1 billion despite concerns about the countrys human rights record as it battles threats from criminal gangs and extremists in the north. The State Department on Thursday announced the approval of the $997 million sale of 24 Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters and related equipment to Nigeria. The related equipment includes guidance, night vision and targeting systems as well as engines and training support, the department said in a notice to Congress. The sale went ahead after a November visit to Abuja by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during which he raised concerns about Nigerias rights record. At the time, though, Blinken also made clear that the United States regards Nigeria as a partner in combating terrorism and Islamic extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, a region along the Sahara Desert stretching across North Africa, and is looking to increase cooperation with it in those areas. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, the department told Congress. The deal will also "better equip Nigeria to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability and build interoperability with the U.S. and other Western partners and will be a major contribution to U.S. and Nigerian security goals," the notice said. Nigerias security forces have long been accused of human rights violations in their operations, with personnel involved often escaping justice. In October 2020, the army opened fire at a demonstration in the countrys economic hub where hundreds were protesting against police brutality, killing 11 people and injuring many others, according to a government-backed panel. During Blinken's visit on November, he said the U.S. was looking forward to seeing the full results of the investigation and would make a decision on arms sales to Nigeria based in part on the findings and whether those responsible were held accountable. Nigeria is also facing a growing threat from armed gangs and extremist rebels who are now working together in the country's troubled northwest and threaten to further destabilize an already volatile region. Nigeria, Africas most populous country with 206 million people, has been battling violence in the north and an alliance between the two groups could worsen the crisis, analysts believe. A delegation of United States lawmakers led by vocal China hawk Senator Lindsey Graham arrived in Taiwan on Thursday for a two-day trip as Beijing threatened "strong measures" in response. The group, which also includes Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Menendez, is making the latest in a string of visits by foreign politicians to the island in defiance of pressure from Beijing. A US government plane touched down in Taipei on Thursday evening for what Washington's de facto embassy said were talks on "US-Taiwan relations, regional security, and other significant issues of mutual interest". Taiwan's foreign ministry said the group would meet President Tsai Ing-wen, foreign minister Joseph Wu and defence officials. China's Communist Party has never controlled self-ruled Taiwan but it views the island as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. Those threats have become more bellicose under President Xi Jinping, making the security of Taiwan a rare subject of bipartisan support in Washington. Menendez was among a group of lawmakers who introduced a bill in February to rename Taipei's de facto embassy in Washington the "Taiwan Representative Office". That would be a diplomatic departure from the tradition of using the word "Taipei". Beijing baulks at use of the word Taiwan on the international stage and opposes any country having official exchanges with the democratic island. Lithuania's recent decision to allow Taiwan to use its own name for a representative office triggered Beijing to launch a trade war against Vilnius that has angered the European Union. China's foreign ministry warned the US senators against "going down on the wrong and dangerous path" ahead of their arrival. "China will continue to take strong measures to resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity," spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters. Story continues A Swedish parliamentary delegation is also currently in Taiwan. "The purpose of the visit is very clear," Swedish lawmaker Charlie Weimers told reporters on Thursday. "It is to send a signal of support from Europe to Taiwan. And to make sure that signal is being heard all across the Taiwan Strait." Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo infuriated Beijing when he said the United States should diplomatically recognise Taiwan as "a free and sovereign country" during a visit last month. China's sabre-rattling has spurred greater diplomatic support for Taipei and prompted visits from Western politicians shaken by Beijing's more muscular tone. Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine has also heightened fears that China might one day follow through on threats to annex its smaller neighbour. Like most nations, the United States diplomatically recognises Beijing but also maintains de facto diplomatic ties with Taipei and is bound by an Act of Congress to ensure Taiwan can maintain its defence. US arms sales and diplomatic visits to Taiwan have ticked up under both former president Donald Trump and his successor Joe Biden. aw/jta/axn In an emotional speech last week in Los Angeles, Nasa scientist Peter Kalmus implored people to listen to the dire warnings of climate change experts. Were going to lose everything, Kalmus said in a video of the moment. And were not joking, were not lying, were not exaggerating. Dr Kalmus, a climate scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, was participating in a protest organized by Scientist Rebellion as part of a global day of action by scientists around the world. His protest in LA involved scientists chaining themselves to the doors of a JPMorgan Chase building. Im here because scientists are not being listened to. Im willing to take a risk for this gorgeous planet, Dr Kalmus said while chained to the door. He then started to cry as he added: For my sons. This is for all of the kids of the world, all of the young people, all of the future people, Dr Kalmus said later. This is so much bigger than any of us. Dr Kalmus tweeted the next day that he and other protestors had been arrested and linked to an essay he penned for The Guardian reiterating the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. Its time for all of us to stand up, and take risks, and make sacrifices for this beautiful planet that gives us life, that gives us everything, Dr Kalmus said in the video. The protest occurred at Chase in protest of the banks fossil fuel financing, the Scientist Rebellion group said. JPMorgan Chase was the largest financer of fossil fuels of any bank in the world from 2016 through 2021, providing $382 billion over that six-year period, according to a report from a consortium of NGOs. Protestors also took to the streets in Spain on the same day, throwing fake blood outside the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. Scientists and fellow supporters protested at the Ministry of Environment in Quito, Ecuador and at the Climate Ministry in Copenhagen, according to Scientist Rebellions Twitter account. The group describes themselves as activists from a variety of scientific backgrounds, and states that they work within the framework of Extinction Rebellion but adopt some new forms of organising and mobilising. Virgin Media O2 will pay for gender transition treatment for transgender and non-binary employees (AFP via Getty Images) Virgin Media O2s new diversity, equality and inclusion strategy is set to include gender transition treatment as a work perk for staff. The telecommuicatons and broadband company, which was formed when O2 and Virgin Media merged together last year, said the policy would help the company better represent the diverse communities it serves across the UK. In a statement, the company clarified that it would pay for gender transition treatment for transgender and non-binary employees, enabling them to access medical care, support and advice. The move is designed to improve support and allyship to people from marginalised communities. Philipp Wohland, chief people officer, said: Virgin Media O2 is a great place to work and were committed to creating a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. More broadly, by 2027 the company is aiming for 15 per cent of its senior leadership team, and 25 per cent of the wider organisation to derive from minoritised ethnic groups. This figure mirrors a study from the Office for National Statistics in 2019, which identified 15.2 per cent of the UK population as non-white. The media brand is also intending to achieve equal representation for men and women in the company senior leadership team, propelling forward progress for gender parity and its definition includes all gender identities and expressions across the entire organisation. However, it remains unclear how much the gender transition pledge will cost, and the company doesnt know the number of staff, out of a total workforce of 18,000 people, who are non-binary or transgender. Wohland added: : Our purpose is to upgrade the UK; thats not just through our leading products and services, its also by the type of company we want to be and the role we play in society. Yet Virgin Media has come under fire for its customer service, with Ofcom finding, in 2021, that the companys customers faced an average wait of nearly eight minutes to speak to an operator - the longest of any telecoms company. Story continues Furthermore, earlier this year, customers reportedly waited more than 20 minutes to speak to staff member, only for calls to be cut off once connected. Virgin Media has also raised prices for customers, with an increase of almost 60 per year on average, and households reaching the end of their contracts reporting price rises of nearly 50 per cent. Virgin Media O2 joins the likes of Linklaters law firm, and City of London law firm Herbet Smith Freehills, who are amongst the British companies to have introduced similar policies funding gender transition surgery in recent years. Lions will roam once again at the Virginia Zoo. The zoos newest male African lion arrived last month and can now be seen by visitors, a spokesperson announced Thursday. The 5-year-old big cat, named Ansel, comes to Norfolk after the zoos last remaining lion, Mramba, was euthanized in February. Later this month, Ansel will be joined by two female lions sisters Asha and Kali. And cubs may come next. Zoo staff plan to breed the lions in keeping with a recommendation from the African lion survival plan that guides lion population management at accredited zoos. Not only are we excited to bring in this young family of lions, but we are also delighted at the prospect of having cubs in the near future which is crucial to the long-term survival of this species, said Greg Bockheim, the zoos executive director, in a statement. African lions are considered a vulnerable species with about 20,000 of the animals living in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Ansel was born at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wis. Keepers say he boasts a beautiful, full-bodied mane and weighs 450 pounds, according to a news release. When Asha and Kali join the pride, the zoo plans to host a welcome party and fundraiser for lion conservation. Ali Sullivan, 757-677-1974, ali.sullivan@virginiamedia.com El Shafee Elsheikh is the most high profile Isis figure to stand trial in the US (Syrian Democratic Forces/AFP via) Guilty. As these two syllables rang out around Court Room 900 in Alexandria, Virginia today, and British Isis fighter El Shafee Elsheikh was found guilty of role in kidnapping and killing hostages, an eight-year chapter of pain for my family was finally brought to an end. A long, cold shadow has followed my family around ever since my brother David, a humanitarian worker, was taken hostage and beheaded by Isis in September 2014. Held captive for 19 months in Syria, his death was filmed and broadcast for the world to see one of 27 victims at the hands of a now-infamous British gang of terrorists. The past few months have been especially confronting for the whole family, having to relive the worst days of our lives as they are played out in the media. The court case heard details about the conditions in which David was kept, which until now we were guarded from. Nothing can prepare you for the feelings of helplessness, uncertainty even guilt that are anchored to the heavy burden of grief. It was something I observed during my 15 years as a psychiatric nurse, but only when you go through it yourself are you able to understand how crushing it can be. In being found guilty, Elsheikh is the last of the three surviving members of the gang to be successfully tried for their crimes. Aine Davis was convicted in a Turkish court in 2017, while Alexanda Kotey who has already pleaded guilty will be sentenced in the near future, during which I will be delivering a statement in court. The fourth, Mohammed Emwazi, was killed in an airstrike in 2015. For the most part, Davids 44 years of life were full of happiness, service and acts of kindness. His drive to help his fellow man is what fuelled him, and it is that hunger which took him to places few people put on their then holiday list: South Sudan, the former Yugoslavia and Libya, to name a few. What is most difficult for us as a family is that despite this rich life, his name and his proud legacy have been stolen from him by his executioners. He will be remembered instead for the horrific acts he was subjected to. Few will ever know the David I loved: the younger brother who brought joy into my life and drove me up the wall in equal measure. Story continues Although these two men were tried in the US, they are British and their beliefs were moulded by corrupting, malicious influences in our own backyard. It would be easy to point fingers, or to be swallowed up by what ifs. For a long while, I was. However, its always been in the Haines DNA to stand up and fight for what is right, and not to be overcome by setbacks, however big they might be. Instead, I took a more fulfilling path at first for my own benefit; a way of confronting the deep-rooted pain that lived inside me. I later realised that my way out of this darkness through dialogue, tolerance and a will to understand others was just as powerful a tonic for division and hatred elsewhere in our society. In 2015, I set up Global Acts of Unity (GAU), an initiative which has taken me to schools throughout every corner of the country, delivering talks in over 400 schools and institutions, reaching more than 100,000 people to promote togetherness and bridge divides sown by hateful elements. I have witnessed a tremendous response from those I have spoken to, and it has only strengthened my will to fight this fight and ensure no one follows the same path Davids enslavers did. As the sentencing of Alexanda Kotey approaches, I prepare for the unenviable opportunity of addressing one of my brothers killers in person. In truth, no prison term can fully justify the crimes committed against David nor account for the trail of heartache it set in motion. My mother, unable to process what had happened to her child, lost her grip on life and slowly drifted to her death. My fathers dementia accelerated following Davids murder and he eventually passed in 2017. Not only did we lose David, but I believe my parents were also victims of their brutality, too. I have always laid the blame for their deaths firmly at their feet. To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here That said, the proper process of justice provides some reassurance for me. The court proceedings however hard they are to confront, with its focus on the perpetrators and the evidence of the evil committed proves that the legal system can have a more profound, lasting impact for closure than responding with violence or hatred. It is important to recognise how this separates us from those on stand my brother was never given the fair justice that his killers have been afforded. Although Davids bones remain buried in the desert, he walks with me every day. I will continue to fight to ensure his courageous, kind spirit which stands in opposition to everything his captors represented out-survives the legacy thrust on him. Mike Haines OBE is the brother of humanitarian aid worker David Haines, who was brutally murdered by Daesh in September 2014 in Syria. Since that tragic event, Mike has devoted his life to spreading this message of togetherness through his Global Acts of Unity campaign to people of all backgrounds, faiths and religions. So far, he has spoken to over 100,000 students across 400 schools nationwide Generations of Sri Lankan leaders have sought guidance from seers and astrologers, and now one has dared tell the ruling Rajapaksa family that their time in office is up. As politicians find their homes besieged by large and resentful crowds, incensed over months of fuel shortages and lengthy blackouts, spiritual advisers have also found themselves under pressure. Images of soothsayers standing alongside top administration figures have been shared on social media by activists calling on them to urge President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to stand down. One of the most prominent among them has already broken ranks with the government. The long-time personal astrologer of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa -- the president's older brother -- this week said the economic crisis signalled the downfall of a clan that has dominated Sri Lanka's affairs for much of the past two decades. "This is the end of the entire Rajapaksa family," Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena told AFP. The fortune-teller's reputation took a hit in 2015 after he suggested Mahinda call an early election that the leader lost -- but his latest prediction is more emphatic. "Even a grade two child knows today that the Rajapaksas are doomed," he said. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa -- Mahinda's younger brother -- and Sri Lanka's army chief are also known to have had a long association with a fortune-teller in the historic Buddhist centre of Anuradhapura. Local media have reported the president makes regular pilgrimages to meet with Gnana Akka, and claimed she had a considerable role in shaping the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. A group of activists clashed with police this month as they attempted to storm a shrine belonging to the seer, who fled after officers tipped her off to the crowd's impending arrival. Gnana Akka's influence also extended to several other top politicians, said newspaper columnist Kusal Perera, who quipped that the prophet's powers had apparently not granted her advance warning of the protest. Story continues "How can Gnana Akka protect the president when she is unable to protect herself?" he said. - Magic ritual - Astrology is widely practised in Sri Lanka, and people commonly consult seers before building new homes, entering into contracts or scheduling weddings. Political addresses to the nation and the inauguration of new parliament sessions are also usually held at auspicious times. Former military commanders have even reported that timings of military actions in Sri Lanka's long civil war were decided by astrologers, who were also consulted to coin codenames for operations. The Rajapaksa brothers are only the latest in a long tradition of Sri Lankan leaders balancing otherworldly advice with that of technocrats and civil servants. Former president Ranasinghe Premadasa used a magic ritual to ward off his impending impeachment in 1991, according to a tell-all book by Vijaya Palliyaguruge, who at the time was the parliament's serjeant-at-arms, the officer maintaining order. A sorcerer was tasked with juicing limes and spreading the liquids on the seats of lawmakers to ensure their support of the leader. Premadasa survived the attempt to topple him but his reliance on the occult did not protect him from his assassination two years later in a suicide bomb attack by a member of the Tamil Tigers separatist movement. - 'Way of redemption' - The political elite's consultation of shamans and seers is not a phenomenon unique to Sri Lanka. The diminutive mystic "ET" -- a moniker apparently inspired by her resemblance to the eponymous Steven Spielberg character -- advised members of Myanmar's military, who were rumoured to have relocated the country's capital in 2005 based on astrological guidance. Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan was also known to consult an astrologer to plan her husband's schedule while he served in the White House. But even with Sri Lanka seething over mismanagement of the economic crisis and allegations of graft, human rights activist and former newspaper editor Victor Ivan said the government was unlikely to abandon its faith in supernatural guidance. "The leaders know that they have done a lot of wrong," he told AFP. "Shamans and sorcerers provide them a way of redemption -- that is why these people are held in such veneration by our politicians." aj/gle/dhc/lb 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Sample HTML block Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. > 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. Advertisement 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. President Biden on Thursday said the White House is discussing sending senior administration officials to Ukraine, which has been under siege for nearly two months since Russia invaded. Were making that decision now, Biden told reporters when asked if he would send senior officials to Ukraine. Are you ready to go? Biden jokingly asked one reporter. When asked if he himself was ready to go, Biden replied Yeah, but he did not appear to be confirming plans to travel there. Asked aboard Air Force One about Bidens comments, principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters there are no plans to preview at this time. Were still in discussion deciding this. As you know obviously were in contact with the Ukrainian government, with Kyiv every day, pretty regularly, she said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has encouraged world leaders to visit Kyiv to see the devastation of the Russian invasion and show support for his nation. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Zelensky and walked the streets of Kyiv this week, prompting renewed speculation about whether Biden or another White House official might do the same in the coming weeks. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday the administration is not currently planning a trip by the president of the United States to Ukraine. What is most important to the Ukrainian leadership is that we are expediting weapons and getting them the assistance and security systems they need. And that is what our focus is on, she said. Biden visited Poland last month, where he met with refugees roughly 100 miles from the Ukraine border. Vice President Harris also visited Poland last month and met with refugees, but she did not go into Ukraine. Security concerns would likely play a major factor in whether to send any U.S. official to Ukraine, and multiple reports have indicated the administration is unlikely to send Biden or Harris at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Viktor Medvedchuk was arrested in Ukraine and accused of treason. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram Ukraine captured the pro-Kremlin oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk earlier this week. Medvedchuk's wife asked Zelenskyy to release him. Zelenskyy had offered to trade Medvedchuk for captured Ukrainians but the Kremlin refused. The wife of the oligarch and Putin loyalist Viktor Medvedchuk, whom Ukraine captured earlier this week, demanded President Volodymyr Zelenskyy release her husband after the Kremlin refused to trade Ukrainian prisoners for Medvedchuk's release. Ukraine's security service said on Tuesday that it had arrested Medvedchuk as he tried to flee the country, with Zelenskyy later saying the oligarch had tried to disguise himself in military uniform. Ukraine accused Medvedchuk, the former chairman of the pro-Russian Ukrainian Choice political party, of treason. In a video posted to YouTube on Wednesday, Medvedchuk's wife, Oksana Marchenko, asked Zelenskyy to free her husband. "I, Oksana Marchenko, the wife of Ukrainian parliament member Viktor Medvedchuk, request President Zelenskyy to take all the necessary measures for the immediate release of my husband Viktor Medvedchuk who is being illegally detained by the SBU," she said, referring to Ukraine's security services, according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency. She said that her husband "neither violated Ukrainian laws nor left the country." Her statement came as Russia declined Zelenskyy's offer on Wednesday to trade Medvedchuk for Ukrainian prisoners. Russia is believed to have captured thousands of Ukrainian civilians, and sent many to "filtration camps" where people were reportedly fingerprinted and had data taken from their cellphones. Medvedchuk is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is the godfather of his youngest daughter, and the pair have holidayed together on the Black Sea. But the Kremlin essentially abandoned Medvedchuk on Wednesday, with the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying he was "not a citizen of Russia" and had nothing to do with its "special military operation" in Ukraine, according to the state-run Interfax news agency. Story continues "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." The UK sanctioned Medvedchuk on Wednesday, calling him a "major Ukrainian oligarch with close ties to Putin." The US had already sanctioned him in 2014 over the annexation of Crimea, calling him a "long-time proxy and close personal friend" of Putin. Read the original article on Business Insider Lucy Luxor couldn't bear leaving the house for over two years because she felt so conscious about her large breasts. (Collect/PA Real Life) A woman who "hid away for two years" due to her exceptionally large breasts has revealed how she overcame her body confidence issues with the help of a group of supportive school mums. Lucy Luxor (the name she uses on TikTok), 35, from Somerset struggled with her self-esteem when her breasts grew from a 38G to a 38L after giving birth to daughter Molly, now five, in 2016. Though she was used to weathering uncomfortable stares and unpleasant comments about her breasts, when her bra size reached 38L, she became so anxious she didn't even like braving the supermarket. After years of hiding away, Luxor eventually found support when her daughter started school and the fellow parents helped encourage her to start venturing out again. After I gave birth to Molly, I didnt feel like myself anymore," Luxor, who runs a waste management company with her partner, Mark, 50, explains. I couldnt even walk down the street without people staring at me. Luxor said she has had large breasts since her teenage years. (Collect/PA Real Life) For a good two and a half years, I didnt go out unless it was to care for an elderly family friend at the weekend but I would literally get in the car, go to the house, then come straight back again. But when Molly started at her village school, I met so many lovely parents. They encouraged me to come to the park after school and do more things with Molly and them. These people have made me feel so comfortable going out that even if I do get anxious, they dont hold it against me. They are so supportive. Luxor reveals she's had a large bust since her early teenage years with puberty boosting her cup size from a B to an E when she was just 14. I have always felt like a freak to be honest, she says. I remember being a teenager and men walking past staring. "I get it, the staring comes with the territory, but its the prolonged staring, she adds. Read more: Mum with 34JJ breasts couldn't breastfeed her daughter 'for fear she'd suffocate her' Lucy Luxor, 35, from Somerset, said it is sometimes difficult living with size 38L size boobs (Collect/PA Real Life) After giving birth to Molly and the newborn refusing to breastfeed, Luxor's saw her breast size increase. Story continues "They were just getting bigger and bigger, she explains. I started to think, Oh my god, theyre not going to go back to how they were.'" Aside from the stares she experiences, Luxor says her breasts also cause her physical pain. I have back pain every day, but some days, I physically cannot walk because I am in agony," she says. I have to have a massage every two weeks to help my back." Luxor also says her breasts make certain everyday tasks a struggle from sleeping to cleaning and cooking. I cant sleep on my back or front, so I always have to sleep on my side to be comfortable, she explains. Even peeling potatoes or washing up is really painful because I have to lean over. And when my daughter wants to be picked up, she has to sit on top of my boobs instead of my hip, because she wouldnt be able to fit on it. Read more: Kelly Brook has been told to lose weight from her boobs, but just how easy is that? Luxor became a viral sensation last month after sharing videos about living with L cup boobs (Collect/PA Real Life) After one humiliating experience in a bra shop on the high street, Luxor is now limited to shopping for bras online. I was in my 20s when I went for a fitting once and the woman came out and loudly said to my friend in the changing rooms that nothing would fit me," she recalls. "I was so embarrassed. Usually preferring to wear oversized t-shirts and hoodies to cover her chest, Luxor also struggles with buying certain clothes. Im a size 18 on the bottom, but on top Im a 24, so if I want to buy a nice dress, I have to get a 24 to get it over my boobs, which means the bottom half is like a tent, she says. I hate it in the summer because I want to wear a vest top, but if I do, I have to be prepared for the stares, because I cant hide the fact I have got big boobs. Luxor also finds it somewhat infuriating when people suggest she needs to lose weight to reduce the size of her breasts. Ive lost 17kg since lockdown so far and I havent lost even a centimetre from my boobs, she explains. I cant just click my fingers and be thin and even if I was, I would still have big boobs. Watch: Kerry Katona set for breast reduction surgery While she would like to have a breast reduction one day and dreams of having C or D-cup breasts, it is not something she feels able to do at the moment. It takes six weeks to heal after a reduction and I dont want to miss any time with my daughter, she explains. Surgery isnt always the right choice. Its not a quick fix, it doesnt suddenly solve the way you feel about yourself. The turning point came when supportive parents at her daughter's school helped give Luxor the confidence to venture out and the mum is enjoying her new found freedom. We have gone to an animal park, a public park and out for picnics to the beach now, she says. I have even bought a swimming costume, which Im too scared to put on but I want to try for my daughters sake. Read more: Mum feared boob would 'explode' after ruptured implant swells to size of melon Luxor wants to help and empower other women. (Collect/PA Real Life) The support she receives from her followers on TikTok has also been a huge confidence boost for Lucy. After joining in 2019, Luxor started posting videos documenting her daily struggles living with L-cup breasts in March and has since become a viral sensation. Its crazy, my first video has had 2.9 million views, she says. Whats nice though is the reaction has mainly been from other women who are struggling with the same issue, or can relate to it. "Even women at the other end of the scale with tiny breasts have joked that they will never complain again about having small boobs. She hopes that by sharing her story it will help encourage other women struggling with body confidence. Im all about female empowerment and feeling better about ourselves and it has definitely helped me to not feel so alone," she adds. I want other women who are unhappy with their bodies to know that its not always greener on the other side. Even if they decide to get a reduction or bigger boobs, to know that it doesnt mean they wont still have issues or it will solve the mental health side of it. We just need to be happier in ourselves. Additional reporting PA Real Life. Watch: From FF to D: These stars have undergone breast reduction surgery Media outlets were criticized for the photos they used to cover the news of comedian Ali Wongs divorce. Now, one magazine is apologizing. Parade magazine issued an apology Wednesday to the Asian American comedian and her husband, Justin Hakuta, after misidentifying Hakuta as her former co-star Randall Park in a photo. The image of the two, from their 2019 film Always Be My Maybe, accompanied an article saying Wong and Hakuta were divorcing after eight years together. For years, the Don Wong star has shared jokes and stories about her relationship with Hakuta, a Harvard Business School graduate and Fulbright scholar. The couple has two children: Mari, born in 2015, and Nikki, born in 2017. MSN was also criticized for using a photo of Park instead of Hakuta. The inaccurate image has been fixed and we are working to prevent this type of error from happening again," a Microsoft spokesperson told NBC News. Following the controversy, people have been re-upping the hashtag WrongAsian on Twitter and calling out the incident. Kirstin Chen, the author of Counterfeit, tweeted that she had a similar experience. A book professional just left a review for my book on a trade site that was clearly about another asian female authors book, Chen wrote in a tweet, adding that she is tired of being flattened, disregarded, reduced. In a historic ruling, New Zealands courts have decided to allow the extradition of one of its permanent resident to China to stand trial. New Zealands supreme court made a historic appeal on Wednesday to accept the sending of Korean-born Kim Kyung-yup to China on charges of murdering a young Chinese woman named Peiyun Chen on his visit to Shanghai in 2009. Like most Western nations, including the U.S., Australia and most of Europe, New Zealand does not have an extradition treaty with China, an agreement to transfer over an accused suspect of a crime from one country to another to be placed on trial. The Chinese government allegedly assured that Kim would not be at risk of human rights abuses. The news of the court's ruling, however, still came as a shock to many New Zealanders. In an interview with The Guardian, Dr. Anna High, co-director of the Otago Universitys Centre for Law and Society, expressed she was deeply troubled by the courts decision. There are grave and well-documented problems with Chinas criminal justice system the idea that a diplomatic promise is a sufficient basis for surrendering someone into that system seems, at best, incredibly naive. The New Zealand courts had previously voted to extradite Kim last year, but eventually rejected the notion after agreeing that China did not provide adequate reassurance that the suspect would not be tortured or abused. Kim has repeatedly denied the murder charges, his lawyers adding that he would not be given a fair trial if he were to be transferred. They argued neither Chinas word nor the assurances that he would be visited by consular staff who could verify his well-being were sufficient. Many have expressed worry about the precedent that Kims extradition would set. Referring to last years court decision over Kims case, Victoria University law professor and former Llaw Commissioner Geoff McLay said that Kim is the tip of the iceberg and that China could request more extraditions in the future. New Zealand originally received Chinas extradition request back in May 2011; however, it is only in the current ruling that the courts concluded China could be trusted to not subject the accused to any human rights violations. Story continues Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Loyal Dog Waits 3 Months at Hospital Where His Human Died of COVID-19 China Unveils New Rocket That Will Take Astronauts to the Moon Family Accuses Bay Area Nursing Facility of Hitting 87-Year-Old Grandma Huntington Beach Restaurant Accused of Discrimination After Charging Asian Party $1,500 for a Table More Nelson County homes will have access to high-speed internet in coming months, thanks to a multi-county and business partnership. Representatives from Firefly Fiber Broadband, a subsidiary of Nelson County-based Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, updated the Nelson County Board of Supervisors on the Regional Internet Service Expansion (RISE) project at the board's April 12 meeting. With RISE, Nelson County has partnered with Firefly, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Dominion Energy, Appalachian Power and 12 neighboring counties to bring universal broadband access to all county homes. Firefly President and CEO Gary Wood told the board his company has finished its Martins Store, Colleen, Wintergreen, and Gladstone substations, which are currently in service. We have 8,100 homes we passed today that have fiber service. We have 4,093 active accounts on as of yesterday, he told the board. Wood said Firefly has installed about 750 miles of fiber in Nelson County with a total investment of more than $28 million so far. He estimated it will take another $7.2 million to complete 1,000 miles of fiber. Wood told the board Firefly has completed 50% of fiber placement for the Massies Mill circuit. He also estimated fiber construction in Schuyler would start in June and could be completed by the end of May. Schuyler has a fairly small footprint. And were building it about 25 miles a week total. So well go through that pretty quickly when we get there. Wood said CVEC expects to finish fiber installation and then have splicing and service drops completed by the end of the year. We will get all the CVEC members who want service in the county service this year, he said. Members in Appalachian Powers coverage areas will see final connections throughout the year and possibly into next year, he added. CVEC Key Accounts Representative Galen Creekmore explained fiber connection is a lengthier process than citizens might expect. Internet has only been available in large part by satellite internet. What your citizens are used to when they think of scheduling connections for internet service is scheduling an install, where they have internet the day after a satellite dish is installed, Creekmore said. Fiber, as you know, is a much better project: future-proof technology, permanent infrastructure. But it does not work like that, he added. Creekmore said homeowners can expect an approximate six month "flutter of activity from data collection, design, make-ready engineering, make-ready construction, fiber construction, splicing to service extensions to homes until we actually have a spliced piece of fiber that has laser light coming through it at the side of their foundation of their house. Creekmore directed citizens to the Firefly RISE webpage at www.fireflyva.com/rise for more information, a construction schedule and a coverage map. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. APPOMATTOX Two co-defendants who Appomattox Countys chief prosecutor said in court were two shooters in an October 2020 killing of a Lynchburg-area man will have a joint trial, a judge ruled Thursday. Trials also were scheduled in Appomattox Circuit Court for two other co-defendants charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Oct. 20, 2020, death of Carlos Levell Rose, 45, as well as another co-defendant charged with being an accessory after the fact in the homicide. All five co-defendants were seated by their respective defense attorneys in a pre-trial hearing Thursday to take up motions related to the case. Roses remains were found by law enforcement inside a burned 2002 GMC Yukon off State Park Road near Holliday Lake State Park. Keyanta KeShaun Robinson, 21, of Lynchburg; MikTavis Elonta Naeshu Green, 21, of Prospect; Artenna Kainna Horsley-Robey, 30, of Lynchburg; and Enrico Andre Moss, 31, of Appomattox, each are charged with first-degree murder, two counts of abduction: extort for money, two counts of arson, two counts of concealing a dead body and one count of destruction of property. Montel Shaquille Croner, of Concord, also is charged with being an accessory to a homicide, two counts of arson and two counts of concealing a dead body, according to court records. Robinson and Green are set to jointly go before a three-day jury trial Nov. 2. Commonwealths Attorney Les Fleet said they were the two shooters and fired when Rose went for his gun, and Robinson stated, I had to shoot him also. Robinson and Green each also are charged with use of a firearm in commission of a felony. According to evidence presented at a previous preliminary hearing in Appomattox General District Court, projectile fragments also were found in the vehicle and medical examiners determined Rose died of two different caliber gunshot wounds to the base of his skull and his chest. Horsley-Robey, testifying at a June 2021 preliminary hearing as a prosecutors witness, said she met Rose the previous night to talk, smoke and have sexual contact. Throughout the encounter, she was messaging Moss, with whom she had a child and was in a relationship with, about her and Roses whereabouts in a wooded area of Madison Heights. Moss, Green and Robinson all showed up where Roses SUV was parked and called him outside to speak with him, Horsley-Robey previously testified, though she couldnt hear what they were saying. The group then drove off, with Horsley-Robey driving herself and Moss in Mosss car while Robinson drove Green and Rose in Roses SUV. Horsley-Robey pulled over behind Robinson at one point, where he and Green had fled from the SUV. Green and Robinson both said they shot Rose after he went for a gun, Horsley-Robey testified, and the group continued on before stopping a second time to rendezvous with Mosss brother, who loaded them up with two tanks she said smelled like gasoline. The group then traveled to Holliday Lake State Park, where, Horsley-Robey said, the men pulled out the tanks and she pulled her head down before hearing a loud explosion. All of the defendants except Moss stayed in a hotel room that night, then traveled around out of state before all eventually were arrested. At Thursdays hearing, Appomattox County Sheriffs Office Maj. Robert Richardson testified he interviewed Robinson in February 2021 in Florida and the following month while Robinson was in custody at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Lynchburg. The interview at the jail was played in court Thursday; in it, Richardson told Robinson his alibi of being at a pumpkin patch with family at the time of Roses killing didnt check out. We do have proof of where you were that night, Richardson told Robinson in the interview, adding phone GPS data can pinpoint where he was. Richardson told Robinson he didnt view him as a stone cold killer, but a bad incident happened that wasnt supposed to and urged the defendant to own up to his part in it. I can tell you its a pretty heinous crime that happened, Richardson said in the recording. In the interview, Robinson denied killing anyone and requested a lawyer before speaking further. I didnt have nothing to do with it, Robinson told the major. After the recording was turned off, Richardson testified, he told Robinson while leaving it was a shame he was caught up in other co-defendants matters and Robinson said, I should have killed her too. Craig Tiller, Robinsons attorney, motioned to have the statement from his client after the recording not be admitted as evidence at trial. Tiller argued Richardson during the interview misrepresented a claim that law enforcement had talked to other co-defendants and gotten their statements when in fact only Horsley-Robey and her attorney were interviewed. Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Kia Scott argued Robinsons statement after the interview was a spontaneous utterance made voluntarily and should be admissible, a point Judge Andy Nelson agreed with in ruling to allow it at trial. Scott De Bruin, Greens attorney, argued against a joint trial for his client and Robinson. De Bruin said judicial economy in trying the cases together does not outweigh their right for a fair trial and argued Robinsons statement is clearly prejudicial against his client. De Bruin said the case is filled with hearsay and argued Horsley-Robey gave conflicting statements. There is no way we can have a joint trial for the defendants, he argued. Tiller added in arguing against a joint trial, I think its going to be impossible to separate evidence. Fleet said the prosecution believes a jury wont be tainted in a joint trial setting and certain legal matters can be taken up outside their presence at trial. These two defendants were alone with the victim in the victims car, Fleet argued of Robinson and Green going to trial simultaneously. They would not be prejudiced by being tried together. Moss and Croner also will have a joint trial scheduled for two days, which is set to begin Jan. 11. Horsley-Robey will have a separate trial that will be set in November a week after Green and Robinson are set to go before a jury. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Navy divers have recovered the E-2D Hawkeye that crashed near Wallops Island and Chincoteague on March 30. The crash killed one of the three sailors on the plane, Lt. Hyrum Hanlon, of Airborne Command and Control Squadron VAW-120. The two others were rescued by Maryland State Police, who found them injured and on top of the partly-submerged wreck. To recover the plane, the Navy called on divers from Little Creeks Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, which specializes in salvage and recovery of underwater objects. The Navy divers cut the aircraft into sections and then moved each section into a sling, to be lifted by a crane. Barges took the sections away from the area. MDSU 2 divers also surveyed the site and surrounding area to identify and recover debris. The crash remains under investigation. We really appreciate the support from MDSU 2 and from the numerous local and state officials who assisted with recovery operations, said Cmdr. Martin Fentress Jr., commanding officer of VAW-120. An atomic bomb museum in Hiroshima has reset its clock showing the number of days that have passed since the last nuclear test took place. The move was taken to protest the two subcritical nuclear tests that the United States conducted last year. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in the western Japanese city reset the "peace clock" on Wednesday evening from 499 days to 209 days. The US National Nuclear Security Administration told NHK on Wednesday that the tests were carried out at a test site in Nevada on June 22 and September 16. Subcritical tests do not produce nuclear explosions. The earlier figure, 499 days, refers to the subcritical test the US carried out in November 2020. Girl Scouts of Central Maryland - Camp Ilchester announced recently that they were selling the camp. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Baltimore Sun Media) Howard Countys offer to purchase Camp Ilchester in Ellicott City from the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland will allow the beloved camps land to be preserved for years to come, instead of being converted to a residential development, according to County Executive Calvin Ball. It would be a great tragedy if this wonderful space was lost to bulldozers plowing over a legacy of the Girl Scouts, Ball said during a news conference Wednesday. Preservation is what our community wanted, and preservation of open space is an important priority for our community and, frankly, for me. Advertisement The Girl Scouts of Central Maryland announced Wednesday that it had accepted a letter of intent from Howard County government to purchase Camp Ilchester for $6 million. We are grateful that Camp Ilchesters branches, leaves and critters will all keep their homes. Howard County Council member Liz Walsh, who represents District 1 Violet Apple, chief executive officer of GSCM, said a variety of private organizations expressed interest in purchasing the property from the Girl Scouts. Advertisement The county offer was the most appealing to us because it provided us with a fair price and the county executive has committed to sustaining the land as green space for the broader community to enjoy for generations to come, Apple said. The 20.73-acre property was put up for sale in April 2021 and the county submitted an expression of interest in August. We knew we had to act, Ball said. Because of its prime location and scarcity of available land in Howard County, we knew that this property would be attractive to builders and developers. With the proper approvals, the space could have allowed up to 105 residential units, Ball said. Now that development will not happen. Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. > Funding for the purchase was included in Howard Countys fiscal 2023 capital budget proposal, which goes before the County Council for a vote on May 25, Ball said. The property will be used by the countys Recreation and Parks department. Council member Liz Walsh, who represents District 1, which includes Ellicott City, said the entire council was in favor of the purchase. This is such a good day, Walsh said. Preserving this green space is so important to so many of us. We are grateful that Camp Ilchesters branches, leaves and critters will all keep their homes. A formal purchase agreement with the county will be finalized in the fall, Apple said, as the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland plan to use the camp for programs through the end of summer. Apple also noted that programs and services offered at the camps Clementine Peterson Activity Center and Caitlin Dunbar Nature Center would be re-imagined and relocated to ensure continuity of services for our members. Advertisement Funds from the sale will be used for GSCMs outdoor programs at its three other camps in Maryland: Camp Conowingo in Cecil County and Camp Woodlands and Camp Whippoorwill, both in Anne Arundel County. Our actions today allow us to work toward the long-term sustainability of our council programs, which achieve critical organizational goals, Apple said. Girl Scouts of Central Maryland is 100% committed to investing in a sustainable future and increasing our ability to deliver the Girl Scout leadership experience to our Girl Scouts across Central Maryland. Girl Scouts of Central Maryland was established in 1962 and serves an estimated 20,000 girls in 2,000 troops and groups in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. When I want to watch something at night, I rarely choose a film. They always seem too long, and yet, if I start watching a good TV series, I can easily spend three or four hours getting absorbed in it. In the last few months, Ive found four that are must-watches: Severance, The Dropout, Minx and Moon Knight. Severance Dan Erickson created this intriguing Apple TV+ series and wrote most of the episodes. Who is he? This is his first IMDB listing, and all I can say is wow. Just wow. Some have compared this sci-fi/mystery/drama to Being John Malkovich, or something else from the mind of Charlie Kaufman, but this is far more sinister than anything hes ever done. And I love it. Its more Black Mirror than Malkovich. Its almost as if Kafka and Orwell got together to write about life in corporate America. (As a side note, I havent watched any interviews on why he got involved, but Ben Stiller directs six of the 10 episodes.) The premise is that a corporation, Lumon, employs people who undergo a procedure, during which a device is inserted to their brains. The purpose of it is to sever the persons life into work and play. The minute an employee enters the elevator, they become an office worker; once outside, they are themselves again. Neither person knows anything about the other. The main character, Mark (Adam Scott), underwent the procedure after his wife was killed in a car accident. The trauma was too much for him to bear, and he begins the series as a full supporter of the company. But, things begin to change. On the outside, he encounters a former colleague, Petey (Yul Vasquez), who has some shocking information for him, and that makes Mark start to investigate and question; something Lumon doesnt want anyone to do. The casting director did an amazing job on this series. The actors in Marks small unit have great chemistry and are another reason you cant wait for a new episode to drop. Scott plays the reluctant leader who, on the outside, drinks too much and is an emotional mess. On the inside, hes been recently promoted, but hes not really management material. He is too kind; too quick to bear the brunt of disciplinary actions. Zach Cherry plays Dylan, the smart ass who has a lot of trust issues. He is only motivated to work by incentives, such as finger trap puzzles. (Yes, this is a real reward). Helly (Britt Lower) is the office newbie, who acts like a wild caged animal. She hates this place; wants out. And then theres Irving (John Turturro). Hes a British accented long-timer. Hes absolutely IN LOVE with everything Lumon is and stands for. Hes even memorized the words of the cult-like founder and knows the employee manuals by heart. Other characters are played by Christopher Walken, the head of another department who becomes deeply attracted to Irving; Patricia Arquette, who plays the grey-haired Harmony, an awful, nightmarish, disturbingly sinister and reptilian-like upper management monster; and her henchman of sorts, Milchick, who is played by Tramell Tillman. The management in this place is so off-putting that I hope they all have a horrible, grotesque demise. Severance is well written, directed, and acted. A mystery unfolds every week, which draws you in. Its compelling and each episode keeps you guessing. So many questions. Apple TV+ just greenlit a second season. Best news ever. Severance has become one of my all-time favorite shows. I would rank it up there with Breaking Bad in terms of consistent quality and watchability. I never really liked Adam Scott, and seeing that he was the lead, I hesitated to dive in, but the trailer sucked me in. Im so glad I took the plunge. If you have Apple TV+ or are thinking about getting it, tune in. The Dropout This limited series on Hulu recently concluded. It focuses on the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried), the college drop out who founded a multi-billion dollar medical tech company called Theranos. Its selling point was that its desk-sized machines could, from just one drop of blood, detect hundreds of diseases, ranging from herpes to cancer. No need for large blood draws; no need for a doctor. The idea was that machines would be available in wellness centers at your local Walgreens. Somehow, this CEO/founder roped in money from George Shultz (Sam Waterston), who worked for both Reagan and Nixon, as well as big names like Don Lucas (Michael Ironside) and even Rupert Murdoch. Before diving into the series, I watched a documentary on Holmes, and couldnt believe that this blonde, large eyed, odd person with a seemingly artificially lowered voice and obsession with Steve Jobs and Yoda had amassed so much money and had such a cult-like following. Even while watching the fictional account, I was mostly watching with my mouth agape. I have so many questions about this woman, and Ive done some internet searches on her psychology. Was she a swindler? Was she a narcissist? A psychopath? Autistic? At first, I thought maybe she was overly zealous, but as the years ticked on, she become more duplicitous and mendacious. She knew she couldnt deliver on her promises; she knew it was all smoke and mirrors, but she kept lying and kept accepting money and awards. By the end, they had employees signing multiple NDA agreements, threatened them with lawsuits, and even had them followed and threatened. We call these Scientology tactics in my house. Whereas I had some sympathy for her early on, now I just want her to go down in flames. Same goes for her long-time partner Sunny Balwani (Naveen Andrews), who stomped around at Theranos, shouting and browbeating all the employees. Both are monsters, but he stands out as much more so. (Through their actions, one scientist committed suicide. Thank goodness for whistleblowers and the Fourth Estate.) Seyfried is exceptional. I expect many awards will be coming her way for this. And her supporting cast is equally noteworthy, including Kurtwood Smith, Anne Archer, William H. Macy, Laurie Metcalf, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Stephen Fry I mean they brought out a lot of heavy hitters here. Andrews, who used to be a heartthrob, is nearly unrecognizable here. Hes good at making you hate him. The show was created and mostly written by Elizabeth Meriwether and Wei-Ning Yu, based on the podcast from ABC. I hope they keep creating series of this quality. Its interesting that networks seem to be hyperfixated on these types of charlatan blowhards who get massive media attention and manic devotees, but The Dropout stands above the others. I even tried watching Apple TV+s WeCrashed, which touts Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto as the pretentious clown car couple Rebekah Neumann and Adam Neumann as the leads, but I couldnt even watch one episode. The people they play are just uninteresting. They founded WeWork, and at some point in their ascendance, Adam was talked about as being Jesus-like. Both seemed like broad caricatures of human beings. I felt exhausted by them after 15 minutes. Holmes, at least, seems enigmatic and complex. Maybe thats the writing; maybe its the acting. Whatever it is, The Dropout is definitely worth your time. Minx Several years ago, HBO Max aired The Deuce, a series about the New York porn industry during the 1970s and 1980s, before Times Square was gentrified. I watched the first season, which was, at times, tough going. The treatment of the prostitutes was disturbing. I think I watched one episode of season two, then tapped out. HBO Max is offering a different take on porn, in this California-based series about the first magazine that features a nude male centerfold. (Remember, Playgirl?) Unlike The Deuce, though, this series never makes you feel like you need to take a shower afterwards. And I think its because even though Maggie Gyllenhaals character a prostitute/porn star turned porn director was able to overcome her victimization and become a feminist icon, of sorts, The Deuce was still created and helmed by males, David Simon and George Pelecanos. There was still the male gaze and males were always in control. The female characters, at least in season one, were controlled by, beaten by, and manipulated by very violent, greedy men. (An exception was Harvey Wasserman, played by David Krumholtz, my favorite character in the series.) Also set during the 1970s, Minx is much lighter, and its created by and written mostly by women, including showrunner Ellen Rapoport, and Julie Mandel Folly, and it centers on empowered women, who work in the same industry but who arent victimized, which is important. Episode one introduces us to Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond), a perky feminist, who is suit wearing, Vassar-educated, and opinionated. She is a fish out of water, determined to get her Gloria Steinem-inspired magazine off the ground. Of course, no one wants it. Except scruffy Doug (Jake Johnson), the publisher of dozens of porn magazines, including Ass Heaven. At a magazine pitching event, they spar a bit, verbally, and she heads out, dropping her publication on the floor. He picks it up. Later, when they meet again, he tells Joyce a story about how his nude models, stranded on a photography set, were bored, so he gave them a copy of her publication, and they couldnt stop talking about it. He believes the publication has an audience, but to make money, they need a gimmick. Joyce jokes that it should have male nudes in it. Hes intrigued. And thus, the idea is born. Like The Deuce, Minx is adult only fare. Lots of male full-frontal nudity. But what I love about the series is that its smart it educates the public about feminist ideas and is very entertaining. The episodes fly by. For some reason, HBO Max dropped two episodes and then a couple more. It doesnt seem to be a week-by-week thing, and I love that. The chemistry between the leads has that old Hollywood feel. Johnson and Lovidbond often engage in a rapid back and forth delivery of dialogue. Their clash of backgrounds she grew up belonging to a country club; hes clearly been scrapping his entire life create misunderstanding and sometimes hard feelings. But they are always decent to each other, and usually make up. Its refreshing to see people behave in a civilized manner. If they were alive today, Katherine Hepburn and maybe Spencer Tracy or even Clark Gable would be in the leads. Both Lovibond and Johnson are outstanding, and the supporting cast increases the shows watchability. The ensemble played by Idara Victor, Jessica Lowe, especially Lennon Parham, and Oscar Montoya make this feel like a family. I look forward to each episode. Feminism often gets a bad name, mostly because people dont know what it means. This series can go a long way to correcting that problem. It also, notably, tackles the issue of race as Dougs second in command is a strong black woman (Victor). And it deals some with LGBTQIA issues with the inclusion of a gay photographer, Richie (Oscar Montoya). This week, the seventh episode will air, with only three more to go. I have no idea if anyone else is watching or even if a second season is planned. I truly hope so. Its rare to find a series in which people work together for a common cause; disagree, make mistakes, but then apologize and act like adults; and, and this is the best part, they dont seem to be setting up the two leads for a romance. Thank goodness. TV needs more shows like Minx. Moon Knight Marvel Studios continues its winning streak with this limited Disney+ series about a rather unusual superhero. Steven Grant/Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac) suffers from dissociative disorder, so he cant tell when hes awake or sleeping, and he loses track of time; sometimes days. We eventually discover that hes sharing his body with an Egyptian moon god, Khonshu (voiced by F. Murray Abraham). The villain of the piece is Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke), who has a scale of justice tattoo on his arm, and with it, he judges the deeds of the living. (They die if the scale isnt balanced.) Created by Doug Moench and Jeremy Slater, Moon Knight sucked me immediately after the first episode. What I like about it is how trippy and convoluted it is. You dont know if you can trust your main characters experiences. And you learn about his condition and situation as he does. I like that mystery aspect to it. Plus, Isaac is killing this performance. While watching it, I kept turning to my partner, who is an actor, and saying how is he doing this? This character, right? Who else could play this? and so on. Lots of nitpicky jerks have complained and made fun of Isaacs London dialect. They need to get lives. I am just in awe that he can act this script. Really challenging. He is likable, sweet, confused All very believably done. I read that Isaacs contract is for this six-episode series only. He is not obligated to play this character again for Marvel. But come on! This cannot be a one-off. I can already imagine the possibilities. Episode two dropped yesterday, and I cant wait to sit down and watch it. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Trade exchanges between Morocco and Brazil reached $466.3 million in the first quarter of 2022, or 18.2 pc increase compared to the same period of last year. According to data released by Brazils economy ministry, Moroccan exports to Brazil dropped to $223.5 million in Quarter 1 2022 from $251.8 million recorded from January to March 2021. However, Moroccos imports from the Latin American country increased to $242 million in Q1 of this year from $142 million posted during same period of last year. Brazil exports to Morocco sugar, confectionery, cereals, iron & steel, while it imports fertilizers, chemical products, fish & shellfish. Brazil has become one of Moroccos main trading partners in recent years. In 2021, the North African Kingdom exported to Brazil more than $1.9 billion, a 70 pc record increase, becoming the 2nd largest Arab exporter to this country after Saudi Arabia. Moroccos stockpiles of diesel and cooking gas dropped to 26 days only, far below the 60 days required by law, energy minister Leila Benali said. Speaking to members of Parliament, energy minister Benali pointed to the difficult context marked by the impact of the war in Ukraine on commodities prices, including oil. Morocco consumed 11.2 million tons of oil products last year, of which diesel and butane gas represented 79%. Morocco is investing 2 billion dirhams to increase its oil stocks capacity to 1.8 million tons, she said. Members of Parliament urged the minister to act to reactivate Moroccos sole refiner Samir, which has been idle since 2015. Samir was closed due to mismanagement and unpaid debt and taxes but an arbitration process is underway by the World Bank, before which the government cant act. Experts say that the cost of reopening the refiner would be high after it was closed for over 7 years. Some say, it may need a year of maintenance work. The refiner has a stockpile capacity of 2 million tons and used to produce 10 million tons of oil products, securing Moroccos domestic needs and supporting surplus. By TODD VON KAMPEN Horse-racing tracks and casinos wont be coming to western Nebraska for up to 2 years if a legislative bill passed Wednesday is signed into law. Legislative Bill 876, which won 38-3 final approval, would put racinos proposed for North Platte, Ogallala, Gering and Kimball on hold to await market and socioeconomic studies on potential local and statewide impacts. LB 876, which now goes to Gov. Pete Ricketts, would direct the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission to complete those initial studies as soon as practicable but no later than Jan. 1, 2025. Similar studies would be required every five years. Nebraskas six existing horse tracks, meanwhile, remain free to add casinos under the November 2020 voter initiatives allowing them at licensed tracks. The bill by state Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, chairman of the General Affairs Committee, originally said new racetracks couldnt be closer than 50 miles to another track. Sens. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, Tom Brewer of Gordon, Steve Erdman of Bayard and Dan Hughes of Venango voted to send LB 876s final version to the governor. Gering Sen. John Stinner was one of Wednesdays three no votes. Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg was listed as present but not voting. After the vote, Jacobson said he considers LB 876 a way to keep the process moving forward while heading off calls for a five- to seven-year moratorium on new racinos. I am still not completely satisfied with the provisions in LB 876 and will continue to work to fast-track North Plattes proposed project, he said. I think there is a way to grow the racing industry responsibly while shortening the timeline for western Nebraska applications. The delay LB 876 would impose, however, may force North Platte city officials to take up the racino issue again in the future. Mayor Brandon Kelliher broke a 4-4 City Council tie on Aug. 17, 2021, in favor of a conditional use permit for the proposed horse track-casino combination between Interstate 80s two exits. Prospect Enterprises LLC, owned by Alan Erickson of North Platte, received the permit and still holds title to the 87.87-acre site between East Walker Road and I-80. North Platte Exposition and Racing Inc., created in 2021 by Hastings racetrack operator Brian Becker and his family, would buy the site and build a five-eighths-mile oval track and 32,000-square-foot casino. The Beckers formed Scottsbluff Exposition and Racing Inc. to build a similar racino at Gerings south edge. Gering has yet to formally consider its racino proposal. Global Gaming Nebraska, part of the Chickasaw Tribe of Oklahomas Global Gaming Solutions LLC, would develop both the North Platte and Gering racinos. But Prospect Enterprises permit for the would-be racino site will expire in August 2023 if construction hasnt started by then, said Planning Administrator Judy Clark. That would require either Ericksons firm or the sites successor owners to apply for an extension in advance or a new permit after the current one expires. Either would require council approval, Clark said. Gary Person, president and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp., said he thinks LB 876 is just a temporary setback for communities west of Grand Island to get racinos established. He added: Its very irritating when there are statewide initiatives voted on by the people of the entire state of Nebraska but some politicians and lobbyists feel the state boundary stops at the Grand Island city limits, some 318 miles from the Wyoming border. Grand Islands Fonner Park and Hastings FairPlay are the closest racetracks to North Platte. Plans for casinos are proceeding at Fonner and at tracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus and South Sioux City. LB 876 was introduced after leaders of the existing tracks expressed consternation at the number of all-new racinos proposed across Nebraska since the 2020 vote. Besides the four western proposals, racetrack-casino combinations have also been proposed in Bellevue, York and Norfolk. All are within 100 miles of an existing Nebraska track. The political reality is if this issue was going to move in a positive direction, something needed to happen this session, and then we come back and fix it the next go-around, Person said. Since its narrow North Platte win last summer, the Becker group has had less success with its racino efforts. Becker has operated a one-day quarter horse race meet at FairPlay Park at Hastings Adams County Fairgrounds. He had shown interest in converting a former restaurant near there into a casino after statewide voters approved the racino concept. But the Hastings City Council March 15 voted 4-3 against a permit for an all-new racino on U.S. Highway 34-281 in north Hastings. Opposition there focused on the Becker groups plan to build on prime development land, according to the Hastings Tribune. LB 876 would let new licensed racetracks start with a one-day annual meet but require them to expand to at least five days and 50 races in their fourth year and 15 days and 125 races in their eighth. Failure to do so could cost them their license. Existing racetrack licensees also would have a one-time option to transfer their licenses to another location after the Racing and Gaming Commission completes the initial market and socioeconomic studies. City leaders in Ogallala, 50 miles west of North Platte on I-80, have one racino plan in hand and a second on the way. The Ogallala City Council voted 3-2 Dec. 7 to further explore a proposal by Canterbury Park, which has a racino in a Minneapolis suburb and also has proposed one along I-80 at Kimball. Keith County commissioners voted 5-0 Dec. 8 to adopt a similar statement of interest. Canterbury Park would build a casino, hotel and five-eighths-mile racetrack on 174 acres southwest of I-80 Exit 126. An as-yet-unidentified group also wants to build an Ogallala racino, said former state Sen. Ken Schilz, speaking on behalf of Keith County Area Development. He said Ogallala leaders are less concerned by the passage of LB 876. We feel their doing the studies is a benefit for us in the smaller communities the North Plattes, Scottsbluffs, Ogallalas and Kimballs. Ogallala and Kimball are closest among those four to Colorados substantial Front Range population. Many Coloradoans regularly visit Lake McConaughy near Ogallala each summer. Schilz said Nebraska needs time to build up its stock of home-bred horses to meet the racino laws mandate that a certain number of races feature Nebraska-bred horses. Besides, wouldnt you just hate to place a casino in western Nebraska and have it not work? he said. Our opportunity is still there, but we get to walk into this. We dont have to run into it. Other regional bills passed Wednesday Other legislative bills by western Nebraska state senators passed on Wednesdays next-to-last day of the 2022 session (vote totals in parentheses): Legislative Bill 805 (39-1), Venango Sen. Dan Hughes combination of three of his 2022 bills changing state laws on promoting wheat sales and controlling black-tailed prairie dogs and noxious weeds. LB 843 (45-0), an annual cleanup package of changes to state election laws. Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, chairman of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, sponsored the bill. LB 686 (40-5), a Hughes bill to adjust representation on the Legislatures policy-making Executive Board in the wake of Unicameral redistricting in 2021. Hughes, who is about to leave the Legislature due to term limits, has been Executive Board chairman the past two years. Todd von Kampen Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith said Wednesday hes excited about the chance to seek a Congressional Gold Medal for North Plattes World War II Canteen and its volunteers in the House of Representatives. The Gering Republican, whose 3rd District includes 35 of the Canteen Honor Rolls 38 Nebraska counties, said hell soon introduce a House companion measure to U.S. Sen. Deb Fischers Gold Medal bill. Were going to round up all the support we can and make the personal contacts as necessary, Smith said during a visit to The Telegraph. The 1941-46 Canteen story is obviously a great story to share, he said. We need to reflect more on moments like that. Were lucky weve got some good documentation thats accrued over time and a dedication to sharing the story. Fischer, a Valentine Republican and daughter of the late Canteen volunteer Florence (Bock) Strobel, introduced S. 3750 March 7 and touted the Canteen in a March 24 Senate floor speech. Fischers bill and Smiths expected counterpart need to be sponsored by two-thirds of each house of Congress 67 senators and 290 House members in order for a Gold Medal to be considered. If both houses and President Joe Biden agree, Congress highest civilian honor would be collectively awarded to the people who volunteered or donated food and money to serve some 6 million U.S. and Allied service members at North Plattes 1918 Union Pacific Depot. The 125 Canteen Honor Roll communities stretch as far east as David City and west into northeast Colorado. Some 55,000 people personally supported the North Platte-born effort during the Canteens life from Dec. 25, 1941, to April 1, 1946. Only a handful of volunteers and customers remained alive to greet the Canteens 80th anniversary on Christmas Day 2021. Smith, touring the 3rd District during Congress Easter break, also used his Telegraph visit to discuss trade and tax issues. He said he has been appointed to serve on a House-Senate conference committee named to meld recently passed but differing versions of a tariff reduction bill for final consideration by Congress. The measure, called the Competes Act in the House, would ease tariffs on imported products notably fertilizer and its components typically available only outside the United States, he said. With the supply-chain crisis, we need to bring down those tariffs as quickly as we can, said Smith, the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committees trade subcommittee. In two-house U.S. lawmaking bodies Congress and the 49 state legislatures outside Nebraska members from both major parties and both houses are appointed to conference committees when bills differ too much for one house to simply adopt the others version. But Smith said Capitol Hills extreme partisanship of recent years means bills that pass Congress often lack input from whichever major party is in the minority. The regular order where we have conference committees is so rare now that its almost a shock to the system, said the eight-term 3rd District congressman. We need to have open discussions and not discourage but actually encourage this process, he said. Thats the most important thing we can do to encourage people to work together. Smith said Congress by 2023 must consider renewing several provisions mainly affecting taxes for individual Americans of the federal governments last major tax bill enacted in 2017. That is going to be very significant in the next year for sure, he said. It needs to be part of the discussion going into the next election. Smith faces Mike Calhoun of Bellevue in the May 10 3rd District GOP primary. David Else of rural Overton and Daniel Wik of Norfolk are seeking the Democratic nomination, while Mark Elworth Jr. of Omaha is unopposed for the Legal Marijuana NOW nomination. A 75-year-old Severn woman died Wednesday after she was hurt in a Severn house fire earlier this week. Joann Marie Smith, who is listed as the owner of a two-story Portsmouth Drive home that caught fire Monday evening, died as a result of injuries she sustained during the blaze, according to a news release from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Advertisement A neighbor had called in the fire after 6 p.m. Monday when they saw smoke coming from the duplexs windows, according to the fire department. Smith was found on the second floor of the home and removed by firefighters, who noticed she was in cardiac arrest, the fire department said. Paramedics took her to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Advertisement The fire, which caused an estimated $60,000 of damage, is believed to be accidental, and started in the living room of the home, the fire department said Monday. As of Thursday afternoon, investigators were still determining the exact cause of the blaze. Smith is the third person to suffer fatal injuries this year in Anne Arundel County fires. In March, Christopher Blaine Isaksen, 62, was killed in a house fire on Quarterfield Road in Severn. The next week, Darlene Feeheley, 68, was declared dead after she was rescued from a fire at her Ferndale home. Her husband, Brian Feeheley, 72, escaped the home, but suffered critical injuries. Also on Wednesday morning, an 8-year-old boy and an adult woman were injured by a small fire at a Ferndale Avenue home. A county fire department spokesman said the incident was caused by the boy playing with fire. The woman sustained burns to her hand when she tried to help the boy, county fire battalion chief Russ Davies said. They were both transported to the burn center at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Gov. Pete Ricketts has signed a bill allocating Nebraskas latest share of federal COVID-19 aid, securing a $20 million contribution toward building North Plattes $325 million Sustainable Beef LLC meatpacking plant. Ricketts made no line-item vetoes in the process of signing Legislative Bill 1014 Wednesday, according to the Unicamerals website. Officials have said the $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be applied toward installation of Sustainable Beefs on-site wastewater treatment system at the former city sewer lagoon at Newberry Access and Golden Road. Treated water then will be sent to the citys wastewater plant, which lies north of Golden on the same side of Newberry. LB 1014 also includes $23.5 million in COVID-19 aid toward the cost of permanent tunnel repairs on the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Canal in eastern Wyoming and Scotts Bluff County. The middle of the canals three tunnels collapsed in July 2019 east of the town of Fort Laramie, Wyoming. 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 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 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 said 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 on Feb. 9. Hughes later accompanied Groene to the legislative technology office where his cell phone 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 Photo: Erik S Lesser/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock In her book Private Government, the philosopher Elizabeth Anderson argues that the modern workplace resembles a dictatorship. Absent meaningful government oversight or a robust unionized workforce, a boss can control what an employee wears and with whom they speak and when they get free time. Should a worker object to the regime, they can leave, but theyre really only exchanging one dictatorship for another. A benevolent dictator is still a dictator, and his subjects are not free. For proof, there is Amazon. Shifts are long inside its warehouses. In Bessemer, Alabama, where workers recently voted in a do-over union campaign, they say they barely have time to use the bathroom. Facilities are designed to maximize corporate profits; when the pandemic struck, workers often couldnt practice safe social distancing. The corporations mistreatment extends to its drivers. Though they typically work for third-party contractors, Amazons emphasis on speedy delivery forces them into unsustainable schedules. Theyre under so much pressure to deliver the nations packages that they too struggle to use the bathroom as needed. The company has tried to deny it, but journalists and workers reported that drivers sometimes have to pee in bottles because they have no other choice. In public, however, the corporation is eager to tout its progressive bona fides, and it does this most conspicuously through social-justice causes. After the murder of George Floyd, Amazon released a statement decrying the inequitable and brutal treatment of Black people in the U.S. On its website, it lists generic immigration reform among its corporate positions and celebrates Pride Month as a company. Now workers are telling a different story. Union drives in Bessemer and Staten Island show a face that Amazon has been eager to hide from the public. When Chris Smalls organized a small protest to call attention to the companys inadequate COVID safety measures, Amazon fired him and then strategized how best to smear him. Workers involved with both union drives have endured captive-audience meetings, surveillance, and constant pressure to reject the one tactic that would democratize their workplace. They dont care about Black lives, Darryl Richardson, a worker in Bessemer, told me last year. Theyve got flyers and pictures of Martin Luther King and Black history in the hallways. Theyre just trying to make it seem like they do care because the majority of the plant is Black. In truth, the companys commitment to racial justice varies, wildly, based on its overriding interest in maintaining power over its workers. Earlier this month, the Intercept reported that Amazon was planning to ban certain words including plantation, slave, and union from a new internal messaging app. The gap between Amazons public persona and the way it wields power in private is large. But Starbucks is little better. Like Amazon, the coffee chain hastened to release a statement supporting Black Lives Matter in 2020. It has bragged, often, of its commitment to LGBTQ inclusivity. And to further prove that it is a good, even liberal, employer, it offers workers a handful of material benefits, like tuition reimbursement for an online degree at Arizona State University. Starbucks also briefly banned workers from wearing BLM shirts before later making its own, corporate version, and it has repeatedly fired workers who are involved with a national campaign to unionize the chain, store by store. I think this is Starbucks way of making a statement of what could potentially happen if we were to vote yes for the union, one fired worker, Sharon Gilman, told Vice News. If the fired workers can prove they are the victims of illegal retaliation, the National Labor Relations Board will order their reinstatement. Until and unless that happens, these workers suffer the consequences of exile: cut off from their co-workers, suffering potential poverty. This is not what conservatives mean when they complain about woke businesses. When Senator Josh Hawley attacks woke capitalism, he isnt thinking of workers but rather himself and his cronies. He doesnt oppose corporate hypocrisy; he opposes worker power. The authoritarian bent of the GOP complements, rather than checks, the dictatorship of the corporation. Anderson writes that social norms may enforce some corporate accountability, but in the U.S. those norms tend to favor employers. Union density is low, especially in the private sector, and workers are no longer accustomed to democracy on the job. Though a Democratic-aligned National Labor Relations Board may take steps to hold Amazons power at bay, the board can only do so much. Absent the PRO Act, which would make it easier for workers to organize a union, employers have broad powers. They can bring their full might to bear against workers, who must slay Goliath for a measure of freedom. Union drives arent often portrayed in this way: as pro-democracy movements within an authoritarian setting. But when theyre viewed as such, the revolutionary qualities of entities like the Amazon Labor Union become clear, and their true importance not just to workers rights but to democracy itself becomes easier to understand. Underneath the progressive branding, Amazon has always been a typical American corporation swollen to mammoth proportions. As argued by critics like antitrust scholar Lina Khan, now the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Amazon exercises a monopolistic power over workers and consumers alike. While the pandemic delivered record profits for Amazon, worker injuries increased by 20 percent from 2020 to 2021, the Strategic Organizing Center reports, based on data Amazon submitted to OSHA. These injuries werent inevitable. In 2021, the serious injury rate at Amazon warehouses was 6.8 per 100 workers more than double the rate at non-Amazon warehouses (3.3 per 100), the report adds. While Amazon expressed solidarity with the oppressed in public, in private it broke workers down until they revolted. If workers have finally killed the woke corporation, so be it. America is better off without these fictions in our midst. With the woke corporation gone, other possibilities can thrive. Even a robust regime is not without cracks. Apply enough pressure over time and a dictatorship can end. Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. (AFP via Getty Images file photo) SINGAPORE Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been selected to be the leader of the People's Action Party (PAP) fourth-generation (4G) team, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement on Thursday (14 April). This paves the way for Wong to become Singapore's next prime minister. Cabinet ministers had affirmed their choice of Wong as the leader of the 4G team on Thursday, Lee said, adding that the decision was endorsed by all government Members of Parliament (MPs) in a party caucus on the same evening. When Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat stepped aside as the leader of the 4G in April last year, the 4G team requested time to reach a consensus as to who should lead them as they had to focus then on the COVID-19 pandemic, Lee said. During the past two years of the pandemic, the 4G team have worked closely together and had the opportunity to better understand each other's strengths. With the pandemic situation stabilised, they are now able to relook the issue of succession, Lee added. After consulting the ministers, Lee said he asked former minister and People's Action Party Chairman Khaw Boon Wan to start a process involving the ministers, as well as Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng. Khaw met them individually to sound out their views in confidence and to facilitate a new consensus on a 4G leader. "The views of the Prime Minister and the two Senior Ministers were not sought," Lee said. Khaw found that the overwhelming majority of those consulted supported Wong as their leader, Lee added. Earlier Friday, Khaw briefed the ministers, as well as Tan and Ng on his findings, and all endorsed the decision for Wong to lead the team. This decision was subsequently presented to and endorsed by PAP MPs this evening. With this decision, Lee said he will make adjustments to Cabinet appointments and will announce the changes in due course. Lee said the decision on succession is a "crucial one" for Singapore and will ensure the continuity and stability of leadership. Story continues "The ministers recognise that the right to lead cannot be inherited. Mr Lawrence Wong and his younger team will continue to give their best to Singaporeans, and justify their trust and support." Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore A jury has found Derrill Richard Rick Ennis guilty of the murder of Lori Ann Slesinski of Auburn. Just before 11 a.m. on Day 10 of the capital murder trial, Judge Jacob Walker of the 37th Circuit Court of Alabama entered the courtroom of the Lee County Justice Center in Opelika and delivered the verdict. Ennis was found guilty of both counts, including capital murder burglary and capital murder kidnapping. After the verdict was read, Lee County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere told the judge that Arlene Slesinski, Lori Ann's mother, did not want to pursue the death penalty for Ennis. Ennis now faces life in prison without parole. Friends and family last heard from Slesinski on June 10, 2006. Her vehicle was found engulfed in flames at the dead end of Dekalb Street in Auburn, but her body was never found. In 2016, cold case investigators picked up the case and spent 18 months working on it. Ennis was arrested in Pilot, Va., and charged with capital murder in 2018. The 12 jury members reached the verdict Thursday morning after listening to seven days of testimony, mostly from the prosecution, as well as closing statements from both sides on Tuesday. Jury members spent all day Wednesday deliberating, and toward the end of the day asked for a computer so they could watch footage of Slesinski at Walmart on the last day she was seen alive, and also so they could listen to a recording of a call Ennis made from jail to his former boss in Virginia. The jury heard from Slesinskis mother, friends and co-workers; Ennis former roommates, co-workers and friends; and law enforcement officers and forensic specialists. During closing arguments, the prosecution focused on evidence it believed showed a struggle between Ennis and Slesinski, while the defense asserted that the case was built on circumstantial evidence. Key arguments Slesinski was last heard from on Saturday, June 10, 2006, before she went to Walmart. She had plans to hang out with a friend that night and the next day, but she never showed up. After she didnt come in to work that Monday and Tuesday, she was reported missing to police. During the trial, the prosecution pointed to missing items from Slesinski's trailer, including kitchen rugs that were later found in Ennis' apartment in Huntsville and shown in court; a Galileo thermometer, which a roommate said he saw in Ennis' room in Huntsville; and the cord for a landline phone. Police also testified that the front door was damaged and scuff marks were on the walls in the hallway, and that they found a gold loop earring in the hallway with male DNA and a stretched out coat hanger under Slesinskis bed. The prosecution also focused on Wednesday June 14, 2006, when Slesinskis vehicle was found engulfed in flames on Dekalb Street in Auburn next to the bowling alley where Ennis had worked. A hand-rolled cigarette was mentioned often during the trial, which the prosecution said was found at the scene of the fire, was "fresh" and tested positive for Ennis' DNA. The defense responded in closing statements by mentioning the size and power of the firehose used at the scene to quickly extinguish the fire and saying that everything on the scene was soaking wet. The defense asserted that the cigarette wasn't wet and that it was taken from Ennis' home and admitted into evidence by investigators as being from the fire scene. Police testified they found a gas can in the woods behind Dekalb Street, and a man who worked with Ennis said it was stolen from the bowling alley. Police also testified that when they were interviewing Ennis on Wednesday and Thursday, they saw scratch marks on his arms and hands, and that Ennis said he didn't know how he got them. Monday in court, Ennis testified that the scratches came from playing with his dog. The prosecution also showed a variety of items found in Ennis' car, including a knife, fur-lined handcuffs, a scrub brush and multiple types of cleaning bottle, a list that Ventiere called "a murder starter kit." Ennis defense attorneys pointed out that there was no residue of cleaner found in Slesinskis trailer after it was inspected on Tuesday June 13, 2006. Forensics specialists who had inspected Loris trailer testified that swabs of the interior front doorknob of Slesinskis trailer tested positive for presumptive blood and matched the DNA profile of Ennis, and that a stain on the sheets from Slesinski's bed was also tested and found to be semen with a DNA profile that matched Ennis. Ennis told the jury while he was on the stand Monday that he and Slesinski had sex at least twice before she went missing. His defense attorney said Ennis and Slesinski were friends with benefits. Ventiere, the district attorney, told the jury during closing statements, Its very easy to say you had consensual sex with a woman you know is dead. The defense said that Ennis left Auburn shortly after being questioned by police because his lease was almost up. A former roommate testified that in 2007 he saw Ennis full name on a piece of mail, Googled it and went to a chat room, and that what he saw alarmed him and he told Ennis to leave his apartment. roommate Abram Sissons testified that he had only known Ennis as Rick, and when he saw a piece of mail addressed to his full name, he Googled it. Sissons said he found some articles and looked in chat rooms. At this point in his testimony, Judge Jacob Walker asked Sisson and the attorneys to approach the bench. After a discussion, Sissons returned and said that after visiting the online chat rooms he called the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and then called Ennis to tell him to leave his apartment. After spending the night away from home, the roommate said he returned to find the apartment "trashed" and the oven turned on with a glass of liquid and burnt materials inside. Another man, who was working with Ennis in South Carolina in 2009, said Ennis told him hed gotten into some trouble and he had to get out of Auburn. The man testified that Ennis later told him he strangled a bitch and that she was a white piece of trailer park trash. In her closing statement, 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. In the 70s, Robert Flack recorded Killing Me Softly with His Song. In those verses, she sang Singing my life with his wordsTelling my whole life This song came to me as I was reading Bill Kings O-A News column about his trip to Ireland. Everything was so familiar, it was as if he was writing about my life in Ireland. He was telling my story! Did I feel silly when I discovered that he and his wife had been on our bus, in our hotel, in the same restaurants and having the same experiences! Our tour bus was full, and there were lots of folks that Id never met before, including travelers from Texas and Pennsylvania. If we werent sitting near new folks, there wasnt opportunity for introductions. Now Im just gonna have to meet Bill and his wife, post-travels! Everything he shared was spot-on. However, I had several different experiences. When Im asked about my most significant experience, the first thought that comes to me is meeting the people! The Irish are very friendly, courteous and kind. One incident was particularly meaningful. Not that this wouldnt have happened in the States, but it touched my heart especially. Several co-tourists contracted COVID, including my traveling companion. I chose to stay with her until she recovered. We were sent to a hotel in Dublin. So, I became an errand-runner, for her and our other COVID-affected travelers. During my wanderings, I came across a Subway restaurant, and as an alternative to our incredible chef-prepared Irish meals, we chose subs one evening. It was nearly a mile of brisk walking to get there about a 20 minute outing. I loved that walk, along a canal, watching people, enjoying cherry trees blooming The single worker at Subway a young womantook my order. As she was preparing the sandwich, I searched for my wallet. The wallet that was missing. I was appalled. The store closed in a half hour, not enough time to get to the hotel and back. I apologized profusely. Her response Dont worry about it! She continued to prepare our meal, despite my questioning Are you sure?! With her repeated assurances, I gratefully accepted our dinner. To my surprise, I started crying and could not stop. In between my tears, I thanked her profusely. Back at the hotel, the concierge heard my story. I asked how I might get payment to her. The problem was, Id been so upset that I hadnt asked her name. The fellow assured me he would take the payment (plus a huge tip) to her . The next morning, we were transferred to another hotel. I didnt have a chance to go back to thank her, though I did write to the Subway corporation to praise her. Kindness always touches my heart. The compassion of that young Irish woman is something Ill remember, especially about Ireland. Bill can tell other parts of my story. This parts mine. Susan Anderson lives in Opelika with her husband. Contact her at susan12anderson@gmail.com. Susan Anderson lives in Opelika with her husband. Contact her at susan12anderson@gmail.com. Washington, PA (15301) Today Periods of rain. High 53F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 39F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Washington, PA (15301) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain throughout the day. High 53F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low 39F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Notice body From April 12-29, Auburn University and Alabama State University, or ASU, is hosting a joint exhibit at ASU of more than 50 historic photographs taken on Sunday, March 7, 1965, during the "Bloody Sunday" protests in Selma, Alabama. The exhibit is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT and is located at the Tullibody Fine Arts Center, Warren-Britt Art Gallery, 915 S Jackson St., Montgomery, Alabama. The collection includes rare surveillance images taken by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officers that provide an up-close look at the courageous foot soldiers who crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge to demand their constitutional right to vote. Contact Keith S. Hebert at heberks@auburn.edu or 470-725-8908 for additional information and media requests. A 24-year-old man was found guilty of murder and several other offenses for his role in a 2019 shooting at a Glen Burnie pool party, according to the Anne Arundel States Attorneys Office. Jurors delivered their verdict Wednesday afternoon in a case involving Jacovi Devaughn Johnson, who prosecutors maintained gunned down James Antonio Diggs IV during a raucous pool party in Glen Burnie. The gunfire, a total of 11 shots, killed Diggs, and injured two others, prosecutors said. Advertisement The verdict came after several days of testimony before jurors and Anne Arundel Circuit Judge Michael Wachs. Among those called to testify was Dion Isom Sanders, who was in the car with Johnson during the July 2019 incident. Anne Arundel County Assistant States Attorneys Christina Ferris and Nancy Olin maintained that Johnson, of Glen Burnie, was driving a rental car that struck Diggs leg outside the party, prompting the 29-year-old to smash the windshield, which in turn prompted Johnson to fire at Diggs. Advertisement Sanders, who was granted a plea deal in this and an unrelated home invasion case in exchange for his testimony, said he was in the passenger seat next to Johnson at the time of the shooting and that he disposed of the gun at a nearby apartment complex afterward. He was arrested after he returned to the complex, where a security guard had called police regarding the gun. Johnsons defense attorneys, Bethany Skopp and Denis OConnell, argued that Sanders was the shooter, but had won the race to speak with police. The defense hinged on a lack of eyewitnesses from the pool party who could identify which of the two were the shooter. In addition, defense attorneys said there was no conclusive evidence as to which man fired the shots, calling the trials six days of testimony a lot of pomp and circumstance. Dion Sanders shot James Antonio Diggs, Skopp said during closing arguments Tuesday, alleging that police and prosecutors had tunnel vision when investigating the case after Sanders gave his statement. The states attorneys office expressed a different view in its closing argument. This case is not about pomp and circumstance, this case is about a man who lost his life, Olin said, showing jurors a photo of Diggs. Prosecutors also had called on two witnesses who were in jail with Johnson after his arrest, and told jurors Johnson had confessed to them. Those men were also granted plea deals in exchange for their testimony. Johnsons sentencing date was not in online court records Wednesday afternoon. He faces a life sentence for first-degree murder, and additional time for his convictions on first-degree assault and weapons offenses. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Notice body Auburn University was awarded a $589,889, three-year grant for the first National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers project at Auburn, entitled, Project-Based Learning for Rural Alabama STEM Middle School Teachers in Machine Learning and Robotics. This project will provide hands-on research experiences in robotics and machine learning/artificial intelligence, or ML/AI, for 30 STEM middle school teachers, 10 each year, and expand their knowledge of teaching these concepts through project-based learning as part of a six-week summer program. Read the full story here. fiance tingz*~ Reply Thread Link are you even engaged if you don't show off your ring holding a Starbucks cup?? Reply Parent Thread Link used to run on Dunkin now he's running over Starbucks smh Reply Thread Link JLo upgraded ha! Reply Parent Thread Link Doing Dunkins dirty work, love to see a brand-loyal man Reply Thread Link Ugh nothing worse than riding with a smoker who smokes cigs in the car, I used to beg my mom not to. Also he probably hit the sign bc he was smoking lol Reply Thread Link Last year I hit a curb pulling into Starbucks and completely fucked up my car, but I have a Civic not a giant Benz and wasnt being chased by photographers, so Im going to cut him some slack. However we got an espresso machine someone on here mentioned in a roundup and dont need to go out for coffee anymore. Sorry Starbucks. Reply Thread Link Lmao I hope it was a really nice one! Reply Parent Thread Link what machine? Reply Parent Thread Link A Phillips something? My husband did a bunch of research and figured out what was easiest to clean. Reply Parent Thread Link Is it a Nespresso? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Dunkin's Revenge Reply Thread Link Sounds like a Nicki Minaj song Reply Parent Thread Link lmfaooooooo Reply Parent Thread Link I'm grinning super hard right now, both because of this post and not because of this post. Reply Thread Link Damn, he is devoted to Dunkin'! Reply Thread Link Amazon workers won their first union. And Starbucks workers at 18 stores have won their unions, with more than 200 others filing for union elections. This is no longer the great resignation; its the great reckoning. #UnionsForAll pic.twitter.com/kI916lrYaz Mary Kay Henry (@MaryKayHenry) April 13, 2022 I like to think he's sticking it to Howard Schultz and his anti-union talk Reply Thread Link hey if this morphs into a Jorts the Cat post, I'm all for it! Reply Parent Thread Link i can't believe she fuckin buttered Jorts Reply Parent Thread Link Dunkie's rn Reply Thread Link What are you favorite brands to make at home iced coffee? I pretty much spend too much money on iced coffee so I want to make my own however the brands I tried out my iced coffee tastes like ass.haha. Reply Thread Link i like chameleon cold brew with silk almond creamer and whatever oat milk i have on hand Reply Parent Thread Link Grady's Cold Brew is my absolute fave. I buy it in bulk lol Reply Parent Thread Link Where do we buy it in the area lmao Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I just buy the cold brew lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I just go to McDonald's for it instead lol Reply Parent Thread Link Avoid anything sweetened or with added flavoring. I don't care how expensive or cheap it is, it tastes like garbage. Dump in all the cream and sugar to your taste after the fact. Reply Parent Thread Link Trader Joe's has a good cold brew concentrate that's good for iced coffees at home Reply Parent Thread Link I drink the pre-made Stok Cold Brew. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Tchibo latin bio (the green one with the butterfly). I hate that i cant get in the states. Reply Parent Thread Link I like the La Colombe or Stok for store-bought, but I'm going to try to start making my own again. I found out it's better to let the coffee steep overnight at room temp than in the fridge, fingers crossed I can do this right finally because the times I made it in the fridge it was very silt-y. Reply Parent Thread Link Do you have a Keurig? I've been getting the Green Mountain Brew Over Ice k cups and have really been liking them. Reply Parent Thread Link I go to Trader Joes, grind my coffee there, bring it home and make it in my French presses. Reply Parent Thread Link I buy beans from Starbucks because its convenient then make my own. Ethiopian medium roast with a 1:7 ratio steeped in the fridge for 20 hours in a French press works best for me. When its ready I add milk shake it up like a cocktail then pour it in glass bottles. It's my weekly routine. Reply Parent Thread Link I like CoolBrew concentrate. Because it's concentrate I can make it a little stronger if it's going over ice or a little weaker if I want more of a hint of coffee Reply Parent Thread Link DunkinDonuts placed the hex on him for this betrayal. Edited at 2022-04-13 11:23 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link that pap's a moron, most outlets would pay good money for pics of affleck struggling to rip out a sign from his car rim in a starbucks parking lot while jlo sat there watching. it's peak comedy Reply Thread Link Funnier than Gigli! Ben dropping Dunkins was his best comedy in years. Reply Parent Thread Link Beautiful Ben was just too excited about getting engaged that he didn't see the sign! Also was there not a DD around? Did you change baristas? Reply Thread Link He wanted to avoid Caitlyn Jenner at his local Dunkin's. Reply Parent Thread Link I am still shocked that story is really true. Stars are just like us lol. Reply Parent Thread Link Watching the video it seems like he finally gets to the order sign then drives off because the paps were still there. I was waiting to hear their order then -byyeeee Reply Thread Link i complained about it in the roundup this morning, but for some reason my tiktok algorithm thinks i want to see awful videos of him smiling in court and being all "uwu it's captain jack he's innocent!" and discussing his court fashion or whatever. it's awful and constant on my fyp now with the videos always having over 100k likes. i have to think there's some bot farming going on there bc i really don't want to believe that that many people would defend this washed up dude like that. Reply Thread Link mine too actually. not sure what part of my browsing habits would make my fyp think i wanted to see this shit Reply Parent Thread Link i brought this situation up elsewhere and multiple people have said pro-depp videos were also clogging up their fyp and twitter timelines, so it really is not just us. i feel like whatever is going on is specifically geared towards people who interact with any sort of celeb gossip on a daily basis. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That's happening in my fyp. It's confusing and annoying. Reply Parent Thread Link YouTube has been like that for me too, I keep getting pro Depp videos recommended to me. I'm like what makes you all think I want this type of content. I keep clicking the not interested, yet they still keep popping up. Edited at 2022-04-14 01:18 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Johnny and his shady ass lawyers definitely have big bot networks https://rescuetech.medium.com/amber-heard-social-network-analysis-shows-thousands-of-repeated-text-by-bots-multiple-platforms-21850a46f06d Reply Parent Thread Link omfg SAME! I keep clicking "not interested" and they seem to be popping up even more frequently! Reply Parent Thread Link I was getting Depp stans clogging my fyp a few weeks ago and had no idea what made TikTok think I wanted to see people (sadly, most of them were women) going to extremes to defend this half-melted pos. I am on a break from TikTok and Twitter atm for other reasons and I bet my fyp is a nightmare. Reply Parent Thread Link Same - I've never interacted with anything to do with Johnny Depp before, either. And even though I keep saying I'm not interested, it keeps showing up. Reply Parent Thread Link Wow, my fyp did that too. All I watch are cat stuff and cooking, so I definitely think theres some bot army shenanigans going on. Theyve spread from twitter, it seems. Reply Parent Thread Link Right what the fuck, it's suddenly all over my feed too. There's definitely something... off about that. Reply Parent Thread Link No omg absolutely same. Like, I follow pop culture news so it makes sense that the algorithm would figure I would want this but the volume of pro depp shit on my FYP is honestly crazy rn (despite how many accounts I block/hit not interested on). Reply Parent Thread Link I came in here to say the exact same thing. I didn't even know this was happening this week. Yet, my FYP is filled with live videos of this hearing. Some JD fan vids are showing up with captions stating his winning this case and Amber is evil...it's all very unhinged. Reply Parent Thread Link yep I had to click not interested so many times Reply Parent Thread Link same. Ive only just been freed if the modern warrior/Chelsea hart drama and now I have this?! The fuck? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yes, wtf is going on with that? And its all the same testimony from his sister. Reply Parent Thread Link He's paid a lot of money to have a "grassroots" social media campaign on all platforms for this, it's disgusting. Reply Parent Thread Link Yep. Well, fortunately I just got one. It claimed Amber couldnt stop turning to look at him while he completely ignored her. It was full of comments like: shes realizing what shes ruined and misses! and How could she not when hes so beautiful! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I always get these im into older men videos with a bunch of actors like tom hiddleston, pedro pascal, oscar isaac etc and i agree with those three and then they throw some abuser like Depp in there and Im like hope and hit the not interested button so hard. Edited at 2022-04-14 05:05 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link SAME. It's so annoying. I keep clicking not interested and hide videos from users but tiktok keeps pushing them on my FYP. I'm just gonna start blocking his supporters at this point if that's what it takes not to see their content. Reply Parent Thread Link girl i am also oddly on pro depp tiktok and i hate it Reply Parent Thread Link I came here to comment the same thing is happening to me! And I have never interacted or searched for him creepy Reply Parent Thread Link Same here and the comments are sickening. The amount of middle aged people wanking over him and calling Amber names is shocking. Reply Parent Thread Link Sadly, the overwhelming sentiment I've encountered everywhere is pro-Depp. It's not just bots, either. I don't know what kind of deal with the devil this walking corpse made to get so many people to cape for him. Reply Parent Thread Link i keep getting those too and am so fucking confused why Reply Parent Thread Link i just want johnny depp to choke on his own vomit and die at this point Reply Thread Link From your lips to the grim reapers ear Reply Parent Thread Link I hate this man, and anyone who defends him. His stans are unhinged and delusional. Reply Thread Link This monster will never let her have peace. A plague on him and all his defenders. Reply Thread Link His stans can rot. Fuck them all. Reply Thread Link what in the fuck hell? That c--t ruined such a fucking cool life we had for a while. "He later admits that he still lives in a home owned by Depp and does not pay rent. Depp also loaned him $100,000 that he isn't obligated to pay back." Does this fuckhead really think having his sycophants testify for him will help? (I mean maybe it will we all know psycho Depp stans are still out there) Reply Thread Link Yes he does. It's the usual abuser trick - parade all these people you're not a dick to like "see I couldn't possibly be abusive, look how nice I am!" as if it's not well documented that abusers are utterly adept at deploying one face in public and another in private. Reply Parent Thread Link op you should really put the entire post after your disclaimer behind a cut also we need an "eat shit and die" tag Edited at 2022-04-14 02:36 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link done! hopefully no one noticed those few seconds where i messed up the html on this post but its fixed lol Reply Parent Thread Link thank you! Reply Parent Thread Link It's the part where his sister said "he doesn't have an addiction problem" and then was forced to acknowledge she sent him texts asking him to stop doing coke/pills/alcohol for me, though. Reply Thread Link Right? His stans are delusional that any of this exonerates him. Reply Parent Thread Link His stans are delusional ftfy Reply Parent Thread Link Same Reply Parent Thread Link RIGHT? LIKE WHY???? Edited at 2022-04-14 01:43 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link So basically, she sounds like his fans. Unable to accept him for the trash that he is. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link There goes her credibility. Reply Parent Thread Link Her response was ridiculous. "Yes, those were my words, but I don't know what the context was. I don't think I was telling him to stop doing drugs." Reply Parent Thread Link I just really hope he loses this case because I want him to suffer so fucking much. Using the courts as another form of abuse is gross to watch and I want him bankrupt. What's wild is he literally could've done the bare minimum and had a decent career; his demise has nothing to do with Amber's accusations against him. Him and the people around him are so fucking stupid. Edited at 2022-04-14 01:25 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link They're all on the payroll - some of them actively make money from handling his legal shit, and the others are trying to protect the cash cow in other ways because they think if he wins it will detoxify his brand. He has literally nobody who will tell him when he's being stupid, same way there was nobody around who would actually try to stop him going on these drug fuelled rampages. Reply Parent Thread Link JFC. It says so much that he's still going after her in court. He basically got away with everything with minimal consequences, but he still felt the need to sue The Sun (the fucking Sun!) and got himself fired from FB, and now he's suing her for the op-ed even though he's not mentioned by name. He's obsessed with "winning" every aspect of this, even if it means $$$$ in legal fees (and apparently he's already wasted tons of money on wine and bad accounting or whatever the fuck that was). Years ago he would have laughed off the idea of ~cancel culture, and now he thinks he's its #1 victim. Being famous too long really does turn people into assholes. It's wild to see. Reply Thread Link If he hadnt kept dragging it out it all would have blown over and hed probably still be in FB/working semi regularly. Reply Parent Thread Link Exactly. He's sabotaging himself in such a literal and obvious way, and yet the stans are somehow still claiming he's being railroaded. He's always been known for being super nice to fans (myself included several times in the past ), and now that's warped into this demented enabling/victim-blaming/cult-like madness. It succcckkkkks and I hate everything bye Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, the UK verdict is what made WB drop him. Reply Parent Thread Link Yup. Had he gone the Brad Pitt route, he wouldve been fine (still a pos tho). Pitt still won a Oscar while the news/allegations were still fresh-ish and we rarely hear about it now. Reply Parent Thread Link It goes to show how "violent" he is (in quotes because I mean it more than physically, including emotionally and vindictively) that he is trying to destroy her by all means necessary. Bankrupt her, ruin her career, ruin her reputation. Reply Parent Thread Link The SEO depps team has been using since this ordeal started is nuts, there are bots everywhere. Johnny is disgusting as are his psychotic legion of stans. Reply Thread Link I hate SEO so much. Everyone I know who "specializes" in it is a sleazy dude. Reply Parent Thread Link Theyre all awful and borderline scammers Reply Parent Thread Link When men call women the c-word, they are truly telling what they value about women and how they truly see them. The more we hear about this, the more it becomes obvious that Depp wanted a pretty, blonde fuckobject who idolized him and never challenged any decision he made. Reply Thread Link This. It was the word my ex stepdad liked to use against my mom whenever he was angry. I still cant hear the word used against women without getting really upset. Its deeply traumatizing and a dehumanizing word. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm sorry you and your mom had to got through that. Sending much Reply Parent Thread Link "called him an old, fat man" but where's the lie? Reply Thread Link It speaks volume that this is their only defense so far while the things she said about him and people he supposedly called to the stand to support his pov all have said and done worse in regard to her, including himself. Edited at 2022-04-14 07:03 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Right? And that she thinks thats worse than him saying Ambers dead body should rot in a car?? Seriously?? Reply Parent Thread Link and like.....thinking that's comparable to abuse. the fucking audacity Reply Parent Thread Link I definitely don't want to minimize verbal and emotional abuse. It causes real harm but at the same time, even if we were going to call this that, it still doesn't rise to anywhere near the level of what he perpetrated against her. Reply Parent Thread Link she was just missing the "who dresses like an elderly windchime" part Reply Parent Thread Link I wonder if any if his psycho stans made it to the jury and lied about not knowing much about the case during jury selection Reply Thread Link I'm tired of seeing weird comments from people not realizing Depp is way past his prime. And his victimization is crazy, people act like he never even did as much as rise his voice. And I still remember seeing that weird video of him drunk and thinking I'd be scared to be around him. Reply Thread Link He was trashing hotels in the 80s and 90s and would get in public fights with his gfs. Hes been trash people are so delusional. Reply Parent Thread Link After years in the works, the fight over the East Africa oil pipeline continues. Environmentalists and local communities have long been battling against the proposed construction of a major pipeline running from Uganda to Tanzania. But oil majors working in the region believe it could dramatically enhance the regions export routes, making it possible for landlocked Uganda to transport its crude more easily. But the pipeline continues to face major hurdles, with doubts over whether it will ever be finished. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is expected to be the worlds longest electrically heated oil pipeline, measuring 1440km and running from western Uganda to the Indian Ocean port of Tanga in Tanzania. TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation Ltd (CNOOC) originally expected to invest $3.5 billion in the EACOP, working with operators in the two countries - the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). If completed, the pipeline could transport as much as 1 billion bpd of crude across the countries. In late March, things were looking promising for Total as construction appeared imminent. The signing of a $10 billion final investment decision made its construction that much more likely. British energy firm Tullow Oil first discovered recoverable oil in Uganda in the Lake Albert basin in 2006 and TotalEnergies purchased Tullows stake in the region in 2020 but was unable to find suitable funding for the EACOP project until now. However, there is significant opposition from locals, with 260 community groups across Uganda, Tanzania, and neighboring countries drawing awareness to the situation globally with the campaign #StopEACOP. Public protests, legal action, and media attention have helped delay the works for the last two years. People are mainly concerned about the environmental impact of building such large-scale oil infrastructure. In early April, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that we cant afford to build more fossil fuel infrastructure, drawing attention to major project proposals such as the EACOP. Estimates suggest that the pipeline could produce as much as 36 million tonnes of CO2 every year, around seven times Ugandas annual emissions. The more imminent impact of the pipeline is the displacement of up to 1,400 households, with inadequate compensation being offered. In addition, the destruction of wildlife habitats across the two countries seems inevitable, with the pipeline running through several major areas of endangered wildlife. As Total continues with plans to go ahead with the pipeline, it has a limited window of time in which the world will accept this kind of major fossil fuel project. With oil demand still high and sanctions on Russia highlighting our dependence on the black gold, even now, Total may be able to gain enough support to see the project through. But as several oil majors and governments introduce ambitious climate targets for the end of the decade, this window is growing ever smaller. Related: Worlds Richest Have Taken A $400 Billion Wealth Cut Amid Ukraine Crisis The cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2020 demonstrates the sentiment felt by governments in approaching long-term oil and gas projects, with mounting public pressure to make the shift away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives within the decade. And the EACOP is hitting more hurdles, as insurers refuse to cover the pipeline, giving the negative long-term impact on the environment as the main reason. Multinational insurance firm, Munich Re, refused to insure it due to its potential harm to the climate. And, this week, major oil and gas insurer Allianz said it would not insure the pipeline, stating Allianz is not providing direct insurance to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project, as it neither meets our climate ambition nor falls within our ESG risk profile. Zurich, Axa, SCOR, Swiss Re, and Hannover Re have all also refused to insure the project, following pressure from the StopEacop alliance. The alliance also targeted several banks to encourage them to refuse to fund the project, including HSBC, Credit Suisse, Barclays, and BNP Paribas. Omar Elmawi, StopEacop campaign coordinator said It is now official, 7 out of the 15 (re)insurers we have approached have concluded that Eacop is a huge risk for them to underwrite. But, despite hurdles, Uganda is largely in favor of the pipeline, as it could help further develop its oil industry and have a positive spillover effect on the national economy. Politicians have made grand promises about what the construction of the EACOP would mean for the country. With Uganda and Tanzania sharing a 30 percent stake in the pipeline, it would see some revenue coming back into the two countries. It could also lead to significant job creation. Despite notable opposition, TotalEnergies continues to push for the construction of the EACOP, following two years of planning and fundraising. While several community groups and international organizations are opposed to the construction of new large-scale fossil fuel infrastructure, the government of Uganda sees great potential for the development of the industry to support the national economy. However, Total will have to gain approval and insurance fast if it hopes to see the EACOP development come to fruition. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Like the first sparrow of spring, Iraqs reversal of all promises made to the U.S. in order to secure another waiver to import electricity and gas from still-sanctioned Iran is a regular and much-anticipated feature of the oil year for seasoned market watchers. This year has been no different. Some have interpreted the 120-day waiver, which is the equal longest granted to Iraq in years, as a tangential good-faith gesture to Iran by the U.S. as they attempt to agree on a new iteration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, nuclear deal). This interpretation is unlikely to be correct, as Washington has not directly correlated the two issues for a considerable time. Rather, it seems that the 120-day waiver was made by the U.S. with the full knowledge that Iraq would break any pledges it made to secure it, and instead reflects a practical realization finally that it has to fight for any influence in the huge oil and gas reservoirs of Iraq against Chinas continued encroachment. Indeed, last week shortly after the award of the 120-day waiver - another huge hydrocarbons deal was awarded in Iraq to Chinese commercial interests. This latest deal an engineering, procurement, and construction contract worth at least US$412 million for a 130 million standard cubic feet per day natural gas processing facility in Basra was given out to a consortium of China CAMC Engineering Co (CAMCE) and CNOOC Petrochemical Engineering Co. (CNOOC Petrochemical Engineering) by the highly misleadingly named Kuwait Energy Basra Limited (KEBL). This company, in fact, is nothing much to do with Kuwait at all but rather is an indirect but wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinas United Energy Group (UEG). According to UEGs 2020 filings (but signed and filed on 27 July 2021 in Hong Kong on behalf of company chairman, Zhang Hong Wei), having acquired BP Pakistans assets (and renamed them United Energy Pakistan Limited), UEG then acquired Kuwait Energy Plc on 21 March 2019, since which time it has engaged in further upstream oil and gas business in Iraq and Egypt, as well as in Pakistan. Consequently, the award for the development of a critical piece of Iraqs hydrocarbons infrastructure in Iraq has been neatly and quietly given by one Chinese company to another Chinese company. Related: Worlds Largest Oil Trader To Completely Phase Out Russian Crude According to UEGs 2020 Hong Kong filings, its own Kuwait Energy Basra Limited has been the operator of Iraqs Block 9 since 3 February 2013 for a basic term of 30 years, with the early production rate achieved on 31 January 2016. In the meantime, Kuwait Energy Iraq Ltd (KEIL) an operating unit of UEGs Kuwait Energy remains the operator of Iraqs Siba gas field, the contract for which was entered into 5 June 2011. The Siba gas field is the first non-associated gas field in Iraq and, as UEG notes: The indigenous gas production from Siba is considered by Iraq Government as one of the key strategic contributors to Iraqs energy needs and economic development. According to UEG, the Siba gas field development was completed, and the gas processing plant operation commenced in August 2018. This latest US412 million deal follows another even bigger deal between the same players in January of this year, in which a US$594 million engineering, procurement, and construction contract was given to the same consortium CAMCE and CNOOC Petrochemical Engineering by Kuwait Energy Basra Co for a 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) crude oil processing facility in Iraqs Block 9. These deals, in turn, had followed swiftly on from the announcement in January that the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) signed a US$880 million engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Iraqs Missan International Refinery Company to build the 150,000 bpd Missan Refinery Project. According to local news reports in 2019, the Missan International Refinery Company itself was formed by a little-known Swiss-Chinese consortium comprised of Swiss industrial firm Satarem (15 percent share) and Chinas Wahan (85 percent share). The refinery project originally broke ground in 2016, with an estimated cost of US$6 billion, which, according to Iraqs then-Deputy Minister for Refining, Deiaa Jaafar, would be funded by the Export-Import Bank of China and China Development Bank. At the time, Iraq was looking to move ahead with another three refineries, in addition to Missan, comprising the 300,000 bpd Nassiriya refinery, the 150,000 bpd Kirkuk refinery, and the 140,000 bpd Karbala refinery. According to the comments from Iraqs Oil Ministry in January, this new iteration of the project will now be completed within the next 54 months. Related: How Egypt Could Become A Critical Energy Hub All of this Chinese activity occurred in parallel to the finalization again at the beginning of this year - of the 25-year deal for the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) to take a 49 percent share in the huge Mansuriya non-associated field, with the remainder held by Iraqs state-own Midland Oil Company. Extremely close to the Iranian border, and just north of Baghdad, the Mansuriya gas field has an estimated 4.5-4.6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas in place, with plans to increase production to at least 320 million standard cubic feet (Mmscf) per day, making it a very valuable gas deposit in and of itself. Its broader significance is that Iraq had previously always sought to offer the three fields of Mansuriya, Akkas, and Siba together as one development package. These three sites form a skewed triangle across southern Iraq, stretching from Mansuriya near the eastern border with Iran, down to Siba in the south (extremely close to the key Iraqi Basra export hub), and then all the way west across to Akkas (extremely close to the border with Syria). When Russia had been eyeing the development of the very same three fields, just before China took the figurative driving seat on the deals with a view presumably on what Russia was about to do in Ukraine, this triangle was to have been linked in with a transit route running all the way from Basra to Syria. Much of this route disappears into Iraqs lawless wasteland Anbar province, a place so violent and unpredictable that it was even avoided where possible by Islamic State. This route, what the U.S. military used to call the spine of the Islamic State, is where the Euphrates flows westwards into Syria and eastwards into the Persian Gulf, and is extremely close to the border with Iran. It remains of vital strategic importance to Russian operations in Syria, including the Russian military Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia that functions alongside the civilian Bassel Al-Assad International Airport in Syria, while Latakia itself is also home to a key intelligence-gathering listening station operated by Russia. There are also plans by China, as analyzed in-depth in my new book on the global oil markets, to build its own intelligence-gathering listening station in Irans Chabahar, which will function as a core part of Beijings ongoing upgrading and rollout of its own C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems in the region. The overall plan, as exclusively highlighted by OilPrice.com at the time, before a more circumspect approach was taken (for the time being at least) in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was for the Chabahar facility to be connected to Russias intelligence-gathering stations around its core military bases in Syria. This, in turn, would allow it to be easily tied into Russias Southern Joint Strategic Command 19th EW Brigade (Rassvet) near Rostov-on-Don, which itself links into the corollary Chinese systems. Consequently, Iraqs playing both sides in the gas, oil, and refining sectors can be regarded as part of a much broader move by several major Middle Eastern oil and gas players including the once stalwart U.S. ally, Saudi Arabia to position themselves in the center of what is becoming an economically, politically, and militarily bipolar order rather than the U.S.-dominated world of the previous hundred years or so and before that the Great Britain-dominated one. The series of meetings in Beijing earlier this year between senior officials from the Chinese government and foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) underlined this. At these meetings, the principal topics of conversation were to finally seal a China-GCC Free Trade Agreement and deeper strategic cooperation in a region where U.S. dominance is showing signs of retreat, according to local news reports. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The EV industry has failed to secure a sufficient long-term supply of battery metals and is now dealing with the consequences. After skyrocketing by almost 500 percent over the past 12 months, lithium prices are beginning to slow their climb as current price levels begin to affect demand adversely. Lithium carbonate, the form in which the crucial battery metal is frequently traded, quadrupled in price in 2021 and has continued to rise since the start of 2022 amid widely shared expectations of a faster shift to EVs, with the corresponding strong growth in sales of electric vehicles. However, with prices reaching insane levels, per Elon Musk, they have begun to dampen demand, Bloomberg reported this week. The resurgence of Covid in China, the worlds largest EV market, has also contributed to the price rally losing some steam. Downstream demand is weakening as the pandemic hinders carmakers production in China and inventory levels remain high at battery manufacturers, Shanghai Metals Market analyst Maria Ma told Bloomberg. Companies are also pressured by the elevated lithium prices and theres strong price resistance. What we are seeing is perhaps a slight paraphrase of the saying that the cure for high oil prices is high oil prices. Indeed, the cure for the excessive price of any commodity is that very same price that begins to erode demand when it becomes prohibitively high. In battery metals, however, the lithium market imbalance that caused the price rally is only one facet of a major raw materials price rally that may affect a lot of energy transition plans. Every raw material used in EVs is on the rise, and while part of the reason is related to the pandemic and the disruptions it caused across global supply chains, another part is the apparent failure of the carmaking industry to secure sufficient supply for the future early on. Related: Worlds Richest Have Taken A $400 Billion Wealth Cut Amid Ukraine Crisis The chief executive of Australian miner Pilbara Minerals earlier this month told the Sydney Morning Herald that EV makers were likely to continue to pay through the nose for raw materials. It happened because the carmakers were asleep at the wheel, Ken Brinsden said. They were not paying attention to the raw material supply base; they were too far removed. If you are an average car or EV maker [or] youre a cell maker, today you are just about hitting the panic button. It goes beyond just EVs, too. Soaring metal and mineral prices have jeopardized the whole energy transition, Morgan Stanley warned in late March. In its warning, the investment bank specifically noted the price of lithium, which had risen fivefold in the 12 months to March. This, Morgan Stanley analysts said, could prompt EV makers to increase their prices by as much as 15 percent, dampening demand for them. Historically, the battery price cost curve had been declining at a pace of 3% to 7% annually for so many years in a row it almost seemed inevitable, the banks analysts wrote in late March. But molecules dont play by the same rules as Moores Law. The world has changed, and along with it is a new paradigm of input costs. In such an environment, any sign of a slowdown in the price rally would be met with a sigh of relief, albeit a cautious one: the lithium price rally may have lost some steam, but that does not mean that prices will start going down anytime soon. They wontnot until supply and demand reach some semblance of balance, which is also unlikely to happen anytime soon. Its going to take quite some time for the mines to catch up, Pilbara Minerals Brinsden told the Sydney Morning Herald. Mines take several years to put into operation. Even if the lithium rally slows down, it is not reversing for years yet. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: New oil regions that have attracted the attention of oil majors looking for greater longevity in their operations and cheap, low-carbon oil prospects could receive an additional boost in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As governments rush to source alternative oil and gas supplies, the rapid development of promising new oil regions could provide the long-term supply needed to reduce the global reliance on Russia. Sanctions on Russia are invigorating interest in new oil regions as energy firms look to develop alternative operations to boost supply and diversify their oil and gas sources. Governments are also embracing the shift as they look to friendlier regions in a bid to decrease their reliance not only on Russia but on potential less-than-ideal alternatives, such as Venezuela and Iran. In the Caribbean, ExxonMobil and other international oil firms have been working hard to explore its waters for oil and gas reserves. Exxon estimates its discoveries, to date, to be around 10 billion barrels of recoverable crude in the Stabroek Block, which could allow for 10 development projects, pumping in excess of 1 million bpd by 2027. TotalEnergies and Apache are experiencing similar successes in neighboring Suriname, with the region destined for an oil boom over the next decade. Exxon is now investing even more heavily in the region, injecting $10 billion into its fourth offshore oil project in Guyana. Liam Mallon, president of Exxon's upstream company, explained that Exxon's fourth project at Yellowtail will provide the world with another reliable source of energy to meet future demand and ensure a secure energy transition. Expanding operations in new oil-producing regions could be a win-win. Oil majors will likely gain international support for developing new, low-carbon oil projects to fill the supply gap while global demand remains high. Meanwhile, increased interest in countries such as Guyana, Suriname, and Ghana will allow them to bargain for more favorable contracts with international firms, allowing them to pump earnings back into the national economy and supporting development aims. Another area of interest for several oil majors is Africa. The potential of developing low-cost operations in underexplored areas has led several oil and gas firms to establish operations across the continent in recent years. The African continent produces just under 10 percent of the worlds oil, predominantly originating from Nigeria and Libya. But now other countries such as Ghana, Namibia, and Angola are looking to develop their oil industries while demand remains high. Related: Worlds Richest Have Taken A $400 Billion Wealth Cut Amid Ukraine Crisis Several industry experts are already discussing whether Africa may be able to fill the supply gap if developed more rapidly. With European leaders targeting an end to their reliance on Russian oil and gas well before 2030, several African countries could offer the necessary alternative. With greater international investment across the region, several African states could fund the infrastructure projects required to realize their untapped potential. In Ghana, the oil output was looking positive pre-pandemic. However, Exxon exited its operations in the country in 2023 to focus on other projects. In addition, lower demand for oil during the pandemic led to a decrease in production. But now Ghanas oil industry is experiencing a revival as state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corp. is taking on a larger role through the purchase of shares in oilfields from the likes of Occidental Petroleum. The recent oil shortage could now present a major opportunity for Ghana to develop its national oil industry. In Namibia, TotalEnergies announced a 3-billion-barrel offshore discovery earlier this year, marking sub-Saharan Africas biggest ever oil find. Total now hopes to produce at least 250,000 bpd from the region, with a total anticipated investment of $13 billion. The companys report stated that the find cements Namibias position as the next deep-water exploration hotspot. There is also significant potential for African countries to add value to their oil and gas operations by developing their downstream activities. Nigeria, for example, currently only exports crude, with no refining capacity. This is a common story for countries that have little money to invest in their downstream operations. However, if they are able to establish favorable contracts with international investors, they could reinvest these funds into developing the industry to add greater value to their exports. While there will inevitably be a lag in developing the oil operations required to produce enough crude to meet the global demand, expanding activities across new, more favorable oil regions could support the long-term goals of the oil and gas industry. Establishing new markets could be the key to developing cheaper, low-carbon oil operations, as well as supporting local economies as countries become more closely involved in their oil and gas operations. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Europe could start to sanction Russian energy supplies, energy historian Daniel Yergin has told Bloomberg Television on Thursday. "I think we're going to start to see sanctions," Yergin said. The EU has been seriously mulling sanctions on Russian energy supply since the EU condemned the killing of unarmed civilians in Bucha by Russian forces while retreating from Ukrainian towns. While the EU has managed to sanction coal and has committed to weaning itself off Russian oil by the end of the year, the EU cannot so easily disentangle itself from Russian natural gas, and such a feat would likely be measured in years. Europe collectively depends on Russian natural gas for around one-third of its total demand. It depends on Russia's crude oil for one-fourth of its demand. Europe has refrained from directly targeting Russian energy exports, fearing that sanctions or an embargo could lead to a deep recession in the major European economies, including the biggest one, Germany. Germany depends on Russia for half of its gas supplies. Pressure has been mounting on Russian energy buyers since Russia invaded Ukraine, and on Monday, the EU was said to be working on proposals for an EU oil embargo on Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said that Europe doesn't have a viable immediate replacement for Russia's natural gas, and that attempting to do so would have a huge negative effect on European economies. Leaders of EU member states were thought to be set to discuss at the end of May at a summit the possibility of jointly buying natural gas to keep from competing with each other for non-Russian gas supplies. The European Commission presented a plan in early March to cut EU demand for Russian gas by two-thirds before the end of 2022 and completely by 2030. The plan, REPowerEU, will seek to diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation. The Commission "is working at full speed to phase out Russian fossil fuels," under the plan unveiled earlier in March, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, said at the end of March. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The leaders of the European Union member states are expected to discuss at their summit at the end of May the idea of jointly buying natural gas to avoid competing with each other for non-Russian supply as the EU seeks to cut its dependence on Moscow, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources with knowledge of the plans. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of February, the EU has been seeking to lower its dependence on Russian natural gas, which met around 40 percent of the blocs demand before the war. The European Commission presented a plan in early March to cut EU demand for Russian gas by two-thirds before the end of 2022 and completely by 2030. The plan, REPowerEU, will seek to diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation. This can reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two-thirds before the end of this year, the Commission says. The Commission is working at full speed to phase out Russian fossil fuels, under the plan unveiled earlier in March, following Russias invasion of Ukraine, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, said at the end of March. Europeunlike the United Statescannot afford to go without Russian gas currently, so the European partners have been reluctant to slap sanctions or impose an embargo on imports of oil and gas from Russia. In recent weeks, EU members have intensified efforts to procure non-Russian gas supply. Italy, for example, which depends for 40 percent of its gas demand on Russia, signed a deal on Monday with Algeria to receive 40 percent more gas from the African gas exporter via the existing TransMed / Enrico Mattei pipeline in the Mediterranean. Europe is also looking to boost its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and has been in talks with exporters, including the United States and Qatar, for more LNG supply, if possible. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Libyan government wants to boost the country's oil production to 1.4 million barrels daily, the Cabinet said on Facebook, as cited by Reuters today. "The national unity government is keen to raise its production rates in conjunction with the rise of global crude prices", the statement said. Currently, Libya is producing some 1.2 million barrels daily, and this is a significant increase from just a couple of years ago, when political clashes and social unrest led to port and field blockades that pushed Libya's oil output below 1 million barrels daily. The North African country that has the most abundant oil reserves on the continent has been among OPEC members plagued by persistent problems that have prevented them from expanding their production in any meaningful way. In fact, Libya is one of the cartel members exempted from any production control agreements. Yet there is substantial potential for a production boost there, according to the Italian ambassador to Tripoli, Giuseppe Buccino. This week, Buccino said that Libya could be pumping as much as 2 million barrels of crude daily in a year and a half or two years under favorable conditions and with the help of adequate investments. However, while these conditions are built, instability persists in Libya. Earlier this week, reports emerged that the Libyan National Armya paramilitary faction affiliated with the eastern Libyan governmenthad been urged to begin shutting down crude oil exports as a way of pressuring the Government of National Accord. The calls were made by members of the so-called 5+5 Joint Military Committee, a formation comprising five senior military officers named by the GNA and five senior officers picked by the LNA. The LNA denied there had been any such calls, but the reports are evidence that the political situation in Libya remains unstable, to put it mildly. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: KYIV, Ukraine The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, a guided-missile cruiser that became a potent target of Ukrainian defiance in the opening days of the war, sank Thursday after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles, while Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. Advertisement The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital, Kyiv. In his nightly video address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alluded to the sinking as he told Ukrainians they should be proud of having survived 50 days under attack when the Russians gave us a maximum of five. Advertisement Listing the many ways Ukraine has defended against the invasion, he noted those who showed that Russian warships can sail away, even if its to the bottom of the sea. It was his only reference to the missile cruiser. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sank in a storm while being towed to a port. Russia earlier said the flames on the ship, which would typically have 500 sailors aboard, forced the entire crew to evacuate. Later it said the blaze had been contained. The Moskva had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its removal reduces Russias firepower in the Black Sea. Its also a blow to Moscows prestige in a war already widely seen as a historic blunder. Now entering its eighth week, the invasion has stalled amid resistance from Ukrainian fighters bolstered by weapons and other aid sent by Western nations. During the first days of the war, the Moskva was reportedly the ship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a standoff. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself. The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is seen anchored in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, on Sept. 11, 2008. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged April 13, 2022, but not that it was hit by Ukraine. (AP) The Associated Press could not independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance. The country recently unveiled a postage stamp commemorating it. The news of the flagship overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where Moscows forces have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war at a horrific cost to civilians. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian troops 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 how many forces were still defending Mariupol. Advertisement Russian state television broadcast footage that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers. One man held a white flag. Mariupol has been the scene of the some the wars worst suffering. Dwindling numbers of Ukrainian defenders are holding out against a siege that has trapped well over 100,000 civilians in desperate need of food, water and heating. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told AP in an interview Thursday that people are being starved to death in the besieged city. Mariupols mayor said this week that more than 10,000 civilians had died and the death toll could surpass 20,000, after weeks of attacks and privation left bodies carpeted through the streets. Mariupols capture is critical for Russia because it would allow its forces in the south, which came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to fully link up with troops in the Donbas region, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive. The Russian military continues to move helicopters and other equipment together for such an effort, according to a senior U.S. defense official, and it will likely add more ground combat units over coming days. But its still unclear when Russia could launch a bigger offensive in the Donbas. A school director Iryna Homenko walks in the hall of a school damaged by an airstrike from Russian forces in Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas. Advertisement The loss of the Moskva could delay any new, wide-ranging offensive. Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, across the Black Sea to the northwest of Sevastopol, said the Ukrainians struck the ship with two Neptune missiles and caused serious damage. Russias Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, without saying what caused the blaze. It said the main missile weapons were not damaged. In addition to the cruise missiles, the warship also had air-defense missiles and other guns. The Neptune is an anti-ship missile that was recently developed by Ukraine and based on an earlier Soviet design. The launchers are mounted on trucks stationed near the coast, and, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missiles can hit targets up to 175 miles away. That would have put the Moskva within range, based on where it was when the fire began. Launched as the Slava in 1979, the cruiser saw service in the Cold War and during conflicts in Georgia and Syria, and helped conduct peacetime scientific research with the United States. During the Cold War, it carried nuclear weapons. In 1989, the Slava was supposed to host a meeting off Malta between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, but gale-force winds moved the talks to the docked cruiser Maxim Gorky. Advertisement On Thursday, other Russian ships that were also in the northern Black Sea moved further south after the Moskva caught fire, said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military assessments. Before the Moskva sank, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, told AP its removal would mean we can only have a sigh of relief. While the U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a big blow to Russia. Daily Top Stories Daily Get the day's top news, sports, opinion, features and local events. > Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack, and neither is a particularly good outcome for them, Sullivan told the Economic Club of Washington. Russia invaded on Feb. 24 and has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It has also further inflated prices at grocery stores and gasoline pumps, while dragging on the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the war helped push the organization to downgrade economic forecasts for 143 countries. Advertisement Also Thursday, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sending two low-flying military helicopters some 7 miles across the border and firing on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo, in Russias Bryansk region. Russias Investigative Committee said seven people, including a toddler, were wounded. Russias state security service had earlier said Ukrainian forces fired mortar rounds at a border post in Bryansk as refugees were crossing, forcing them to flee. The reports could not be independently verified. Earlier this month, Ukrainian security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an air strike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, some 35 miles from the border. Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report. As expected in the wake of Finland's announcement early this week that it could decide to apply for NATO membership "within weeks" - Russia has upped the ante by threatening nuclear escalation if that should happen. Sky News has cited the Thursday words of deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, as follows: Russia has said there will be "no more talk of a nuclear-free Baltic" if Sweden and Finland join NATO. Such a development would more than double the length of the military alliance's land borders with Russia, Moscow added. ers Moscow sees the prospect as a hugely dire threat to its security interests given it shares an 810-mile-long border with Finland. Putin has long explained the decision to invade Ukraine starting on Feb.24 by citing NATO expansion up to Russia's borders. "There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic - the balance must be restored," said Medvedev, a close Putin-ally and the former president. "Until today, Russia has not taken such measures and was not going to," Medvedev added. "If our hand is forced well... take note it wasn't us who proposed this." "No sane person wants higher prices and higher taxes, increased tensions along borders, Iskanders, hypersonics, and ships with nuclear weapons literally at arm's length from their own home," Medvedev went on to say. "Let's hope that the common sense of our northern neighbors will win," he added, appealing to the fact that both Finland and Sweden prior to the Ukraine war were neutral, expressly having a policy of staying out of NATO. He said that if Finland is indeed poised to join the Western military alliance, then land borders will have to be strengthened. Russia would have to "seriously strengthen the grouping of ground forces and air defense (and) deploy significant naval forces in the Gulf of Finland," he said. Map source: The Daily Mail Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson met in Stockholm on Wednesday to hold high-level consultations on the matter of entering NATO, given that the decision of each would likely have a great impact on the other. Marin confirmed that Finland will now open serious domestic debate on the matter of seeking NATO membership by the close of spring or summer. FT is reporting that a decision will come "within weeks" - based on statements out of Helsinki. Sweden has meanwhile said at this point it plans to seek formal membership. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In the space of only a few months, Kazakhstan has seen a major outburst of violent civil unrest within its own borders and then an invasion of Ukraine launched by its neighbor to the north, Russia. It is against this backdrop that the government has, despite a sharp projected drop in the rate of economic growth, decided to substantially increase its defense outlays. On April 7, Deputy Finance Minister Tatyana Savelyeva presented a three-year budget to the parliament that envisioned an additional 441 billion tenge (around $1 billion) in spending in 2022 on increasing combat readiness and upgrading the equipment of law enforcement and emergency situation agencies. The government had said in December that it would be spending 859 billion tenge on the military, policing and emergency services. The bulk of that enhanced spending will go toward boosting the number of special forces units operating under the auspices of the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, and the Defense Ministry, as well as acquiring more equipment, including military transport aircraft. The salaries of military personnel will be hiked by up to 40 percent. For context, according to the Military Expenditure Database compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, neighboring Uzbekistan spent the equivalent of $1.4 billion on defense in 2018, the most recent year for which there is available data. The motivations for this sudden profligacy, just as the government has downgraded its economic growth forecast for this year from 3.9 percent to 2.1 percent, are not hard to guess. Related: Yergin: Europe Gears Up To Sanctions Russian Energy Supplies In the first few days of January, Kazakhstan was stunned by a wave of politically tinged violence in its business capital, Almaty, that forced President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev into the humiliating position of having to appeal to a Moscow-led defense alliance, the CSTO, for help. Tokayev sought to cast the turbulence as the work of foreign-based troublemakers exploiting the legitimate grievances of the local population, but most observers give this narrative little credence. Elite infighting is believed to be a more persuasive explanation. Apparent poor discipline within the army, law enforcement agencies and the security services only worsened the situation. Reform of the defense apparatus is not confined only to spending. The imminent prospect of a major shakeup was evident even before the turmoil in Almaty had been quelled. On January 5, Tokayev removed his predecessor, former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, as head of the security council. Two weeks later, he fired Defense Minister Murat Bektanov, accusing him of demonstrating a lack of leadership abilities during the worst security crisis the country had experienced in its three decades of independence. In February, a military commission convened to discuss plans on how to root out effectiveness-sapping corruption from the armed forces. Measures to combat corruption in the army will be aimed at eradicating bureaucracy, increasing transparency and openness, the chairman of the commission, Deputy Defense Minister Sultan Kamaletdinov, said at the meeting. A string of corruption scandals involving the acquisition of overpriced, low-quality weaponry has claimed the jobs of many officials over the years. In 2010, one former deputy defense minister was sentenced to 11 years in prison for buying shoddy mortars and howitzers from an Israeli businessman. Officials have accordingly stressed that particular attention is being devoted to avoiding graft during the procurement process. Military personnel involved in overseeing this side of business will be made to undergo lie detector tests, the Defense Ministry has said. Transparency is even purportedly being extended to catering, an area ripe for cost-cutting and concomitant embezzlement. A public association known as the Committee of Soldiers' Mothers is being invited to keep an eye on how food for troops is acquired and served. Sergei Duvanov, an opposition-leaning journalist and activist who has been strongly critical of Russias invasion of Ukraine, argues that this planned overhaul of the armed forces should have happened a long time ago. Corruption has corroded our army, like all branches of government, he told Eurasianet. And then there is Russia. Kazakhstan and Russia are ostensibly very tight allies. They both belong to the Collective Security Treaty Organization and routinely take part in joint military readiness exercises. Related: How Egypt Could Become A Critical Energy Hub But the war in Ukraine is fueling nervousness. This is only compounded by frequent and unfounded allegations by chauvinist Russian pundits and politicians about ethnic Russians, who account for almost 20 percent of Kazakhstans overall population, facing discrimination from ethnic Kazakhs. Those complaints echo similarly baseless allegations made over the years of Ukrainian mistreatment of Russian speakers. Nobody has done more to foment Kazakh anxieties than Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remarked ominously in August 2014, just as war was raging in eastern Ukraine, that his Kazakh counterpart, Nazarbayev, had created a state on territory where no state had ever existed. The Kazakhs had never had statehood. He created it. In this sense, he is a unique person for the former Soviet space and for Kazakhstan too, Putin said at the time. Russian revanchists deny the legitimate existence of Ukraine in similar terms. In its current state, however, Kazakhstans army is in little condition to discourage hypothetical saber-rattling from the north. Last month, independent news website Orda cited military sources as expressing dismay over the antiquated condition of their defense equipment, much of which was produced as early as the 1960s. The armys arsenal of Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon systems, which are designed to protect troops from low-flying aircraft and helicopters, are completely out of order, one officer told the website. Orda also obtained letters written in February by the command at a military unit in the southern Kordai district complaining about defects with their Soviet-made Prima multiple launch rocket systems. It is not always possible to fire them on the first go, the letter stated. Restarting the control panel is required. Kazakhstans army is likewise plagued by shoddy ammunition storage standards. A series of blasts at a munition depot in the southern Zhambyl region in August 2021 killed at least 12 people and wounded over 90. That happened just two years after a near-identical event near the town of Arys, in the southern Turkestan region, where a colossal blast forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of nearby residents. When it comes to buying new weaponry, some experts are eager to see Kazakhstan rely less on Russia-made arms. Yuri Poita, a Ukraine-based Asia-Pacific analyst at the New Geopolitics Research Network, said that Kazakhstan is primarily equipped with Russian arms that are often inferior to Western- and even Chinese-made analogs. Such weaponry can only be used in limited-scale and medium-intensity combat against weak states or illegal armed groups, Poita told Eurasianet. Today, the decisive factor is not the number of armored vehicles and troops, but the availability of modern high-tech equipment, including high-precision weapons. The urgency on defense spending marks a stark change from the posture seen as recently as last year, when Adylbek Aldabergenov, an advisor to the defense minister, stated in an interview to a Kremlin-run outlet that he saw little need for an arms race when the country was preoccupied by far more pressing social problems. In late February, just as Russia started its invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan placed its armed forces on high alert. Since then, members of the public have noticed regular movement of troops and military equipment around the country, which has, in turn, sparked rumors that forces were mustering along the border with Russia. The Defense Ministry has categorically denied that speculation and said the movements were being carried out as part of earlier-planned military exercises. For all those denials, it is an inescapable fact that Russias recent behavior is forcing a reckoning, and not just in Kazakhstan. As Erica Marat, an associate professor at the National Defense University in Washington, told Eurasianet, the depth of the brutality and violence that Moscow is unleashing through its special operation in Ukraine has come as a total surprise to Central Asian countries. It would be strange to imagine that Kazakhstan is not considering the possibility of Russian aggression after this, Marat said. Until recently, this seemed absurd, but not now. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Supermajors Shell and TotalEnergies were among the winning bidders in an oil auction in Brazil that offered 59 exploration blocks, including several in the Santos Basin and several in the Potiguar Basin. The auction fetched $90.10 million in signature bonuses, which represented a premium of over 800 percent. Exploration in the blocks could draw some $86.5 million (406.3 million reais) in investments. Shell won the rights to explore in six blocks in the Santos Basin, Reuters reported. The supermajor was bidding in consortium with Colombias state oil company Ecopetrol. TotalEnergies also won the rights to explore in the Santos Basin, but for two blocks. Brazilian company 3R Petroleum won exploration licenses for six blocks in the Potiguar Basin. Brazil is among the ten largest oil producers globally, but it has major ambitions to move up the ranks. Earlier this month, the countrys Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, announced the government planned to expand national production of oil by 300,000 bpd this year, or about 10 percent from last year. Currently, Brazil produces about 3 million bpd. Commenting on the supply situation in global oil, Albuquerque told Brazilian media that Countries that have stock, like the US, Japan, India, and others, are releasing. But there also has to be an effort to increase production. She [Jennifer Granholm] asked me if Brazil could be part of this effort and I said of course it can. We are already increasing production, while most OECD countries have reduced. We have increased our production in the last 3 years. Meanwhile, Brazils domestic oil demand is on the rise, too. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has forecast that Brazils oil demand will expand by 34 percent over the next 30 years, and state oil major Petrobras is working on production growth. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: 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? 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 train that pulled in across the platform and exited after the first stop. 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 with whom he had lived 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. 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. 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. 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. On Twitter, follow Bernard Condon at twitter.com/bernardfcondon, Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Michael Kunzelman at twitter.com/Kunzelman75 and send confidential news tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Ri Chun Hi, North Koreas most famous state TV anchor, has announced major events for decades, including nuclear and missile tests and the death of a leader, with an instantly identifiable, passionate voice. The anchor, dubbed the pink lady abroad for her bright traditional Korean attire, became the topic of official North Korean media herself Thursday after leader Kim Jong Un gave her a luxurious residence and asked her to continue to serve as the voice of his ruling Workers Party. Experts say Kim is providing special treatment to elite North Koreans to boost their loyalty as he grapples with the pandemic, a troubled economy and a stalemate in nuclear diplomacy with the United States. (Kim) said it is the sincerity of the party that it would spare nothing for a national treasure like her, who has worked as a revolutionary announcer for the party for more than 50 years since her girlhood, the official Korean Central News Agency said. Kim expressed his expectation that she would as ever vigorously continue her work in good health as befitting a spokeswoman for the party. Kim met Ri, who is about 79, on Wednesday after inaugurating a newly built riverside terraced residential district in Pyongyang, the capital, KCNA said. It said houses in the district were presented to Ri and other people who have given distinguished service to the state. North Korea often inaugurates construction projects to mark key state anniversaries. Friday is the 110th birthday of Kims late grandfather, state founder Kim Il Sung. Its the most important anniversary in North Korea, which has been ruled by three generations of the Kim family since its foundation in 1948. The new housing area is where Kim Il Sungs official residence was located until the 1970s. Pyongyang is North Koreas showcase city, and its elite residents enjoy relatively affluent lives compared with people in remote rural areas where many still suffer from poverty and malnutrition. A majority of North Koreans who have fled the country in the past two decades have come from its northern regions close to the border with China. By giving houses to those who have been faithful to him, Kim Jong Un would want to further bolster their loyalty and internal unity, said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst with the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. Ri Chun Hi is a clear example of such people as shes strongly propagated his nuclear and missile tests and served as a sort of bugler for him. Kim toured Ris house with her and held her hand as they descended the stairs. Ri said she felt her new house is like a hotel and that all her family members stayed up all night in tears of deep gratitude for the partys benevolence, according to KCNA. Ri later used her trademark over-the-top speaking technique to narrate a state TV video of Kim showing her the house. Ri joined state TV in the early 1970s when the country was still governed by Kim Il Sung, and she has gradually become the face and voice of the countrys propaganda-driven news broadcasts. Her close ties to Kim were shown last year at a government foundation anniversary ceremony when she watched from an elevated veranda right next to Kim, and at one point put her hand on his shoulder and whispered to him. At another event, she was the first person to shake Kim's hand before holding his arm and posing for a group photo. Moon, the analyst, said Ri receives Cabinet member-level treatment at home, appears healthy and is expected to continue to handle key televised announcements for at least the next few years. Ri's passionate, effusive style has sometimes generated laughter in other countries. In 2011, a Taiwanese TV station apologized after one of its newsreaders mimicked the tone Ri used when she announced the death of Kims father, Kim Jong Il. Since inheriting power upon his father's death, Kim Jong Un, 38, has led North Korea with absolute authority. But he is facing one of the toughest moments of his rule after the coronavirus pandemic shocked an economy already in dire shape from mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions. Analysts say recent missile tests were meant to advance his weapons arsenal and pressure the U.S. into recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state and relaxing international sanctions. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. On Twitter follow Bernard Condon at twitter.com/bernardfcondon, Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Michael Kunzelman at twitter.com/Kunzelman75 and send confidential news tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BOSTON (AP) A California-based finance company has agreed to pay more than $900,000 to settle allegations that it was illegally leasing dogs in Massachusetts, the state attorney general's office said. As part of the agreement entered in Suffolk Superior Court on Wednesday, Monterey Financial Services LLC will stop collecting on active leases, cancel about $700,000 in outstanding consumer debt on 211 dog leases about $3,300 owed per lease and transfer full ownership of the dogs to Massachusetts residents, authorities said. The company will also provide $175,000 in restitution to consumers and pay $50,000 to the state. Leasing dogs is illegal in Massachusetts, and can often be an expensive way to own a pet because of high finance charges, according to the attorney general. Authorities had alleged that the Oceanside, California, firm violated Massachusetts consumer protection laws by purchasing and collecting on leases for dogs, and engaged in illegal practices to collect outstanding balances on those leases. Monterey in a statement Thursday said it stood by its record of high levels of performance for our clients, low consumer complaint ratios, and a deep-rooted dedication to customer service." While we disagree with the states findings, we have elected to come to an agreement to move away from this issue to best serve our clients," the statement said. Monterey has and continues to strive to employ business practices in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations." Leasing a dog is much like leasing a car, the attorney general's office said. The consumer must make monthly payments for the duration of the lease, plus an additional payment at the end of the lease to ultimately own the dog. Missed payments can result in the dog being repossessed, the office said. Families in Massachusetts looking to get a dog should not be trapped in leasing agreements that are harmful, expensive, and illegal, Attorney General Maura Healey said in a statement. The attorney general's office learned of Montereys dog leasing practices while it was investigating another financial company, Nevada-based Credova Financial, which agreed to waive more than $126,000 in consumer debt. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday signed a bill pushed by state Republicans to overturn three communities policies that could help immigrants stay in the state illegally. The bill was filed after Wyandotte County passed a sanctuary ordinance in February that would provide local identification cards for immigrants and other residents and would prevent local law enforcement from helping the federal government enforce immigration laws unless public safety is threatened. Lawrence and Roeland Park have similar ordinances. Kelly said in a statement announcing that she would sign the bill that immigration policy is a federal responsibility which can't be resolved at the local level. Both Republicans and Democrats in Washington have failed to address immigration issues for decades, Kelly said. We need a national solution and we need it now. The Kansas House and Senate passed the bill in recent weeks and supporters had the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override a Kelly veto. The bill nullifies the three existing ordinances and bans future ones that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill also says a local ID isnt valid for voting. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt had urged lawmakers to intervene after Wyandotte County passed its ordinance last month. Schmidt, who is the presumed Republican nominee for governor, said in a statement Monday the Biden administration's failure to secure the U.S. southern border jeopardizes public safety in Kansas. "Under this new law, Kansas law enforcement will be able to resume working professionally with federal immigration authorities as the needs of public safety require and not be silenced by a patchwork of local sanctuary city gag orders, he said. Kelly said the law could prevent people who rely on local IDs from voting and she urged the Legislature to send her another bill that ensures those people, such as the elderly people and those with disabilities, can continue to vote. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Maybe the fourth time will be the charm. An Omaha attorney was sentenced to probation Wednesday the fourth time he has received a probationary term for a number of alcohol- and drug-related offenses. Douglas County District Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf sentenced Robb Gage, 45, to 30 months probation after the former criminal defense attorney pleaded no contest to two felonies: possession of cocaine and possession of fentanyl. Gage also had possessed heroin, methamphetamine and mushrooms but pleaded to the two felonies as part of a plea bargain. The maximum sentence for drug possession, a class IV felony in Nebraska: 20 months in prison. The judge said Gages status as an attorney was not a factor in her decision to give him probation. Rather, Retelsdorf said, state law designates class IV felonies as the lowest category of felonies. As such, the judge said, probation is the presumed punishment unless there is a compelling and substantial reason to impose a prison sentence. Gage has done everything he could to rehabilitate after his recent arrest, said his attorney, Greg Pivovar. He went to two residential treatment facilities, including the Betty Ford Clinic. Hes lived at a halfway house. Every week, he attends support group meetings, either Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. And Pivovar noted that, for the first time in his life, Gage has been convicted of felony offenses. Gage who had done criminal defense work, including court-ordered appointments, primarily at the Douglas County Courthouse had misdemeanor DUIs in 2004 and 2008. In 2012, Gage narrowly avoided a felony conviction for aggravated drunken driving after he drove drunk while speeding, rear-ended another driver on Douglas Street and took off running on the street that stretches between the Douglas County Courthouse and the U.S. District Courthouse. In that case, Douglas County District Judge Michael Coffey reduced Gages felony DUI to a misdemeanor, after a toxicologist testified that Gage may have been under the .15 aggravated BAC threshold. In this case, prosecutors allowed Gage to plead to two of the four felonies he faced but declined to reduce them to misdemeanors. Its hard to say a felony conviction is a good thing, but it probably saved his life, Pivovar told the judge Wednesday. Pivovar said a report provided to the court by the probation officer showed theres no other sentence for him but probation. Theres no question in the world that he will complete whatever this court tells him to do. Hes just looking forward to getting this behind him and getting back to being a lawyer, eventually, again. Deputy Douglas County Attorney Dan Donnelly objected to probation, arguing that Gage didnt learn from his first three probations and that Gage should be held to a higher standard because of his status as an attorney. Donnelly pointed out that Gage was caught not only with the casserole of drugs but with a client who had hired Gage to fight heroin possession charges. The two were ingesting a buffet of mind-altering drugs, including potentially lethal fentanyl and heroin, in Gages downtown apartment. Prosecutors questioned whether Gage was giving advice to clients that would stall narcotics investigations and would lead to each client getting a less-favorable result. Gage denied that. It presents a huge conflict of interest, Donnelly said. Its our position hes not an appropriate candidate for probation. Retelsdorf acknowledged that she had concerns because Gage was an officer of the court while he was engaged in criminal behavior. We always have high expectations in the legal profession as well as the medical profession, she said. But I think the concerns the state has belong in the (attorney) disciplinary process. I wouldnt punish him differently because hes a lawyer. I treat Mr. Gage just as I would anyone else who comes in front of me. The Nebraska Supreme Court suspended Gages law license in an emergency order last year. Pivovar said Gage hopes to work his way back to regaining his law license but realizes it will take time. For now, Gage is working at a restaurant and focusing on his sobriety, Pivovar said. Gage has said he has an addictive personality. Prosecutors have said he overdosed in 2017 and twice in 2019. More recently, he had to be resuscitated with Narcan a drug used to revive those going through an overdose. In August, while this case was pending, Gage was found slumped behind the wheel of his car near 30th and Lake Streets. Gage told police he had taken hydrocodone pills for a toothache, but authorities doubted that account. After that episode, Gage told The World-Herald that kicking his addiction is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Wednesday he told the judge: I apologize for my serious misconduct. Any more misconduct will result in prison time, Retelsdorf warned. Youre very honest about being an addict, and thats obviously step one, she said. You have had multiple probations, so you know what will happen if you dont follow (probation terms). I can guarantee you the state will file a violation. And then I really wont have much choice. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. > 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. Advertisement 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. 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. NEW YORK (AP) Colombian President Ivan Duque said Wednesday there is evidence and testimony that seriously implicate practically all of the former Colombian soldiers being held in Haiti in the assassination of that country's president, Jovenel Moise. In an interview with The Associated Press, Duque said the arrested ex-soldiers still need to be tried, but that clearly, based on the testimony of many," it is evident "that there is a level of implication in the July 7 killing of Moise, who was assassinated at his home in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. More than 40 people have been arrested in Haiti in connection with the killing, including several Haitian police officers, a former Haitian senator and 18 former Colombian soldiers. Duque struck a harsher tone than in the past regarding the Colombians held in Haiti since shortly after the killing. Previously, he had said a small group of recruiters knew what the real intention of the ex-soldiers trip to Haiti was and they misrepresented the goal of the mission to the former soldiers. The president told AP on Wednesday that he never said the former soldiers were misled. I have always said that an investigation has to be carried out, and the investigation has been done, and in fact the Colombian police contributed, he said. And in fact, one of the people who fled from Haiti, who was later captured, talked about the level of involvement." Duque seemed to be referring to Mario Antonio Jose Palacios, identified as one of the main suspects in Moises murder. He is detained in Florida. According to the accusations, Palacios spoke voluntarily and said he was hired to travel to Haiti to offer security and participate in a purported operation to arrest the president. Families of the ex-soldiers have complained that the detainees have not been able to defend themselves in Haiti and do not have lawyers. In July, Duque said that within the group (of former soldiers) there were people who had received different instructions. Even so, the president pointed out that regardless of the level of knowledge one had, it was clear the entire group participated in the assassination. That same month he also told a radio station that everything indicates a large group of people who arrived in Haiti were blindfolded, taken for a supposed protection mission, while others, a small group apparently, had detailed knowledge of the criminal operation and the intent to kill the president of Haiti. On Wednesday, Duque said Colombias hands are tied in the judicial process in Haiti. We can try to work diplomatically to guarantee that the trial be carried out earlier and that they have a minimum of conditions as inmates. But beyond that, Colombia cannot act, because clearly there are some facts. There are some accusations. There are some testimonies, the president said. Duque, a conservative who cannot seek re-election in Colombias May 29 presidential election. also spoke about the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro in neighboring Venezuela. In 2019, Duque said that Maduro's administration had very few hours left. On Wednesday he acknowledged receiving criticism for making that comment. Maybe, if you look at it in hindsight, maybe if I looked at it with a self-critical sense, I would say, well, I shouldnt have done it, Duque said. But what I can say clearly is that, thank God, we raised our voice. Thank God, more than 50 countries reject that dictatorship. Many people say, well, but then you are going to end your government in August and Maduro will continue to be the dictator of Venezuela. Perhaps. But I am not going to stop working a single day in my life for the freedom of Venezuela, because the freedom of Venezuela is also the protection of Colombia, Duque added. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) Peter Lyoya took his six children from Congo in 2014 to escape violence. Now he fears he brought them to the U.S. to die. A Michigan police officer fatally shot his eldest son, 26-year-old Patrick, in the head this month following a traffic stop in Grand Rapids. Video released Wednesday shows a brief foot chase and struggle over the white officer's Taser before he shoots Patrick Lyoya in the head as the Black man is face down on the ground. Peter Lyoya said Thursday that he came to the U.S. to get away from prolonged civil unrest in which several rebel groups have vied for control of territories in mineral-rich eastern Congo. Patrick, who had two young children of his own, lived in Grand Rapids and visited Lansing on weekends and would spend money on his siblings, his father said. Patrick never had a problem with anybody," his dad told The Associated Press through an interpreter during an interview at his Lansing apartment. He and his wife later spoke at an emotional news conference in Grand Rapids, a city of about 200,000 people that's about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. In the April 4 encounter, the officer repeatedly ordered Patrick Lyoya to let go of the Taser. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom cited a need for transparency when releasing video collected from a passenger in the car Lyoya was driving, the officers body camera, the officers patrol car and a doorbell camera. Winstrom did not identify the officer, a seven-year veteran who is on paid leave while state police investigate the shooting. Lawyers for the Lyoya family said the officer should be prosecuted and fired. The video shows us that this is as his mother and father have said an execution. And there is no way to try to spin it or justify, prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump said as Patrick's parents cried. It is an unjustifiable use of deadly force because the police escalated a traffic stop into an execution. The Lyoyas also asked for police to release the officers name. Patricks brothers and sisters want to know who killed him and would like to see his picture so they can know this is the person that took our beloved one," Peter Lyoya said. Prosecutor Chris Becker, who will decide whether any charges are warranted, said the public should not expect a quick decision. Video shows Patrick Lyoya running from the officer who stopped him for driving with a license plate that did not belong to the vehicle. They struggled in front of several homes. Winstrom said the fight over the Taser lasted about 90 seconds. In the final moments, the officer was on top of Lyoya, kneeling on his back at times. From my view of the video, Taser was deployed twice. Taser did not make contact," Winstrom, a former high-ranking Chicago police commander who became Grand Rapids chief in March, told reporters. And Mr. Lyoya was shot in the head. However, thats the only information that I have. The traffic stop was tense from the start. Video shows Lyoya getting out of the car before the officer approached. He ordered Lyoya to get back in the vehicle, but the man declined. The officer demanded his driver's license and asked him if he spoke English. Lyoya responded yes" and said the license was in the vehicle. The foot chase began after Lyoya closed the car door and started walking. The officer told Lyoya to stop" and tried to pull his hands behind his back. Lyoya's mother, Dorcas, told reporters that she thought the family was in a safe place after leaving Congo and was astonished to see that my son has been killed with (a) bullet." "That was my beloved son. You know how you love your firstborn son, she said through an interpreter. Crump said the officer could have waited for backup once Lyoya ran but instead got violent." He accused him of not following proper training by using the Taser while close to Lyoya, saying it was Lyoya's natural instinct to try to stop from being stunned. Because the Taser was fired twice, it was ineffective without being reloaded, Crump said. There was no reason for him to have any intimate fear of the Taser being used against him, he said of the officer. However, a Taser can still deliver a shock after the two cartridges are spent if a person holds it against someone and fires. What is known as a drive stun does not incapacitate the person but does hurt, according to Andrew J. Scott III, an expert in police practices and procedures and a former police chief in Boca Raton, Florida. A Taser can also be used that when the cartridges are still in the weapon. Officers sometimes do that in the hope that they will not have to deploy the Taser's probes. As in many U.S. cities, Grand Rapids police have been occasionally criticized over the use of force, particularly against Black people, who make up 18% of the population. Several hundred protesters gathered outside the Grand Rapids Police Department following Wednesday's release of the videos. The demonstration remained nonviolent. A downtown street has been designated Breonna Taylor Way, named for the Black woman and Grand Rapids native who was killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, during a botched drug raid in 2020. Her mother, Tamika Palmer, attended the news conference with the Lyoya family, their legal team and community leaders. We cant keep letting these people kill our children," she said. Nichols and Eggert report from Lansing, Michigan. AP writer Don Babwin in Chicago contributed. 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. Elise Poole was trying to flee from tear gas fired by police when she was struck in the face by a projectile fired by an unknown officer, the lawsuit alleged. LINCOLN Nebraska schools will have to teach about the Holocaust and other acts of genocide abroad under a bill passed by the Legislature Wednesday. But Legislative Bill 888 wont require education about slavery, lynching and racial massacres in the United States, after lawmakers under pressure from the Governors Office removed an amendment added to the bill earlier. State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who introduced the amendment, objected strenuously when lawmakers voted 27-13 to remove it on Monday. On Wednesday, he attempted unsuccessfully to add that language back into the bill before it passed on a 40-1 vote. Wayne said he supports Holocaust education but believes schools should also acknowledge the massacres that have happened closer to home. He argued that removing the amendment sends a message to Black and other racial minorities that their history does not matter. This is deeply personal to me, Wayne said. We cannot whitewash our history. But Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, the sponsor of LB 888, defended her bill. She said lawmakers had been put in the uncomfortable position of either dropping the slavery and racial massacres amendment or seeing the Holocaust education bill fail this year. I am not willing to let this bill die without a fight because this bill is not about me, she said, saying it was about the millions of people who suffered from antisemitism. Similar bills have been pushed for years by groups wanting to ensure that future generations learn the lessons of the Holocaust and the potential outcomes of unchecked hate. The Holocaust refers to the organized killing of about 6 million European Jews by the Nazis and their allies during World War II. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers said the addition of Waynes amendment violated his policy against making substantial changes in bills designated as speaker priority bills, as LB 888 was. Hilgers said he was busy with other things when lawmakers adopted the amendment on a 31-0 vote last week and so he did not say anything at the time. Wayne and others said members of Gov. Pete Ricketts Policy Research Office had been the ones raising concerns about the amendment. On Wednesday, Ricketts said his office objected from a procedural standpoint. That was not anything to do with the content, he said. However, Ricketts last year criticized the University of Nebraska-Lincoln over its new racial equity plan. He also backed a failed attempt by GOP gubernatorial candidate and University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen to ban any imposition of critical race theory in the NU system. NU leaders opposed Pillens measure, arguing, in part, that it was unnecessary. Opponents of critical race theory use the term to cover a broad range of anti-racism and diversity curriculum and initiatives. The theory itself is generally taught at the graduate level and refers to a way of looking at systems, institutions and laws through the lens of race and racism. Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha argued Wednesday for including the slavery amendment in LB 888. He said children need to learn the true history of America. Its important to learn about the history of America to change America, he said. But others said lawmakers should move forward with what they could now, rather than lose on both issues. Adding the amendment back into the bill Wednesday, the next-to-last day of the session, would have meant it would run out of time to get passed this year. Killing the bill would not be a win in the battle against White supremacy, said Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. Former Sen. Sara Howard of Omaha sponsored a similar Holocaust education bill in 2019, to which lawmakers added an amendment from former Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers requiring teaching about slavery, lynching and racial massacres in America. The measure died for lack of time. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State Sen. Megan Hunt is vying for a second term in the Nebraska Legislature, but she faces two conservative opponents wanting to give voters a different option. Hunt, a registered Democrat in the officially nonpartisan but Republican-dominated Legislature, represents District 8, which includes the Benson and Keystone neighborhoods. The district roughly covers an area north of Dodge Street, west of Northwest Radial Highway and Fontenelle Boulevard, east of 90th Street and south of Crown Point Avenue. It includes the Benson and Keystone neighborhoods. After finishing first in the 2018 primary, Hunt handily won election with 64% of the vote over Democrat Mina Davis. This year, she is challenged by Republicans Marilyn Arant Asher and Katie Opitz. Legislative races are nonpartisan, meaning party affiliation does not appear on the ballot. Hunt decided to run for office after she got involved in a grassroots effort to update the sex education curriculum in Omaha Public Schools in 2015. Though she had previously been involved in the community, running a stationery boutique in town, she said that was the first time people saw her as a political leader, not just a business leader. Since her election, Hunt said she has tried to confront the biggest issues she believes are at the root of what people dislike about Nebraska, such as racial justice and the states minimum wage. Recently, Hunt led a filibuster that killed a bill that would have banned all abortion in Nebraska if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Megan Hunt Age: 35 Party: Democrat Occupation: Owner of Five Nine Shop & Project boutique Home: Omaha Elected offices held: District 8 state senator, 2019-present Education: Bachelor's degree in intercultural communication and German, Dana College Family: one child Campaign website: meganfornebraska.com Top priority: Nebraska must prioritize policies to retain and attract our nations brightest minds, of all ages and backgrounds, to reduce brain drain and keep our communities strong. Hunt introduced several bills seeking to lift certain limitations on abortion, including one intended to allow medical abortions a non-surgical method that uses medication to terminate a pregnancy in its early stages to be conducted via telemedicine. Those bills failed to advance in the Legislature. Some of Hunts other efforts faced similar headwinds, including a bill extending food assistance eligibility to certain drug felons. Hunt did find success in 2021 with a bill extending eligibility for unemployment benefits to Nebraskans forced to quit a job to care for a seriously ill family member. It was signed into law. If reelected, she said, her constituents can expect her priorities to remain the same. She hopes to promote legislation that supports Nebraska families. While she considers her time serving in the Legislature the honor of my life, she said she tries not to have too much of an ego about it, because she knows it will ultimately take up a small fraction of her life. Its a small slice in the pie chart of my life, Hunt said. Hunt did not share any comments about either of her two opponents, but she said she was happy to have competition, as that is important to a functioning democracy. Opitz said she decided to run for office because, at the time, Hunt was running unopposed, and she is against most of Hunts values. I didnt have anyone to vote for, Opitz said. Opitz grew up in Omaha. She moved back to the city in 1999 with her husband to raise their children after spending nearly a decade in Portland, Oregon. On her campaign website, Opitz described herself as a Bible-believing Christian who was not groomed to be political. This is her first time running for office. Opitz currently works as an educator at A Latere Academy, a Christian home education program. If elected, Opitz said, she will fight to allow families and school boards to be able to make decisions at the local level, as well as support medical autonomy. She said this refers to the recent talk of vaccine and mask mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which she opposes, but it also is a much broader subject. Katie Opitz Age: 51 Party: Republican Occupation: Educator, A Latere Academy Home: Omaha Elected offices held: none Education: High school diploma; attended University of South Dakota (did not attain a degree) Family: Married, five children Faith: Non-denominational Christian Campaign website: voteopitz.com Top priority: My top priority is individual liberty. I will fight to protect our right to speak without the fear of censorship, our right to practice our religion, our right to own guns, our right to bodily autonomy without the fear of forced medical procedures, the right for safe and private spaces for women and girls, and parental rights. Individual liberty is my top priority because all the other very important issues I will fight for (fiscal stewardship, more localized/smaller government, lowering property taxes, protecting our farms, etc,) mean very little if we lose our individual rights. Decisions should be made by ourselves with our doctors, Opitz said. This is also Arant Ashers first time running for a political office. In an email, she said she decided to run because she was concerned for Nebraskas future and because her district needs someone who fairly represents all the citizens. There are people in Nebraska who want to fundamentally change America and are pushing a social agenda that is not in the best interest of our future, Arant Asher said in the email. Along with her husband, Arant Asher owns a residential rental business, Asher Valley Farms LLC. Until recently, she and her husband were also executive directors of Nebraskans for Founders Values, a Christian activist group. She said she and her husband resigned when she filed as a candidate. Arant Asher also worked as a volunteer coordinator for multiple years at the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility, where she worked to ensure inmates could practice their faith. Her top three priorities, according to her campaign website, are tax relief, funding the police and back to basics education, specifically promoting the instruction of reading and math and increasing parental choice in curriculum. Marilyn Arant Asher Age: 71 Party: Republican Occupation: Co-owner of Asher Valley Farms LLC Home: Omaha Elected offices held: none Education: Master's degree in organizational leadership, Crown College Family: Married, three children Faith: Protestant Campaign website: Marilynasher.com Top priority: Promote property tax relief, protect Nebraska citizens by supporting law enforcement, prepare Nebraska children for the future by providing Back to Basic education and parental school choice. Arant Asher also said she is concerned about immigrants coming into Nebraska. If elected, she said, she wants to work on vetting immigrants and ensuring they become invested in the state as naturalized citizens who contribute to, rather than depend on, Nebraskas resources. I am fairly fluent in Spanish and have traveled extensively in Latin America, Arant Asher said in the email. I have seen the impoverished conditions which these people are escaping. But we will not have much more to offer them here if we cannot get the flow of people contained. Correction: This story has been corrected to say Arant Asher worked as a volunteer coordinator at the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two youthful challengers are taking on a 66-year-old incumbent in the primary race for the District 14 legislative seat, representing La Vista and part of Papillion. John Arch, the incumbent, is a longtime hospital administrator who has focused on health care issues during his four-year term. He will square off against Rob Plugge, a 29-year-old software developer from La Vista, and Cori Villegas, 26, a behavioral therapist from Papillion. Neither has run for office before. Arch is a Republican, while Plugge and Villegas are Democrats. Legislative races are officially nonpartisan, and the top two finishers in the May 10 primary will advance to the general election in November. The three are running to represent a Sarpy County district that runs from the Douglas County line south to Schram Road, and from 108th Street east to 72nd Street and Big Papillion Creek. The district's boundaries changed only slightly in last years redistricting. The solidly Republican district turned a shade bluer, with the percentage of registered GOP and Democratic voters shifting from 46-27 in 2018 to 42-28 this year. In the Legislature, Arch chairs the Health and Human Services committee. He has made his mark with legislation that may not earn big headlines but that he sees greatly improving the delivery of health care services in Nebraska. Arch pushed for an overhaul to the states Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers after revelations of serious problems at facilities in Geneva and Kearney, and authored a bill to create a legislative oversight committee for them. He also sponsored legislation to promote telehealth medicine in Nebraska, ensuring equal payments for mental health treatments and allowing telehealth appointments from any location, not just at a clinic. The expansion of telehealth was a good step for health care, particularly for rural Nebraska, Arch said. His efforts in the past year have been focused on cleaning up the mess from Kansas-based St. Francis Ministries failed management of Omaha-area child welfare cases. In 2019, St. Francis underbid the longtime service provider, PromiseShip, by 60%, then later required large infusions of cash from the state when it couldnt provide the services. Arch chaired the legislative oversight committee that responded to the crisis. During the initial bid review, PromiseShip outscored St. Francis in every area except cost. St. Francis won the contract. We have a system that disproportionately favors the low bidder, Arch said. They followed the process. If that was the outcome, then the problem is the process. In light of this and two previous contract failures involving Medicaid systems, Arch sponsored a bill that would hire a consultant to evaluate Nebraskas contracting process. That bill passed on Tuesday. Aside from those issues, Arch supports other conservative initiatives aimed at reducing taxes and adding jobs in Nebraska. He praised the $900 million package of income tax cuts and property tax credits signed into law Wednesday and the ImagiNE Act, which provides tax credits to companies that create jobs. The state always needs to grow, Arch said. He is also a staunch opponent of abortion, and supported a failed bill this session that would have banned abortions in Nebraska if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Protecting abortion rights is important to Villegas. Would I do an abortion and go through processes like that? Probably not, she said. "But I dont want to prevent other people from making a choice. Villegas comes from a military family, a self-described Air Force brat. She was born in California and grew up in New Mexico, Hawaii and Missouri. She attended Creighton University to study psychology, and grew to love Nebraska. Villegas works with children as a behavioral therapist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She and her mother started Ono Pinay Kitchen, a Filipino-Hawaiian restaurant in Bellevues Old Town, reflecting her familys heritage and traditional recipes. Some evenings, she hula dances for customers. Im a very happy-go-lucky person, she said. Villegas said she never paid much attention to politics during her youth. Then she met State Sen. Carol Blood through the Bellevue Farmers Market, which Blood started and still runs as a volunteer. And she got to know Sen. Rita Sanders through projects involving their shared Filipino ancestry. I know powerful women who are doing great things, Villegas said. I started to see how politicians can change things, especially as a minority and a woman. She decided to run for office with the hope of helping children and schools. A top priority is to refine licensing standards for mental health professionals. She also wants to find ways to encourage military retirees to settle in Nebraska, as her parents did. She believes her military childhood makes her uniquely suited for the Legislature. She is used to adapting to unfamiliar situations, and talks easily with people from different backgrounds. If elected, Villegas said she would use her legislative platform to get young people interested in politics. Plugge graduated from Papillion La Vista High School and was working as a custodian when he enrolled in a local coding boot camp to learn computer programming. He worked as a software developer in Kearney for five years, then returned to La Vista two years ago. He became interested in progressive issues and volunteered with the Sarpy County Democrats. He filed to run for office when it appeared Arch would be running unopposed. He hoped to give progressive voters an alternative to the conservative incumbent. If elected, Plugge said he would work to boost green energy in Nebraska. That should hopefully be something we could all get behind, he said. Plugge has no illusions about his prospects, though. He has not campaigned. And he is essentially endorsing one of his opponents. Ive met Cori. She seems great, he said. I imagine my race will end in the primary, and Ill support her. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Here's a look at some COVID news for today, April 14. US jobless claims rise but remain at nearly 50-year low The number of people seeking unemployment benefits ticked up last week but remained at a historically low level, reflecting a robust U.S. labor market with near record-high job openings and few layoffs. Jobless claims rose by 18,000 to 185,000, the Labor Department said Thursday, after nearly touching the lowest level since 1968 in the previous week. The four-week average of claims, which levels out week-to-week ups and downs, edged up from 170,000 to 172,000. Claims are still at very low levels, underscoring historically tight labor market conditions,'' said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics. Get more data here: Anti-virus shutdowns in China rise Anti-virus controls that have shut down some of Chinas biggest cities and fueled public irritation are spreading as infections rise, hurting a weak economy and prompting warnings of possible global shockwaves. Shanghai is easing rules that confined most of its 25 million people to their homes after complaints they had trouble getting food. But most of its businesses still are closed. Access to Guangzhou, an industrial center of 19 million people near Hong Kong, was suspended this week. Other cities are cutting off access or closing factories and schools. Read more here: FDA authorizes COVID breath test The US Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization to the first Covid-19 test that spots chemical compounds associated with the coronavirus in breath, the agency said Thursday. The FDA said the InspectIR Covid-19 Breathalyzer, which is about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage, can be used in medical offices and mobile testing sites. It can give results in less than three minutes. Find out more here: Booster said to raise antibody levels against Omicron for children ages 5 through 11 A third shot of the children's dose of Pfizer/BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine raised Omicron-fighting antibodies by 36 times in kids 5 through 11 years of age, the companies said in a news release Thursday. The companies plan to request emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration for a booster dose for this age group. The new data come from a small study of 140 children ages 5 through 11 who were given a third 10-microgram dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at least six months after their second dose. Find out more here: *** Check out more of today's virus news here: China's Shenzhen draws returned overseas Chinese talent Xinhua) 08:54, April 14, 2022 A job fair is held during the 19th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian) 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. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) All Nebraskans are feeling the effects of our countrys ongoing labor shortage. Longer wait times at restaurants, ingredients for dinner missing at the grocery store, businesses adjusting hours and some products and services costing more. These added costs and inconveniences are putting a strain on Nebraskas families; however, there is one industry in particular where labor and supply chain issues are much more than just inconvenient, they are downright dangerous. Im talking about health care. We simply cannot wait any longer to fully staff Nebraskas hospitals and we need Congress to do whatever is necessary to bring more skilled workers to the Cornhusker State. As president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, I hear every day about the need for more doctors, nurses and support staff to keep health care facilities across our state running. While the need existed prior to COVID-19, the pandemic exacerbated the workforce issue and exposed cracks in the health care system we must repair before its too late. The Nebraska Center for Nursing estimates the nursing shortage will reach more than 5,300 by 2025. As recently as January, some Nebraska health care facilities were having to use crisis protocols to operate with severe staff and supply shortages. We cant let that happen again we need to prepare for the future now by encouraging bright minds and skilled workers to study, live and work in Nebraska and across the United States. Congress can help right away by passing legislation to promote American competitiveness on the global stage and provide pathways for international skilled workers who want to contribute to key industries in America, like medicine and health care. For example, the U.S. House and Senate are close to an agreement to reconcile bills aimed at bolstering American innovation and closing the workforce gap. The House recently passed the COMPETES Act, which provides key pathways to residency for foreign-born students and skilled workers who would otherwise be forced to leave the U.S. and take their talents to another country. The Senates U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) has similar goals as the House bill and was passed last summer. The Senate should work now to cut a deal with House lawmakers and include key provisions that extend opportunities for foreign-born STEM professionals in the final bill. For years, our competitors around the world have been chasing Americas place as the best place in the world for education and innovation. These countries, like China, have used their increasing advantage to support their economies and health care systems. Unless we act, Americas declining place as the top destination for global talent will continue to expand the workforce gap and take the best minds in the world to other countries. We need those minds here especially doctors, nurses, pharmacists, researchers and scientists who are crucial to making progress in the medical field. More than 8% of our states STEM workers are foreign-born, but that number can and should grow if modern policies that meet our needs are implemented. If Congress acts to give international graduates the ability to stay and contribute to the United States, they have the potential to add more than $230 billion to our economy and cut the STEM talent shortage by a quarter. Nebraskans cant wait any longer for lawmakers to support legislation that will grow the economy, close the workforce gap and support the health care system that keeps us all safe. I am continually inspired by the incredible men and women of Nebraskas hospitals. Regardless of where our doctors and nurses were born, they work every day to save lives in our communities. When a patient is in need, they deserve the most responsive, best care possible that can only happen if hospitals have the staff they need to serve all their patients. Congress can support Nebraskans health care and quality of life by finding a compromise and passing the innovation proposals in the COMPETES Act as soon as possible. Jeremy Nordquist is the president of the Nebraska Hospital Association. PEKIN An agreement was reached Thursday in a lawsuit against Reditus Laboratories and its CEO Aaron Rossi to appoint a receiver to oversee the companys financial assets. The agreement followed about an hour of backroom negotiations between the roughly dozen lawyers in the case representing various parties. The court is pleased to report for the attorneys that an independent person has been appointed for Reditus Laboratories LLC and that the parties are all working together to preserve the Reditus Laboratories LCC business and workforce in Central Illinois, Tazewell County Judge Chris Doscotch said while reading the order. The lawsuit, filed in Tazewell County in early 2021 by Rossis business partner, Dr. James Davie, accuses Rossi of funding his own lavish lifestyle with company money. Many of the lawsuits court filings are not visible to the public under a protective order agreed to last year. Davies lawyers, who include Scott Lucas and Peter Lubin, have previously requested to lift the protective order, which they say would reveal Reditus financial records. Reditus Labs had amassed more than $220 million in state funding to provide COVID testing. The Pekin-based company opened in June 2019 and added PCR testing for infectious disease in December 2019. It employs more than 300 workers. Don Craven, an attorney representing The Pantagraph and other Central Illinois media outlets, also has filed a motion to intervene in the case with a request to lift the protective order. Craven argued that the protective order is too broad and that the case holds public interest because of the alleged misuse of taxpayer money. Three attorneys said Thursday they will object to the medias motion to intervene: William Kelly, representing Rossi; Robert Varney, representing Reditus; and David Lubben, representing PAL Health Technologies, another Pekin-based company of which Rossi is CEO. A May 2 hearing is scheduled to hear the objections to Cravens motion to intervene on behalf of the media organizations. A case management conference hearing is set for May 6. In an unrelated case, Rossi, 39, is charged with federal tax fraud for underreporting his income from 2015 through 2017. Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON A new math curriculum is on its way to Bloomington Junior High School. In recommending Illustrative Mathematics by Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, Diane Wolf, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, said this will be the first time in Bloomington District 87 history that students in kindergarten through ninth grade will use a common curriculum with the same algebra textbook for eighth and ninth grades. Every different company has their own language and verbiage, so its exciting to know that our students will have access to that (through those school years), she said at Wednesday's school board meeting. Wolf said a task force, which included input from teachers, reviewed several options, and the unanimous choice was Illustrative Mathematics, which was approved by the board for kindergarten through fifth grade in February. "Illustrative Mathematics provides materials in English and Spanish and meets other district requirements for standards and technology," Wolf said. The new curriculum for sixth through ninth grades will cost $149,000 for initial setup with an annual fee of $60,000 for consumable materials. Wolf said the district currently pays about $120,000 per year for the junior high curriculum. They lock us in for a seven-year rate. Its the only company I have worked with that has done that, she said. Its very economically sound. Professional development for the new curriculum will begin this summer and teachers will have the option to have a soft implementation in the fall, blending the current and new curriculums. The board also heard a recommendation for a social-emotional learning curriculum that will be paid for by the Illinois Aware grant. Wolf and grant coordinator Leslie Blockman recommended 7 Mindsets, a curriculum chosen by staff members from BJHS and Bloomington High School. It puts emphasis on building culture within the classroom and ensures students and staff have a common language for discussing topics concerning social-emotional learning for the duration of sixth through 12th grades. Wolf said she and her team had reached out to Decatur Public Schools, which uses 7 Mindsets, and received positive feedback. As part of the curriculum, newsletters and updates will be sent to parents and guardians, but Wolf said she wanted to meet with parents to help determine the best method for delivery. No vote was taken regarding the social-emotional learning program, but Wolf said professional development for the program will begin this summer with implementation beginning in the fall. In other business, board President Mark Wylie announced Tammy Houtzel, who has been a school board member for seven years, is resigning from the board because she is moving out of the district. Wylie and Superintendent Barry Reilly each thanked her for her service to the district. Its been a pleasure to work with you, she said to the board, through tears. My heart will always be with District 87, so you will always have my support. The board will have 60 days to fill her seat. Wylie said they will begin taking applications and interviewing candidates with the goal of selecting a new board member by the June meeting. Those interested in applying should send a letter of interest, resume and "overview of why they believe they can be an effective school board member" to Board Secretary Wilma Gleason at 300 E. Monroe St. in Bloomington or gleasonw@district87.org. Applications must be received by April 29. Questions should be directed to Gleason by calling 309-827-6031 ext. 1013. Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NORMAL An Illinois State University professor is alleging in federal court that that she was the subject of unlawful discrimination and retaliation from the university. Diane Dean, an associate professor in the Educational Administration and Foundations Department, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois on March 18. She brought claims of retaliation, discrimination based on race and discrimination based on gender. She is a white woman. The complaint said Dean had previously reported instances of "discriminatory conduct" by Lenford Sutton, chair of the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, who is a Black man. She said she had also supported a complaint filed by a student against Sutton in 2015. Sutton is not listed as a defendant in Deans case. Dean is listed on the ISU website as an associate professor teaching graduate-level courses. Online federal court records do not yet show an answer to the complaint. The university does not comment on ongoing litigation, spokesman Eric Jome said. Dean's attorney, John A. Baker of Baker, Baker and Krajewski LLC in Springfield, said he did not have any further comment at this time. He expected it could be months before there is movement on the case. Deans lawsuit noted past instances where she made internal complaints, starting in 2012 through 2019. Sutton was not chair when she made a complaint of gender discrimination in 2012. She said the university has retaliated against her in ways that included refusing to promote her; not allowing her to serve on committees, work in the summer or attend conferences; and downgrading her performance evaluations. She also alleged that she had been treated differently than her non-white and male peers. The complaint said she was told by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in December that she could move forward with a lawsuit against the university. In 2018, another white female professor in the department, Elizabeth Timmerman Lugg, sued Sutton and the ISU Board of Trustees alleging gender and race discrimination. Judge James Shadid dismissed the case on Aug. 18, 2021, calling the claims "devoid of any merit." Shadid is also the judge assigned to Deans case, although the parties could agree to put the case before a magistrate judge. Dean was not party to Luggs case but gave a deposition. Shadids opinion critiqued the complaint and testimony for not providing specific evidence of discrimination or retaliation. The opinion also quoted other faculty members who did not want to serve on dissertation committees with Lugg and Dean, and said Lugg and Dean were disruptive to the departments teaching goals, violated university ethics rules and filed unmerited complaints. Baker, Dean's attorney, is also representing Bloomington District 87 teacher Tanya Blumenshine in her age discrimination lawsuit against that school district. That case is in discovery, with a deadline of Sept. 30. ISU is also facing another active gender discrimination lawsuit, by Meredith Downes. That case is in discovery, with a deadline set for July 29 of this year. Downes is a professor in the Management and Quantitative Methods Department. No hearings or deadlines have been scheduled in Deans lawsuit. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. STANFORD Olympia Middle School teachers credit the districts willingness to adopt up-to-date instruction techniques and technology as key reasons why it is considered a Horizon School to Watch. Despite being a rural school, its always been on the cutting edge of learning practices and technology, said math and English teacher Heather Schwarting. Olympia Community Unit School District sprawls over 377 square miles in parts of DeWitt, Logan, McLean, Tazewell and Woodford counties. The middle school in the McLean County village of Stanford was first designated a School to Watch in 2018, and its status was renewed this year. Having a centrally located middle and high school in the district makes it easier to see his friends, said Noah Walsh, an eighth-grade student at OMS. His father, Assistant Superintendent Andy Walsh, was the school's principal when it first earned the designation. The school district has become a hub for small towns in the area, Schwarting said. Eighth-grade math teacher Jenn Love agreed. Its really an extended family to me, she said. Science teacher Jake Steve has been involved in a mentoring program that pairs new and experienced educators. Besides additional advice on teaching, the mentors also help their colleagues with the odd little things employees need to learn when they start a new job, Steve said. The curriculum the teachers use has also evolved, Love said. Working with the regional office of education, the school has implemented a new curriculum that helps students think about math in more abstract terms through the increased use of manipulatives objects that help students understand concepts. Noah also pointed toward some of the same curriculum-based initiatives at OMS that the teachers said helped the school teach students. My favorite thing though is probably the standards-based grading, he said. The grading model gives students grades on a scale for specific standards within a subject, with the grades ranging from low scores for showing little understanding of the topic to the highest, showing full mastery. The breakdown of the individual standards helps students know what is expected, Noah said. He'd like more flexibility in choosing elective classes, though, partly so he could take the same classes as friends. This year, he took a business class, which taught him about common tools like Microsoft Office. Students in the class also got to do a "Shark Tank"-style business pitch. English is his favorite core class, "just because I love reading so much, he said. He hopes to attend the University of Notre Dame and become a lawyer working with engineering firms. The School to Watch designation is managed by The National Forum for Middle-Grades Reform, which has given it to schools in 18 states. Olympia is the only middle school in McLean County to receive the designation, which must be renewed every three years. A group from the school will be going to Washington, D.C., in June to be recognized and to lead a workshop. Around 30 other middle schools in the state have received the designation at some point. At least three new schools were added to the list in 2022, along with five other schools being re-designated as Schools to Watch, including Olympia, according to the Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools. When Principal Mike Jones started as principal last fall, he learned the school would need to reapply for the designation to continue. I felt a huge responsibility to carry that torch forward, he said. The process includes a written application in the fall and then a site visit early the next year for schools that move on to the next round of consideration, Jones said. It's a daylong visit where they get to see pretty much every inch of your building, he said. The re-designation also looks for ways the school has grown and areas targeted for improvement. One focus for OMS has been social emotional learning for students, Jones said. That has included hiring a family coordinator, who helps families with everything from corresponding with the district to transportation to even dropping off groceries. Jones attributed the schools success to its teachers and other staff. The recognition speaks to the work the school district has done to bring together the eight towns it covers. Im just grateful to get to be their principal, Jones said of the schools staff. Olympia District 16 Superintendent Laura O'Donnell said the district is also proud of the school's success. "This staff has historically worked collaboratively to provide meaningful and authentic opportunities to students," she said in an email. "In his first year of being the OMS Principal, Mr. Jones has continued to support the staff in encouraging the use of creative and engaging instructional strategies." Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON The McLean County Museum of History will commemorate the 157th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination with the dedication of a "Looking for Lincoln" historical marker near the site of the Bloomington Train Depot of the Chicago & Alton railroad. The train, which has been dubbed "The Lincoln Special," transported the body of Lincoln from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, during a 13-day journey. The journey began April 21, 1865, and the train passed through Bloomington early morning on May 3, 1865, stopping briefly near the Bloomington Depot. A dedication ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. May 3 at the intersection of Chestnut and Allin streets in Bloomington. The marker was made possible through donations from Dianne and John Hollister and in partnership with the City of Bloomington. To read the story about the journey of Lincoln's train, visit bit.ly/lincoln-funeral-train. Email development@mchistory.org or call 309-827-0428 for more information. Contact Olivia Jacobs at (309)-820-3352. Reach out with questions. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Editors note: This article is part of an ongoing Session Recap series from Capitol News Illinois. SPRINGFIELD A major initiative of a regional carpenters union that aims to end wage theft in private construction projects will head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The long-debated measure allows a worker with a wage theft or fringe benefit grievance against a subcontractor to sue the primary contractor to rectify the situation. The primary contractor is the entity that deals directly with the customer and hires the subcontractors to complete a project. The bill also requires the subcontractor to compensate the primary contractor for any wages, damages, interest, penalties or attorney fees should the primary contractor be forced to rectify a wage theft claim. Construction jobs are unique in that they often feature various subcontractors under one general contractor whose job it is to make sure all laws, including wage-related ones, are being followed, the bills sponsor, Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, said in a statement. This measure will ensure that the hardworking individuals who are employed by subcontractors receive fair compensation should that subcontractor fail to pay them. The measure, House Bill 5412, cleared the Senate on Friday, April 8, on a 38-18 vote after passing the House 62-36 in March. A follow-up measure, House Bill 4600, made minor changes to the original bill aimed at drawing compromise between labor and minority contractor groups. It passed the Senate 39-18 and the House 74-40. The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council was the main backer of HB 5412, while minority contractors lobbied against the proposal which they said would drive up costs and limit work opportunities for smaller contractors. The minority groups, including the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, the Black Contractors Owners and Executives, and the Federation of Women Contractors, argued that the measure was a union attempt to drive up the cost of non-union labor. It would not require, but would likely lead to, primary contractors purchasing more performance and bid bonds or requiring subcontractors to purchase bonds showing that they have the funding to pay workers and complete the job adequately. The minority groups opposed HB 5412s passage, but were generally supportive of the follow-up measure, which lowered a statute of limitations for filing such a claim to three years from the original bills 10-year period. The follow-up bill still allows a wage theft victim to file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor, which is the process laid out in current law, in addition to the ability to sue a primary contractor. HB 5412 specifically exempts union projects, homes built on private property where the property owner is the general contractor, and projects contracted through state, local and federal governments. The follow-up measure also exempted any renovations or repairs to existing residential structures, any project that costs less than $20,000 to complete, and construction on any single unit within a multi-family dwelling. The minority contractor groups and Republicans had pushed for a higher $500,000 threshold under which projects would be exempt, as well as exemptions for all single-family residential projects. They also requested language that would have required proof that the primary contractor knew about the wage theft in order to be held liable, but those three requests were not included in either of the bills that passed. Sen. Jason Plummer, a Republican from Edwardsville, was among those calling for the measures that were not included in either of the final bills. With those three things, I think this would sail through, Plummer said at a committee hearing on March 30. But the thresholds that we've created here drives up costs for every family in the state, drives up costs for people that want to live in a house. Instead, the measures passed with only Democratic support. Proponents said the bills strength is that it creates accountability for primary contractors who previously walked away with impunity in wage theft disputes involving subcontractors. They said the bill creates an alternative means of recovery for wage theft victims of subcontractors who have gone bankrupt or dissolved their business to avoid paying wages. Rep. Marcus Evans, a Chicago Democrat who carried the bill in the House, told Capitol News Illinois in March that the measure was about worker protections, and he compared it to paying for car insurance. We're going to cover workers and ensure that their wages are going to be compensated, he said. Somebody would have to bear the cost for that. In this piece of legislation, thats the prime contractors. The follow-up measure also created the Bond Reform in the Construction Industry Task Force to report to the General Assembly by March 1, 2023, regarding innovative ways to reduce the cost of insurance in the private and public construction industry while protecting owners from risk of nonperformance. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 100 years ago April 14, 1922: Another Bloomington man has apparently been murdered in Chicago. The body of Edwin Steere was found in the Chicago River, two months after he went missing. The case evokes memories of the recent killing of Carl Ausmus, whose killer was recently hanged. 75 years ago April 14, 1947: John Hanson is the Dime Man of Bloomington. Each day he hands off a dime to Alton Railroad hostesses as trains pass; the ladies use it for car fare. Hansons daughter, a former hostess, gave him the idea. She said it was hard coming up with the right car fare in St. Louis. 50 years ago April 14, 1972: There were two accidents 25 minutes apart in Bloomington. Injuries were minor and one car was totaled. Alcohol was involved because a car hit The Bottle Shop on East Oakland Avenue and destroyed a lot of inventory. The other car hit the old Active-Ad Sign building at Main and Grove streets. 25 years ago April 14, 1997: Nationally known Nickel Plate steam engine 587 will pull passenger trains on four May weekends at the Monticello Railroad Museum. The 587 used to pull trains through Bloomington. Proceeds from the May jaunts will go for repairs to another museum steam engine. Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com. The family of the late Emily Akuffo, the wife of a former Head of State, Lieutenant General Frederick William Kwasi Akuffo, yesterday informed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the death of the former First Lady. She passed away on April 8, this year , a few hours before her 88th birthday. Lt. Gen. Akuffo came to power through a military coup and was overthrown in another military coup and executed three weeks later on June 26, 1979. The Spokesperson for the family, Paul Koranteng, indicated that the one-week rites would be observed on April 27, this year, at the Christ Presbyterian Church at Akropong Akwapim, where she was a senior presbyter. Condolences President Akufo-Addo expressed condolences to the children and family and assured them that the government would do what was required to give her a dignified send-off. He said the government was waiting for the date for the final funeral rites so that he could be there because I would very much like to be present at her send-off. President Akufo-Addo, who said he knew the former First Lady in her prime, described her as very dynamic, vibrant and active, a woman of great charm. Appreciation A daughter of the former First Lady, Barbara Akuffo, praised President Akufo-Addo for his personal interest and support to their mother. We, the children of Mrs Emily Akuffo, would like to say a big thank you to you. You have always been there for us. In our time of need you were always there for us. Thank you very much. You were very busy but you made the time to be with mum, we thank you so much, she added. Ms Akuffo said the family was always surprised that the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, in spite of all her busy schedules, never forgot their mothers birthday and always ensured that it was memorable. She said even two days before she passed away, the Chief of Staff was with her. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Campus Director of Webster University, Christa Elise Sanders bobtoya, has describe Ghana as her comfort zone. According to her, she feels very connected to Ghana and does not suffer the challenges an everyday African-American woman would suffer in the USA. The many challenges an African-American has to go through in the USA is not present in Ghana. It is nice to be in a country where I dont have to suffer or fear racism, gun violence and police brutality, she stated. She added Ghana breeds freedom, and thats what I feel genuine Ghana is. I can finally breathe freedom and whilst breathing I can also try to make an impact in the educational sector. Christa Elise Sanders bobtoyarevealed this in an interview on Y107.9FMs YleaderBoard Series hosted by Rev Erskine on the Myd Morning Radio Show. The Australian Human Rights Commission describes racism as taking many forms that can happen in many places. It includes prejudice, discrimination or hatred directed at someone because of their colour, ethnicity or national origin. People often associate racism with acts of abuse or harassment. However, it doesnt need to involve violent or intimidating behaviour. Take racial name-calling and jokes. Or consider situations when people may be excluded from groups or activities because of where they come from. Racism can be revealed through peoples actions as well as their attitudes. It can also be reflected in systems and institutions. But sometimes it may not be revealed at all. Not all racism is obvious. For example, someone may look through a list of job applicants and decide not to interview people with certain surnames. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Campus Director of Webster University, Christa Elsie Sanders Bobtoya, has urged students to go beyond their studies in the classroom and acquire problem solving skills if they want to have successful careers. According to her, it is not enough for students to simply reproduce what theyve been taught in school. You have to be innovative and be able to create solutions. I think it is very important young people are adaptable as the world is changing and they have to learn the skills to adapt to the change, she said. Championing the pursuit of soft skills outside of the classroom, she also called on the youth to be humble and receptive to constructive feedback. Through school, youre receiving book knowledge but you also need a skill set to be able to succeed, she stressed. Speaking in an interview on Y107.9FMs YleaderBoard Series hosted by Rev Erskine on the Myd Morning Radio Show, she highlighted on the essence of networking and leadership skills. The youth need to take up leadership roles in school and embark on community service. Beyond the book knowledge these things are critical, she advised. She further urged the youth to seek out good mentors. I still have mentors whom I talk to and exchange ideas with to make me a better person. So Ill say one needs a lot of things in the pursuit of success but it is not impossible. You need to take the skills you possess and combine it with what you learn from school. She said at Webster University, students are engaged to be culturally sensitive and adaptable, accepting the world is much bigger than their immediate environment. These amongst others are a combination of skills you need to have outside whats being taught in school to prepare you for the future. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The death toll in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal has reached more than 300, after devastating floods wreaked havoc in the area. A state of disaster has been declared in the area, after some areas saw months worth of rain fall in one day. Officials have called it "one of the worst weather storms in the history of our country". Mudslides have trapped people under buildings, with more floods expected. There are reports that the rescue effort is being hampered by poor visibility as a helicopter continues to bring people back to safety. On Tuesday the BBC witnessed one such search operation for a 10-year-old girl who was part of a family of four swept away on a flooded bridge. Community volunteers waded into the muddy river, taking turns to hack away at the branches using machetes and removing debris and rubbish that had washed downstream. Jomba Phiri, who lives in the region's main city, Durban, said his house had been swept away in the floods. "I don't know where we're going to sleep now," he told Reuters news agency. Parts of the crucial N3 highway which connects Durban to South Africa's economic heartland of Gauteng province have been blocked. President Cyril Ramaphosa has visited the area and pledged to help. "Even though your hearts are in pain, we're here for you," the Reuters news agency quotes him as saying. He also described the disaster as a "force of nature", which some have disagreed with. They blame poor drainage and badly built houses in low-lying areas for the high death toll. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Calm has returned to the Yendi township after gunmen attacked two nomadic settlements Zakoli and Konkon in the Northern Region, the municipal chief executive (MCE) Ahmed Yussif Abubakar has told Asaase News. At least eight people are feared dead following Wednesday nights attack which also left some houses destroyed. Speaking to Kwaku Nhyira-Addo on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (14 April), Abubakar said he suspects the attack was triggered by the recent murder of a teacher in the area. What I can tell you is that, the regional commander of police, with his deputy, regional crime officer, Yendi divisional commander, we went to the place, we saw that the men of the Fulani people had all run to the bush. But the women and kids were kept at the palace, so we left the place at 11:39 pm and returned home, as at now the place is calm and we are now prepared to go back, he said. The MCE for Yendi further appealed to residents in the area to volunteer information to the police to help bring the perpetrators to book. Source: asaaseradio.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Amnesty International, a global organisation focused on addressing human right issues, has indicated that inequality and instability grew in 2021 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the organisation which has a branch in Ghana, the devastating effects of the pandemic were compounded by poor health systems with economic and social support crumbling under the weight of decades of neglect, especially in Africa. A Human Rights Eduction and Youth Engagement Cordinator at Amnesty International Ghana, Hannah Osei, made this known at the launch of Amnesty International's state of the world's human rights 2021/2022 report in Accra. The report focuses on the state of Ghana's human rights within the global environment. "In Africa, only eight per cent of the population were fully vaccinated by the end of 202. Lockdown measures to curb COVID-19 infections led to increase of sexual and gender-based violence," she said. She said security forces in Africa fired live ammunition at protesters resulting in the death of more than 100 people while about 1000 others got injured. Aside from that, she said armed conflict in some African countries resulted in thousands of civilians being killed and millions displaced as they attempted to flee from the violence. Ghana situation In reference to Ghana, the report bothered on excessive and unnecessary use of force by the security forces, arbitrary arrests and detentions, inhumane prison conditions and women's and girls rights. It also touched on the right to health, forced evictions, environmental degradation and the rights of LGBTI people's rights. For example, Ms Osei noted that there were incidents of excessive and unnecessary use of force by the security forces as various media outlets reported that the National Security operatives assaulted journalists Peter Tabri and Caleb Kudah in connection with their work. Future focus The Board Chairman of Amnesty International Ghana, George A.B Aggrey, however, said the organisation recognise that there have been considerable improvements in the human rights situation in the country since 1992. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Secretary General of the Pan African Youth Union, Mr. Ahmed Wiisichong Bening has paid working visits to the Eastern Africa region to engage key stakeholders on the mapping out an operative comprehensive youth development plan to kick start Renaissance Agenda of the Pan African Youth Union. Commencing his engagement, he stopped over in Nairobi-Kenya where he held a high-level discussion with the Kenya National Youth Council CEO, Mr. Roy Sasaka Telewa, to map out a strategic framework to champion youth development in Africa. He proceeded to Rwanda to join development partners for the Youth Conneckt stakeholders meeting convened by the Youth Conneckt Hub in Kigali, the national capital. The meeting was held as part of preliminary steps for Youth Conneckt2022 to be held in Rwanda. Ahmed Wiisichong Bening, who mans the secretariat responsible for the coordination of National Youth Councils on the continent, was excited to be associated with the movement for change. He stated that this year's event will witness a well-coordinated participation of all National Youth Councils and Civil Society Organizations across Africa. Mr. Ahmed Bening was also excited about the preparatory actions leading to Youth Connekt 2022 to be hosted in Kigali-Rwanda and said we at the Pan African Youth Union are excited to associate with this movement of Change. We are particularly impressed by the leadership the Republic of Rwanda continues to provide on the continent. This year will see a well coordinated participation of National Youth Councils and Youth Civil Society Organizations across Africa. He ended his regional tour in Uganda where he met with key presidential advisors to President Museveni. The youthful delegation was led by Uganda National Youth Council Chairperson, Jacob Eyeru, Bening Ahmed Wiisichong Secretary General, Pan-African Youth Union, Roy Sasaka Tetewa CEO National Youth Council and Oliver Mutesi; the Vice Chairperson, Pan-African Union. The Secretary General of Pan-African Youth Union, Bening Ahmed Wiisichong appreciated the Ugandan leaders for the support offered as well as Ugandas continued efforts towards a cooperated Africa. As young people we identify with Uganda because of the role the country has played to always lead the integration process. The PAN-African youth Union is aimed at bringing together youth Councils across African, this we do by harmonizing the efforts across the board, Wiisichong said. Also present at the meeting were diaspora leaders from Canada headed by Fred Kinene, the Chairman - NRM chapter in Canada. Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video At least eight people were confirmed dead Wednesday evening and five others injured after some unknown gunmen raided Zakoli and Konkon, nomadic settlements in the Yendi area of the Northern Region. The incident reportedly occurred Wednesday afternoon and resulted in the burning of many thatched houses and other properties. The gunmen are said to have stormed the communities on motorbikes and opened fire on the victims. They reportedly targeted only men including male children. Confirmation The Yendi Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Richardson Kumeko confirmed the incident to Graphic Online and said the deceased have been conveyed to the Yendi Government Hospital morgue while the injured were receiving treatment at the same facility. Police personnel have been deployed to the community to maintain calm, while an investigation into the attack has commenced. Incident It is not clear what triggered the attacks on the two nomadic settlements. But Graphic Online has gathered that there was a robbery attack on the Yendi-Tatale road on Tuesday night which led to the death of a young man. Suspecting that the robbers were nomadic, the unknown gunmen attacked them in retaliation of the robbery attack. According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen stormed the communities in the afternoon and started shooting indiscriminately and burning thatched houses and properties. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police contacted the victim of a death threat at the hands of a Lebanese national whose sword-wielding threats went viral on social media on Tuesday. The Ghana Police Service on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, confirmed the arrest of one Osman Brustani in connection with a video in which he was captured threatening the life of an unsighted victim. The Police statement disclosed that the IGP had first contacted the victim via telephone before following up with a personal visit to the unnamed victim. The IGP, according to the statement: reached out to the victim yesterday, Tuesday, 12th April 2022 via a telephone call and he seemed traumatised by the incident. As a result upon [sic] the IGP's 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. Meanwhile, the suspect is in police custody and will be taken through the due process of the law. Background GhanaWeb sighted the viral video of the aggressor threatening to slash the throat of a Ghanaian with a sword. Multiple reports, initially stated that the Lebanese and a Ghanaian had an argument over where the Lebanese parked his vehicle. A Facebook user, Benjamin Wayo Mahama, who posted the video said the Lebanese allegedly parked his car in front of the Ghanaians shop for almost an hour and was eventually confronted by him. According to reports, this Lebanese man parked his car in front of the shop of a man at Osu for almost an hour. When the shop owner finally told him to park his car well so that he can also do his business, the Lebanese started abusing him verbally and telling him he will kill him. He then came out with a sword and the shop owner had to run into another shop for cover. Ghana Police, please do something, the Facebook user wrote on his timeline. In the 15 seconds amateur video, a group of men try to stop the Lebanese from proceeding to enter the shop to carry out his intended action. While being restrained he is heard shouting Come out! Come out! Come Out, I will cut your neck [gesturing to slash his throat with the sword]." He then dashes towards the shop where the Ghanaian is seeking hostage while a man tries to restrain him again. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources will soon embark on a house-to-house audit to deal with illegal water connections, Madam Cecilia 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 was 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 the 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 years 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 handwashing, 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. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Construction works on the Agenda 111 Hospital project at Kantaga in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region are 40 per cent complete, Mr Yusif Muniru, the Site Manager, said on Tuesday. The project, expected to be completed by end of 2022, comprises male, female, paediatric and surgical wards, laundry, laboratory, physiotherapy and pharmacy units, administration block, an Out-Patients Department and mortuary. Mr Muniru said this in an interview with journalists when the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, visited the site to inspect the progress of work. So far, we are on the sub-structure, and I can say 40 per cent of the work is done, he said. Funds were available for the smooth progress of work without delay, he said and expressed confidence that the project would soon be completed to meet the end of the 2022 deadline. The Agenda 111 project was initiated by the Government to ensure that hospitals are constructed across districts that had no hospitals to improve access to health care delivery. The Regional Minister, after inspecting the work, said he was happy the contractor was working hard to meet the deadline and urged residents to put away their political colours and support the contractor as all residents would benefit from the project. This facility will serve both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, let us stop the politics that we play with everything and focus on development, the Minister said. Mr David Akolgo Amoah, the District Chief Executive, said the Agenda 111 project was dear to the hearts of residents as it would solve the healthcare needs of the entire populace. This will be the only big health facility. We do not have any hospitals, we have only health centres. So this project is good for us and will enhance the quality of health care of the people and give the district a befitting look, he said. Mr Amoah said the Assembly was constantly monitoring the progress of work at the site to ensure the quality of work and appealed to residents to cooperate with the contractor, acknowledging that the construction works may inconvenience them. He urged landowners to release lands for development purposes to enable the district to benefit from government projects. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Some economists have advised the Government to refine its flagship One District-One Factory (1D1F) initiative to reduce its import dependency. They noted that the 1D1F initiative, envisioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had the potential to change the economy from being import dependent to a manufacturing, value addition and export-oriented and must be implemented that way. They said when done well, it could help strengthen the local currency (the Cedi), reduce the exchange rate challenges, and create more jobs to improve the well-being of Ghanaians. Dr Patrick Asuming, an Economist, said: On paper, 1D1F should help, but weve been having that for six years now, and we still havent seen a substantial transformation of our import and exports so in that sense, I think, more needs to be done. He observed that though the economy had been growing: Unfortunately, its been largely a jobless group. Weve not been creating a lot of jobs, and the unemployment situation doesnt seem to be improving. The Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) recommended that the strategy behind the initiative be revised, and said: You cannot be doing 1D1F on the back of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) and still be importing fertilizer. Dr Asuming explained that the exchange rate difficulties would not be solved by the measures that the government had put out, unless steps were taken to address the fundamental and structural challenges facing the economy. Dr John Kwakye, the Director of Research of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) also said, there was the need for the government to review the financial model of the 1D1F to ensure value for money for investments into the initiative. He said: By now I expected the government to have reduced some of the funding going into some specific flagship programmes because it's clear that they are not sustainable to fund them all. We import almost everything we consume, and this is because of our weak industrial base, and I had expected the Veep [Vice President] to talk about transforming the economy to a self-sufficient one. Dr Kwakye said this during a media engagement after the Vice Presidents lecture on the state of the economy. Admitting the current economic hardship, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President, said: In the midst of the current economic challenges we face, we are putting in place the key pillars for the economic transformation of Ghana. He said the government was: Committed to working with you to build a country in which every young person can hope, and aspire, and reach his or her fullest potential, right here in Ghana. The Vice President indicated that governments flagship programmes in education, health, agriculture, industry, and digital transformation initiatives, entrepreneurship and youth employment were all aimed at transforming the economy and to better the lives of Ghanaians. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Amakye Boateng, a Political Science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, says if 'big men' in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are not abiding by the party's rules, it can open the floodgates for chaos and lawlessness. Dr Amakye was reacting to some comments made by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta after Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia addressed the nation on the economy. 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". Many have seen this comment as an endorsement of Dr. Bawumia who is considered a presidential hopeful in addition to Alan Kyerematen and others. According to the KNUST lecturer, such comments can destroy the foundations of the NPP especially as the party has put a freeze on campaigning for presidential hopefuls. Speaking in an interview on Neat FM's 'Me Man Nti' programme, Dr Amakye said, "it's worrying when these things are being said when it is not yet time". "This statement means the 'big men' in the party are not abiding by their own rules and that is worrying; you're destroying the very foundations of the party. The moment you do that it becomes an open door for everyone to enter and that can create chaos and lawlessness . . . it can blow up very soon," he added. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress Johnson Asiedu Nketia has disclosed that his party will review the Supreme Court ruling which bars Assin North member of parliament from holding himself as an MP. According to him, they will follow due processes and appeal again at the Supreme Court. Speaking on Okay Fms Ade Akye Abia program, he explained that the leadership of the New Patriotic Party is setting a bad precedent that does not help with the countrys judicial processes. Just like what Hon. Kan Dapaah said, the judiciary ought to thread cautiously and not act like a rubber stamp. They should work to ensure fairness and not seem to be working for any political party. But like I said they are chatting an indelible path that cannot be erased. Audio Below- View this post on Instagram A post shared by OKAY 101.7 FM (@okay101.7fm) Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Organizer of the Liberal Party of Ghana, Asani Tanoh, has defended the National Security Minister, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah saying "vilifying" him is wrong. Kan-Dapaah courted controversy when 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 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 added. However, some have disagreed with the National Security Minister because they believe it confirms the impression that the Judiciary can be biased. However, Asani Tanoh contributing to a panel discussion on UTV's 'Adekye Nsroma' programme said Kan-Dapaah "spoke the minds of a lot of people in the country". "What he said is on the minds of a lot of people but they don't have the courage to say it. God bless him and his descendants. The way he's being vilified especially on social media is appalling. This is a serious caution to the Judiciary; because the impression is that they're now using the slogan of the LPG: Yen k) nkoaa!, unanimous decision . . . and so it's a serious caution to the Judiciary," he stated. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video " " Though it's uncommon, it's not unheard of for a single vote to change the outcome of an election. Hero Images/Getty Images You've probably heard the old truism that every vote counts. But judging from the embarrassingly low voter participation rate in U.S. elections compared to those in other developed countries, it's safe to say that many Americans don't believe that casting a ballot for a particular candidate really matters that much in the result. That's substantiated by a 2016 Pew Research Center survey, in which 25 percent of nonvoters otherwise eligible to cast a ballot in that year's presidential election cited "my vote would not matter" as the explanation for why they abstained. That's nearly as high as the number who said they didn't vote because they didn't like either candidate (26 percent), and higher than the portion who had neglected to register (22 percent) by deadline. Indeed, the chances of a single voter casting what researchers call a "pivotal vote" in an election are pretty remote but it does happen. In a 2001 study, University of Chicago economics professor Casey B. Mulligan and business economic consultant Charles G. Hunter studied nearly a century's worth of Congressional election results and 21 years' worth of state legislative election returns nearly 57,000 elections in all, not counting uncontested races. Out of the 16,577 federal elections studied, only one was decided by a single vote. But the researchers found seven state elections that came down to a single ballot. As Mulligan wrote in a 2010 post for The New York Times' Economix blog, the chances that a voter will cast a ballot that will determine the winner of a federal election is less than 1 in 100,000 and in state legislative races, the odds increase to 1 in less than 25,000. In local elections, where the electorate may be in the few thousands or even hundreds, pivotal votes may happen even more often. While nationwide data isn't available, in Ohio alone 14 races for office in 2015 resulted in either a tie or a single-vote margin, according to the Record-Courier newspaper. "The determine-the-winner incentive to vote is minuscule," says Mulligan via email. "Even in a local election with, say, 2000 votes, it's still only a one-in-1,000 chance." But even though one vote has only a tiny chance of being the pivotal one in an election, that doesn't mean that voting isn't important. Collectively, votes matter a great deal. Certain groups in the population that have higher turnout rates such as older voters, the wealthy, and white Americans benefit from the clout that they achieve as a result, says Sean McElwee, an analyst for Demos, a public policy organization that works to reduce political and economic inequality in the U.S. " " Voters line up to cast their ballots for party primary elections on March 1, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images "When gaps in turnout are smaller, policy is more equitable," McElwee says. "Even in deeply blue or red district, vote shares send important signals to representatives about their constituents. In local elections, where turnout rates are often single-digit, vote margins are far narrower and turnout is even more skewed against people of color, young people and low-income folks." These are some of the other elections in the United States decided by a single vote: Advertisement 1. 1910 Election for the 36th Congressional District of New York In the only Congressional election to have been determined by a single vote, Democratic challenger Charles Bennett Smith, a newspaper editor by trade and an advocate of Prohibition, faced Republican incumbent Rep. D.S. Alexander. According to a Nov. 20, 1910, New York Times article, after the initial counting of the returns, the two candidates were tied at 20,684. But the election board noticed an error in the total on a tally sheet from one district. When it was corrected, Smith received the single vote needed to elect him. According to his Congressional biography, Smith became chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and was elected three more times to Congress before losing a re-election bid in 1918. Advertisement 2. 2000 Seat Pleasant, Maryland, Mayoral Election This Maryland city had one of the strangest one-vote elections ever it was decided by a vote that wasn't cast. A woman showed up at her polling place on the evening of the election, and all though she was registered to vote, her name didn't show up in the records because she had changed her address. Officials didn't allow her to cast a ballot for the candidate of her choice, Thurman D.Jones, Jr., and Jones lost the election by 247-246 to incumbent Eugene F. Kennedy. Jones later filed a lawsuit contesting the result. But in a 2001 ruling, the Maryland Court of Appeals overturned a lower-court ruling and left Kennedy as the winner, because it hadn't been shown that fraud had been committed. Advertisement 3. 2008 Alaska House of Representatives District 7 Election Republican Rep. Mike Kelly won re-election by a vote of 5,018 to 5,017 over Democratic challenger Karl Kassel but only after overseas absentee ballots were counted. Advertisement 4. 2012 Democratic Primary for 87th Legislative District in Missouri Because of redistricting, Rep. Stacey Newman was pitted in a primary against a fellow legislator, Rep. Susan Carlson. On election night, Newman prevailed by a single vote, 1,823 to 1,822. But the St. Louis County Election Board declined to certify the results, saying that 102 voters at one polling place had mistakenly been given ballots for a neighboring district. But in a do-over primary seven weeks later, the result was unchanged. Newman again won, this time by 95 votes. Advertisement 5. 2013 Election for 12th Legislative District in New York In the 2012 race in Oswego County, New York, Richard P. Kline and John W. Brandt faced each other in both the Republican and Conservative party primaries, with Kline winning the Conservative party nod and Brandt winning as the Republican standard-bearer. When the results were tallied on election night, Kline appeared to be on top by just seven votes, but Syracuse.com reported that his margin eventually shrank to just one vote, 371-370. Advertisement 6. 2017 Clyman, Wisconsin, Board Chairman The tiny village of Clyman, Wisconsin, population 488, isn't a place that's in the news much. But in April 2017, Clyman had an extremely tight race for the post of board chairperson. David Blank, a local fire captain, received 101 votes to 100 for runner-up Mark Othmer. Now That's Interesting In one instance, a one-vote election result included a ballot cast by a deceased voter. In 2011 in the village of Manlius, New York, a man named Arnold Ferguson, who was the father of one of the candidates for the village board, submitted an absentee ballot ahead of election day, but then died three weeks before the election. Election officials later admitted that Ferguson's vote shouldn't have counted, but the state Supreme Court ruled that the ballot couldn't be challenged after it was removed from its envelope. It's unclear what impact the ballot had on the outcome, in which Harold Hopkinson won by a single vote over Marc Baum. EU researchers are building the first integrated and interactive platform to measure costs and benefits of citizen science. Credit: ANDREI ASKIRKA, Shutterstock It's never been easy to accurately measure the impact of any scientific research, but it's even harder for citizen science projects, which don't follow traditional methods. Public involvement places citizen science in a new era of data collection, one that requires a new measurement plan. As you read this, thousands of ordinary people across Europe are busy tagging, categorizing and counting in the name of science. They may be reporting crop yields, analyzing plastic waste found in nature or monitoring the populations of wildlife. This relatively new method of public participation in scientific enquiry is experiencing a considerable upswing in both quality and scale of projects. Of course, people have been sharing observations about the natural world for millenniaway before the term "citizen science" appeared on the cover of sociologist Alan Irwin's 1995 book "Citizen Science: A Study of People, Expertise, and Sustainable Development. " Today, citizen science is on the rise with bigger projects that are more ambitious and better networked than ever before. And while collecting seawater samples and photographing wild birds are two well-known examples of citizen science, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Citizen science is evolving thanks to new data collection techniques enabled by the internet, smartphones and social media. Increased connectivity is encouraging a wide range of observations that can be easily recorded and shared. The reams of crowd-sourced data from members of the public are a boon for researchers working on large-scale and geographically diverse projects. Often it would be too difficult and expensive to obtain this data otherwise. Both sides win because scientists are helped to collect much better data and an enthusiastic public gets to engage with the fascinating world of science. But success has been difficult to define, let alone to translate into indicators for assessment. Until now. A group of EU researchers has taken on the challenge of building the first integrated and interactive platform to measure costs and benefits of citizen science. Hundreds of questions "The platform will be very complex but able to capture the characteristics and the results of projects, and measure their impact on several domains like society, economy, environment, science and technology and governance," said Dr. Luigi Ceccaroni, who is coordinating the Measuring Impact of Citizen Science (MICS) project behind the platform. Currently at the testing stage, the platform is slated to go live before the end of this year. "Imagine, we are working with more than 200 variables. So, you can understand the complexity and just how comprehensive this platform will be. It's the first time a project is considering so many variables and so many domains in citizen science," he explained. "Basically, the platform captures the data through questions, and as I said, we have more than 200. Some are simple questions; others are more complex." Questions delve into the role and responsibilities of the public (citizen-scientists), and whether their participation in the project has influenced them in any way (changes in values, opinion, attitudes or perspectives). Another series of questions is used to explore a project's impact on the various domains. For instance, the projects are asked whether the innovation stemming from their project results in productivity and gross domestic product (GDP) growth. There are also questions exploring the level of trust among project participants and other stakeholders. "We rely on information provided by the project coordinators," added Ceccaroni. "Sometimes they measure these aspects in very concrete and scientific ways. Sometimes they think they do, but they don't. The platform will help them start to measure what's not being measured and to understand how to measure." Start measuring For example, many of the multiple-choice answers on the platform offer the "Yes, but it is not measured" option. By selecting this answer, project coordinators will be directed to a tool that will show them how to start measuring. "One thing MICS has taught me is that impact assessment is extremely complex," said Ceccaroni, who brings more than a decade of citizen science experience to the project. "With the platform, our aim is to make it useful before a project even startswhen there is time to introduce elements linked to impact and to shape the project in a way to make sure impact can be measured." Capturing and communicating impacts Citizen science projects contribute to learning, skill development, scientific understanding, science awareness and enjoyment, according to Dr. Raul Drachman. His observation is based on the findings of an international survey conducted by the CS-TRACK project that he coordinates. The survey gauged the experience of more than 1,000 participant volunteers in biodiversity citizen science projects in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. "We found out in our projectalso via studies we made on the sustainable development goals (SDGs)that the environmental subject is extremely important (especially, but not only, climate change) in the citizen science context," said Drachman. "There is no doubt that the high attention paid to the subject has effect on related individual and social perceptions and attitudes to the major problems involved." Researchers also explored subjects like education, healthcare and emerging challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our research revealed a lot of information on gender, age and other parameters at the individual participant level. The inclusion of diverse audiences in citizen science is of vast importance for the progress of the field and for creating real impact on science and society." Another crucial factor considered is the perceived quality of citizen science data. It's important to show what comes out of research that involves citizens who are not scientists. "So, you saw a bird different from any other, and you shared this information. So what?" said Drachman. "We need to be able to explain why this is important and to show what happened with this spotting. Of course, as researchers we are aware of the value of information gathered by citizens. It's important to make this known wider." By opening the process of knowledge creation beyond the limiting borders of academia and research institutions, citizen science enables the inclusion of local expertise and lay knowledge in the scientific process. It also enriches the research findings. More than halfway through the three-year research project, Drachman has identified another key takeaway: the need for moderation. "Citizen science brings together many playersscientists and non-scientistscoming from different fields and expertise. It's never certain they will understand each other. So the question is how to ensure interest from all sides is maintained and the project advances. The solution is to effectively moderate between all sides." Addressing the contrasting data needs and motivations of the different stakeholders (researchers, citizens, policymakers and business consultants) is vital. Also, reaching a common understanding of citizen science and its benefits for science and society is crucial if projects are to continue to grow and address both local issues and global challenges. In turn, this will increase the trust and acceptability of citizen-generated data in order to address the grand challenges like the SDGs. Explore further Citizen science for sustainable development The rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf shortly before calving of giant iceberg. Credit: Rosey Grant @ British Antarctic Survey A new study by scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has used computer modeling to rank the factors responsible for the Larsen C ice shelf melt according to their severity. The review is an important contribution to our understanding of the largest remaining ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula. Research into Larsen C is of high importance as several studies have suggested that the ice shelf may be vulnerable to collapse. As well as fundamentally altering the Antarctic landscape this would contribute indirectly to sea level rise by creating a path for glaciers to flow from the Antarctic continent towards the sea. In the studypublished in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheresscientists used computer modeling informed by direct observations of the Antarctic Peninsula region. This enabled them to simulate patterns of surface melting on Larsen C under different atmospheric conditions and to identify which of these was most significant. This is the first study to examine all of these factors over the long term. The study shows that solar radiation is currently the most important cause of surface melting. The second and third most important drivers of melting were shown to be warm, dry winds called foehn winds and cloud properties respectively. Large-scale weather patterns which establish these conditions were also shown to be crucial contributing factors. Dr. Ella Gilbert, regional climate modeler at BAS and lead author on this study says that "we should all care about ice shelves because their loss affects us all. When ice shelves collapse it's like pulling the cork out of a bottle. The glaciers that were previously held back can flow unrestrained into the ocean, adding to global sea levels. If we know what's making the ice shelf melt now, we can predict the future better, and ultimately that will help us prepare and adapt to future change." As the climate changes and temperatures rise, the conditions that permit melt to occur will happen more frequently as surface temperatures will be at melting point more often. Determining which patterns are most important for causing melting at the ice shelf surface is essential to improve our ability to predict the future of Larsen C and inform plans to mitigate the effects of climate change. Explore further Third of Antarctic ice shelf area at risk of collapse as planet warms More information: E. Gilbert et al, A 20year study of melt processes over Larsen C Ice Shelf using a highresolution regional atmospheric model: Part 2, Drivers of surface melting, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (2022). Journal information: Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres E. Gilbert et al, A 20year study of melt processes over Larsen C Ice Shelf using a highresolution regional atmospheric model: Part 2, Drivers of surface melting,(2022). DOI: 10.1029/2021JD036012 The deforestation risk for Colombia, from low to high risk. The presence of FARC was the most influential variable determining the fate of the deforested area, as the odds of forest conversion to coca crops over conversion to cattle or other crops in areas with presence of FARC is 308.04% higher than the odds in areas without FARC. Credit: Camila Guerrero-Pineda, Arizona State University In 2019, a landmark report gave the world its first report card on biodiversity loss. There was one crystal clear conclusion: human actions threaten more species with global extinction than ever before. According to the IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) report, currently 25 percent, or 1 million species, are threatened with extinction. The drivers of change have only accelerated in the past 50 years. The human population has doubled to 8 billion, contributing to climate change, land and sea-use change, overexploitation of resources and pollution. Two-thirds of the oceans are impacted. 85 percent of wetlands have been lost. As a result of these stark data findings, the IPBES agreement fingered human land-use changes as the primary culprit. Now, an ASU research team has developed the first-of-its-kind study that combines conservation with practical economic tools for a case study of Colombia, South America, a high priority but underfunded country for biodiversity conservation. "We focused on the case study of the country of Colombia to demonstrate an approach to maximize the biodiversity benefits from limited conservation funding while ensuring that landowners maintain economic returns equivalent to agriculture," said Leah Gerber, who was lead author of the IPBES report, and is a professor of conservation science in the School of Life Sciences and founding director of the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes (CBO) at Arizona State University. While they found that Colombia would need to substantially increase its conservation spending, the study developed a prioritization map that permits policymakers to target conservation actions toward regions where conservation benefits are the highest and economic impacts are low-giving the biggest ecological bang for the buck. To do so, Gerber teamed up with Colombia native Camila Guerrero-Pineda, who, just three years ago, left her home country to join ASU and be mentored as a graduate student by Gerber and Gwenllian D. Iacona, assistant research professor at the School of Life Sciences, to ultimately make a difference back home. "It's fair to categorize that Colombia is a megadiverse country" said Guerrero-Pineda. "It arguably has some of the greatest biodiversity in the world, given its size, and a lot of scientists and academics in Colombia fear the ecological consequences of human actions." Now, she is the first author and a first-year ASU School of Life Sciences and Conservation Innovation Lab graduate student who contributed their results in the prestigious journal Nature Sustainability. Cattle, coca and biodiversity Colombia ranks among one of just 17 megadiverse countries in the world. Colombia possesses a unique geography and natural beauty as the only South American country with combined coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Seas, along with the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which at 13,000m, is the world's highest coastal mountain range. Human actions now threaten the only freshwater species of its kind, the pink river dolphin. The cotton-top tamarin. The Orinoco crocodile. The 100-pound, giant capybara rodent. The spectacled bear. Plants (flor de mayo orchid), amphibians (golden poison frog) and butterflies (Colombian eighty-eight) too. All unique species to Colombia. And all could vanish. In the South American continent, Colombia stands out as a region that has retained its biodiversity, one of the few silver linings due to a long history of violent, human conflicts. Prior to a 2016 peace agreement, Colombia had government instability and a decades long guerrilla war led by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and other minor groups. "FARC had a lot of control over the forests, and it prevented a lot of economic development" said Guerrero-Pineda. Since the FARC controlled the forest for coca leaf (the plant used to produce cocaine) production and the drug trade to finance five decades of asymmetrical warfare, one effect was to prevent unbridled development -and inadvertently preserve biodiversity. In the ASU-led study, they found that the probability of transformation to cattle and other crops decreases with distance to roads, while the probability of transformation to coca increases. These results suggest that coca crops are grown in more isolated areas, away from roads, compared with cattle. The presence of FARC was the most influential variable determining the fate of the deforested area, as the odds of forest conversion to coca crops over conversion to cattle or other crops in areas with presence of FARC is 308.04% higher than the odds in areas without FARC. "It also prevented a lot of scientific monitoring because scientists were afraid of going into the forests," said Guerrero-Pineda. But Colombia now stands at a biodiversity crossroads. The 2016 peace agreement has now brought unprecedented development. During the past 5 years alone, GDP growth has been 5-6% every year. During that time, the deforestation rate rose by 44% after the peace agreement. Palm oil production, logging, mining, and gas oil extraction are some of the leading culprits besides agriculture development. Do nothing, and Gerber's team estimates the current biodiversity loss rate could increase by 50% by 2033. Their team modeled the opportunity cost of conservation (OCC) to agriculture as an approximation of the expected cost of compensating a landowner for avoiding conversion of property. To avoid this additional biodiversity loss, Gerbers groups estimated that Colombia would have to invest $37-39 million USD annually in the best and worst-case scenarios of deforestation. Credit: Camila Guerrero-Pineda Paradise lost or opportunity cost? But how does Colombia preserve its biodiversity while balancing the need for economic development? Gerber's team thinks they found a new blueprint to not only aid Colombia, but also extend to other policymakers in other countries to help make a difference. For the first time, they applied a unique quantitative model that relates conservation investment to national biodiversity outcomes. "The methods developed here offer an approach to identifying areas of greatest conservation returns on investment by balancing cost of conservation action, measured as opportunity cost for agriculture, and biodiversity impacts," said study lead author Camila Guerrero-Pineda. When it comes to development, everything economically comes down to opportunity costs. An extreme example of the choices nations must make is often referred to as the "Guns versus butter" model of economics. It refers to whether a country is more interested in spending money on war or feeding their people-but it can't do both, and there are always going to be tradeoffs. In Colombia's case, it's economic development versus biodiversity outcomes. Or more colloquially, parks versus parking lots. Preservation versus development. Their team modeled the opportunity cost of conservation (OCC) to agriculture as an approximation of the expected cost of compensating a landowner for avoiding conversion of their property. "Opportunity cost is what you're missing out on or what you're not doing because of a decision to do something else," said Guerrero-Pineda. "What that means is that someone is not going to be able to use the land that is going to be used for conservation." They assumed in the modeling of a protection cost that deforestation can be counteracted by compensating the land owner, either by purchase, such as the setting the sale value of a parcel equal to its expected future cash flow, or as continued payments for ecosystem services. To avoid this additional biodiversity loss, Gerber's groups estimated that Colombia would have to invest $37-39 million USD annually in the best and worst-case scenarios of deforestation. According to them, this means an increase in its conservation spending of 7.69-10.16 million USD per year. Avoiding this decline (preventing further loss) would require $61-63 million USD annually, which is more than twice the conservation spending before the peace agreement. "Our strategy for targeting conservation funding involves first identifying regions with a high risk of forest conversion to agriculture [such as cattle ranching or other crops]," said Gerber. "More broadly, the research agenda is around incorporating cost into decision-making to achieve the most outcomes, given limited resources." They found that the Andean region contains the highest mean OCC, reflecting a very strong probability of agricultural conversion of the remaining forests. Following closely behind were the Pacific, the Caribbean and the Orinoquia regions. The Amazon region, the one with the lowest mean probability of agricultural conversion, had the greatest forest cover percentage and the greatest forest area, had a much lower OCC. "One of the things we're excited about with this work is that it's a demonstration of the potential of this idea of using return on investment for thinking about allocated conservation resources," said co-author Gwenllian D. Iacona. "And so, we took these two high profile approaches that are out there, called the Waldron Model and the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric, and we put them together so country-level decision makers can make the best-informed decisions at that type of scale." Their results can also assist in the planning of land preservation and national parks. In Colombia, the National Natural Park System is working to declare five new protected areas, and to expand three more. This builds on evidence showing that more effective and lasting conservation outcomes are achieved when governance empowers local communities and support their environmental stewardship, including indigenous communities, reserves and Afro-Colombian lands. More to come "I think Camila's work really sets us up to assist entities, whether they be countries or companies, in quantitatively measuring the impact of conservation interventions on different metrics, whether they need biodiversity or climate mitigation, or other types of conservation strategies," said Gerber. "I'm optimistic that we'll be able to build and scale this to improve conservation outcomes more generally." "Camila, for example, in the summer, will be working on a collaborative USAID project with Conservation International in Peru and we're going to be applying a similar approach to identify green economic growth pathways." Their approach is another prime example of ASU's commitment to advance research to finding practical solutions of social, economic and today's urgent environmental challenges. "So, in that sense, Camila's foundational work is not only novel, but also represents a practical foundation for broad applications globally", said Gerber. "We're exploring applications in several other countries and for additional sustainable development goals. By coupling this work with market-based incentives, this work offers to rapidly accelerate our ability to achieve sustainable development goals." Explore further Peace has led to more deforestation in Colombia More information: Camila Guerrero-Pineda, An investment strategy to address biodiversity loss from agricultural expansion, Nature Sustainability (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41893-022-00871-2 Journal information: Nature Sustainability Camila Guerrero-Pineda, An investment strategy to address biodiversity loss from agricultural expansion,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00871-2 Credit: Pavel Odinev/Skoltech Skoltech scientists have proposed a concept for a modular Mars exploration rover. Leveraging the power of cooperative robotics, the new system first described in an Acta Astronautica paper consists of four two-wheeled robots that can operate independently or combine in various constellations. According to the study, that approach will enable longer exploration missions that gather more information about the planet's history, potential habitability, and possible traces of surface water or prior life. Since NASA's Pathfinder, the first successful Mars rover, landed on the Red Planet in 1997, researchers have used the same basic design: a six-wheeled autonomous exploratory vehicle carrying a set of scientific instruments on board. Nowadays, researchers suggest that a Mars mission could accomplish more in the same timespan if it consists of several variously equipped robots simultaneously carrying out separate tasks at different locations and occasionally coming together for more challenging tasks. "This is basically an optimization problem: How do you maximize exploration time and distance covered without driving the cost of the mission through the roof?" Skoltech Ph.D. student and the study's first author Alexander Petrovsky commented. "We found that using one six-wheeled rover can be suboptimal. According to our calculations, four two-wheeled machines are the best way to go. Each would carry unique research tools with only the critical payload present in all four modules." That way, even when three of the four robots fail, the remaining one can still do a fair amount of work and transmit its findings to Earth. This maximizes the ultimate results of the mission by the time it terminates. When performing operations that require maximum stabilitysuch as grabbing thingsa pair of rovers with two wheels could assemble into a four-wheeler to be on the safe side and avoid falling over. "Basically, reduced stability is the main drawback, with all the other parameters we considered looking reasonably good or better for the swarm rover scenario," Petrovsky added. "That said, two-wheeled robot technology has come a long way toward making those things more stable than they used to be, so even that is somewhat less of an issue now." The scientist continued, "Artificial intelligence technologies supervising the swarm of mobile robots will open the doors to a new technological level of planetary exploration." According to him, swarm robot technology intended for Mars exploration could also benefit lunar missions and even projects on Earth. For example, similar two-wheeled robots could be deployed to monitor the growth of agricultural plants and detect pests or diseases affecting them. "In July 2021, we did some field tests with small two-wheeled robots on crops in Krasnodar, Russia," Petrovsky said. Besides this, the modular approach could also benefit robotics developed for search and rescue operations. More information: Alexander Petrovsky et al, The two-wheeled robotic swarm concept for Mars exploration, Acta Astronautica (2022). Journal information: Acta Astronautica Alexander Petrovsky et al, The two-wheeled robotic swarm concept for Mars exploration,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.01.025 Clay Center, KS (67432) Today Sunny early then partly cloudy and windy 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. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Ecuador said Wednesday it had begun pumping oil from a third field located partly on a protected nature reserve in the Amazon rainforest. Extraction of 3,600 barrels per day started in the Ishpingo oil field which together with the nearby fields of Tiputini and Tambococha form the so-called ITT block, which holds more than 40 percent of the South American country's proven crude reserves. The three fields together hold over 1.0 billion of former OPEC member Ecuador's four billion barrels of proven oil reserves. Extraction at Tiputini and Tambococha started in 2016 after years of fraught debate over whether to drill inside the Yasuni national park. Then president Rafael Correa had tried to persuade the international community to pay Ecuador $3.6 billion not to exploit the ITT blockan ultimately failed initiative to protect the Amazon and help curb climate change. With his government strapped for cash amid a plunge in global oil prices, the leftist leader in the end asked Congress to give the go-ahead to drill. Current rightwing President Guillermo Lasso has plans to double Ecuador's oil production in spite of opposition from indigenous communities and environmentalists. "If this well (at Ishpingo) maintains the current production trend of 3,600 barrels per day... about $60 million will be generated annually, which will be invested in improvements to the education, health and safety system," a government statement said Wednesday. In 2021, the country produced over half-a-million barrels per day, mostly by state-owned Petroecuador, according to the Central Bank. It is envisaged that another 36 wells will be sunk in the Ishpingo field, operated by China's CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited. Besides being among the most biodiverse areas on Earth, the million-hectare (2.5-million acre) Yasuni park is home to some of the world's last uncontacted indigenous populations. Explore further Ecuador begins pumping oil in Amazon nature reserve 2022 AFP Positive reactions to ads. Positive reactions are defined by like, love, and care Facebook reactions (under Facebook settings, each user is constrained to one possible reaction). Mustafa ads are presented on the left side panel and Kelli ads on the right side panel. Credit: Journal of Experimental Political Science (2021). DOI: 10.1017/XPS.2021.11 COVID-19 can be more perilous for some people than others. The higher risk is caused not only by more possibilities to contract the virus, but also by negative public opinion toward those blamed unfairly for spreading sickness. This is the case for refugees, which spurred "Refugees to the Rescue? Motivating Pro-Refugee Public Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic," an article written among others by Scott Williamson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Political Science at Bocconi University, and published online by the Journal of Experimental Political Science. The authors partnered with the NGOs Refugees International and Refugee Council U.S. to study how different messages could encourage Americans to engage with Facebook advertisements promoting refugees and their efforts to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Users viewing the ads could click on them to show support for refugees or they could record a positive reaction by "liking" or "loving" the ads, according to Williamson, who conducted the study in the United States in August 2020. To have more engagement, the study suggests that refugee advocacy organizations can promote stories about refugees helping the host society in the local community where the ad campaign's viewers live or consume digital contents. So, "it could be better planning locally targeted advertising," Williamson outlines, that tries "to bridge the gap between host communities and the refugees living next door." Finally, NGOs don't need to shy away from using the terms refugee or immigrant: the research confirmed that mentioning in an ad campaign these words (without distinction) has more positive feedback than one not using them. In a pandemic, "the anxiety and economic disruption may reduce willingness to contribute time or money to advocacy groups," Williamson says. "But a crisis can be an opportunity for advocacy organizations, because they may benefit from drawing attention to the immigrant or refugee backgrounds of people fighting the pandemic." However, there is also a concern that "these narratives of refugees as heroes may also create or sharpen the distinction between refugees with the capabilities to contribute and those who may not have such capabilities." This could be problematic if it undermines "a broad commitment to the original purpose of the UN Refugee Convention to support refugees regardless of their ability and their status." Explore further Partnership between humanitarian organizations and government is essential for providing cash assistance to refugees More information: Claire L. Adida et al, Refugees to the Rescue? Motivating Pro-Refugee Public Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Journal of Experimental Political Science (2021). Claire L. Adida et al, Refugees to the Rescue? Motivating Pro-Refugee Public Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic,(2021). DOI: 10.1017/XPS.2021.11 Provided by Bocconi University The NASA Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard stands on pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., March 18, 2022. After a series of equipment problems, NASA attempted an abbreviated fueling test of its mega moon rocket Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Credit: AP Photo/John Raoux, File NASA's latest attempt to fuel its huge moon rocket for a countdown test was thwarted Thursday by a hazardous hydrogen leak, the latest in a series of vexing equipment trouble. The launch team had just begun loading fuel into the core stage of the rocket when the leak cropped up. This was NASA's third shot at a dress rehearsal, a required step ahead of a test flight to the moon. This time, the launch team managed to load some super-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the core stage of the 30-story Space Launch System rocket, but fell far short of the full amount. Liquid hydrogen is extremely hazardous, with officials noting that the systems had been checked for leaks prior to the test. Technicians deliberately left the smaller upper stage empty, after discovering a bad valve last week. The helium valve inside the upper stage cannot be replaced until the rocket is back in its hangar at Kennedy Space Center. Two previous countdown attempts were marred by balky fans and a large hand-operated valve that workers mistakenly left closed at the pad last week. Officials said via Twitter that they're assessing their next steps. NASA had been targeting June for the launch debut of the 322-foot (98-meter) SLS rocket. The empty Orion capsule on top will be sent on a four- to six-week mission around the moon and back. Astronauts will strap in for the second test flight around the moon, planned for 2024. That would be followed as early as 2025 with the first lunar landing by astronauts since 1972. NASA plans to announce the crews for these two missions this summer. 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The red barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta pictured here during collection trip in belize harbor a dense and diverse microbial community that evolved repeatedly during sponge evolution and is linked to increased predation defense. Credit: Sabrina Pankey. Sponges in coral reefs, less flashy than their coral neighbors but important to the overall health of reefs, are among the earliest animals on the planet. New research from UNH peers into coral reef ecosystems with a novel approach to understanding the complex evolution of sponges and the microbes that live in symbiosis with them. With this "genomic time machine," researchers can predict aspects of reef and ocean ecosystems through hundreds of millions of years of dramatic evolutionary change. "This study shows how microbiomes have evolved in a group of organisms over 700 million years old," says Sabrina Pankey, a postdoctoral researcher at UNH and lead author of the study, published recently in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. "Sponges are increasing in abundance on reefs in response to climate change and they play an enormous role in water quality and nutrient fixation." The significance of the work transcends sponges, though, providing a new approach to understanding the past based on genomics. "If we can reconstruct the evolutionary history of complex microbial communities like this we can say a lot about the Earth's past," says study co-author David Plachetzki, associate professor of molecular, cellular and biomedical sciences at UNH. "Research like this could reveal aspects of the chemical composition of the Earth's oceans going back to before modern coral reefs even existed, or it could provide insights on the tumult that marine ecosystems experienced in the aftermath of the greatest extinction in history that took place about 252 million years ago." The researchers characterized almost 100 sponge species from across the Caribbean using a machine-learning method to model the identity and abundance of every member of the sponges' unique microbiomes, the community of microbes and bacteria that live within them in symbiosis. They found two distinct microbiome compositions that led to different strategies sponges used for feeding (sponges capture nutrients by pumping water through their bodies) and protecting themselves against predatorseven among species that grew side by side on a reef. "The types of symbiotic communities we describe in this paper are very complex, yet we can show they evolved independently multiple times," says Plachetzki. And, adds Pankey, "there's something very specific about what these microbial communities are doing sponges dozens of times have decided that this diverse arrangement of microbes works for them." Leveraging this new genomic approach, the researchers found that the origin of one of these distinct microbiomes, which had a high microbial abundance (HMA) of more than a billion microbes per gram of tissue, occurred at a time when the Earth's oceans underwent a significant change in biogeochemistry coincident with the origins of modern coral reefs. While machine learning and genomic sequencing generated the findings Plachetzki calls "a tour de force of microbial barcode sequencing," this research began far from the lab, in the warm waters of the Caribbean. "We dove for all 1,400 of these samples," says Pankey, who went on five expeditions in 2017 and 2018 to collect sponges. "It was a monstrous collection," she adds, acknowledging that SCUBA diving in the Caribbean has its rewards. The duo credits co-author Michael Lesser, UNH research professor emeritus, for establishing field work techniques, and their co-authors from the University of Mississippi and the Universidad Nacional del Comahue in Argentina for assisting with sponge collection and molecular identification. Former graduate student Keir Macartney also contributed to the study. Explore further Sea sponges need oxygen, as fish and people do More information: M. Sabrina Pankey et al, Cophylogeny and convergence shape holobiont evolution in spongemicrobe symbioses, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2022). Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution M. Sabrina Pankey et al, Cophylogeny and convergence shape holobiont evolution in spongemicrobe symbioses,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01712-3 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In the beginning, the idea of environmental justice didn't have a name. It didn't have much support, either. A few years after the first Earth Day, a young sociologist named Robert Bullard gathered data for a 1979 lawsuit, filed by his then-wife, about a landfill planned for a middle-class Black neighborhood in Houston. His work showed that although only about a quarter of Houston's residents were Black, all of the city-owned landfills and most city-owned incinerators were in Black neighborhoods. Today, environmental justice is widely accepted as a crucial public health issue. And Bullard is now known as father of the movement. He leads the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice named after him at Texas Southern University in Houston. But in the early days, he said, when he sought help from environmental groups, the response was, "Ah, that's interesting. But isn't that where the landfills and waste dumps are supposed to be?" And civil rights leaders told him, "We don't do environment." It would take a decade of organizing and action, by Bullard and many others, for more people to see how civil rights and environmentalism converge, he said. "And that convergence is called environmental justice." In 1990's "Dumping in Dixie," one of 18 books he's written about environmental justice, he defines it as "the principle that all people and communities are entitled to equal protection of our environmental laws, regardless of race, income, national origin" and where they live. Where someone lives "profoundly" affects their health, said Dr. Lisa Patel, deputy executive director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, which the American Heart Association joined in 2019. And a neighborhood's health factors are not shaped by accident. "They are the result of structurally racist policies, like redlining, that make certain areas more susceptible" to pollution, said Patel, who also is a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the Stanford School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. Examples abound: Neighborhoods subjected to redlining in the 1930s have high levels of air pollution today. Redlined neighborhoods, usually where Black, Hispanic or Asian people lived, were deemed financially risky and deprived of investment. Today, redlining maps align closely with maps of the worst air pollution, according to a 2021 study in Environmental Science and Technology Letters . Air pollutionspecifically, fine particulate matter such as soot, smoke or dusthas been linked to higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease. . Air pollutionspecifically, fine particulate matter such as soot, smoke or dusthas been linked to higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease. Regardless of income, Black, Hispanic, Asian and other people of color are more likely to be exposed to sources of air pollution, according to a 2021 study in the journal Science Advances . Such disparities have persisted even as such pollution has decreased overall. . Such disparities have persisted even as such pollution has decreased overall. A redlined neighborhood also is less likely to have cooling greenspaces and more likely to have higher heat levelsan average 4.7 degrees Fahrenheit hotter, according to a study published in Climate in 2020. The Environmental Protection Agency says heat can contribute to heart attacks, strokes and other forms of cardiovascular disease, with low-income people and Black people among those most likely to be affected. The result of such inequities, Bullard said, is that life expectancy in ZIP codes just a few miles apart can vary widelyby as much as 20 years, according to research at Virginia Commonwealth University. Patel sees textbook examples in her own part of California. West Oakland, once a thriving Black business area, was isolated by construction of freeways. In the same area, trucks serving the busy port must use Interstate 880, which runs through neighborhoods where most of the residents have low incomes or are Black or Hispanic. But truck traffic is banned on nearby Interstate 580, which runs along wealthier areas. As a result, Patel said, West Oakland is a place where rates of asthma and cardiovascular disease are "severalfold times higher than families just living a few miles away in the beautiful Oakland hills." Climate change will add to environmental justice problems, Patel said. For example, it's already making wildfires more intense and severe, exposing people to choking smoke. "But what we've seen in the last few years play out in the Bay Area is that it is the higher income families that can afford an HVAC system within their home, with filters fitted to be able to take out most of the air pollution." Lower-income families can't. Still, Bullard mixes optimism and realism as he looks to the future. "We've made a lot of change, a lot of progress. But there's still a lot of progress that needs to be made." And even though he's seen such issues move from rural backroads to the White House, much of what's been done has been low-hanging fruit, he said, compared with the transformative changes that need to happen, particularly to protect communities from climate change. He's encouraged that younger people tend to be more inclined to see how "housing, transportation, education, environment, civil rights, criminal justice, healthall these things are connected." Bullard tells people who want to help to begin in their own communities. "Start local," he said. "And as you start local, you can start to build relationships." Patel encourages people who are worried to openly talk about it, because surveys show people tend to underestimate others' concerns about the environment. "Do something about it and talk to other people about what you're doing." We've made "a lot of mistakes" as a society, she said, but we can learn from them and acknowledge, "this has been unjust; it has worsened health. But here's an opportunity to build a sustainable future. "I mean, we're talking about clean air, clean water, healthy children, walkable, livable cities," Patel said. "I think this is worth imagining and fighting for." Explore further Historically 'redlined' urban areas have higher levels of air pollution Credit: CC0 Public Domain Green spaces can promote well-being, but they may not always be benign. Sometimes, they can be a tool for control. That's the gist of a new paper that analyzed declassified U.S. military documents to explore how the U.S. forces used landscapes to fight insurgency during the war in Afghanistan. Author Fionn Byrne, an assistant professor at UBC's school of architecture and landscape architecture, focused on four projects that ranged in scale from individual tree plantings to large-scale reforestation efforts. Funds for each project came through the Commander Emergency Response Program, a multibillion-dollar program designed to win over the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. "Previous research by others shows that exposure to trees has measurable positive impacts on physical and mental health," said Byrne. "These gains in overall health are linked to a more peaceful society. Therefore, I argue that trees, and green spaces in general, can be considered a noncoercive mode of warfare. They can further social cohesion and diminish the likelihood of insurgency." For example, in the project Route Francine Green Space, the U.S. military improved a site adjacent to a road in Kandahar Province by planting trees and building playgrounds and other amenities. Route Francine is part of a district that had a high rate of IED detonations, so not only did the project beautify the landscape, but it also helped garner support for the local government and reduced instability in the region. Alternatively, the Panjshir Valley Green Belt project created jobs for residents by replanting 35,000 trees. Research already shows us that a new forest can influence the mental condition of an entire population, with many individuals gaining from being exposed to nature. A landscape intervention of this type is thus an instance of population-wide psychological modification. Byrne adds that the paper highlights a gap in current scholarship. Most research has emphasized the effects of war on the landscape rather than investigating how the landscape itself is mobilized as a warfighting tool. Even when researchers have studied how the landscape has been used as a weapon, they have focused on large-scale and destructive manipulation of the environment to achieve direct military objectives. He cited a recent piece in the New York Times that follows this pattern. "War is rightly associated with death, so, when we see images of U.S. forces planting trees and fostering new life, it is worth looking at this closely," said Byrne. "We need to study further how militaries have used landscape design in more subversive modes, distinct from an overt weaponization of the environment. This paper demonstrates that using tree planting to impact mental health is a nonviolent, subtle and potentially unchallenged pathway to subdue resistance from a local population." He added that this research can provide a lens to study the landscape changes of past wars. It can also help us understand that the landscape remains implicated in many conflicts, including the ongoing effects of colonization and other territorial struggles. Further research will need to examine the specific legacy impacts of past landscape changes. "Though it is beyond the scope of this paper, I can add that landscape architects need to understand better the role of the profession in, for example, tree-planting efforts. I hope my research makes us question the benign good of tree planting and reminds us that green spaces are neither neutral nor apolitical." The research was published in the Journal of Architectural Education. More information: Fionn Byrne, Verdant Persuasion: The Use of Landscape as a Warfighting Tool during Operation Enduring Freedom, Journal of Architectural Education (2022). Fionn Byrne, Verdant Persuasion: The Use of Landscape as a Warfighting Tool during Operation Enduring Freedom,(2022). DOI: 10.1080/10464883.2022.2017690 In this undated photo provided by Dalaine Bradley, Ahmad Waller, 11, Zion Waller, 10, and Drew Waller, 7, left to right, study during homeschooling, in Raleigh, N.C. Credit: Courtesy of Dalaine Bradley via AP The coronavirus pandemic ushered in what may be the most rapid rise in homeschooling the U.S. has ever seen. Two years later, even after schools reopened and vaccines became widely available, many parents have chosen to continue directing their children's educations themselves. Homeschooling numbers this year dipped from last year's all-time high, but are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels, according to data obtained and analyzed by The Associated Press. Families that may have turned to homeschooling as an alternative to hastily assembled remote learning plans have stuck with itreasons include health concerns, disagreement with school policies and a desire to keep what has worked for their children. In 18 states that shared data through the current school year, the number of homeschooling students increased by 63% in the 2020-2021 school year, then fell by only 17% in the 2021-2022 school year. Around 3% of U.S. students were homeschooled before the pandemic-induced surge, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The rising numbers have cut into public school enrollment in ways that affect future funding and renewed debates over how closely homeschooling should be regulated. What remains unknown is whether this year's small decrease signals a step toward pre-pandemic levelsor a sign that homeschooling is becoming more mainstream. Linda McCarthy, a suburban Buffalo mother of two, says her children are never going back to traditional school. Unimpressed with the lessons offered remotely when schools abruptly closed their doors in spring 2020, she began homeschooling her then fifth- and seventh-grade children that fall. McCarthy, who had been working as a teacher's aide, said she knew she could do better herself. She said her children have thrived with lessons tailored to their interests, learning styles and schedules. In this undated photo provided by Dalaine Bradley, Drew Waller, 7, Ahmad Waller, 11, and Zion Waller, 10, left to right, study at Cameron Village Library during homeschooling, in Raleigh, N.C. Credit: Courtesy of Dalaine Bradley via AP "There's no more homework 'til the wee hours of the morning, no more tears because we couldn't get things done," McCarthy said. Once a relatively rare practice chosen most often for reasons related to instruction on religion, homeschooling grew rapidly in popularity following the turn of the century before leveled off at around 3.3%, or about 2 million students, in the years before the pandemic, according to the Census. Surveys have indicated factors including dissatisfaction with neighborhood schools, concerns about school environment and the appeal of customizing an education. In the absence of federal guidelines, there is little uniformity in reporting requirements. Some states, including Connecticut and Nevada, require little or no information from parents, while New York, Massachusetts and some others require parents to submit instruction plans and comply with assessment rules. The new surge in homeschooling numbers has led state legislatures around the country to consider measures either to ease regulations on homeschool families or impose new onesdebates have gone on for years. Proponents of more oversight point to the potential for undetected cases of child abuse and neglect while others argue for less in the name of parental rights. All of the 28 state education departments that provided homeschooling data to the AP reported that homeschooling spiked in 2020-21, when fears of infection kept many school buildings closed. Of the 18 states whose enrollment data included the current school year, all but one state said homeschooling declined from the previous year but remained well above pre-pandemic levels. (The exception, South Dakota, recently changed the way it collects data). Minnesota, for example, reported that 27,801 students are being homeschooled now, compared to 30,955 during the last school year. Before the pandemic, homeschool figures were around 20,000 or less. Black families make up many of the homeschool converts. The proportion of Black families homeschooling their children increased by five times, from 3.3% to 16.1%, from spring 2020 to the fall, while the proportion about doubled across other groups, according to U.S. Census surveys. In this undated photo provided by Dalaine Bradley, holding daughter Kanai Bradley, center, she is joined by husband, Vincent Bradley, Zion Waller, 10, left, Drew Waller, 7, and Ahmad Waller, 11, seated, in Raleigh, N.C. Credit: Courtesy of Dalaine Bradley via AP Raleigh, North Carolina, mother Laine Bradley said the school system's shortcomings became more evident to families like hers when remote learning began. "I think a lot of Black families realized that when we had to go to remote learning, they realized exactly what was being taught. And a lot of that doesn't involve us," said Bradley, who decided to homeschool her 7-, 10- and 11-year-old children. "My kids have a lot of questions about different things. I'm like, 'Didn't you learn that in school?' They're like, 'No.'" Bradley, who works in financial services, converted her dining room into a classroom and rearranged her work schedule to take over her children's education, adding lessons on financial literacy, Black history and Caribbean history important to her heritage. "I can incorporate things that I feel like they should know," she said. Her husband, Vince, who retired from the Air Force last year, steps in at times. The couple also have a 14-month-old. They plan to continue homeschooling for as long as their children want it. Her social media posts about her experience have drawn so much interest that Bradley recently created an online community called Black Moms Do Homeschool to share resources and experiences. Boston University researcher Andrew Bacher-Hicks said data showed that while homeschool rates rose across the board during the last school year, the increase was greater in school districts that reverted to in-person learning, perhaps before some parents were ready to send their children back. He said the same health concerns that drove those increases are likely behind the continued elevated rates, despite additional upheaval in schools as parents and policy-makers debate issues surrounding race and gender and which books should be in libraries. "It's really hard to disentangle those two things because all of this is kind of happening at the same time," he said. "But my my guess would be that a large part of the decisions to exit from the system do have to do with COVID-related issues as opposed to political issues, because those things come up frequently and we've never seen an increase in homeschooling rates like this before." In this undated photo provided by Dalaine Bradley, Drew Waller, 7, Zion Waller, 10, and Ahmad Waller, 11, left to right, study during homeschooling, in Raleigh, N.C. Credit: Courtesy of Dalaine Bradley via AP He said parents also may be concerned about the quality of education delivered by schools that have had to rely heavily on substitute teachers amid pandemic-caused staffing shortages. McCarthy, the mom from suburban Buffalo, said it was a combination of everything, with the pandemic compounding the misgivings she had already held about the public school system, including her philosophical differences over the need for vaccine and mask mandates and academic priorities. The pandemic, she said, "was kind ofthey say the straw that broke the camel's backbut the camel's back was probably already broken." "There are kids that don't know basic English structure but they want to push other things on children, and it can be blatant but it can be, and mostly is, very subtle, very, very subtle," McCarthy said. "So we were ready to pull them and will never send them back to traditional school. It's just not a fit for us." "It's just a whole new world that is a much better world for us," she said. Explore further Sparked by pandemic fallout, homeschooling surges across US 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Zircon with baddeleyite rim preserving cubic zirconia orientations. Credit: University of Western Ontario If there was ever any doubt the 2011 discovery by a post-doctoral student was indeed the hottest rock on Earth, new findings from a Western-led research team are putting that uncertainty to rest. Eleven years after researchers from Western unearthed what was then perceived as the hottest rock on Earth, a recent study found four additional zircon grainsa hard mineral commonly known as a substitute for diamondsthat confirmed the previous rock's record-high temperature of 2,370 C. The study, published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, was led by Earth sciences post-doctoral student Gavin Tolometti and co-authors: Timmons Erickson from NASA Johnson Space Center, Gordon Osinski and Catherine Neish from the department of Earth sciences; and Cayron Cyril from the Laboratory of Thermomechanical Metallurgy. In 2011, then Ph.D. student Michael Zanetti was working with Osinski at the Mistastin Lake impact crater in Labrador when he found a glass rock that contained small zircon grains frozen inside it. That rock was later analyzed and found to have been formed at 2,370 C temperature as a result of an asteroid impact. These findings were shared in a study published in 2017. In their own study using samples collected between 2009 and 2011, Tolometti and his colleagues were able to find four additional zircon grains that confirmed the 2011 discovery to be true. They researchers also located and found evidence in a different location within the same impact structure that the melt rockrocks created after rock and soil melt into liquid after a meteor strikeswas differently superheated in more than one location, to a greater degree than previously theorized. "The biggest implication is that we are getting a much better idea of how hot these impact melt rocks are, which initially formed when the meteorite struck the surface, and it gives us a much better idea of the history of the melt and how it cooled in this particular crater," Tolometti said. "It can also give us insight to study the temperature and melts in other impact craters." Tolometti also noted that most of the preserved evidence, such as glass samples and impact melt samples, were found close to the crater floor. By applying this knowledge to other impact craters, researchers might be able to find more evidence of the temperature conditions found in other craters but in less extensive studies. "We're starting to realize that if we're wanting to find evidence of temperatures this high, we need to look at specific regions instead of randomly selecting across an entire crater," he said. Other discovery The paper also noted this is the first time reiditesa mineral formed when zircon undergoes high pressure and temperatureshave been discovered at this site. The team found three reidites that were still preserved in the zircon grains, and evidence that another two were once present but had crystallized when temperatures had exceeded 1,200 C, at which point the reidite was no longer stable. This mineral allows researchers to better constrain the pressure conditions indicating that there may have been a peak pressure condition around 30 to potentially above 40 gigapascals. These are the pressure conditions that were created when the meteorite struck the surface at that time. The closer something is to the impact event, the higher the pressure is going to be. Certain minerals that have been compressed greatly by this eventreferred to as 'shocked'leave behind structures that can be studied. "Considering how big the reidite was in our samples, we knew the minimum pressure it probably recorded was about 30 gigapascals. But since there is a lot of reidites still present within some of these grains, we know that it could even be above 40 gigapascals," Tolometti explained. This provides a better idea of the amount of pressure produced outside of the melting zone when the meteorite struck the surface. The melting zone will, by default, have pressures usually above 100 gigapascals, at which point a rock will completely melt or vaporize outside of those conditions. Research expansion The research group plans to expand this work to other impact craters on Earth. Some Ph.D. students will be working with Osinski to look at other craters such as Lac Wiyashakimi (Clearwater West crater) in Quebec. Tolometti is also looking to expand this work and look at Apollo lunar samples that were brought back to Earth, which have plenty of evidence to form from impact craters. "If we were to find evidence of microstructures in zircon grains or other grains in pressure conditions, we could get a much better idea of what impact cratering processes are like on the moon," he said. "It can be a step forward to try and understand how rocks have been modified by impact cratering across the entire solar system. This data can then be applied into impact models to improve the results that we get." More information: G.D. Tolometti et al, Hot rocks: Constraining the thermal conditions of the Mistastin Lake impact melt deposits using zircon grain microstructures, Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2022). G.D. Tolometti et al, Hot rocks: Constraining the thermal conditions of the Mistastin Lake impact melt deposits using zircon grain microstructures,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117523 Nicholas E. Timms et al, Cubic zirconia in >2370 C impact melt records Earth's hottest crust, Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.08.012 Journal information: Earth and Planetary Science Letters The Layered Laser Defense weapon shoots down a drone during a February demonstration at the U.S. Army's High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The ONR-sponsored demonstration marked the first time the U.S. Navy used an all-electric, high-energy laser weapon to defeat a target representing a subsonic cruise missile in flight. Credit: Lockheed Martin The ground-based laser system homed in on the red drone flying by, shooting a high-energy beam invisible to the naked eye. Suddenly, a fiery orange glow flared on the drone, smoke poured from its engine and a parachute opened as the craft tumbled downward, disabled by the laser beam. The February demonstration marked the first time the U.S. Navy used an all-electric, high-energy laser weapon to defeat a target representing a subsonic cruise missile in flight. Known as the Layered Laser Defense (LLD), the weapon was designed and built by Lockheed Martin to serve as a multi-domain, multi-platform demonstration system. It can counter unmanned aerial systems and fast-attack boats with a high-power laserand also use its high-resolution telescope to track in-bound air threats, support combat identification and conduct battle damage assessment of engaged targets. The drone shoot-down by the LLD was part of a recent test sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) at the U.S. Army's High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The demonstration was a partnership between ONR, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering) and Lockheed Martin. "Innovative laser systems like the LLD have the potential to redefine the future of naval combat operations," said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Lorin C. Selby. "They present transformational capabilities to the fleet, address diverse threats, and provide precision engagements with a deep magazine to complement existing defensive systems and enhance sustained lethality in high-intensity conflict." The LLD testing supports a broader effort by the naval research and development community, partnered closely with the fleet, to mature technologies and field a family of laser weapons that can address multiple threats using a range of escalating options. These capabilities range from non-lethal measures, such as optical "dazzling" and disabling of sensors, to destruction of a target. Laser weapons provide new precision and speed of engagement for naval warfighters. They also offer simplified logistics that are safer for ships and their crews, as lasers are not dependent on the traditional propellants or gunpowder-based ordnance found on ships. Instead, modern high-power lasers run on electricity, making them inherently safer and able to provide weapon capability as long as a ship has power. This also means the cost per engagement for a laser weapon can be very low, since the only consumable item expended is fuel to run the system. For years, the Department of Defense (DoD) and all the Services have recognized the promise of directed-energy weapons such as lasers, and continue to prioritize research. Recently, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Hon. Heidi Shyu, re-affirmed that directed energy is one of the DoD's critical technology areas. ONR plays an important role in developing technologies for laser weapons and has fielded demonstration systems for operational experimentation. Notably, in 2014 ONR saw the Laser Weapon System tested successfully aboard the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf. More recently, ONR fielded the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator aboard the USS Portland in 2021. Although there's no plan to field the LLD, it offers a glimpse into the future of laser weapons. It is compact and powerful, yet more efficient than previous systems. It has specialized optics to observe a target and focus laser beams to maximum effect, while also incorporating artificial intelligence to improve tracking and targeting. "LLD is an example of what a very advanced laser system can do to defeat significant threats to naval forces," said David Kiel, a former Navy captain who is a program officer in ONR's Aviation, Force Projection and Integrated Defense Department, which managed the testing. "And we have ongoing efforts, both at ONR and in other Navy programs, to keep building on these results in the near future." During the recent test at White Sands, the LLD tracked or shot down an array of targetsincluding unmanned fixed-wing aerial vehicles, quadcopters and high-speed drones representative of subsonic cruise missiles. "We're proud to say that the Layered Laser Defense system defeated a surrogate cruise missile threat in partnership with the Navy, White Sands Missile Range and Army High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility teams. Lockheed Martin drew best-in-class laser weapon subsystems from across the corporation, including key industry partner Rolls-Royce, to support the entire threat engagement timeline from target detection to defeat," said Rick Cordaro, vice president, Lockheed Martin Advanced Product Solutions. "We leveraged more than 40 years of directed energy experience to create new capabilities that support the 21st century warfighter." Dr. Frank Peterkin, ONR's directed energy portfolio manager, said, "The Navy performed similar tests during the 1980s but with chemical-based laser technologies that presented significant logistics barriers for fielding in an operational environment. And, ultimately, those types of lasers did not transition to the fleet or any other Service. "Today, ONR coordinates closely with the Navy's resourcing and acquisition communities to make sure we develop laser weapon technologies that make sense for the Navy's requirements to defend the fleet and for operations in the rough maritime environment at sea," Peterkin continued. "It's a challenging problem, but Navy leadership at all levels see potential for laser weapons to really make a difference. The next few years are going to be very exciting as we work with the Navy and joint partners to make the capability we just saw demonstrated by the LLD a reality for the naval warfighter." Active structures of GPR133-CTF and GPR114-CTF. Credit: Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04619-y Breathing, seeing, hearingthe family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is involved in a variety of physiological processes and is also the cause of diverse diseases. As has now been discovered by a team of scientists led by Professor Ines Liebscher from Leipzig University, some members of the GPCR family respond to mechanical stimuli. In collaboration with Chinese research groups, they have achieved another milestone on the way to understanding the mechanism by which this receptor class is activated. For the first time, they were able to describe the structure of specific active receptors. Their findings have now been published in the journal Nature. "GPCRs are involved in almost all physiological processes in the body. GPCRs allow humans to see, control their immune system, direct hormone balance," explained Professor Ines Liebscher from the Rudolf Schonheimer Institute of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, emphasizing that "they have been the focus of our research for many years now, and research on GPCRs is of such outstanding importance because the majority of approved drugs target this receptor family." GPCRs are receptors that transmit their signals via so-called G proteins, which is why they are also called G protein-coupled receptorsor GPCRs for short. The researchers in Leipzig focus their work on a special class of receptors, known as adhesion GPCRs. In collaboration with several Chinese teams of scientists, the research groups led by Professor Ines Liebscher and Professor Torsten Schoneberg have now been able to describe the structure of special receptor molecules in their active state. This data supports findings from seven years ago at the Leipzig institute that these receptors are activated by a tethered agonist within the molecule. Furthermore, the Leipzig researchers showed that mechanical stimuli play a crucial role in the activation by the tethered agonist. It is still not fully understood how our body's own cells are able to interpret mechanicsin the form of vibration, gravitational forces, relative cell movement or swellingas a signal. "Our research has established the basis for our partners from China to structurally elucidate a scenario of how mechanical stimuli are recognized in the molecule and transmitted as signals," said Liebscher, a medical scientist and biochemist. "The results can be found in the current study." Functional nature of mechanosensitive receptors elucidated "About one-third of the GPCR family are still orphans, meaning that either their function or activation is unknown. With our current research, we have made a decisive contribution to better understanding GPCR structures," said co-author Schoneberg, director of the Rudolf Schonheimer Institute of Biochemistry. "The new study findings are of landmark importance when it comes to developing future forms of therapy," concluded Liebscher. She is a member of the steering committee in the EU-funded COST Action Adhern Rise CA18240, which she successfully secured in 2019. This network of scientists from 28 European countries aims to promote, stimulate and implement research on adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) "from bench to bedside". The latest findings and approaches to adhesion GPCR research will also be presented at the international conference 4GPCRnet, of which Professor Liebscher is co-organizer. This high-level meeting will be held on 26 to 29 September 2022 on Leipzig University's Augustusplatz campus. Explore further Two-part binding triggers signal activation of key regulatory protein within the cell More information: Yu-Qi Ping et al, Structural basis for the tethered peptide activation of adhesion GPCRs, Nature (2022). Journal information: Nature Yu-Qi Ping et al, Structural basis for the tethered peptide activation of adhesion GPCRs,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04619-y An electron microscope observation of porous silicon samples. A new paper examines the effect of porous structure on light trapping. Credit: SciencePOD The world sits on the brink of a major ecological disaster and the need for renewable energy sources has never been more urgent. Perhaps the most significant source of untapped renewable energy is, unsurprisingly, the Sun. It is little wonder that much of the focus of renewable energy research focuses on solar power. A new paper published in The European Physical Journal D examines changes in the porous structure of silicon to make it less reflective and thus a better material for solar absorbing technology. The paper is authored by Daohan Ge, Zhou Hu, Zhiwei Fang, Chao Ni, and Liqiang Zhang of the Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, China, and Shining Zhu of the National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, China. In the paper, the authors point out that porous silicon can be used as a good light-trapping layer material, which can effectively reduce the optical reflectivity and improve the optical application efficiency of its devices focusing on the electrochemical etching method for preparing porous silicon because of its efficiency and inexpensive nature. Currently, the reflectivity of porous silicon prepared using electrochemical methods is around 5 to 10 percent, with the lowest reflectivity being 4.7 percent for light in the wavelength range of 300 to 1000 nanometers. Other research has investigated the light trapping qualities of this silicon, but where this study differs is in the fact that the team link this quality to the porous structure of the silicon. Thus, the team used the finite time domain difference method (FDTD) to calculate and compare the surface reflectivity of porous silicon structures with different pore sizes. What the researchers say they discovered is that the porous silicon structure when prepared under the optimal corrosion parameters can achieve an average reflectivity as low as 2.3 percent for light in the incident wavelength range of 300 to1000 nm. They found that pore sizes of 300 to 700 nm could achieve lower reflectivity, adding that this points the way for the design and preparation of future low-reflectivity porous silicon structures. Explore further 2D material in three dimensions More information: Daohan Ge et al, Optimization of porous silicon structure as antireflective material, The European Physical Journal D (2022). Journal information: European Physical Journal D Daohan Ge et al, Optimization of porous silicon structure as antireflective material,(2022). DOI: 10.1140/epjd/s10053-022-00344-3 Elizabeth Herndon uses spectroscopic techniques at ORNL to analyze the chemical composition of leaves and other environmental samples to better understand the soil carbon cycle. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy While most people think first of atmospheric carbon emissions from fossil fuels when considering climate change, the planet's soil actually stores more carbon and could become a major source of carbon release or a mitigation tactic in the years ahead. Just how soils store carbon, when and how much they release to the atmosphere, and how to get them to absorb more is the subject of intense research as scientists race to understand the processes at play, predict environmental change and use that knowledge to help heal the planet. At the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, biogeochemist Elizabeth Herndon is working with colleagues to investigate a piece of the puzzle that has received little attention thus far: the role of manganese in the carbon cycle. Manganese is a metal micronutrient involved in plant growth and function. For example, manganese is used in photosynthesis to convert water molecules to oxygen. Manganese also influences other ecosystem carbon dynamics such as the breakdown of plant matter and stabilization of organic matter in soils. The ORNL scientists detailed how further research can better inform understanding of the metal's effects on carbon and the climate in a recent paper. Herndon and the team posed questions that science can address, such as how fungi use manganese to break down tough plant components like lignin, and how the manganese present in plant tissue could be used to help degrade organic matterprocesses important to binding carbon in soils. The function and influence of minerals such as iron on soil carbon have been more thoroughly explored. But Herndon's work has already demonstrated that manganese, even though typically present at lower concentrations in soils, can contribute just as much to the carbon cycle. "Manganese oxides are a very reactive component of soils," Herndon said. "We've studied manganese in laboratory experiments, but we don't really understand how it functions in the natural environmenthow it transforms organic matter and influences carbon storage." Manganese oxides may play an important role in preserving organic matter in vulnerable environments, acting as "cements" that limit degradation of carbon stores, for instance, the scientists noted in the paper. Exploring how minerals like manganese oxide bind to the essential nutrient phosphorous in natural environments could also lead to a better understanding of how urban and agricultural runoff, sea level rise and flood control measures are affecting coastal ecosystems. Herndon and her colleagues have already been delving into the intricate processes at play in the carbon cycle as part of their field work in the Arctic tundra, where ORNL is leading a large, multi-institutional DOE project called NGEE Arctic to understand and model the effects of thawing permafrost. Analyzing the biogeochemical changes as Arctic soils thaw has revealed an abundance of data to help scientists discern and predict the impacts of environmental change. They have also studied manganese distribution in different geographic areas such as the Walker Branch watershed in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and are collaborating with researchers at the University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture to evaluate manganese uptake by crops and its impact on crop residue decomposition. ORNL scientists are also working to improve the representation of manganese impacts in prevailing climate models. Even though these processes of how soil minerals can stabilize or destabilize organic matter are very important, they are not currently incorporated into predictive models for carbon storage, Herndon said. "There's a lot of uncertainty around the ability of soils to store carbon, but they could play a very important role in mitigating climate change." "Our goals here at ORNL," Herndon said, "are to not only understand what these soil mineral interactions are, but to also place them in a quantitative framework so they can be incorporated into our models to better predict and prepare for the future." Explore further Diurnal oxidation for manganese minerals in the Arctic Ocean More information: Hui Li et al, A Critical Review on the Multiple Roles of Manganese in Stabilizing and Destabilizing Soil Organic Matter, Environmental Science & Technology (2021). Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology Hui Li et al, A Critical Review on the Multiple Roles of Manganese in Stabilizing and Destabilizing Soil Organic Matter,(2021). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00299 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Spoiler alert: In the final scene of the 1973 movie "Soylent Green" actor Charlton Heston, who plays detective Frank Thorn, is being led off on a stretcher following a gun battle when he desperately reveals the secret he wants the world to know: The nutritious wafer Soylent Green is composed of pulverized remains of human corpses. "Soylent Green is people!" Heston yells, his left arm and bloody left hand lifted over his head. Yes, the movie is a fictional piece of work. Then again The film portrays a world being devastated by climate change, its oceans polluted with waste; overpopulation and overuse of resources lead to shortages of food and water; housing prices skyrocket to the point only the elite can afford apartments. The year the movie was set? You got it: 2022. April 19 marks the 49th anniversary of the film's release, and its futuristic, dystopian themes have some relevance today, so much so that four Arizona State University professors, all in different fields, could address the movie's, well, prescient takes. A jar of strawberry jam costs what? In the movie, the food shortage is so extreme a jar of strawberry jam is $150 and people weep at the sight of beef. Housing in New York City, where "Soylent Green" is set, is only affordable to the richest of the rich. The elite, they're called. Everyone else sleeps in their carsor on the street. The affordability of resources isn't quite as class-driven today as it was in the filmunless you're trying to find a decently-priced apartment in the Phoenix metro area. According to Apartment List, rents increased by 25% in Phoenix during the past year. Currently, median rents in Phoenix are $1,227 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,498 for a two-bedroom apartment. "The housing shortage has become particularly acute over the past year," said Alison Cook-Davis, associate director for research at ASU's Morrison Institute for Public Policy. "The vacancy rate is historically low, so the rents are getting pushed up and up." The rising rental prices, Cook-Davis said, will likely cause an even greater increase in the number of homeless people in the Valley. According to a January count by the Maricopa Association of Governments, the unsheltered homeless population has increased from 1,053 in 2014 to 5,029 this year. "It's having really devastating effects, especially for low-income households," she said. "Those are the individuals who are just trying to make ends meet and really get squeezed because they were already potentially cost-burdened in terms of the percentage of their income they're paying toward housing." Pricing people out of affordable rentals isn't the only problem, Cook-Davis added. Those without significant resources can't get into a home, either, which is very "Soylent Green"-like. "It's people who are kind of in the low or very low income bracket who are trying to get into the housing market for the first time," she said. "It's almost impossible. So young people who may have good jobs still aren't able to buy a home." The power of (mis)information The Soylent Green corporation controls the world's food supply, and in many ways, the information faucet to the 7 billion people around the world. (That's one more thing the movie accurately forecast: Today's world population is 7.9 billion). In doing so, the corporation protects itself from public examination or even the most cursory questioning. Its duplicitous messaging is most evident when people choose to be euthanized. They see a beautiful montage of waterfalls, deer and flowersbefore their remains turn into wafers of Soylent Green. It's communication as control, and it's magnified by today's technology. "We're living in a world where we've somehow got to play catch up with how we use our technological abilities wisely," said Andrew Maynard, an associate dean for curricula and student success at ASU's College of Global Futures. "It's exactly this tension that is seen in a film like "Soylent Green," where you have a layer of society that is using technology both to maintain their own position, control other people and to actually suppress other people. "And most people don't question it, right? They live miserable lives, but they're not rebelling against the machine. They're not asking hard questions, and we have to ask why and what we can learn from that." Maynard concedes that the world is a subtler and far more complex place than it was in the movie. But, he added, that doesn't make misinformation any less dangerous. "People absolutely do not think critically," he said. "You see this in so many places, and it almost seems like the more technologically complex we get, the easier it is for people not to think. "Just look at social media and how trends sort of stream across social media. Look at movements such as the anti-vax movement or conspiracy theories. All of those stem from increasingly complex communication technologies. You see how people, because of lies and misinformation, don't question things. There is that element of sheep-dom that we're seeing right now." Food systems Joni Adamson, a President's Professor of environmental humanities in the Department of English, teaches a class called "Environmental Literature and Film." Yes, "Soylent Green" is on the curriculum. "We play around with what the future food system is going to look like, and how are we going to get there?" Adamson said. "So we watch 'Soylent Green' and ask questions like, "Is this what we want the future to look like? And if not, then what do we need to do to have a different future?'" In the movie, the Soylent Green corporation advertises that its wafers are being made from ocean plankton when in reality, all ocean life has died. Thus, the corporation throws human carcasses into waste production plants. A future reality? Let's hope not. A cautionary tale? Perhaps. "There's a process called acidification," Adamson said. "Acidification is when all of the chemicals that are being used in our agricultural fields run through the rivers and then into the bigger rivers and then out into the ocean. And when they're out in the ocean, one of the things they tend to do is cause algae to bloom, and algae bloom leads to a deprivation of oxygen in the water, and fish die. "The film itself imagines something that could happen and is happening. It just takes it to the extreme." Maynard said the film, if stripped of its dystopian elements, accurately portrays the gap between haves and have-nots when it comes to food supply. According to the United Nations, nearly one-third of the world's population didn't have access to adequate food in 2020. "We have this question of who gets access to stuff versus who doesn't," he said. "Who has the privilege and who doesn't. That's absolutely caught in the film One of the things I find fascinating watching science fiction movies, including "Soylent Green," is no matter how dystopian things are in the sci-fi movie, you can almost always find some aspect of global society that mirrors it." Including how corporations can create class distinctions by affordability and accessibility of their products. "They're not just making Soylent Green to be philanthropic," Adamson said. "They're controlling the food system in order to be in control of who is in what class." Can't trust anyone Joshua Vasquez, a lecturer in film and media studies in the Department of English, first watched "Soylent Green" as a boy when it would pop up on television on Saturday afternoons. "It always seemed a little awkward to me," he said. "And I know in pop culture, it became something of a joke because Phil Hartman did a parody of it on 'Saturday Night Live.'" But as Vasquez grew up, became more interested in film and watched "Soylent Green" again, he recognized a melancholy and sense of anxiousness that grips some people today. "This is not a political screed, but we are living in a very fractured political landscape, which is not exactly but largely similar to this kind of fracturing in the late 1960s and early 1970s," he said. "And that profound distrust of government can lead to this feeling of paranoia. That sense of being very aware of the dangers of the moment, at least I would argue, has kept the movie very fresh." And while "Soylent Green" is clearly an exaggeration, it's what it represents that makes it relevant today. "I mean, we're obviously not making wafers out of human remains and a jar of strawberry jam doesn't cost $150," Vasquez said. "But people will say, "This is where we're heading unless we do something.'" You could say the future in "Soylent Green" has become, 49 years later, the present. "Essentially," Adamson said, "it was a movie ahead of its time." Explore further New study measures rent spikes in three Florida markets Credit: CC0 Public Domain Climate policies could be the next target for right-wing populist parties as the cost of energy soars, researchers into the links between climate policy and political parties warn. Newly published research from the University of Warwick and the University of Sussex Business School reveals that the influence of left-of-center parties increase the strength of a government's climate policy score by about 22% relative to the average score while the influence of right-wing populist parties leads to a 24% reduction relative to the same average. In the study, "How Do Right-Wing Populist Parties Influence Climate and Renewable Energy Policies? Evidence from OECD Countries," the researchers carried out a quantitative analysis of the effects of right-wing populist parties' representation in the legislature and executive on climate and renewable energy policy for a number of OECD countries between 2007 and 2018. They combined data on the quality of policies with established datasets on right-wing populism and on parliaments and governments. The study found that while right-wing populist parties in governments of countries outside the EU have a strong negative impact on climate policy, they had no significant influence on average when operating within the governments of EU countries. Dr. Ben Lockwood, Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick, said: "Our paper provides some of the first quantitative evidence on how right-wing populism is negatively associated with progress on climate policy, at least among OECD countries. Interestingly, membership of the EU and proportional representation rules seem to mitigate this effect. These findings are relevant, as right-wing populism has not gone away: while Trump is (for now) out of power in the US, in Hungary and Poland 'strongmen' continue to rule unchallenged and in the European Union far-right populists are the fourth largest parliamentary group." The study, co-authored by Dr. Lockwood, reveals that countries within the EU with proportional representation (PR) voting systems are better protected against the threat of right-wing populist parties and leaders ripping up climate policy than countries outside the EU with first-past-the-post elections such as the U.S., Canada and Australia. The research also highlights the huge impact a dominant right-wing populist party could have on climate policy. In strongly majoritarian systems, when both the head of government and all the cabinet posts are held by right-wing populist parties, the score given for the strength of climate policy is 58% lower than in comparison with a right-wing non-populist government. However, the researchers did not find that the participation of right-wing populist parties in governments had any significant impact on renewable energy policies, according to the newly published paper. The research, published today in the journal Global Environmental Politics, explains that nationalist parties may be accepting of at least some forms of renewable energy if it can help relieve energy security issues and limit reliance on energy supply from other countries, particularly for governments without domestic fossil fuel reserves. Dr. Matthew Lockwood, Senior Lecturer in Energy Policy in the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex Business School and Co-Director of the Sussex Energy Group, said: "Conventional center-right political parties have always been more reluctant to adopt strong climate policies, but the rise of right-wing populist parties and movements represents a threat of a different order. Our research suggests that while right-wing populists taking over mainstream center-right parties is relatively rare, when they have done so, as with Donald Trump in the US, the impacts on climate policy have been strongly negative. Soaring energy prices potentially create a new opportunity for populists to attack policy, despite the fact that concern about climate change is at record levels." The academics believe the existence of climate and renewable energy targets at the supranational level muted the influence of right-wing populist parties on climate change policies in EU member states. The influence of right-wing populist parties on climate policy is weaker in countries with PR electoral systems than those with majoritarian first-past-the-post systems, the study found. The researchers explain that in countries with PR, right-wing populist parties typically enter government as junior coalition partners with limited numbers of cabinet seats and prioritize their portfolios towards issues such as immigration rather than climate and renewable energy policy. Of 43 cabinets containing right-wing populist parties in European countries since 1993, their representatives have only held the environment portfolio in nine caseswith five related to Poland's current ruling Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc (PiS) party. In majoritarian electoral systems, the usual route into government for right wing populists is via an internal capture of the existing center right party, as seen with Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the US. With a populist takeover in a two-party political system, their influence through both executive and legislature to stymie climate policy is stronger than in a PR system, the study found. While accounting for other factors impacting climate policy within the study, the researchers also found: Rising unemployment levels reduces the quality of climate policy as other policy priorities become more important during recessions. Higher local air pollution increases the quality of climate policy in response to citizen demand for environmental improvement. High levels of CO 2 per unit of GDP has a negative effect on climate policy indicating a level of resistance to decarbonisation from producers. per unit of GDP has a negative effect on climate policy indicating a level of resistance to decarbonisation from producers. Countries with high levels of fuel exports also surprisingly had increased quality in climate policies. Varying levels of per capita GDP and tertiary education within a population had no significant effect on climate policy. More information: Ben Lockwood et al, How Do Right-Wing Populist Parties Influence Climate and Renewable Energy Policies? Evidence from OECD Countries, Global Environmental Politics (2022). Ben Lockwood et al, How Do Right-Wing Populist Parties Influence Climate and Renewable Energy Policies? Evidence from OECD Countries,(2022). DOI: 10.1162/glep_a_00659 BALLSTON SPA A Halfmoon man was sentenced on Thursday to 5 years in prison for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl. Anthony C. Lebrecht Jr., 34, had pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court on March 29 to felony first-degree sexual abuse. He was arrested on Jan. 13. Police said he subjected the girl to sexual contact. The incident took place in Malta on Nov. 14. QUEENSBURY Police are continuing to investigate the cause of a crash involving an SUV and motorcycle on Quaker Road that left one person seriously injured, according to Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr. At 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, the Warren County Sheriffs Office responded to reports of a serious personal injury car versus motorcycle crash on Quaker Road in Queensbury. Joann T. Levack, 87, of Queensbury, was operating a 2020 Buick Encore west on Quaker Road, when she made a left turn onto Lafayette Street. As she turned, 25-year-old Jasmine M. Earnest, of Halfmoon, who was driving a 2021 Kawasaki motorcycle traveling east on Quaker Road, collided with Levacks vehicle, according to a news release. Police said that on impact, Earnest was thrown off her motorcycle and suffered life-threatening injuries. She was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center for treatment. Earnests condition was unavailable on Wednesday from the hospital. LaFarr said the investigation doesnt indicate that the flashing light (at the intersection) was a contributing factor. Our officers have watched the light cycle from yesterday at the time of the accident and have returned today and they cannot recreate any malfunctioning with the light, LaFarr said. LaFarr said he spoke with the sergeant in charge of the traffic safety unit who stated the glare from the sun yesterday afternoon was very intense traveling westbound. The sheriff said officers spoke with a witness that was traveling eastbound on Quaker Road. Our investigation is ongoing, but right now it seems as though it was just a really tragic accident, he said. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 7 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A statewide initiative to deliver clean energy from upstate New York and Canada to New York City was approved on Thursday. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state Public Service Commission approved the project by Transmission Developers Inc. to build a 330-mile line to transport hydroelectric power from the Hydro-Quebec facility in Canada to New York City. The installation will affect 47 miles of Washington County, including the towns of Putnam, Dresden, Whitehall and Fort Ann. Known as the Champlain Hudson Power Express, the project will produce about 18 million megawatt-hours per year, which is enough to power more than 2.5 million homes, according to the state. It is expected to be completed by 2025 and will reduce New York Citys reliance on fossil fuel-fired generation by more than 50% by 2030. The project is also expected to create up to 10,000 jobs and $8.2 billion in economic development across the state, including $5.8 billion in benefits statewide, according to a news release from Hochuls office. Todays decision is a major step forward in achieving New York states goal of 70 percentage of our energy from renewable resources, while paving the way for thousands of high-quality jobs, spurring billions in economic activity, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and ushering in a cleaner, greener New York for all, she said in a news release. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 QUEENSBURY The town of Queensbury has earned a new designation from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Town Supervisor John Strough announced that the town received a Climate Smart Community Bronze Certification. The certification is a result of Queensbury meeting the goals set by NYSERDA in the Clean Energy Community Leadership Program for both solar and electric vehicle campaigns, according to a news release. The town has been awarded $5,000 for each campaign completed. The release states these grants are to be used on projects that aim to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. The Clean Energy Community Committee plans to use the money towards an LED streetlight conversion project. The committee also continues to promote the solar and electric vehicle campaigns. All initiatives are led by Clean Energy Community Committee Chair Kathy Bozony. In addition, sustainability efforts within the town have included: the installation of solar panels on municipal buildings; addition of electric vehicles to the towns fleet; retrofitting of municipal buildings with LED lighting; promotion of Southern Adirondacks for Solar, a solarize campaign in 2018 that concluded with 48 homeowners installing solar panels on their rooftops; retrofitting of the towns decorative streetlights with LED bulbs. Also: Energy code enforcement training for staff; installation of electric vehicle charging stations on town properties; composting and education campaign to reduce organic wastes; completion of a greenhouse gas inventory as a prerequisite to development of a climate action plan; and energy benchmarking for government buildings, among other sustainable actions. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The race for the Republican nomination in the 113th Assembly District has one less candidate. Michael York, the Warren County-endorsed candidate, did not file nominating petitions to run, according to the state Board of Elections website. Glens Falls Republican Chairman Michael Borgos said Wednesday that York, a real estate agent from Saratoga Springs, recently notified the committee that he was not able to collect the 500 signatures of enrolled Republican voters required to get on the ballot. That leaves David Catalfamo, an economic development official and novelist from Wilton, and Scarlett De Witt, a restaurant worker and fashion model from Glens Falls, as the remaining candidates seeking the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake. Catalfamo and De Witt both filed Republican nominating petitions on April 7, according to the Board of Elections website. Catalfamo was the only candidate that filed Conservative nominating petitions, giving him a ballot line in the general election regardless of the outcome of the Republican primary. The Washington County and Saratoga County Republican committees had endorsed Catalfamo. De Witt did not participate in the endorsement process. Warren County will not make a new endorsement, Borgos said. Our process is to let the primary play out and to see what happens, he said. Now its going to be up to the Republican voters. Woerner is seeking a fifth consecutive two-year term. York did not return a voicemail message seeking comment for this report on Wednesday. Maury Thompson covered local government and politics for The Post-Star for 21 years before he retired in 2017. He continues to follow regional politics as a freelance writer. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 NORTHFIELD Good Shepherd United Methodist Church has always been the little church that could, according to Pastor Nicole Troast. Pivot was our word for the year in 2021, she said. But the pandemic and so many changes forced Good Shepherd to find a way to manage and move forward. The past two years have certainly been a challenge. Troast is the first to admit, everyone had to find a way to pivot and go in a different direction to make things work since the pandemic. For Troast, that pivot found her accepting the role as pastor of the church. Troast has been a member of Good Shepherd since 2012. It was Hurricane Sandy that brought me here. I wanted to be with a church that was committed to help others in that time of real need. Good Shepherd was that church community. They were actively helping so many people through their strong and committed missions. I came during that time to help and quickly became a very active part of the church community, Troast said. Troast works full time at the Jewish Community Center in Margate. She has been an assistant leader with Boy Scout Troop 72, part of the mission team that travels to build homes in Los Cocos, Dominican Republic, and the Sandy Recovery team. She is also a mother of a college-aged son, and married to her husband, Greg. Good Shepherd Pastor Tom Stark had been at the helm of the church for more than a decade when he moved to another congregation, and Engor Muteteke was hired as the new pastor. She was there for four years and left to take an administrative position with the Greater New Jersey Council, Troast said. I was already working as an assistant pastor with the church. I had gone to school to become licensed as a pastor when I was asked to lead the church by Rev. Brian Roberts, the Cape-Atlantic District Superintendent for the Greater NJ Council, she said. This was a big leap, to head a church congregation and to help members returning to in-person services and bring in new families as well. I know the inner workings of Good Shepherd and the administrative aspect I could do, but to take on preaching as well on Sundays was putting a lot on my plate, she said. So Troast reached out for help, and that came in the form of Pastor Carol Hutchison of Bethany-St. Johns United Methodist Church in Pleasantville. Hutchison handles the sermon each Sunday at Good Shepherd at 9:30 a.m. and then at 11 a.m. preaches at her own congregation. She said her sermons are Bible based and give the congregation a message of Gods love in their life. With Easter Sunday approaching, her message will be a joyous message about rebirth and renewal. Both Good Shepherd and Bethany-St. Johns are church communities with a long history. Good Shepherd dates back more than a century, and Bethany-St. Johns stretches over generations. Our mission is to awaken and nurture the wonder of Gods love, building God-centered lives through study and service to all, said Troast. We are following our mission and bringing people to Christ. We are not perfect here. We are a come as you are church community. We welcome everyone. We are all broken in some way, and we come together to find our way. Together we will pivot and find a way. A lot has changed in a year. In 2021, on Palm Sunday we delivered palms to the home of every Good Shepherd member to connect with them. It was a way we could feel connected even if we could not worship in person. Now we are back in person, but not everyone has returned. Services are still streamed online for those who are not comfortable with being in a group, Troast said. But our hope is to bring back our members to experience the joy of worshiping together and to grow our congregation. To welcome families with young children there is a freshly painted nursery at Good Shepherd. There are also rooms for groups to meet, Zumba classes three nights a week, a Bible study, and many other groups. Just added in the foyer of Good Shepherd is a prayer wall. Built by Herman Shaffer, a member of the church for 52 years. Cards sit on the ledge and anyone is welcome to write down their joys to celebrate, or their prayers for someone who is sick or has a fear. We pray for everyone who hangs a card on the wall. Right now, there are so many things on our hearts and our minds. People needed a place to write their thoughts, their joys, and their fears. Its my hope they feel better when they share it. They dont have to put their names. Our prayer warriors will pray for everyones intentions. Prayer is a powerful thing, Troast said. Both Troast and Hutchison hope to reach many people this Easter weekend. Good Shepherd will have a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday there will be a sunrise service outdoors at the triangle of Zion Road and Northfield Avenue led by Troast. The traditional Easter Sunday service in Good Shepherd begins at 9:30 a.m. with Hutchison giving the sermon. She will then preach at Bethany-St. Johns Church at 11 a.m. Fellowship follows every service in the church hall. Good Shepherd is located at 207 Northfield Ave. in Northfield. Bethany-St. Johns Church is located at 615 Risley Ave. in Pleasantville. Joker starts in with the pain straight off, in its opening seconds. As Arthur Fleck, a perpetually humiliated, bullied and marginalized Gotham City clown for hire dreaming of a career in stand-up comedy, Joaquin Phoenix regards himself in a makeup mirror. He hooks two fingers under his upper lip. He pulls, hard, distorting his face into a mirthless grin. Unblinking, Phoenix holds the position, for as long as he can stand it. A tear rolls down his whiteface cheek. The audience subconsciously begs for relief, settling in for two more hours. Advertisement Arthur says it himself: I havent been happy one minute of my entire ------g life. The movie, directed by and co-written by Todd Phillips, honors his pain by being one. Gaunt and scarily emaciated here, Phoenix did something similar in the brilliant interrogation sequence in The Master, not blinking on a dare until long after the tears rolled. There, it felt scary and revealing and true. Here its a grim party trick, performed by a clown on the edge of bloody psychosis. Advertisement For a while and for its many enthralled admirers, a while will equate to all 122 minutes Joker gets by on sheer morbidity, saving its most explicit bursts of violence for the final third. Youd be an idiot to bring kids to this; at the Chicago preview screening, one family, with preteens, bailed an hour and a half too late, right after an eye-stabbing, neck-spurting, skull-crushing doozy, signaling Arthurs descent into righteous madness. Ill give it this much: In its look, texture and screw-tightening depiction of 1981-era Gotham City, looking like New York City on the cusp of the crack era, Joker casts some sort of evil spell. Shot in various parts of New York City, Jersey City, N.J. and Newark, N.J. for maximum Reagan-era decay, the movie follows our title characters tiny, miserable life. He lives in a dingy tenement flat with his foggy-headed mother (Frances Conroy). Hers is the only kindness Arthur knows, though even that turns out to be built on a horrific betrayal of trust. Down at the clown dispatch office, after a brutal mugging, Arthur takes a tip from a thuggish coworker (Glenn Fleshler) and buys a pistol for protection against all the animals and savages roaming the streets, Death Wish style. This leads to the one scene in Joker, set in what appears to be the cancer ward of a childrens hospital, where everything clicks in the best/worst way: Entertaining the patients with a song and a dance, Arthur drops the gun on the floor and then tries to turn it into a bit. Though its a standalone origin story, Joker plays by the rules and rolls up to the DC Batman universe for context. For years Arthurs mother has been writing letters to investment banking giant Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen), her onetime employer and perhaps more than that. Arthur sneaks a look at one of the letters, and what he learns about his family history brings him, furtively, with malicious intent, to the gates of Wayne Manor and a brief encounter with young Bruce Wayne (Dante Pereira-Olson, briefly seen sliding down a pole Batman style). Much of Joker turns the hand-held digital cameras toward Phoenix, alone and in eyebrow-to-upper-lip closeup, as he dances down the longest staircase in Gotham City, or floats in a reverie behind closed doors, in the throes of the only high he knows: the aftermath of killing. The first big kill sets up the rules for the rest of the movie: On a graffiti-strewn train, Arthurs bullied and beaten by three Wall Street guys who work for Wayne Investments. Arthurs revenge takes a page from the Bernhard Goetz subway shooter playbook. Except for one murder committed off-screen in the epilogue, everybody this proto-Joker kills in Joker has it coming. His killings are emotionally and even morally justified in the filmmakers eyes. Arthurs hapless stand-up routine features painful jokes about mental illness, and in the climax, involving Arthur and his late-night TV idol Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), the movie again lays it on with a trowel. About to become a reality-TV superstar, Arthur references the recent Reagan-style social service agency cuts that have left him without medication. Reports of Joker being sensitive and serious about mental illness turn out to be true in an utterly false way. The movies heart breaks for this guy, even as it exploits Arthurs case history for cheap dread every second. In a year of mass culture that gave us HBOs excellent Chernobyl, Joker can claim the grimmest depiction of a meltdown. The vibe of the picture comes from much better movies of the 70s and 80s, among them: The French Connection, Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy and many more. In full and newly Joker-ized makeup backstage, Arthur mentions to his Carson-like idol Murray that hes not in any way political, and that hes not part of the Gotham City anti-rich protests raging outside. The targets, among other heartless plutocrats, include Thomas Wayne, who earlier calls the unidentified subway killer a coward, and his mask-wearing acolytes clowns. In interviews, in which he has testily expressed his unhappiness with the current woke sensitivity in the culture, director Phillips has said his movie is insane and not for everyone and, above all, irreverent. Its an ideological scramble, taking one from column A (the Death Wish vigilante routine) and two from column B (calling out Reagan-era funding cuts that left countless mentally ill patients to struggle on their own). Advertisement As many have noted, Arthurs a classic incel candidate, an involuntary celibate steeped in resentments and dreams of the good life, with a beautiful woman by his side and a more civil and just society. In his aggrieved urban-white-male rage, he can sit at the same poker table as the guy from Falling Down," next to Travis Bickle from the genuinely, profoundly ambiguous and unsettling Taxi Driver. Early on Arthur incel-stalks his neighbor (Zazie Beetz, playing a symbol of what Arthur cannot have, rather than a human being). Later, at the social service agency office about to close up for good, the weary social service worker (Sharon Washington) lays it out for him, in a typical sledgehammer line: They dont give a ---t about people like you, Arthur." Warner Brothers doesnt want any trouble at the theaters when Joker opens; nobody does, I hope. The film, the studio declared in a statement, is not an endorsement of real-world violence of any kind. Lets say it isnt. So what is it, then? I wonder if Joker came together with Phoenix in the lead because one first-rate actor wanted to test his mettle against what another first-rate actor, Heath Ledger, did with the role in an infinitely better DC Comics-derived picture, The Dark Knight (2008). The shot of Ledger, leaning out of a speeding car, feeling the breeze in his ratty hair after another round of killing its recycled twice in Joker. The stand-up comedy angle comes from The King of Comedy, but also and first from Alan Moore and Brian Bollands graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke. Years later, author Moore recanted his effort, saying: I dont think its a very good book. Its not saying anything very interesting. He may as well have been reviewing Joker." Joker 1.5 stars MPAA rating: R (for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language, and brief sexual images) Advertisement Running time: 2:02 Opens: Thursday evening Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE A cotton-topped tamarin named Cordelia gave birth to twins at the Cape May County Zoo recently, Associate Veterinarian Dr. Alex Ernst said Thursday. The cotton-topped tamarin is a critically endangered new world monkey weighing a little over a pound and is one of the smallest primates. They are known by their long, white sagittal crest fur extending from their forehead to their shoulders, Ernst said in a news release. Its mainly habitat loss, said Ernst of reasons for the species, from a limited forested area of northwestern Colombia, being endangered. They are not widespread. They only live in one small area of the world. Ernst said the zoo participates in the Species Survival Program, a national managed breeding program. It knows the pedigree of all the animals in zoos, Ernst said of the program. We are able to pair animals up to make sure there is no inbreeding but good genetic matches. The twins were born March 31, and both appear healthy and strong, Ernst said. It is Cordelias third foray into motherhood in the last two years with her mate Tam Tam. Zoos hiding birds as avian flu spreads in North America Zoos across North America are moving their birds indoors and away from people and wildlife a They will be named once they get big enough for keepers to determine their genders, he said. Cordelia and Tam Tam were in other zoos and after being paired up were sent to Cape May, Ernst said. Eventually their babies will be matched with cotton-topped tamarins from other zoos and be sent elsewhere to breed. Were not having babies just to have babies. Were doing it as part of a greater calling, Ernst said. This birth contributes in the long run to ensuring these animals dont go extinct. There are plenty of babies to see at the zoo these days. Last month saw the birth of a ring-tailed lemur to Felana and Darwin, and Feb. 23 saw a litter of capybara pups born to parents Budette and Mikey. Endangered ring-tailed lemur born at Cape May County Zoo CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE The Cape May County Zoo announced the birth of a ring-tailed lemur Tuesday. Ernst said the zoo will soon launch a public naming contest for the capybara babies, and may do the same for the tamarins if there is enough public interest. Otherwise, their keepers will likely name them. But the zoo will wait to see what the genders are, Ernst said. Well get a better idea once they get bigger. They are not big enough yet to walk on their own yet, Ernst said. They are held constantly by mom or dad or their siblings. The pair had a single female infant, Kida, in August 2020 and a set of twins in May 2021, Drizzt and Lira, Ernst said. Every member of the family will contribute to caring for and carrying around the newborns, Ernst said, in a practice called alloparenting, which helps train youngsters in caring for their own future offspring. Cape May County Zoo temporarily closes aviary as precaution against avian flu CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE The Cape May County Park & Zoo said Thursday it is temporarily cl They are such interesting study on group dynamics and family dynamics, and have a remarkably diverse vocabulary, Ernst said. It includes dozens if not hundreds of vocalizations used to communicate. Tamarins eat fruit, flowers, nectar and other parts of plants, he said. County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes said the family can be viewed daily in the Canopy Creatures habitat. The zoo is open open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and is free to the public. An Earth Day event will be held at the park there April 23. For more information, visit cmczoo.com. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Democratic congressional candidate Carolyn Rush may continue to use her slogan in Atlantic County in spite of the county committees complaint that it is too similar to its own, according to the New Jersey Secretary of States Office. Rush, an engineer from Sea Isle City, will run under Atlantic County Democratic Organization, while the official slogan her opponent Tim Alexander will run under is Atlantic County Democratic Committee. A spokesperson for the secretary of state said the law does not prevent people from using slogans that are similar to those of official county committees. The state does, however, prevent candidates from using slogans that have been registered as belonging to others. It is unusual for a candidate to choose a slogan so close to a party slogan. A survey of all slogans in New Jersey congressional primary races this year shows Rush is the only one to so closely mirror official committee names. Most candidates who do not get endorsed by party committees choose issue-oriented slogans such as Protecting Our Veterans and Officers, used by Republican candidate Sean Pignatelli. Others use Conservative Republican of a county or Progressive Democrat of a county. Alexander is a retired police officer and a civil rights attorney from Galloway Township. He has the endorsement of 2020 2nd District Democratic congressional candidate Amy Kennedy, of Brigantine. He also is endorsed by former Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, and by Atlantic County Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick. This is just desperation. Tim Alexander is the presumptive nominee, and the Democratic Party is strongly behind him, Atlantic County Democratic Chair Michael Suleiman said Wednesday. I give Hector Tavarez a ton of credit for helping to unite our party. Tavarez, a former police officer from Egg Harbor Township, dropped out of the Democratic primary race and backed Alexander after the Atlantic County Democratic Committee endorsed Alexander at its March convention. Only Rush stayed in the race after the majority of county committees backed Alexander. Rush has said she believes voters should have a choice and dismissed Suleimans concerns that the party should not spend money on a primary. As of the last FEC reporting period, which was 12/31/2021, Tim Alexanders campaign had spent almost $200,000, Rush said. Is he really concerned about having to spend money for the remaining two months of the primary because I chose not to drop out of the race? Alexander won conventions in Atlantic and Ocean counties, and won the support of the other four county committees in the district. In Gloucester County, however, both were backed by the county organization, so both will use the official slogan of Regular Democratic Organization of Gloucester County. The New Jersey Secretary of State at first sent Rush an email April 8 saying she had to change her Atlantic County slogan. Atlantic County Democrats hold convention, endorse Alexander to take on Van Drew SOMERS POINT Atlantic County Democrats tried to rejuvenate their party Sunday in a region We were just advised by the Atlantic County Democratic Committee that you are using an incorporated slogan that they own, the email read. Since we were just advised, we are giving you until 4 p.m. today to provide an updated slogan for Atlantic County. But later that day it clarified the county committee had filed to own Atlantic County Democratic Organization after Rush had filed her petitions and slogans, Rush said, and told her she could continue with her original slogan. Rush was, however, required to change her Salem County slogan. There the county partys slogan is Salem County Democratic Committee Inc., and she had first filed with Salem County Democratic Committee. The state deemed the two the same, since she had only left out the Inc., and she has changed it to Salem County Democratic Organization. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OCEAN CITY With Phillies fans having gotten their first taste of Manco & Manco pizza at the ballpark last week, people down the shore are weighing in on what they think of the Jersey Shore staples new location in South Philadelphia. Manco & Manco Pizza opened a location in Citizens Bank Park on Friday. Striking up a sponsorship deal with the team and Aramark in October, the family-owned business is now the official pizza of the Philadelphia Phillies. The new store is located in Ashburn Alley and offers 12-inch pies to fans. The store also will offer hand-tossed, 18-inch pies to suites. Darin Wagner had driven down from Lititz, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County to Ocean City for the weekend. A box of Manco & Manco in hand, he said he thought the store would be a great addition to the ballpark, celebrating the classic nature of the pizza. I just love it, Wagner said. Its just tradition, really. Manco & Manco has four locations in addition to the one at Citizens Bank Park. Three are on the Boardwalk, and the fourth, branded Manco & Manco Pizza Too, is in the Ocean Heights Shopping Center in Somers Point. The flagship parlor at Ninth street and the Boardwalk underwent major renovations and expanded its menu in 2017. Anthony Mackrone and Vincent Manco, cousins from Trenton, founded the pizzeria on the Ocean City Boardwalk in the summer of 1956 as Mack & Manco pizza. The duo opened a second Ocean City location several years later and a third in the 1980s. Members of the Manco family bought out the Mack side of the business in June 2011. They announced the buyout and the resultant name change six months later in December 2011. The once eponymous Mack family continued to operate several pizza parlors at the Jersey Shore, including Macks Pizza in Wildwood. While most of the passersby on the Boardwalk who spoke to The Press of Atlantic City said they were happy about the new Manco & Manco at Citizens Bank Park, others were not as enthused. Andrea Reinert, of Philadelphia, was at the Boardwalk with some of her children during spring break. She said she thought Manco & Manco is going to do very well at Citizens Bank Park, but that she associated Manco & Manco more with the Ocean City Boardwalk than with going to South Philadelphia to watch the Phillies. Iconic Ocean City pizza headed to Citizens Bank Park An Ocean City Boardwalk favorite is coming to Citizens Bank Park this season. She said she preferred Three Brothers Pizza as the large pies they sold were needed for her large family, which includes 16 children. Tina Boylan, of Ocean City, said she thought the pizza would introduce variety, standing out from more traditional ballpark fare. It brings something a little different to the stadium, Boylan said. I think its great, a great opportunity for (Manco & Manco), a great opportunity for a lot of people to experience their pizza. And its another good reason to go to a Phillies game, I think, added Corin Roman, a Philadelphian who was walking the Boardwalk with Boylan. Vigilius Amanze, who is living in Linwood and only recently came to the United States from Nigeria, was accompanying Boylan and Roman. He said he had never had Manco & Manco pizza before and that he was excited to try it. Ill be curious to know if it tastes the same, Roman said of the pizza that will be sold at Citizens Bank Park. Will hotels on Ocean City Boardwalk pass go? It was the second time the group had met. Rumors swirled, as they often do, that the topic o Manco & Manco co-owner Chuck Bangle, who married Vincent Mancos granddaughter Mary, previously told The Press of Atlantic City he and his colleagues have worked to ensure there is no drop-off in quality between whats available on the Boardwalk and what can be found in the ballpark 80 miles west. He said the new location would further the pizzerias expansion plans. Marti Patterson and Dawn Gehrke agreed that the Manco & Manco shop would be a draw to the ballpark, just as it was a draw to the Boardwalk. People come specifically to this boardwalk to eat the pizza, and theyll go the park to do the same, said Gehrke, of West Deptford, Gloucester County. Aramark General Manager Kevin Tedesco previously said bringing Manco & Manco to Ashburn Alley would help enhance the parks local atmosphere. He said the brand was one many Phillies fans were familiar with and was one that touches your soul. Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. According to city officials, representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Endangered and Nongame Species Program have installed a temporary barrier to dissuade people from entering an area of the beach on Townsends Inlet that is a known nesting location for black skimmers, least terns and piping plovers. This has happened in other years as well. The small white signs are a common site on area beaches each spring, with Area Closed in red block letters and a warning about what can happen to the birds if their nests are disturbed. The roped-off area includes all of the dunes on the ocean side of the inlet. According to officials with the Endangered and Nongame Species Programs office in Woodbine, DEP representatives will monitor the area in the coming months to determine which species of birds are nesting there. The signs and thin white rope are expected to remain in place through most of the summer. But that depends on what species of wildlife are seen in the restricted area. For example, if least terns are spotted, the roping may be in place until mid- to late August. Finally, some really good news for piping plovers The future is looking a little brighter for the piping plover, an endangered beach-nesting b The discovery of endangered species of plant life also could affect how long the barrier is in place. Its very important that we continue to protect our natural resources and our shoreline and Sea Isle City is happy to cooperate with the DEP each year to protect this sacred space, said Mayor Leonard Desiderio. Only a small area around the dunes is cordoned off to protect the wildlife, so there is still plenty of room for people to enjoy activities while visiting the inlet. The city asked beachgoers to heed the posted signs and roping. Entering the restricted area is a violation of state and federal law, and fines of up to $5,000 may be issued if vehicles, humans or pets enter the restricted zone, reads a statement from the city released Thursday. We ask that everyone please respect this area, Desiderio said. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. He and his wife, Barbara, had temporarily closed the camps, in which children help feed and care for spring lambs, after an announcement from the Cape May County Department of Health identifying the farm as a possible source of intestinal illness caused by a parasite. The county Health Department indicated several cases of cryptosporidium were traced to the farm. In an announcement April 8, the department said the farm owners took steps the department requested, including installing hand washing stations and new signs and educating visitors. The county is satisfied that with guests practicing safe hygiene, Misty Meadows Farm is a safe place for the public to visit, the announcement read. Contacted on Wednesday, Simmerman said there have been many cancellations for this season, but that the farm has been tested and is ready to accept visitors. Four cases of cryptosporidium confirmed in Cape May County The Cape May County Health Department has confirmed four cases of cryptosporidium and 11 pro We are back now, he said. We did an announcement. Were open back up for our lamb camp season. The farm could not close entirely, he said. The lambs still needed care, and the sheep needed to be milked. You cant just shut it off, he said. But the farm was closed to visitors. He said the agritourism farm did not have any income over the winter and the closure has had a big financial impact. Simmerman opened the sheep milk creamery in the Petersburg section of the township in 2018 with a milking herd of East Friesian sheep and other animals. In addition to a small shop on site that sells sheep milk products, the farm holds multiple events each year, including the camps each spring, which are open to all ages and offer a chance to feed, clean and cuddle the lambs. Sheeps milk creamery getting started in Petersburg UPPER TOWNSHIP Lambs suckle in a misty field off Route 610 in the Petersburg section of Up After the Health Department announcement, Simmerman offered a refund to those who booked camps for this year. In a video posted to social media, Simmerman said a large number of people have asked for a refund. Were overwhelmed, he said in the video. So please dont bug us. He said he understood that people were concerned, and promised the refunds would be provided. I dont blame you at all, whether they have proof or not. Your kids are the most important thing to you, and theyre the most important thing to us. We dont want to see anybody sick, Simmerman said in the video. But in other comments, Simmerman has been critical of how the county handled the issue. He told Township Committee members Monday there were never any tests done at the farm, arguing cryptosporidium can be transferred in swimming pools, from pets and in other ways. Morgan out, DeMarzo in as Upper Township administrator UPPER TOWNSHIP Scott Morgan is out as township administrator, replaced by former Wildwood They dont test swimming pools. When you go to a doctor, the first thing they ask you is if youve been around livestock, he said at the meeting. At that time, he offered a dire prognosis. The Cape May County Health Department within five minutes time destroyed my entire business. I am done. I am absolutely done, Simmerman said. Part of his business is selling sheep to other farms. I cannot sell a sheep now. Everybody thinks I have a disease at my farm. I do not have enough time in my life to rebuild what they did, he said Monday. In a phone interview after the meeting, Simmerman said he would not shut his doors. He said he has put too much work and spent too much money on the farm to give up. But he added many people who say they support the farm said they may be back, but next year. The Township Committee on Monday approved a letter urging the county Board of Commissioners to support local farms, with Mayor Curtis Corson abstaining because he owns a farm in the county. Simmerman faulted Corson for abstaining and called on the governing body to do more. How are we going to fix this? How are you guys going to help me? he said. Committee member John Coggins said the township wants to help and asked Simmerman what he suggested. Simmerman said he did not know but wanted more to be done. Committee member Kim Hayes joined in the criticism of the county action. Not only did they damage your business, they didnt really protect public health, which is their goal, she said. Local towns receive Community Development Block Grants Hammonton has received $400,000 in state Community Development Block Grants for Americans wi Other speakers on the topic went further. The problem is when you have a regulatory agency, not just the Health Department, without checks and balances, you end up creating a power that is dictatorial in nature, which believes that they can do whatever they wish and theyre not going to be harmed, said resident Jim Schroder. County Health Officer Kevin Thomas said Thursday that cryptosporidium is common in petting zoos and with newborn animals. He said there are basic precautions that can be taken, including washing hands after touching animals and before consuming food. Children should be told to keep their hands out of their mouths when around animals. He said the Health Department does not test animals. When cryptosporidium is discovered in a lab test, there are questions that help narrow down where the exposure took place. According to Thomas, the county worked closely with the state epidemiologist, including on the wording of public notices. We follow the letter of the law, he said. Sometimes, that has meant closing restaurants or other businesses, he said, but the potential economic impact cannot be part of the decision. Were here to prevent the spread of disease, he said. In the notice April 8, Thomas said there were four positive cases of cryptosporidium and 11 cases in which there were symptoms in the county. The parasite can be spread through water, consuming contaminated food or someone touching their mouth with contaminated hands, such as after touching a contaminated animal or surface. The first case was reported to the Atlantic County Health Department on March 23. Atlantic County reached out to Cape May County after identifying the farm as a possible source of contamination. Part of the investigation is to identify possible sources of infection. Both the Atlantic County case and Cape May County cases identified Misty Meadow as a common location visited within the infection period. Following this finding, Misty Meadows Farm eagerly implemented all mitigation procedures requested by the Cape May County Department of Health, including installing handwashing stations, installing signage, and providing visitor education, reads the April 8 statement from the county. As a result, the Department of Health determined that no further action was necessary, and never found a need to close Misty Meadows Farm. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. TRENTON Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday clarified in an executive order that workers in health care and congregate settings do not need a second COVID-19 booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated on the job. Even though it is not required, I encourage New Jerseyans, who the CDC has advised would benefit from their second booster, to roll up their sleeves and give themselves an added dose of defense against COVID-19, Murphy said in a statement. The numbers here in New Jersey and from around the nation are clear getting boosted is directly linked to less-severe COVID-19 symptoms and illness and far lower rates of hospitalization and death. Our steadfast vaccination efforts have effectively lowered the risk we face in New Jersey, and as we navigate the path to normalcy, we must continue to do all we can to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. A covered worker is considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations if they have received either two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and a first booster shot, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Murphy said. Murphy and his wife, Tammy, received their second booster shots Tuesday. Both have tested positive for the coronavirus, with the governor receiving a positive test in late March, causing his team to cancel public appearances. Earlier this year, Murphy signed an executive order mandating health care workers provide proof of their updated vaccination status. Through the order, Murphy set deadlines for employees in health care and high-risk congregate settings to receive their first vaccine doses earlier this year. Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Russias war in Ukraine is forcing the U.S. national security establishment to reconsider its original defense plans. President Joe Bidens recent trip to Belgium and Poland, where he participated in several summits and announced another package of economic sanctions against Russian officials and defense firms, is clear evidence that Europe is Washingtons main priority at the moment. Today, there are approximately 100,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe, an almost 20% increase since January. The surge is driven by Washingtons desire to enhance NATO deterrence and reassure NATO allies that any Russian aggression on NATO territory would be met with a forceful response. The alliance subsequently agreed to deploy four more battle groups to Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia. Additional U.S. military assets have been sent to Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania and the Baltics, including F-16 fighters, AH-64 Apache helicopters and P-8 surveillance aircraft. Senior Pentagon officials have talked about reevaluating the recently released Global Posture Review, which places a premium on regions like the Indo-Pacific. The irony, however, is that Russias war in Ukraine demonstrates why a greater U.S. force presence in Europe is unnecessary. Instead of bolstering the number of troops, the U.S. should be thinning out and permitting European militaries to take the lead on safeguarding Europes defense. While this recommendation may sound strange given the largest land war in Europe since World War II, Russia is exposing itself as a far weaker military power than conventional assessments first indicated. The conflict is also showing that Europe when under threat is willing to make the necessary investments to beef up its own military capacity. Before Putin launched his war of choice in Ukraine, the Russian military was thought to be making strides toward becoming a world-class fighting force. The bumbling Russian army that battled Chechen insurgents in the 1990s was gone, replaced by a group of experienced military personnel with a procession of highly sophisticated weapons systems. Putins modernization of Russias armed forces poured $150 billion to $180 billion per year into the militarys coffers from 2014 to 2019, with special emphasis on improving its missile capability, air defense, armor and fighter aircraft. Moscows bloodless capture of Ukraines Crimean peninsula in 2014 solidified the idea that Putins Russia was a capable military power. But if Russian operations in Ukraine tell us anything, its that those projections turned out to be way off the mark. Yes, the Russian military has a large pool of reservists, more than 2,900 battle tanks, nearly 5,000 pieces of artillery and over 1,100 combat aircraft. But the war in Ukraine reveals that numbers on a spreadsheet dont automatically translate into success on the battlefield. At least 7,000 Russian troops have died, according to U.S. defense assessments, and Moscow has lost about 10% of its combat power due to fierce Ukrainian resistance. Russian forces have been stuck in the north of the country for weeks. While its possible Russia could eventually grind the much smaller Ukrainian army into submission by isolating Ukraines major cities and methodically destroying residential neighborhoods, the Russian militarys overall performance is somewhere between clumsy and incompetent. It appears many Russian troops had no idea they would be deploying into combat until the last minute. The Russian conscripts on the ground are demoralized, and U.S. defense officials have alleged some Russian ground personnel have sabotaged their own vehicles to avoid fighting. Russian commanders are using poor tactics, traveling along widely used routes that are easily defended. The Russian armys logistics trail has been horrific. Tanks are often out of gas, giving Ukrainian soldiers the opportunity to target stationary armored columns. Troops on the front lines are hungry and breaking into stores; reports that Moscow has asked China to donate food rations is indicative of systemic problems. If before the invasion European leaders were worried about a Russian-style blitzkrieg enveloping the Baltics, they need not be so worried. Even if Moscow does capture Ukraines capital of Kyiv and replace Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a pro-Kremlin surrogate, Russia will find its military power degraded and its geopolitical position compromised. The Russian army could eventually face a situation in which hundreds of thousands of troops are forced to conduct an endless occupation of a highly hostile population. Calls for the U.S. to enhance its troop presence in Europe are understandable. But they arent necessary for U.S. security or Europes own stability. In contrast, European governments across the continent should exploit Russias pitiful performance to wean itself off U.S. protection. Washington should encourage this trend, not undermine it. European powers, typically content with sheltering under Americas security umbrella, have had a revelation of sorts. Russias invasion of a neighboring country is revitalizing an oftentimes theoretical debate about European strategic autonomy, the notion that Europe must develop its military capabilities independent of Washington to turn into a serious geopolitical player. Germany, Europes largest economy, has essentially reformed its post-Cold War security policy in less than a month, injecting more than $100 billion into the German military and committing itself to spending 2% of its $3.8 trillion gross domestic product on defense. Italy is stepping up its role policing Baltic air space. The Netherlands, Denmark, Spain and the United Kingdom have all enhanced their own deployments to NATOs eastern front. And the European Union is now aiming to establish a 5,000-strong expeditionary force that can deploy in crises. But this progress will be wasted if Europe snaps back to its normal purgatory once the crisis in Ukraine dissipates. NATO-Europe spends nearly five times what Russia does on defense, has twice the number of active-duty personnel and 12 times the GDP. Europes most reliable security guarantee is itself. Daniel R. DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for Newsweek. WASHINGTON - During a visit to Bulgaria this week, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President & CEO Jamie Fly met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. Discussions focused on RFE/RLs coverage of Russias war against Ukraine, the proliferation of disinformation in the region related to the war, and the importance of media freedom and independence, including possible changes to the legal framework required to ensure transparent funding and ownership of Bulgarian media outlets. Fly also met with other government officials as well as freedom of speech and anti-corruption and civil society activists about RFE/RLs critical role in supporting Bulgarian democracy through RFE/RLs unbiased reporting. Fly spent time with journalists from RFE/RLs Bulgarian Service, known locally as Svobodna Evropa, who are providing Bulgarian audiences with accurate reporting about Russias invasion of Ukraine and covering the plight of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Bulgaria. The Service helps counter disinformation about the war by sharing human stories about victims and producing explainers on the international implications of the war. The Bulgarian Service is renowned for its investigative journalism and its journalists have received many accolades for their work exposing corruption in the country. In 2020, Svobodna Evropa journalist Polina Paunova was honored for her investigation into Bulgarian political figures who obtained apartments at dubiously low prices. The investigation led to the resignation of many senior government officials. In 2021, the Service published a series of investigations into the prosecutor generals misappropriation of public funds and an exclusive on the promotion of police officers who had beaten protesters in Sofia. In December 2021, Bulgarias Anti-Corruption Fund recognized Boris Mitovs in-depth and consistent efforts to uncover the dependencies of judiciary, executive and legislative power, Genka Shikerova for her reporting on unregulated clear-cutting of managed forests, and Damyana Veleva for her work in revealing that more than 400 villages in Bulgaria have not had regulated water supplies since the 1950s. About RFE/RLs Bulgarian Service RFE/RL first established its Bulgarian Service in 1950, closing it in 2004 when Bulgaria joined NATO. The service was relaunched in 2019 following a decline in media freedom and independence in the country. Operating out of a small bureau in Sofia, Svobodna Evropa is a digital-only service which provides Bulgarian-language multimedia content via its website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channel. The Service also has a presence on Twitter and Viber. About RFE/RL RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 37 million people every week in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 7 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2021. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. --- FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948) Karin Maree in Prague (mareek@rferl.org, +420.221.122.074) A Pleasant Valley business owner on trial for a 2020 fatal boat crash told a police officer at the scene that the other boat in the collision came out of nowhere and turned in front of his boat. The evidence came in the form of body-camera video from former LeClaire officer Skylar Mitchell, who took the stand Thursday in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Thiel Truck Center owner James Thiel Sr. Thiel is charged in the deaths of Craig Verbeke and his fiancee, Anita Pinc, both of Moline, who were in the 19-foot Bayliner struck by Thiel's boat. Both died as a result of injuries they sustained in the crash. Thiel offered in the video that he was not driving his 35-foot Triton boat, but the minor who was driving it was properly licensed. Were legal as can be, he said on the video. Im telling you: We were coming straight down the river. No other testimony has yet been put forth, regarding the minors legal standing as the operator of Thiels boat. Another witness testified Thursday that she and her husband saw Thiels boat racing with another vessel just before the crash. Several other witnesses have said Thiels boat was racing with a boat owned by Ethan Mahler. Linda Cain said she and her husband, Bill, were in their vehicle in the parking lot along the levee in LeClaire when they heard the Triton coming downstream. Its a big boat, Cain testified. I said, My God, hes flyin. They were way too close to shore. As he (the Triton driver) went past, we both said, My God. Hes gonna hit him (Verbekes boat). It was barely moving, Cain said of the Bayliner. The Triton came down and struck it as it was sitting in the channel. During cross examination, Thiels attorney, Leon Spies, asked Cain about a social-media post she made after the crash. In the post, she wrote, The small boat cut in front of the larger speeding boat. She testified that she meant that Verbekes boat was cross-ways in the channel. While she said Verbekes boat was barely moving, she also said it turned in the path of the bigger boat. Several witnesses have testified Verbeke appeared to be attempting to get out of the way of the bigger boat. Operator of third boat denies racing Mahler, the owner/operator of a 25-foot Scarab jet boat that was identified by witnesses as the one racing with Thiel, also took the stand Thursday. He denied that he was racing and said he was well ahead of the Triton as it passed LeClaire. A longtime friend of Thiel, Mahler said the two families had lunched together in Clinton, then spent a couple of hours at the sand pits near Cordova before heading south toward LeClaire. On their way downstream around 6 p.m., Mahler said, he passed the Thiel boat at a safe distance north of LeClaire, estimating he was traveling 45 mph. I have no idea where they were, he said of Thiels boat as it passed the LeClaire levee. The prosecution then introduced a video recording of an interview Mahler gave with investigators at the scene. In it, he was questioned about the positions of the two boats, and he used his hands in such a way as to depict the boats as parallel. Asked by the investigator whether his boat was ahead of the Triton, Mahler replied, I was to the side of them, which differed from his statement in court. On the witness stand, he was asked whether the unnamed minor was driving Thiels boat, and Mahler said he could not recall. However, he said he trusts the teen to operate all of his boats. The defense then presented a 2019 photo Mahler took of the minor driving his Scarub, pulling seven children on two inner tubes. On redirect, the prosecution questioned Mahler about the legal requirement that boat operators have spotters onboard when pulling water skiers or inner tubes, so the driver can focus on what is in front of the boat. Mahler pointed out there were two spotters onboard in the photo. Despite the presence of spotters, the minor driver who was pulling the children in the photo was, in fact, turned toward the back of the boat. Mahler also testified that he did not see Verbekes boat again after passing him north of LeClaire and only became aware of the crash after a passenger on his boat told him he thought two boats behind them had collided. After Mahler's testimony, another witness testified that he also saw the boats pass the levee, side-by-side. Rodney Moeller said he was dining outdoors at Blue Iguana in LeClaire with his wife and child on the day of the crash, Aug. 16, 2020, when a noise turned his attention toward the river. "I heard two boats just opened up," he said, referring to high speed. "I saw two boats, side-by-side." He recalled saying to his wife, "Look at those idiots." A boater since childhood, the 53-year-old Moeller said he thought the boats were traveling too fast and too close to the boat launch, which frequently is crowded in LeClaire. "Never, and I mean never, would I drive through that area opened up," he said. In other testimony Thursday: Matthew Rexroad said he was on the LeClaire riverfront with his family at the time of the crash and also described the Thiel and Mahler boats as racing, saying both boats were running "extremely fast." In fact, speed is what caught his attention, especially, "for as much traffic was on the river," he said. Rexroad also referred to a fishing boat that he said was near Verbeke's boat, which has not been indicated in any previous testimony or records. He said Thiel's boat "swerved to miss the fishing boat" and, in doing so, hit Verbeke's vessel. "I yelled, 'What the (expletive) were you thinking?'" he said of his reaction to the crash. "It ran over the top of another boat." Iowa Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, conservation officer Derrick Slutts told the jury he detected a very strong odor of alcohol on Thiel several times while he was at the LeClaire riverfront after the crash. He said he could smell alcohol at quite a distance. Records from the DNR indicate that Thiel refused a breathalyzer test, and his attorney has said he did so on the advice of his counsel. Slutts also said he was part of the team that took the boats into evidence. He said he put Thiels boat on its trailer without starting the motors because he wanted to preserve evidence that is stored in the boats navigation system. Thiel kept close watch on the process, he said, adding: His main concern was that we were going to damage the boat. I dont recall him asking about the occupants of the Bayliner at any time throughout the night. Spies asked during cross-examination whether performing CPR on Verbeke, which Thiel did, was a show of concern, and Slutts agreed that it was. Dr. Dennis Firchau, a forensic pathologist who oversaw Pincs autopsy, told the jury about her injuries. The cause of death, he said, was blunt-force injuries to her head, neck and trunk. She sustained a multitude of serious injuries, Firchau said, including skull fractures, brain injuries, a dislocation of the joint connecting the head and neck, rib fractures and internal bleeding. Toxicology testing was performed, he said, and Pincs blood-alcohol content was .074. The legal limit for operating a motor vehicle is .08, but testimony has indicated Verbeke was driving. His alcohol level was .102, according to records. Conservation officer with the Iowa DNR, Erika Billerbeck, took the stand as the state's 18th witness at the end of Thursday's testimony. She said she was wearing a body camera as she spoke with Thiel and the driver of his boat shortly after the crash. Testimony then concluded for the day, and Billerbeck is expected to return to the stand Friday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Undoing, from David E. Kelley, kept audiences glued to HBO last year, thanks to a pair of big names Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant playing a wealthy New York couple who see their relationship tested after an extramarital affair leads to a grisly courtroom drama. Kelley is back at it again with Anatomy of a Scandal for Netflix, this time teaming with co-creator Melissa James Gibson to go over much of the same thematic ground, this time with a London backdrop and a new pair of actors Sienna Miller and Rupert Friend, both quite good toplining the project. Theres a lot of redoing of The Undoing here, down to the same character archetypes: A beautiful, wealthy wife and mother (Miller) slowly coming to grips with the reality of who shes been married to all these years, and the slick cad of a husband who denies everything (Friend as a Member of Parliament who hails from a well-to-do family). Theres even a brilliant Black female defense attorney in the mix, styled nearly identically in each show, who deserves more screen time than she gets, played by Noma Dumezweni in The Undoing and Josette Simon in Anatomy of a Scandal. Advertisement Rupert Friend and Sienna Miller (center) in "Anatomy of a Scandal." (Netflix) I thought The Undoing was dull, largely because Kidmans character was so underdeveloped, but if you were willing to stick it out, youll be pleased to know the six-episode Anatomy of a Scandal is a considerable upgrade. Dont get me wrong, its garbage, but its high-end garbage and eminently binge-able. That kind of thing has its place. Sophie (Miller) and James (Friend) have been together since their undergrad years at Oxford, but their charmed life splinters in middle age when news of James affair with a comely young staffer named Olivia (Naomi Scott) is splashed across the headlines: Top Tory Cheats with Aid. Things deteriorate further when Olivia accuses him of rape. Michelle Dockery plays Kate, the attorney prosecuting the case, and Dockery sheds all the glamorous snobbery that has served her so well as Lady Mary in Downton Abbey to embody a woman far more understated and ruminating in temperament. Shes exquisitely poised in the courtroom, but harboring a secret thats not unrelated to the case before her. Advertisement Did James assault Olivia? The show doesnt even pretend to keep you guessing: Of course he did. He just doesnt see it that way and that mindset is what Anatomy of a Scandal is actually about. That means Olivia isnt a person with her own point of view so much as a narrative device who exists only to move the story along (I had this complaint with The Undoing and its conception of the other woman, as well). Anatomy of a Scandal is adapted from a 2018 crime novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughan, but depressingly if not surprisingly there are real-world MPs who have faced (or are facing) similar sexual assault and harassment allegations. Just how this kind of thing unfolds, behind closed doors in luxurious London townhomes and exclusive wood-paneled parliamentary spaces, is what the show is looking to examine, and understand why the women in their lives so often look the other way. There are also subtle shades of former Prime Minister David Camerons Piggate here, not in the bizarre activities he supposedly engaged in while at Oxford, but more along the lines of how nothing is off limits for these sons of wealthy white families. They are destined for corridors of power. Their status and future are assured. They can get away with anything. And now, theyre running everything. Sienna Miller as a woman coming to grips with who she really married. (Netflix) Sophie and James are as posh as they come and thats where the story falters for me. Infidelity among this exclusive British set is par for the course; its practically bourgeois to expect otherwise. Headlines about an affair are never OK youre supposed to be discrete but it doesnt fully make sense that Sophie would be so rattled by the mere fact of her husband sleeping around. Then again, back in the real world, a young Diana Spencer didnt think the man she was marrying would cheat on her either, so maybe some aristos (and those aristo-adjacent) really arent so blase about these matters. Miller herself lived through a public cheating scandal in 2005, when her then-fiance Jude Law had an affair with their childrens nanny. Whos to say whether shes drawing on that experience here, but she certainly brings a sense of cautious, uncertain heartbreak to her performance of a woman finally, belatedly growing up. Friend, by contrast, is wonderfully hard to pin down as James; hes not exactly charismatic, but he carries that whiff of blithe confidence and self-regard that these types use to coast through life. Where does Kates story fit into all of this? Thats the surprise twist and its a pretty good one. Shes an ace in the courtroom, with her clipped delivery and barristers wig, but away from prying eyes, shes nursing some very conflicted emotions that are threatening to spill over into her professional life, a duality captured in a striking double image thats achieved by aiming the camera lens through a glass partition. Other stylistic flourishes a fantastical moment that sees James thrown backward, as if shot in the chest, when hes informed of the rape accusation against him are clunky and dont add anything. I would have liked more of an emphasis on how Kate builds her case, but the show isnt particularly interested in the nuts and bolts of it all. Its not a courtroom thriller. Not really. The title says it all. Its an examination of a wolf in sheeps clothing who finds himself in the crosshairs, desperate to dodge a bullet. Anatomy of a Scandal 2.5 stars (out of 4) Where to watch: Netflix Advertisement Michelle Dockery as a prosecuting attorney with a secret in "Anatomy of a Scandal." (Netflix) Nina Metz is a Tribune critic nmetz@chicagotribune.com What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. Sign up for our Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Jan. 1 1. Identity theft/first degree fraudulent practice of unemployment benefits was reported in the 5800 block of Remington Road North, between Jan. 1 and March 21 Feb. 1 2. A fifth degree theft of $250 from an EBT card was reported in the 3500 block of 29th Street between Feb. 1-28 March 6 3. A juvenile was cited for assault, discharge of weapons and projectiles, and stopping on the traveled part of an unpaved highway in the 3600 block of Tanglewood Road 4. David D.L. Levy, 23, 622 9th Ave., Rock Island, was arrested at the I-74 Grant Street ramp for possession of a controlled substance, driving while his license was suspended, operating the vehicle without registration and violated the financial liability coverage March 7 5. A juvenile was arrested for assault in the 3300 block of 18th Street. 6. Shoplifting of two bottles of alcohol, valued at $71, reported at Hy-Vee in the 2900 block of Devils Glen Road March 8 7. Timmie L. Winters, 27, of Chicago, arrested in the 1300 block of State Street for the first offense of OWI, open container, insufficient number of headlamps, and unsafe backing on the highway. March 9 8. Riley Mendoza, 22, of Chicago, cited for failure to stop within the assured clear distance causing a crash causing $15,000 damage, in the 2600 block of Middle Road. 9. A threat of harassment and stalking reported in the 3600 block of Wakonda Drive 10. Third-degree theft of more than $1,000 reported in the 5200 block of Surrey Drive. March 10 11. Mark W. Hampton, 36, of 2330 Avalon Drive arrested for trespassing at 1777 Isle Parkway 12. Corey L. J. Pringle, 30, 1720 15th St., Moline, was arrested for the first offense of OWI in the 3700 block of State Street March 11 13. Dawn Lund of Bettendorf, cited for obedience to traffic control devices on Middle Road at 29th Street, totaling her own car and another. 14. Richard L. Columbus, 36, of 1017 Grant St., arrested in the 1800 block of Grant Street for driving while barred habitual offender and an intrastate warrant. 15. Jessie E. Vicary, 31, 3457 295th St., Comanche, cited in the 400 block of 20th Street for operating a vehicle without a locking device on the steering wheel, no insurance, and fraudulent use of registration 16. Michael D. Harris, 22, 421 19th St., Moline, arrested at I-74 East and Spruce Hills Drive for possession of drug paraphernalia 17. Justin T. Davis, 34, 624 Scott St., Davenport, arrested in the 1800 block of Kimberly Road for driving while barred, driving while license was suspended, and violation of financial liability coverage March 12 18. Elizabeth M. Brown, 38, Robins, Illinois, arrested at Kimberly Road and Middle Road for drug paraphernalia, driving without a license, and headlamps violation 19. Tracy A. Killian, 41, 1221 S. Zenith Ave., Davenport, arrested in the 800 block of Golden Valley Drive for suspicious activity, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Adam D. Kalmes, 37, 2015 N. Nevada Ave., Davenport, was also arrested at the scene for drug paraphernalia 20. Nicholas C. Hayes, 44, of Davenport, arrested in the 3000 block of Utica Ridge Road for possession of a controlled substance. Kristine M. Morriss, 37, no address given, of Davenport arrested at same scene for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia 21. Jamey O. Lasseter Jr., 30, 5910 Elmore Ave., Davenport, was arrested in the 2600 block of Grant St. for driving while barred and operating a vehicle without a registration 22. A theft of $2,000 in gift cards was reported in the 3500 block of Devils Glen Road. March 13 23. Alisha I. Adrian, 34, 133 W. 13th St., Davenport, arrested for possession of a controlled substance at 1777 Isle Parkway 24. Leevontrell Parrow, 33, of 1406 W. 7 St., Davenport, arrested at Hillside Drive and Sycamore Terrace for his 3rd OWI, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, driving while license was revoked, operating a vehicle without a locking device on the steering wheel, failure to obey a stop sign and yielding right-of-way 25. A hit and run accident and leaving the scene without leaving was reported at on eastbound I-80. 26. Brian A. Hartman, 44, 356 19th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia at Grant Street at 17th Street 27. Tywan L. Atkins, 38, no address given, arrested in the 3900 block of State Street, for disorderly conduct, party noise, and harassing a police officer March 14 28. Christopher Osborne, 35, 2330 W. 58th St., Davenport, arrested for residential burglary in the 4300 block of Woodland Drive March 15 29. Danielle S. Johnson, 43, 311 54th St., Moline, was arrested at I-74 and the Lincoln Road overpass for possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to have a valid drivers license Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Breakfast Optimist Club that serves the Illinois Quad-Cities has announced its annual Police Officer of the Year and Top Cop for 2021. From the East Moline Police Department, Sgt. William Lind earned Officer of the Year honors. Lind was nominated for his work at the Quad-City Federal Gang Task Force. Lind spearheaded one of the largest cases in the task force for illegal drug and weapon distribution in the Quad-City area. He also worked to stop several shootings in the spring of 2021 between two gangs that led to multiple arrests for firearms violations. Lind also is involved with the Shop With a Cop and Holiday Food Baskets programs. Moline Police Officer Cody Parmenter earned Officer of the Year honors after being nominated for improving the safety and quality of life in the community, building community trust and collaboration, and enhancing the professionalism, teamwork and integrity of the department. Parmenter made more than 45 felony arrests, mostly for the delivery or possession of methamphetamine or other controlled substances, along with 25 arrests for driving under the influence. He made several arrests for gun crimes, unlawful use of a weapon and armed violence. Parmenter also developed a community-oriented policing program to emphasize the importance of staying in school and being a productive member of our community. The program strives to build and strengthen the relationship between children in the community and the Moline Police Department by recognizing students for their outstanding achievements, and police visiting them at school for a pizza party. Parmenter also was awarded the Life Saving Award for his actions on March 15, 2021, when he saved the life of a citizen inside a burning house. Parmenter also was named Top Cop for 2021. Moline Police Chief Darren Gault said, We are very grateful for the recognition that the Breakfast Optimists have given the officers for their outstanding work to make our community a better and safer place. These awards that are judged by community members are very special because they are independent evaluations of the officers without any influence from police management, Gault added. The appreciation from the community resonates throughout the department and is greatly appreciated. East Moline Police Chief Jeff Ramsey said, Officers are recognized internally, but to be recognized by people in the community they serve means a lot to them. Congratulations to all of the nominees and award winners, your dedication to the job and desire to protect and serve the community often goes unnoticed, but today you are being recognized, and deservingly so, Ramsey said. I appreciate our neighbors at the Moline Police Department and the working relationship we have. Other finalists for Officer of the Year are: East Moline Police Sgt. Kyle Schultz, who was nominated for dedication, training and expertise in developing officers in the department. East Moline Police Det. Riley Reeves, who was nominated for efforts in community policing. Moline Police Sgt. Joe Kluever, who was nominated for his work on difficult and complex juvenile investigation cases. Moline Police Officer Adam Medina, who was nominated for his heroic actions in the face of danger in dealing with an armed person. John Zelnio, Breakfast Optimist Club Top Cop Committee Chairman, said in a news release, The Breakfast Optimist Club members are very proud of our law enforcement officers and the great work that they do in our community. It was a great pleasure to honor these top six very deserving officers. Founded in 1919, Optimist clubs work in their communities promoting good government, the military and patriotism, and support local youth projects. Optimist committee members judged the applications for Officer of the Year and Top Cop based on heroism, community service, meritorious performance and club purpose. Love 4 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 15 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Love 1 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 9 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A cancer diagnosis is like a rock thrown in a pond. After the damage of the splash, there always are ripples. "That's a good way to describe cancer. I've heard it said that the first place cancer spreads is to the family," Gilda's Club Quad Cities Executive Director Joy McKeenan said Wednesday after she helped announce a partnership with Genesis Health System to begin construction on an 8,500-square-foot clubhouse located directly above the Cancer Care Institute at the Genesis West Campus in Davenport. Gildas Club Quad Cities offers workshops, support groups, activities and social events at no charge to people whose lives have been impacted by cancer. It helps people with cancer, as well as their families and support systems. It's named after Gilda Radner, the comedian in the founding years of NBCs Saturday Night Live, who died of ovarian cancer in 1989. Gildas Club opened a new clubhouse at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, down the hall from the Cancer Center at their Moline campus in February 2021, after closing its former headquarters in a house on River Drive in Davenport. After construction at Genesis which got underway two weeks ago and is slated to last four months is complete, Gildas Club will have locations in both Iowa and Illinois, a move McKeenan said was aimed at "... bridging the geographical gap in access to care and bringing support services closer to those living with a cancer diagnosis." "One thing I didn't know was that caregivers can have higher stress levels than the cancer patient," McKeenan said. "And what can happen is caregivers start to feel guilty feeling like they don't have the right to be stressed out, and that they should be able to juggle all the demands of being a caregiver. "One of the keys for caregivers and family members is to be able to connect with someone who knows what you are going through. That's really where Gilda's Club steps in." Gilda's Club launched a $1.6 million "Expanding Hope Capital Campaign" in 2020 to cover the cost of moving, and McKeenan said the last $300,000 will support the expanded programs at these two locations. The construction costs of the two sites is roughly $1.1 million. During Wednesday's news conference Genesis Health Group President Davis Weiser said the expanded partnership across health systems will help even more people. "Cancer survivors and their families will have even more resources," Weiser said. "Gilda's Club is recognized and respected in the region as a resource for cancer education, information and support." McKeenan said the level of support for Gilda's Club surprised her. "When we moved out of our house on River Drive at the end of 2020, I knew we were headed the right direction when it came to our members and what they need," McKeenan said. "But I also knew we would need some help to make it happen. I never imagined the kind of support we have received from both Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health-Trinity to make sure cancer patients and their families are cared for, and I credit their mutual willingness for our future success." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Rock Island County still owes millions of dollars in loan debt on Hope Creek Care Center, the county's former nursing home. In a report to county board members Wednesday night, Rock Island County Treasurer Louisa Ewert stated the county owes $1.9 million to the county's liability fund and $500,000 in tax anticipation warrants for the former Hope Creek Care Center, totaling $2.4 million in loan debt. Ewert said the TAW balance should be paid off by early summer. The county-owned nursing home at 4343 Kennedy Drive, East Moline, was sold for $4 million to Infinity Health Care Management in September 2020. The county has made progress on paying down the debt, however. At the time the facility was sold, $15.4 million was owed on the nursing home. That debt included $8.2 million on the mortgage and $460,000 owed to vendors. After the facility was sold, the county's credit rating was increased by Moody's Investors Service from A3 to A2, in part because of an annual savings of $2 million the county was no longer paying to run the facility or to employee IMRF and FICA funds. County residents will continue to be taxed separately on the facility as Illinois law allows the county to levy a nursing home tax on residents as long as there is outstanding debt. Hope Creek was built for $24 million in 2009, replacing its predecessor, Oak Glen. The facility now operates as Hope Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A big "Thumbs Up" goes to the State of Iowa for recently passing two bills to protect its Jewish community and the State of Israel. The first bill passed is entitled "A bill for an act relating to antisemitism in the State of Iowa." This bill is Iowa's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism that clearly illustrates just what constitutes Jew-hatred. The definition reads: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities." Eleven specific examples of antisemitism are found on the IHRA web site at https://www.holocaustremembrance.com, and they include centuries old Jew-hatred as well as more modern Jew-hatred centered on support of Israel. This bill is needed because, according to FBI data, almost 60% of all religious-bias hate crimes in the United States target Jews, and over the past several years there have been close to 20 documented incidents of antisemitism in Iowa. Since its creation in 2016, the IHRA definition has been adopted by more than 800 entities worldwide, to include 37 countries, 22 U.S. states, non-governmental organizations, universities, corporations, governmental agencies, etc. Very importantly, though, this bill is not punitive, not legally binding, nor does it in any way obstruct freedom of speech. Instead, it is a guideline and an educational tool to define antisemitism and to determine if an antisemitic hate crime has indeed occurred, which could lead to punitive action by Iowa's law enforcement agencies. This bill passed the Iowa House with 66 in favor, 31 opposed and two absent; in the Senate, it passed 48-0, with two absent. The second bill passed is entitled "A bill for an act relating to restrictions regarding companies boycotting Israel." This bill is a revised version of the bill passed by the state in 2016, which prohibits Iowas pension funds from investing in companies that support boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The BDS movement is a discriminatory, bigoted and antisemitic global campaign that denies the Jewish people the right to self-determination, with the ultimate goal being the destruction of the Jewish State. This revised bill makes a technical correction that now allows Iowas pension fund to divest not just from "companies," but also from subsidiaries and their parent companies, like Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and its parent company, Unilever, for their recent antisemitic actions against Israel. Only $2.7 million out of $42 billion, or .0006%, of the pension fund will be impacted by this bill. But it sends a loud and clear message that discrimination against Israel will not be tolerated in Iowa. This bill passed the Iowa House, 61-35, with five absent, and in the Iowa Senate, 40-5, with five absent. We thank our local Iowa legislators, Rep. Gary Mohr and Sen. Roby Smith, for taking leading roles in getting these bills passed. We also thank Gov. Kim Reynolds for signing the bills on March 23, stating, "Today we express Iowas enduring support for the State of Israel and our categorical rejection of antisemitism. Together, these bills send an important message: Iowa continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel, one of Americas most important and reliable allies, while fighting all forms of religious and ethnic discrimination." And finally, we thank all of you who worked together for almost a year to make these bills a reality, including: the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines; the American Jewish Committee; Christians United for Israel; the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities; and, the many Jewish leaders throughout the State of Iowa who consulted with their local Iowa legislators on the importance of these bills. Allan G. Ross is executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Quad-Cities. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The city is in its last steps in finalizing a $5 million allocation in Vision Funds toward strategic housing. The Legal and Finance Committee approved an agreement with Rapid City Strategic Housing Trust Fund/Black Hills Area Community Foundation during its Wednesday meeting. The city council will see the item on its consent agenda during its Monday night meeting. Assistant City Attorney Justin Williams said the city council previously approved the award Jan. 10 during Vision Fund discussions. The money will be used for the no-low interest loans and revolving loan fund to help develop affordable housing. Williams said the money will primarily focus on funding low- and medium-income housing in the rental market. The agreement that weve put in place or that were seeking approval on is really just to memorialize some of the arrangements about what those funds are going to be used for, and some checks and balances basically to allow the city to come back and review the progress on that, he said. The agreement lists 12 conditions for the funds, which would be awarded in equal monthly payments of $416,666.66 for 2022. The first payment, which will begin 45 days after the execution of the award agreement, will include payments in 2022 prior to the execution of the award. Williams said the major conditions include if theres misallocation of the funds, then the city has a right to do a full audit and claw back additional funds and seek legal action, and allow the city to request progress reports. He said the progress reports are by request so time and effort isnt taken away from the organizations mission. He said the agreement does not have an expiration date. Council member Jason Salamun said the $5 million is seed money for the project to help meet growing housing challenges. This is one idea to do something about it by providing a revolving loan to help put low and middle income families in houses in our community, he said. Salamun said growth is going to happen to the city and the question is if the city will get out in front of it. He said the council is looking at using funds at the end of the year for proactive development, which would include the necessary infrastructure for growth, and to potentially determine growth placement. The other thing is to think more regionally, he said. I think we need to be better at working with other government agencies to say, how do we address the community-wide challenges that we have with regards to housing and everything that goes with it. During the meeting, Council members Ritchie Nordstrom and Ron Weifenbach expressed concerns regarding resolutions levying assessment for abatement of nuisances, which all 14 were ultimately approved. Nordstrom said the city is experiencing a lot of out-of-state property owners not taking care of their property. He said it makes additional problems for city staff. Were starting to see with the out-of-state owners that they just dont care, he said. If they do care, it takes a long time to respond and were sending letters to them. He said some respond, some are taken to court and it becomes a long ordeal. He also said the city is shorthanded in the code enforcement department and now theyre looking to do a supplement to the Community Development budget because of it. Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Bret Swanson, a former Rapid City Area School Board member and middle school teacher, announced his run for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 30 as a Democrat. Swanson, of Hermosa, said in the release that its time for "more rational, fair, and pragmatic leadership." Forty-seven percent of South Dakotas electorate are Democrats or independent; we are not fairly represented in Pierre, Swanson said. Swanson said he plans to fight for more transparency and accountability. When our attorney general, the states highest law enforcement officer, tries to cover up a crime he committed and is supported by his party in the cover-up, its clear the one-party rule is corrupt, Swanson said. He also said South Dakota's teachers, state employees and front-line workers need to be paid more, as well as all "regular" South Dakotans. He said he wants to raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour and add worker protections. Right to work just means right to fire, he said. Swanson said he believes that Gov. Noem's ambitions and personal agenda have compromised her ability to lead. He also said the Republican party talks about limited government but then passes legislation that "invades locker rooms, classrooms and ORs." He said constituents in District 30 are also concerned about water issues and taxation. Swanson does not have a primary challenge and will face two Republicans in Novembers general election. Swanson and his wife, Jackie, currently teach at the college level. Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 5 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Marty Jackley reminded state and local candidates Wednesday to not let campaigns get personal. Jackley, currently the only candidate for South Dakotas next attorney general, didnt name names when discussing a reduction in the number of employees in the Division of Criminal Investigations office nor comment on current Attorney General Jason Ravnsborgs impeachment at South Dakota Strongs candidate Meet & Greet event Wednesday. Instead, he discussed the importance of supporting fellow candidates and returning to relationships. I missed the job of the attorney general, the relationships with law enforcement, the sheriffs, the chiefs, the states attorneys, he said. It just seemed like the timing was right, and Ive been trying to share my experience, a vision for South Dakota, and the work I want to do with law enforcement. Jackley was the keynote speaker for South Dakota Strongs Meet & Greet at Black Hills Harley-Davidson in Rapid City. Denise Maher, one of the founding members of the organization, said South Dakota Strong is a grassroots effort that hopes to promote leaders who are pro-economic growth and pro-development, strong families, strong school systems and Midwest values. She said those values include supporting life, freedom and healthy communities. We want to kind of get our leaders in here who want to help us deal with the crime issues, who want to help us with infrastructure, she said. Maher said 35 candidates were invited to the event and 33 accepted the invitation. Candidates were introduced just before Jackley spoke, including state Sens. Jessica Castleberry, Helene Duhamel, Gary Cammack, Michael Diedrich and David Johnson; state Reps. Becky Drury, Tim Goodwin, Mike Derby, Kirk Chaffee and Dean Wink; state legislator candidates Pat Baumann, Steve Duffy, Becca Zerbst and Ron Moeller; Chief Deputy Brian Mueller; Pennington County Commissioners Deb Hadcock, Gary Drewes and Ron Rossknecht; Rapid City Council members Greg Strommen, J.J. Carrell and Lindsey Seachris; RCAS school board candidates Gabe Doney and Janyce Hockenbary; and Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin and Pat West. There were also state congressional precinct people invited to attend who introduced themselves during the event. Maher said South Dakota Strong is not a political action group, does not take money and does not give out money. She said the group is not bound to the same restrictions as political parties and can promote candidates during the primaries. I think its really important to allow our residents to come in and meet the candidates one on one because theres very little opportunity for many of these candidates to get out there, she said. A lot of them work full-time, a lot of them are busy. They dont have time to go door-to-door and meet every single resident, so were bringing the voters to them and letting them ask questions and learn a little about them. Jackley answered questions near the end of the event and said his primary focus would be crime and making the office better for the people who work in it. He also condemned blanket jail reform policies and said he plans to take a look at juvenile detention. He also answered questions regarding womens prisons or workforce facilities, jail reform and substance abuse. Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The empty Consumers and Century Buildings at 202 and 220 S. State Street in Chicago on March 9, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Should a wrecking ball strike the Century Building at 202 S. State St., there will be a bittersweet moment when modern architectures debt to Chicago is starkly revealed. Advertisement The falling bricks will expose the underlying structure of the 16-story, Holabird and Roche-designed building: a lacework of steel beams and columns. The masonry was only tasked with screening the occupants from summers heat and rain, winters cold and snow. That combination of a metal framework and curtain walls has produced myriad skyscrapers worldwide after being developed and elaborated upon in Chicagos drafting rooms. Nineteenth-century Chicagoans were fiercely proud of that. Advertisement Chicago is a city of skyscrapers, reported the 1891 Morris Dictionary of Chicago. While other towns may boast of isolated specimens of grand architectural creation, no other city can claim the general high average of elegant and massive buildings. The Loop was then an outdoor museum of Chicagos pioneering architecture. But the opening chapter vanished when William Le Baron Jenneys 1885 Home Insurance Building was demolished in 1931. A similar fate would appear to await not only the 1915 Century Building but also the 1913 Consumers Building at 220 S. State St., which was designed by Jenneys firm, Jenney, Mundie & Jensen, after his death and marked the sunset of the skyscrapers formative period. An engraving shows architect William Le Baron Jenney. (Chicago History Museum ) A $52 million bill is moving through Congress that would level both skyscrapers. The government acquired the buildings in 2007 as a security buffer and potential expansion of federal office space behind the adjacent Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. These are two of the last buildings representing the Chicago School of Architecture and those early skyscrapers in Chicago, lamented Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago. While the written word cant replace direct experience, the motivation of the skyscrapers pioneers can be glimpsed in the story under an 1888 Tribune headline, The Sacrifice of Space For Light. Dark rooms will not rent and it therefore does not pay to construct them. The question is how to get the maximum amount of rentable space with the smallest cubic contents, and each lot presents its own peculiar problem. Chicagos architects worked then, as architects still do, at the intersection of economic opportunity and design. The city had been speedily rebuilt after the 1871 fire, and just as speedily the demand for office space and storefronts outran supply. Outward expansion would encounter rising land values, so downtowns moguls opted for replacing existing buildings with taller ones Advertisement But building by the age-old method of piling up layers of blocks presented another problem. Brick walls must be thicker for taller buildings, as can be seen in the 16-story Monadnock Building at 53 W. Jackson Blvd., built in 1891. The Century Building at 202 S. State St. in September 1940. (William Loewe / Chicago Tribune) Upon entering, a visitor might sense time standing still. The doorway is set in a wall 6 feet thick at ground level. The windows of the north section are narrow, as cutting into masonry reduces its load-bearing capacity. The windows of the south section are larger. That part of the building was added in 1893 and constructed according to Jenneys formula of a metal framework and curtain walls. Jenney studied civil engineering in Paris and during his Civil War service dismantled bridges. That gave him a familiarity with metal construction that he brought to bear on a problem that came with his commission to design the Home Insurance Building The order further called for a maximum number of well lighted small offices above the second story which, Mr. Jenney knew would necessitate small piers smaller probably than admissible if of ordinary masonry construction, the Tribune recalled in Jenneys 1907 obituary. With this dilemma to be met it was necessary to find some material capable of supporting a greater load per unit of section. Architects had before then obliged to enclose an iron column within a masonry pier, and the greater use of this idea, together with another making each story a unit in its self marked the solution of the problem. Advertisement Jenney subsequently employed structural steel. He has long been known as the father of the skyscraper and subject to attempts to deny him of that title for just as long. Louis Sullivan, the most celebrated architect of the Chicago School, began as a draftsman in Jenneys office. He said Jenney was not an architect except by courtesy of terms. His true profession was that of an engineer. The Consumer Building, circa April 1960. (Chicago Architectural Photography Company) That didnt deter Sullivan from appropriating Jenneys method, which was inherited by subsequent Chicago architects. Holabird and Roche employed it when designing the Century Building. Its ground-level floor-to ceiling windows welcomed visitors with a shower of sunlight. Pronouncing it an unusually attractive structure, the Tribune greeted the news of its construction with an architects rendering. It showed the office floors enjoying the benefits of classic Chicago windows: large glass planes flanked by small windows. Among its tenants was Local 66 of the Elevator Operators Union and the Audit Bureau of Circulations that told advertisers how periodicals were doing. A huge electric sign announced the buildings Romas Restaurant. But shortly, architectural fashions shifted. The Century Buildings spare simplicity was followed by the curlicues of art moderne skyscrapers. Others anachronistically mimicked historic styles. The steel skeletons of the office buildings need be no more expressed than the bones of critics rash enough to father that statement, the Tribune held. Its 1925 headquarters sported the flying buttresses of a medieval cathedral. Advertisement But a younger generation of European architects was still mesmerized by the Chicago School. Among them was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a German with no formal training who studied the work of Sullivan and others from afar. In 1937, he was appointed director of the architecture program of the Armour Institute, shortly to become the Illinois Institute of Technology. Mies would bring the Chicago School to its logical conclusion: glass skyscrapers framed with exposed structural steel. I believe that architecture has little or nothing to do with invention of interesting forms or with personal whims, Mies taught. I believe architecture belongs to the epoch, not the individual; and that, at its best, it touches and expresses the very innermost structure of the civilization from which it springs. A scaffold for a repair crew hangs from the Century Building at 202 S. State St. where emergency work is underway on May 24, 1984, after a terra cotta column fell 150 feet. (George Thompson / Chicago Tribune) Architects near and far said, Amen, and thus Chicago was reestablished as the architectural capital of the world. One of Mies projects was the Dirksen Federal Building on Dearborn Street. Fronting it was the Century Building and Mies, who was fastidious about his buildings environs, took that into consideration in his 1959 site planning. Vintage Chicago Tribune Weekly The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. > But the Century Building didnt fare well in subsequent years. It lost tenants and had severely deteriorated by the time the General Services Administration took control of the building. One of this federal agencys responsibilities is ensuring the survival of historic buildings. A developer proposed renovating the Century Building into artists studios and living quarters. But judges at the nearby Dirksen building raised security concerns, scuttling the plan. Advertisement Preservation Chicago is working on an alternative offering archival storage to organizations without their own facilities to store historic records. Archived papers fare better without sunlight, so bricking up the buildings rear windows would facilitate that use while also possibly alleviating the concerns over the Dirksen building. As Miller of Preservation Chicago puts it, de-accessing a painting just means its going to another museum, where it can still be seen. But de-accessing a building means losing the opportunity to experience it. Its being reduced to a pile of rubble. rgrossman@chicagotribune.com Join our Chicagoland history Facebook group for more from Chicagos past. South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws will be holding a drive-through petition signature drive for recreational cannabis legalization this weekend in Rapid City. The group will be holding the petition event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at 230 East North St., the future location of Genesis Farms. "We're going to have a team of volunteers there and we're really excited to collect a ton of signatures this week in Rapid City, Campaign Director Matthew Schweich told the Journal on Wednesday. The group is very close to having enough signatures for the petition to be validated by May 3. Schweich said the group estimates they have 13,500 valid signatures. A 2022 initiated measure requires 16,961 valid signatures from registered South Dakota voters to qualify for the November 2022 ballot. "We are within striking distance, but we are a little nervous and we wanted voters to know that we need them to sign," Schweich said. "This isn't a guaranteed thing that we're just going to qualify the initiative unless people step up and help. I fear there's a sense of complacency that people assume others will sign the petition." In 2021, the South Dakota Supreme Court overturned Amendment A, the recreational cannabis legalization law approved by 54% of voters in 2020 in a ruling the marijuana group described as a far-fetched legal theory based on no logical or evidentiary support. "There has been strong support among South Dakota voters to reform the state's cannabis laws. Starting in 2019 when we launched this campaign and South Dakota had some of the harshest marijuana laws in the entire country before we won our campaigns in 2020," Schweich said. "And it makes no sense to clog up our courts and waste police and law enforcement resources arresting and prosecuting and convicting and even imprisoning people for making a personal decision about cannabis. "We feel the people of South Dakota agree with us and they also believe that there were economic benefits to legalization in terms of creating new jobs and businesses generating tax revenue while also creating new opportunities for existing small businesses in South Dakota." South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws has established an enhanced website at www.sdmarijuana.org. Schweich said the website has capabilities to sign up to volunteer for petition drives, verify signatures and to locate additional places across the state to sign petitions. "We still need volunteers. There's still time if you live in a rural part of the state and you can collect a few signatures. We want to hear from you," he said. "There's still time for us to find a local printer to get the petitions printed for you or to even mail petitions, so it's not too late to volunteer." The organization also established a special hotline at 605-269-8552 to call or text message any questions about the recreational cannabis petition. "We've only been successful because people have gotten involved. And we need that now in this in these final 20 days," Schweich said. South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws is also hiring for paid petition circulators starting at $22 an hour. "We want as many volunteers as possible, but if being compensated means that you can put in some serious time to circulate, then we want to hire you," he said. Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. TULSA, Okla. | Three men who were part of a group protesting the continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier face federal felony assault charges stemming from an altercation that left a Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officer injured. A federal grand jury named Jacob Richard Nokusece Wind, Sandy Williams and Jason Robert Hopson in a one-count indictment charging them with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. The charge was filed under seal March 21 and made public April 4 with the arrest of Williams, 41, of Seminole, Oklahoma, according to Tulsa federal court records. The charge identified the three as American Indians, thus subject to federal prosecution under the U.S. Supreme Courts McGirt decision. The ruling meant state prosecutors no longer have criminal jurisdiction in much of eastern Oklahoma when cases involve a tribal member. Wind, 39, of Grove, Oklahoma, and Hopson, 36, no address available, have yet to make a court appearance, according to court records. Williams was released on an unsecured bond after he made an initial appearance in federal court last week, records show. The indictment alleges the three men assaulted the Tulsa police officer Feb. 7, resulting in serious bodily injury to the officer. The arrests came as the three men and other activists protested outside the Page Belcher Federal Building at Fourth Street and Denver Avenue in downtown Tulsa over the continued imprisonment of Peltier. The protest was part of nationwide demonstrations planned across the country aimed at urging President Joe Biden to grant Peltier clemency. Sometime during the demonstration a Tulsa police officer was injured after he requested protesters to move a car that was blocking Fourth Street, according to police. Police said the protesters wrongly claimed they did not have to follow the officers instructions, citing the U.S. Supreme Court McGirt ruling on tribal jurisdiction. They were incorrect in this assumption and were, in fact, violating city of Tulsa ordinances by parking illegally and interfering with the flow of traffic, police said. Police said the officer was surrounded by several protesters; the officer put his hand on a protester twice to create some distance between (himself) and the group, and a scuffle ensued. During the scuffle, the officer ended up on the ground, during which, police said he tore a knee ligament and its meniscus and fractured the top of his tibia. Police arrested Wind and Williams at the scene and said later that they were looking for a third suspect. The federal assault charge carries a statutory term upon conviction of up to 10 years in prison. Meanwhile, within days of the incident, the Muscogee Nation announced it had charged Wind and Williams with felony assault and battery in a protected class (the police officer). The Muscogee Nation said Friday it will continue to prosecute the two men. Hopson has not been charged in tribal court, according to the Muscogee Nation Office of the Attorney General. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has concurrent jurisdiction with our federal partners, according to a statement attributed to the nations Office of the Attorney General. As such, our Muscogee (Creek) Nation prosecutors will be moving forward with these cases and intend to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. The next tribal court date for Wind and Williams, who are free on bond, is Aug. 24. Peltier, an Anishinaabe and Dakota man who was convicted by a federal jury in 1977 in the shooting deaths of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, has been in federal prison since his conviction. Many people consider Peltier a political prisoner and say he was wrongfully convicted. Calls for Peltiers release or the overturning of his conviction have been heard from Peltiers first appeal in 1978 through President Barack Obamas denial of his clemency request in 2017, but those calls have increased in urgency since Peltier, now 77, tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 28. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 A majority of SD House Republicans voted against impeaching Ravnsborg. He was impeached thanks to Democrats pushing the vote over the finish line. Guess we know who really is about holding people accountable. Impeachment by one vote? Birds of a feather flock together. Regardless of the outcome of the Ravnsborg impeachment issue, the chances of Kristi Noem being held accountable for her indiscretions are slim and none. It just won't happen in our deep red state. The State Senate will not convict our AG and remove him from office. Rather, they will simply allow his term to expire at the end of this year and the GOP convention will nominate someone else for the job at their convention this summer. Have you noticed that the Black Hills are starting to become bare in places? Sadly, the Forest Service is allowing Nieman Enterprises to clear cut thousands of acres in the Hills, and the Forest Service fully knows it is not sustainable. Thune, Rounds and Johnson are asking for thousands more acres. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico election regulators are resisting efforts by a conservative-backed foundation to post statewide voter registration information on a public website where it can be searched by names or addresses to view whether people voted in past elections and sometimes their party affiliations. The website does not list details of how people voted regarding candidates or initiatives. The Voter Reference Foundation, created by Republican former Senate candidate Doug Truax of Illinois, announced in December that it would add registered New Mexico voters to its website database VoteRef.com that was established in the wake of the 2020 election and now includes voter rolls from at least 20 states. That move has prompted calls for a state investigation into possible misuse of election records and a pre-emptive lawsuit by Voter Reference Foundation to ensure its plans to publish the details about New Mexico voters. The foundation has said its goal is to usher in a new era of American election transparency. But New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said in an interview Monday that the foundation's efforts violate state law in New Mexico that restricts the use of voter registration data to political campaigning or noncommercial government purposes. This is an overtly political purpose and not necessarily towards a particular campaign and in the government interest," Toulouse Oliver said. "Their purpose is to intimidate voters and make folks become concerned about the security of their information, to potentially cause voters to de-register and not participate in our process. Toulose Oliver in December referred the group's effort for possible prosecution to the state attorney general. Her office traced voter registration data used by Voter Reference Foundation to a person who paid about $5,400 for access on the condition that the information would be used only for governmental, election, research and campaign purposes. In its March lawsuit, Voter Reference Foundation argued that New Mexico's restrictions on voter registration data violate free-speech guarantees of the U.S. Constitution. The foundation said its election purposes are to increase voter participation and provide transparency regarding New Mexico elections, both of which strengthen election integrity. A preliminary hearing in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque had been scheduled for Tuesday, but was delayed at the request of state officials. The foundation's website highlights discrepancies in various states between the number of people listed as having voted on registration rolls and the number of ballots cast according to certified election results. Election officials have described the methodology as flawed, noting that discrepancies likely surface for legitimate reasons when an election result is compared to state voting registration rolls that are continually updated as people change their addresses, enter and leave the state or die. VoteRef.com on Tuesday added voter registration data from the District of Columbia. Open Secrets, a nonpartisan group that tracks political spending, has linked the Voter Reference Foundation to political groups supported by Republican political financing megadonor Richard Uihlein. Toulouse Oliver and Attorney General Hector Balderas have warned residents of Otero County in southern New Mexico to be wary of intrusive questions and potential intimidation by door-to-door canvassers linked to a review of the 2020 election that was authorized by the Republican-led county commission through a private company. Toulouse Oliver said that authorities are probing whether the contractor improperly obtained bulk voter records through a third party that she did not identify. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Judge Robert Gusinsky ordered the state to decide whether it will pursue the death penalty by May 27 in the case of Arnson Absolu, the 37-year-old New York man charged with killing three people. The judge issued the order at a status hearing Tuesday, which gave the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office 45 days to make the decision. Absolu has been charged with three counts of premeditated first-degree murder for the August 2020 deaths of Charles Red Willow, 26, of Rapid City, Ashley Nagy, 29, of Greeley, Colo., and Dakota Zaiser, 22, of Rapid City. Red Willow and Nagy were found dead Aug. 24, 2020, from multiple gunshot wounds in a vehicle at Thomson Park in Rapid City after a 911 call around 10:40 p.m. that day. Little else is known about the case since court documents are sealed. Zaiser, the third victim found, was initially identified as a possible witness in the deaths of Red Willow and Nagy. His body was discovered on Sept. 24 near Sheridan Lake. Police have previously stated they believe Zaisers body was moved to that location. Court documents estimate that Zaiser was killed sometime between Aug. 24 and 25, 2020. Absolu is being held at the Pennington County Jail on no bail. He was apprehended in the Bronx in January 2021 and extradited to Rapid City on Jan. 19 after being charged with the murders. Red Willows sister previously told the Rapid City Journal that her brother was friends with Nagy, but she did not know if he knew Absolu. Absolus defense attorney, Timothy Rensch, did not respond to attempts for comment on the case or on the possibility of his client facing the death penalty. If convicted of the murders, Absolu could also be sentenced to life in prison. Chief State's Attorney Lara Roetzel also declined to comment on the case. South Dakota now has one prisoner on death row in Sioux Falls. The states method for execution has been lethal injection since 1984. It was electrocution before that and hanging prior to 1915. The South Dakota Department of Corrections states there have been 20 executions in South Dakota since 1877. All were for murder. The most recent execution was in 2019. Absolu's next status hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. May 31. Contact Shalom Baer Gee at sgee@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATRs 7th annual art contest for all Bitterroot Valley 9th-12th grade students with this years theme of Old Barns of the Bitterroot Valley drew 92 entries and awarded nearly $5,000 to students and schools. ATR held the awards ceremony on Friday at its Hamilton office on Main Street and artwork was for sale during Hamilton's Culture Crawl Art Walk on Saturday, April 9. According to their website, atrco.com, ATR is The Global Leader in Digital Procedure Management Solutions with a mission to deploy innovative technologies delivering accurate content in multimedia formats enabling each worker to perform flawlessly and safely every time. Elliott Lander, ATR managing mirector and contest host said ATR is blessed to be part of Montanas beautiful Bitterroot Valley and able to partner with the incredibly dedicated art teachers to help stimulate creativity and imagination through the student art contest year after year. The artists statements about their art and their relationship with Montana is enlightening and encouraging and are as expressive and impressive as the art itself, Lander said. There is an amazing amount of creative talent in this generation and we are so appreciative to be a small part of it. We appreciate the art teachers and parents who help guide and encourage the students to achieve their potential." Schools participating included Florence-Carlton High School, Hamilton High School, Stevensville High School, Victor High School, Corvallis High School, Darby High School. Homeschool kids from throughout the valley also participated. Student artists entered the contest in the categories of drawing, painting and sculpting and awards were given with cash prizes: 1st - $500, 2nd - $300, 3rd - $150 and 4th - $100. Judging criteria were based on the theme Old Barns of the Bitterroot Valley; originality creativity and imagination; composition quality of artistic composition; and craftsmanship the skill of each artist using their chosen medium. Judges were Patty Franklin, mosaic artist; Jean Driescher, art educator; Roberta Burruss, watercolor paintings; Terri Johanson, glass artist; Tamar Stanley, former director Ravalli County Museum; and Barbara Liss, concrete sculptor. Liss said that reading the student artists statements explains the value of the art contest. They describe the journey they took selecting a barn, the meaning the barn had for them, their challenges in interpreting it into their own art piece, the value of working together and being inspired by each others work and the challenges they experienced in accomplishing the art piece, Liss said. FCHS senior Dylan Kidd won first place in the sculpture category. Her artist statement said, "This barn is on the property of one of my friends from school. I generally am not a sculptor but I wanted to try and make a 3D barn because I liked the dilapidated look. FCHS sophomore Kian Straub said, I chose this barn because I grew up at the Ravalli County Fair Grounds and have spent many hot August days in the Beef Barn. It always had a home-like feeling that made me feel safe. Corvallis junior Grace Robinson said, The valley we live in is filled with so much character and history. The things that add so much to our valley are the barns." CHS junior Kylie Berk said, As an artist, I aspire not to capture the beauty of our earth, but rather to reflect it distorted, but filled with the character of its viewer. On Friday, ATR announced the winners in a formal awards ceremony. In the painting category: 1st place HHS junior Kylie Berk for Still Standing; 2nd place CHS sophomore Olivia Lewis for Teller Wildlife Refuge Barn; 3rd place CHS sophomore Megan Jessop for Winter in Montana; and 4th place HHS junior Sofia Lewanski for Creekside Homestead Barn. In the sculpture category: 1st place FCHS senior Dylan Kid for Inside and Out; 2nd place FCHS senior Jocelyn Henderson for Pervaded Wood; 3rd place FCHS senior Alexis Sorum for Porter Hill Barn; and 4th place CHS junior Colby Lewis for Porter Hill Barn. In the drawing category: 1st place CHS junior Bryce Cooper for Lee Metcalf Barn; 2nd place FCHS senior Dylan Kidd for Porter Barn from Past; 3rd place DHS junior Madison Nelson for Horse Barn; and 4th place 4th place homeschool sophomore Elliada Craig for If Barns Could Talk. ATR had two special awards. The Best of Show award was presented to Dylan Kid for her sculpture Inside Out and the ATR Presidents Award was presented to FCHS sophomore Conner McBride for Situation Normal. After the awards CHS sophomore Olivia Lewis said she enjoyed the ATR contest. "It was a fun opportunity for us to be able to enter art into a competition, she said. My Aunt Leisa (local artist Leisa Lewis) is the one who got me to start painting and I've liked painting ever since." FCHS senior Dylan Kidd said, I liked that there was room for creativity. I was able to revive the look of an antique barn because the theme was so narrow you really had to think outside the box to get creative." Schools were given cash awards based on the number of top three student winners they had. First place was FCHS winning $500 for the schools art program; second was CHS winning $350 for their art program, third was HHS winning $250 for the schools art program and fourth was DHS winning $100 for the schools art program. Darby High School Art Teacher Sean Bryers said hes proud to participate in the ATR contest. "Darby has participated in this contest every year since I've been here so this is our sixth year, he said. I'm blown away by the talent that that is here today. I'm really excited about next year's theme." The winning entries and a few select pieces will be on display again at next month's Culture Crawl at Montana Bliss Artworks studio. The 2023 theme for the ATR art contest is Montana, created in the style of a great artist. Twenty artists are listed and students can choose from Michelangelo to Andy Warhol. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Philipsburg woman accused of lying about her living arrangements and assets in order to receive more Social Security Administration benefits and other federal aid than she was entitled to receive admitted to charges Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said. Virginia Kathleen Pearson, 56, pleaded guilty to false statements to a government agency as charged in an indictment. Pearson faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. A plea agreement reached in the case calls for the government to seek dismissal of the remaining counts of health care fraud, theft of government money and Social Security fraud at sentencing, if the court accepts the agreement. Pearson also agrees to be responsible for full restitution of approximately $142,542. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for Sept. 1 before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy. Pearson was released on conditions pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that in 2006, Pearson applied for Social Security Income from the SSA and was approved for benefits in 2008. For an initial assessment, Pearson reported that her husband lived with her in Philipsburg, and she started receiving SSA payments in a reduced amount because of her husbands income. In September 2008, Pearson reported that her husband had left her household. SSA recalculated Pearsons SSI and she began receiving substantially larger payments. From November 2008 until about December 2020, Pearson received Cost of Living Adjustment letters notifying her that her payments would increase and of her obligation to report changes to her household composition and income. Pearson also began receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds and Medicaid based on her representations that her husband did not live with her or provide her with financial assistance. The government further alleged that in August 2019, Pearsons husband applied for Social Security retirement benefits, reported he was married to Pearson and lived at the same residence with her since 2000. An investigation found that Pearson said she lived alone, paid a monthly rent and signed a form stating that her husband lived at an address in Anaconda. The investigation found that Pearson and her husband jointly owned the Philipsburg residence, and that rent should not have been deducted from Pearsons resources. Pearson also did not disclose additional bank accounts and vehicles in her and her husbands name and possession. Pearson initially denied her husband lived at her house but later admitted he stayed there about 50% of the time. Pearson also admitted she knew she had to report changes in her household to SSA. Pearsons misrepresentations resulted in an overpayment of SSI in the amount of $101,136, SNAP funds totaling $23,203 and Medicaid reimbursement of $18,203. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 a $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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 9 NEW YORK The man charged with opening fire on subway riders on train in Brooklyn was ordered held without bail Thursday at his first court appearance, where prosecutors told a judge he terrified all of New York City. Brought into a Brooklyn federal court without handcuffs, a subdued Frank James, 62, softly answered standard questions about whether he understood the charges and the purpose of the brief hearing. His lawyer later asked the public not to prejudge him. Advertisement James was arrested in Manhattan after calling a police tip line to say where he was Wednesday, a day after the nightmarish rush-hour attack left 10 people with gunshot wounds and countless others fearing for their safety on the nations busiest subway system. Authorities say he unleashed smoke bombs and dozens of bullets, in a train full of morning commuters. Hes charged with a federal terrorism offense that applies to attacks on mass transit systems authorities say theres currently no evidence linking him to terror organizations and are still trying to derive a motive. Advertisement The defendant terrifyingly opened fire on passengers on a crowded subway train, interrupting their morning commute in a way the city hasnt seen in more than 20 years, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara K. Winik said. The defendants attack was premeditated, was carefully planned and it caused terror among the victims and our entire city. The 10 gunshot victims, who range in age from 16 to 60, are all expected to survive. New York City Police, left, and law enforcement officials lead subway shooting suspect Frank R. James, 62, center, away from a police station, in New York, April 13, 2022. (Seth Wenig/AP) Outside the courtroom, defense attorney Mia Eisner-Grynberg cautioned against a rush to judgment. Initial reports in a case like this are often inaccurate, she said. She noted that James alerted police to his whereabouts, 30 hours into a manhunt that included cellphone alerts to the general public. Once he knew he was wanted, he called Crime Stoppers to help, Eisner-Grynberg said. She had agreed to his being held without bail, at least for now. His attorneys could seek bail later on. At the request of James lawyers, Magistrate Roanne Mann said she would ask for James to get psychiatric attention, as well as magnesium tablets for leg cramps, at the federal lockup in Brooklyn where hes being held. Authorities say a trove of evidence connects James to the attack. His bank card, his cellphone and a key to a van he had rented were found at the shooting scene. Officers also found the handgun they said was used in the shooting; tracing records show James purchased the gun from a licensed gun dealer in Ohio in 2011. Advertisement In court papers, prosecutors called the shooting calculated, saying that James wore a hard hat and construction worker-style jacket as a disguise and then shed them after the gunfire to avoid recognition. Prosecutors suggested James had the means to carry out more more attacks, noting that he had ammunition and other gun-related items in a Philadelphia storage unit. The New York City native had been living in Milwaukee and Philadelphia recently. Investigators were examining many hours of videos that James posted on social media, as recently as Monday, in which he delivered profanity-laced diatribes about racism, societys treatment of Black people, homelessness and violence. He also discussed his history of psychiatric treatment and complained about how New Yorks mayor is dealing with homeless people on subways and with gun violence. He also talked about shooting people, prosecutors noted in court papers. Associated Press journalists Jim Mustian, Michael R. Sisak and Jennifer Peltz contributed. Roasted pistachio, dill yogurt and lemon might sound like salad dressing ingredients to most, but to Steve Yang they present a challenge. How can I make it a drink? he asks himself. Add gin, a bit of caraway flavor from aquavit and anise from absinthe, turn all it into a clarified milk punch, and voila, the herbaceous Some Kind of Wonderful on the Brenner Pass cocktail menu where Yang is bar manager. He suggests pairing the drink with your salad course or cheese and charcuterie board. When looking for inspiration, Yang experiments with ingredients and cooking techniques, seeks inspiration from fellow cocktail experts around the country and intentionally steps away from the expected. The Devil is a Lie featuring blanco tequila, Mezcal, cassis, Meletti amaro, grapefruit, lime and mascarpone may be pink and fruity, but its got a boozy smoky finish and a frothy bite. Its a pink drink that doesnt taste like a pink drink, Yang says. I try to make drinks that taste like you wouldnt expect based on how they look. He also leans more toward savory notes that make cocktails friendly for pairing with food. Because at Brenner Pass we have a wide range of European flavors, I try to use those, he says. If youre ordering fresh oysters, Yang says you should order the Clandestine Maneuvers made with olive oil gin, Suze aperitif, vermouth blend, celery, bay leaf and black peppercorns. Or are you ordering the spring nettle agnolotti? Go for the Petrichor made with Japanese whiskey, Pineau de Charantes, quinquina blanc, and Cocchi Americano aperitifs and umami thats steeped with nettles. At sister restaurant Black Lodge in Scotts Addition, Yang contributes to the menu of mostly pre-batched and diluted cocktails. Black Lodge is less about the show of bartending and more about the personality of bartending, Yang says. The menu of classic craft cocktails, each of which takes a unique spin on the classic, is designed to be poured quickly so the bartenders can focus on conversation. Guests can also order Black Lodge cocktails in large format bottles: There are a little more than six cocktails in a bottle and its served just like wine, Yang says. You get a bottle on ice and everyone gets a class so you can pour and enjoy. Yangs creative cocktail creation skills have also made him the only bartender in Virginia to become one of 50 regional finalists in the U.S. Bartenders Guild World Class Regional Competition. After making it through two rounds of online competitions, hes heading to Pittsburgh at the end of this month to compete for one of three Northeast regional spots in the national competition. The competition tests technical skills as well as categories like drink quality, hospitality and presentation. Yang is preparing for a speed round where hell have to mix six drinks, one of them a dealers choice drink, within eight minutes; a Wanderlust round where hell have to create a drink inspired by two locations and tell a story about it; and a Cordially Speaking round where hell present a cocktail featuring his own cordial and Tanqueray No. Ten gin. Edible Events April 28, 6 p.m., Spain and Portugal Wine Tasting: Sample wines from the Iberian Peninsula alongside small bites in the Underground Kitchens new UGK@Hull Street studio boutique in Manchester. Tickets cost $65 at theundergroundkitchen.org. While youre there, browse the boutique where a portion of sales go to UGK Community First, a nonprofit that strives to reduce food insecurity in the Richmond region. April 30, 12-7 p.m., VA Berry Cider Jam: After a four-year hiatus, Blue Bee cider in Scotts Addition brings back this boozy celebration with two special flights of berry-infused ciders from across Virginia. There will also be food from Rappahannock, Karmalitas marshmallows, Truckle Cheesemongers sandwiches and charcuterie, a flower stem bar, fruit jams and live music. Blue Bee Cider will launch four ciders that day: Mill Race Bramble (this authors favorite Blue Bee beverage that tastes fresh and fruity without being overly sweet), Blackberry Ginger, Frose frozen cider, and a single-keg experimental Boysenberry Lavender cider. May 1, South by Mideast: Persian Dinner in Richmond: Chef Sebastian Oveysi of Amoos Restaurant and Saffron Gourmet Truck in Washington D.C., who has been acclaimed for his Persian cuisine is coming to Richmond to prepare a prix fixe dinner at Westwood Fountain on Patterson Ave. The dinner is $85 for a variety of dishes and non-alcholic libations. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/south-by-mideast-persian-dinner-in-richmond-tickets-315048246787. RICHMOND A new admissions policy at a prestigious high school in northern Virginia does not discriminate against Asian American students and is not an attempt to achieve racial balancing," a school board argued in its response to an emergency request filed with the U.S. Supreme Court by a coalition of parents trying to overturn the policy. The group Coalition for TJ last week asked the high court to vacate a ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to allow the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology to continue using its admissions policy while the Fairfax County School Board appeals a lower court ruling that found the policy is discriminatory. In a response filed Wednesday in the Supreme Court, the school board insisted that its admissions policy is race-neutral and said the 4th Circuit was entirely within its authority to suspend the lower court ruling while the board appeals it. The board said the admissions policy does not set any racial quotas, goals or targets, and is administered in a race-blind manner, with all applications anonymized so evaluators do not know the race of any individual applicant. The district court simply slapped the pejorative racial balancing label on a race-neutral measure to improve geographic, socioeconomic and racial diversity, without any basis in the record, the board said in its response. U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton ruled in February that impermissible racial balancing was at the core of the new admissions policy at the selective school near the nation's capital. It is often ranked as one of the best public high schools in the country. Hilton also turned down a request from the school system to delay implementation of his ruling, but a three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit said the school board had met the legal requirements for a suspension of Hiltons order while its appeal is pending. For decades, Black and Hispanic students have been underrepresented in the student body. After criticism over its lack of diversity, the school board scrapped a standardized test that had been at the heart of the admissions process and opted instead for a process that sets aside slots at each of the countys middle schools. It also includes experience factors like socioeconomic background. The parents group argued in its lawsuit that Asian Americans, who constituted more than 70% of the student body, were unfairly targeted in the new policy. The schools current freshman class, which was admitted under the new policy, saw a significantly different racial makeup. Black students increased from 1% to 7%; Hispanic representation increased from 3% to 11%. Asian American representation decreased from 73% to 54%. The school board said it will suffer irreparable harm if it is forced to change its policy now because the selection process for the incoming freshman class is already well underway. Final admissions decisions are due this month. Overhauling the admissions process at this late date would be convulsive, the school board argued in its response. The case has been closely watched as courts continue to evaluate the role that racial considerations can play when deciding who should be admitted to a particular school. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a similar case alleging that Harvard University discriminates against Asian Americans in its admissions process. One building, two schools: The legacy of segregation at Maggie Walker In a partnership with the Education Writer's Association, the Richmond Times-Dispatch examined the lack of diversity at the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and others across the state in a three-part series. The parents group said the 4th Circuit judges made a grave error in allowing the school system to continue to use its new admissions process. Every American should be offended and outraged by the arrogance of the Fairfax County School Board in insisting on clinging to its state-sponsored racism and discrimination, said Asra Nomani, a cofounder of Coalition for TJ and the mother of a Class of 2021 graduate. The mother of a young Charlottesville man killed during an encounter with two Virginia State Police troopers filed a $60.35 million wrongful death lawsuit Thursday against the officers, nearly 14 months after a grand jury concluded the troopers were justified in using deadly force in the January 2021 incident off Interstate 64 in Goochland County. LaToya Benton, mother of 18-year-old Xzavier Hill, is pursuing her complaint in U.S. District Court in Richmond without legal representation. She noted Thursday during a news conference outside the federal courthouse in downtown Richmond that at least five attorneys declined to take her case. Benton said she hopes an attorney will come forward to assist with the case now that her complaint has been filed. However, Benton said she wont be deterred if no one does, and she will argue the case in court herself. I grieve every day for my son and the violence he suffered at the hands of the police, Benton said, adding, The grand jury found it was justified; I know that its not. I filed the lawsuit today to get some accountability for my son. In the complaint that Benton drafted herself, she alleged Troopers Seth Layton and Benjamin Bone used excessive force, and the shooting was motivated at least in part by Mr. Hills race as a Black man. She also alleged the troopers were improperly trained and supervised, and failed to exhaust all reasonable alternatives before using deadly force. At no relevant time was Mr. Hill speaking or acting in a manner that would suggest that he posed any threat, let alone deadly threat, to Troopers Layton & Bone or anyone else, the lawsuit states. He was in fact pleading that he was stuck inside of his vehicle and scared for his life. As the administrator of her sons estate, Benton is seeking $60 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages, and demands a trial by jury. Contacted Thursday for comment about the lawsuit, state police spokesperson Corinne Geller said the department does not comment on pending litigation. In late February 2021, Goochland Commonwealths Attorney D. Michael Caudill announced that a multi-jurisdictional grand jury that heard evidence in the case had unanimously concluded that the troopers were not criminally liable and acted justifiably in Hills death, which occurred following a pursuit that reached speeds of 120 mph on I-64. Caudill, who oversaw the grand jury proceedings, made the grand jury report public, along with numerous exhibits and a copy of a police dashcam video that captured much of the incident. On Jan. 9, 2021, Xzavier Deyonte Hill initiated and continued to engage in an escalating course of dangerous conduct resulting in a violent confrontation with law enforcement, the grand jury, which serves the counties of Goochland, Powhatan, Louisa, Amelia and Prince Edward, stated in its report. Mr. Hills failure to comply with the commands of the troopers and then introduce a firearm into a rapidly evolving event provided a reasonable basis for the officers to believe they were in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. Hill died of a gunshot wound to the neck. A corresponding toxicology report noted the presence of marijuana in Hills system at the time of his death, according to the grand jurys report. According to the report, the troopers saw Hill display a gun inside the car as they approached on foot, and they fired after observing him reach into the vehicles passenger compartment. Hill refused to comply with commands to stop reaching for the gun, the report said. Following the shooting and after the scene was secured, police found a semiautomatic pistol in the front passenger seat of Hills Mercedes sedan that appeared to be covered in blood, according to the report. A .40-caliber cartridge was jammed in the chamber but the gun contained no magazine. The magazine was found on the floorboard. A day after the shooting, the owner of a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semiautomatic pistol reported to Old Dominion University police that the firearm had been stolen from his vehicle between Jan. 7 and Jan. 10, 2021. The guns owner was known to Hill, and on Jan. 8, Hill had been in that persons vehicle, the report noted. Two digital images recovered from Hills cellphone showed him holding, in his right hand, an object similar in appearance to a semiautomatic pistol. In addition, a digital image created on Jan. 8 and recovered from Hills cellphone depicts the stolen Smith & Wesson pistol and magazine in the lap of a person in the drivers seat of Hills car. The incident leading to Hills death began about 4:35 a.m. when he was clocked with radar traveling 96 mph in a 65-mph zone with only one headlight displayed on his vehicle. The troopers, together in the same car, began to follow Hills Mercedes as Hill continued to drive at speeds of 93 to 97 mph while repeatedly swerving into an adjacent lane. After the troopers activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, Hill turned off his headlights and taillights and accelerated to 120 mph. Hill then slowed and pulled his car to the right shoulder in an apparent effort to comply with the troopers signal to stop. But instead of stopping, Hill attempted to make a U-turn in an effort to drive eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-64, according to the grand jury. He was unsuccessful in making the U-turn and drove onto the median, where his vehicle slide sideways down a slight embankment facing east. Trooper Layton positioned his cruiser almost perpendicular to Hills vehicle, and both troopers approached with their weapons drawn, directing Hill to comply with their demands. As the troopers approached, Hill attempted to extricate his car from the median by accelerating, causing the rear wheels to spin, the report states. The troopers then gave Hill a series of commands before shots were fired, such as, Show me your hands, do it now. Put your hands up! Put your hands out the door! Stop reaching! Get out of the car now! At one point, Hill placed his left hand out of the drivers side window for about three seconds before pulling his arm back into his vehicle. At no time did Hill display his right hand outside of the vehicle or within the vehicle in a nonthreatening manner, the report says. After Hill pulled his left arm back into his car, Layton observed Hill reaching into the vehicles passenger compartment and announced Hills movements to Bone. Bone then shouted, Stop reaching! Gun! but Hill refused to comply. Layton shouted, Hes got a gun! Gun! Gun! Gun! The troopers then fired. Hill was struck by one bullet that entered his left hand, a second bullet that entered the left side of his face, and a third that entered the base of his neck, according to the report. Benton alleged in her complaint that both troopers had failed to activate their body cameras pursuant to department policy. But because of funding and infrastructure issues, state troopers are not equipped with body-worn cameras for statewide, day-to-day use. Their cruisers are equipped with dashboard cameras. The question of whether Gen. Robert E. Lee will have a meltdown is still unresolved. The seemingly never-ending legal saga over Charlottesvilles Confederate statues began a new chapter Wednesday as attorneys for bidders connected to the Monument Fund attempted to defend their lawsuit that, in part, seeks to prevent the destruction of the citys statue of Lee. The hearing in Charlottesville Circuit Court was spurred by a lawsuit filed by two plaintiffs Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation and the Ratcliffe Foundation, on behalf of its subsidiary Ellenbrook Museum. The two allege the city violated the Freedom of Information Act, Virginia Public Procurement Act and state code when it awarded the Lee statue to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center in December. The Jefferson School Center is also named as a defendant. Much of the lawsuit appears to be in response to the Centers intentions for the monument, which notably includes a plan to melt down the statue and recast the ingots into a new work of art devoid of the controversies of the Confederacy. According to previous documents filed in the case, the statue may have already been taken apart as the foundry began the smelting process prior to the lawsuit being filed. The foundations are represented by attorneys Ralph Main, Jock Yellott and S. Braxton Puryear. They also represented Charlottesville area residents in a previous Monument Fund-backed lawsuit against the city over votes to remove the Lee and Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jackson statues. The Lee statue has been in a city storage facility since its removal on July 10. The city called for proposals on what to do with Lee in July and again in September. The Center submitted a proposal for the statue to be melted into ingots and transformed into a work of art that reflects the communitys values. The statue would then be given back to the city for public display. The process would include a comprehensive six-month community engagement process. In city Circuit Court on Wednesday, attorneys representing the defendants argued in favor of a demurrer a legal term used to describe a dismissal based on the argument that a partys lawsuit cannot succeed. During an early stage of a lawsuit, a court must consider legal matters in a light most favorable to the plaintiffs and assume alleged facts are correct. That means defendants must prove that the lawsuit cannot succeed even within this perspective. Representing the city, Robinson J. Hubbard argued in part that the lawsuit hinged on the courts interpretation of the preceding Payne v. Charlottesville case. Much like the current lawsuit, that case saw the plaintiffs sue the city and City Council in 2017 for voting to remove the statues. After years of legal back and forth, last year the Supreme Court of Virginia overturned a 2019 Circuit Court decision that ruled the city violated a state code section that, at the time, prevented localities from removing war monuments. The state Supreme Court agreed with the citys argument that the law only applied to monuments erected in counties prior to 1997, when it was amended to include cities as well. Prohibitions on removal only apply to statues erected through the statute, which the Payne ruling found the Charlottesville statues were not, Hubbard said. The state code did not permit the city to erect the statues and thus does not prevent them from removing them. Hubbard also pushed back against claims that the city did not give proper notice of the December meeting in which the City Council voted to give the statue to the Center. Though the city had given less than the typical three working days notice, this was not a violation of FOIA law, he said. Handling most of the FOIA law arguments for the city, attorney Elizabeth Southall argued in part that the plaintiffs are not entitled to any remedies under the guiding law. According to Southall, the only injunctive remedies available to the court via FOIA are injunctions that prevent the city from making the same FOIA violation in the future. All the court can do is issue an injunction that says city, you cant do this again, you are enjoined from doing this again, she said. The last of the defendants counsel, Christopher R. Tate, focused his arguments on the plaintiffs claims that the Center violated the Virginia Public Procurement Act. According to Tate, no such violation had taken place and the Center cannot be held liable for the citys decision. Although the state law offers remedies such as a bid protest letter, Tate argued that the plaintiffs do not have access to the remedies theyre requesting, including forcing the Center to return the statue to the city and restart the bidding process. Tate said it would be like the city giving a landscaping contract to a company. If another bidder protested the award after the company had done the work, the court would not order the company to undo the work it had done. Sometimes the [law] creates rights without remedies, he said. It may not seem ideal to some but the Act is very narrow in what it allows. Tate said state law allows a locality to remove or relocate a statue or monument. By including both of these words, he argued that the words must be interpreted as different acts. On behalf of the plaintiffs, Puryear worked to defend the lawsuits arguments, arguing that the city violated the procurement process by not considering the bid proposals from his clients. Puryear also argued that the city violated FOIA law when it gave notice of the vote to decide the disposition of the statue on the Friday prior to the vote. He also claimed that the City Council removed the issue from its agenda the day of the meeting and then added it back. That claim elicited reactions from supporters of the defendants in the courtroom gallery, who silently shook their heads in disagreement. Puryear argued that there had to be an equitable injunction and consequence for what he viewed as a violation of FOIA, the law and state code. Puryear also argued that the city was not allowed to alter or destroy monuments. Because the Center had written in its bid that it planned to melt down the Lee statue and the city had agreed to the bid, he likened the agreement to collusion. If someone hands someone else a gun and asks them to go kill someone and they go do it, then the person who gave them the gun is considered an accessory, he said. In this case the Center told the city that it planned to melt down the monument and the city still agreed to it. Roanoke College has spent years examining the countrys African American history, including on its own campus. An ongoing webinar series at the college continues those explorations this month. The schools Center for Studying Structures of Race is presenting the series, which focuses on the history and future of monuments in society and addresses the countrys history of racism, particularly against African Americans. The series began in March and will culminate this month when Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates delivers an online lecture. Gates, the director for Harvards Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, will discuss Reconstruction. The school, founded in 1842, has not shied away from discussing the deep and complex history of race and racism toward Blacks in the U.S., even when it comes to delving into its own past. In 2002, Roanoke College bought the Monterey House and in 2018 renovated the former slave quarters at Salems Clay and High streets. The historic, antebellum-style dwelling became the Center for Studying Structures of Races home. The center, which Associate Professor of History Jesse Bucher directs, opened in 2020. Bucher said the project is a puzzle piece for understanding the schools history with slavery, while also uncovering more about the wider region. The proposal that I put forward was to really try and think about how we could do historic interpretive work of these physical structures on campus that tell us about histories of enslavement, he said. So [we chose] a slave quarters building, grounds that were constructed with enslaved persons labor, so we could do that historical analysis, while also having a space to think more broadly about structural and systemic racism. Slaves from Richmond built the colleges Administration Building, Bucher said, adding that placards outside the building note that history. He and some students have undertaken a substantial project: mapping the genealogy of slaves involved in the colleges and the greater Roanoke areas history. According to the projects website, Roanoke College founder and first president Dr. David F. Bittle participated directly in the slavery economy. Student researchers from CSSR uncovered several documents listing him as the owner of an enslaved person named Ambrose. Documents show Dr. Bittle sent Ambrose from Salem to Richmond to help build Confederate defenses in September of 1863, the site states. Campus buildings including Bittle, Miller, Trout, Wells and Yonce halls are named for slave owners, according to the site. Roanoke College in 1987 bought the old Roanoke County Courthouse, but not the small plot of land containing the countys 1910 Confederate Monument. The school cannot remove it since it doesnt own that parcel, a focus of considerable public debate in recent years about whether the monument is appropriate particularly regarding its location next to Roanoke Countys current courthouse. Roanoke College junior Ivey Kline has helped Bucher and other researchers go through old college and Roanoke County documents used for much of the projects findings. Kline said the work has been eye opening for her and others. One of the most interesting things Ive learned is just how much of an impact it still has [on society] today when you look at things even as simple as the names of streets in Salem, you can see the legacy of slavery in that. We really want to explore the history of the enslaved in the county at large. We really want to find out their names and understand more about their stories. Bucher said the projects are about understanding and contextualizing the past, something he believes the board of trustees and President Michael Maxey have supported greatly. Maxey, who has announced that he is retiring at the academic years end, said hes been proud of the work Bucher and the students have completed through the center. The center is a great enhancement of our program here in that it lets us focus on some places that arent usually focused on, he said, Jesses been a great leader for it So the center is very important in that it will touch the lives of students and allow us to tell the colleges history the part of it that has not necessarily been brought to light before and to think about the effects and legacy of that part of our countrys history. All of those are good things. The series continues at 7 p.m. Tuesday with Nicholas Galanin, a multi-disciplinary artist and musician from Alaska. Gates, the series final speaker, is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. April 19 lecture, The Rise and Fall of Reconstruction. The free series is open to all, via bit.ly/roacollmonunentlectures. For more information on the center and its current and future projects, visit bit.ly/roacollracestructures. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ive heard complaints in the past that I write only negative stuff about Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem. While I understand that criticism, its not strictly true. Uncritically, Ive written about Griffiths efforts to pass legislation aimed at protecting patients in the wake of a fungal meningitis outbreak that grievously injured and killed people in Virginia and elsewhere. Once, I wrote all about the congressmans wedding ceremony in a Salem cemetery, next to the grave of Revolutionary War Gen. Andrew Lewis. That was somewhat humorous, but it wasnt critical. The facts came straight from his wife. And you may remember a column this time last year, under the headline In defense of Reps. Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith. It pointed out that, no matter what you think of their politics, neither are ding-dongy conspiracy freaks. Thats a positive attribute considering todays GOP, because some of its stars act downright kooky. Consider Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia. As a candidate in 2020, she wrote a social media post suggesting Jewish space lasers started California wildfires. Just the other day, Greene suggested a national divorce aka secession. To his credit, Griffith has given zero signals hes on board with such efforts. All of the above is worth mentioning because of a journalistic quest Ive been on for about a week. That concerns a vote in Congress on April 5, brought to my attention by one reader in Roanoke and another in Lexington. Ive been trying to praise Griffith for that action. But his congressional staff isnt making it easy. The vote in question concerned H.R. 831, sponsored by Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Democrat from Northern Virginia. It supports NATO, and heres the entire title: Calling on the United States Government to uphold the founding democratic principles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and establish a Center for Democratic Resilience within the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Considering Russias unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the resolution sounds like a positive move, right? The House of Representatives certainly thought so the resolution passed 362-63, and 143 of those aye votes came from Republicans. In that respect, the vote was truly bipartisan an adjective rarely applied to anything on Capitol Hill these days. Griffith was one of the GOPers who voted for it. For that he deserves kudos. Frankly, Its hard to imagine the House vote going the other way. Thats because the United States is NATOs most powerful member-nation. A majority nay vote in Congress could easily have been seen as undercutting NATO at a time of unprovoked Russian military aggression in Europe. Under the circumstances, it would be the worst possible kind of message to our European allies. I assumed Griffith realized that, and it was why he voted in favor of the resolution. But I wanted to make sure. Because despite all the blathering you hear about fake news, real journalists take pains to learn about subjects they write about. So on April 7 shortly after 10 a.m. I emailed Griffiths communications director, Kevin Baird, about H.R. 831. Rep. Griffith voted for that resolution, I wrote. Can you tell me why? I need an answer by Friday afternoon, April 8. No reply yet. I also left Baird a voicemail message. And I followed up the first email with a second one, on April 9. This past Sunday, I texted the question directly to Griffiths cellphone number at least, its the number in my phone that used to be his cellphone number. I dont know for sure if he still has the same number. There was no response. Tuesday afternoon, Griffiths district staff held office hours in a conference room at the Hollins Branch library in Roanoke County. So I drove over there and met Taylor Billings, who normally works in the congressmans Christiansburg office. She was friendly and engaging but she had no idea why Griffith voted for H.R. 831. The district office focuses on constituent services, Billings explained. So I jotted the question on a constituent request form, listing my name and phone number, and handed Billings a business card, too. She promised to relay the message to Capitol Hill, and tell them I needed an answer by 3 p.m. Wednesday. Guess what? No response again. Griffiths staff seems to be throwing up one roadblock after another, trying to prevent me from praising their boss for voting the right way. Thats almost as weird as getting married in a cemetery. And it puts a cloud of uncertainty over Griffiths action. In the end, we really dont know why he voted for that resolution assuming his vote was intentional. Its probably fair to assume it was not a mistake, because Griffith made no effort to change his vote. The bottom line is, we should applaud him. The vote was wise, it demonstrated sound judgment, and it also showed Griffiths willingness to rise above partisanship in high-stakes international affairs. Thats Reaganesque. Alas, we cannot say the same about Western Virginias other two congressmen. Both Reps. Ben Cline, R-Fincastle, and Bob Good, R-Campbell, voted against the NATO resolution, along with 61 other Republicans, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Naturally, I asked the Virginia congressmens spokespeople why. Goods communication director, Mattie Nicholson, didnt respond either. So Goods reasoning for voting against the NATO resolution remains unclear. Cline answered my emailed question Friday afternoon, in a public post to his Facebook page. Over 246 words, he argued H.R. 831 took four actions. The first was reaffirming Congress support for NATO and the second was supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russias unprovoked invasion. Had the resolution ended there, I would have voted for it, Cline wrote in the statement. But the third and fourth planks, which Cline termed controversial action items, troubled him greatly. The third urged NATO to strengthen democratic institutions among NATO members and aspirant counties. The fourth encouraged the formation of the Center for Democratic Resilience within NATO. That would weaken NATO, Cline argued, because it would force additional bureaucracy upon the treaty organization. So Cline voted against the entire resolution rather than voting present which would equate to neither way. Theres an entire idiom in the American vernacular devoted to that kind of move. Its known as throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Those nay votes sent a message that at least some American political leaders believe the negative aspects of a little more democracy and bureaucracy in NATO would outweigh the positive aspects of NATOs continued existence. And if you think about it, youd realize Russian President Vladimir Putin likely agrees with that sentiment. Bonus points for Griffith that he doesnt. Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com . Follow him on Twitter: @dancaseysblog . Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. In Virginias Fighting Ninth Congressional District, candidate Kimberly Lowe says she has no plans to stop her political battle against the status quo after she said she was snubbed this week by the party in her attempt to challenge an incumbent U.S. congressman. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, was named online Tuesday as the Republican nominee running to represent the Ninth in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking a seventh term. Lowe said she applied to run against Griffith for the GOP nomination, but her application was denied by the party. Theyre just doing everything they can do to keep me off the ballot, Lowe said. Ive been on the path to win this seat. With my name on the ballot, I win the seat. They know it, and thats why theyre stopping me. A letter addressed to Lowe from district Republican Committee Chairman Adam Tolbert said her application for candidacy was ineligible partly due to some clerical errors in the paperwork, but primarily because she did not submit a petition signed by at least 1,000 eligible voters. Lowe said she turned in at least 1,400 signatures, more than the minimum, expecting they would be closely scrutinized, but the party only counted close to 900 signees. What happened to the other 500 signatures? Lowe said. I will appeal, because Im very confident in what I turned in. Lowe said she does have time to appeal the partys decision, but she must do so through the very same party that denied her initial application. An email sent on Wednesday by Tolbert confirmed the details of Lowes disqualification, but did not answer whether she will be able to appeal the partys decision. Its a myth that anyone can run for office, Lowe said. The party chooses whos going to be the nominee, and they dont follow rules, and theres never repercussions. Theres never accountability, and thats why they get away with it. Lowe said she is a conservative and identifies as a Republican, but she feels slighted by the district party. An old guard controls it, she said. Theres some great men in the party and in Southwest Virginia. But theres very much a party establishment network of men who dont want new faces in the party, and theyre basically the gatekeepers, Lowe said. They hate women. They really do. They have zero respect for women. This isnt the first party roadblock Lowe has run into during her aspirations to serve in political office. She listed past attempts to run for Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, plus other elected offices, all actively discouraged by the Republican Party, she said. I dont know man, it may just be time to divorce the GOP. Theyve done nothing but block me and cheat for a long time, Lowe said. Look at how many times Ive run for a seat and theyve blocked me. Lowe said she has spent $350,000 campaigning over the past 18 months, traveling to Bristol and beyond in the most rural reaches of the more than 9,000-square-mile, Republican-leaning district that encompasses Southwest Virginia. The Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks political money, showed Wednesday that Lowe has reported raising $28,060 so far in the congressional primary campaign. This wasnt just an overnight decision to run, Lowe said. This has been a really long-term endeavor, and I gave absolutely everything for this. Lowe was involved in a dustup in Texas in January with officials at the National Butterfly Center, a wildlife sanctuary located on the United States southern border in Mission, Texas. The center has been a focus of right wing-based conspiracy theories, one claiming the center is involved in sex trafficking. Lowe said she was in Texas for the We Stand America rally and was at the southern border, too, because of her beliefs that immigration needs reform, particularly on humanitarian grounds. The resulting media coverage of the Butterfly Center incident involving Lowe caused her to be excluded from the rally, a border security event that she said she drove from Virginia to attend with her children. They removed me from the event because of what I had done, Lowe said at the time. Whats cool is that shows I was making waves. Im such a danger, because I was exposing the truth of whats happening. Now, Lowe has until June to decide whether shell run as an independent, depending on whether she appeals the Ninth GOPs decision and the outcome. But heres the problem: independents dont win, Lowe said. Could I pull 168,000 voters out for an independent? Are they tired enough yet? Lowe said the regions Republican party has lost its fight, and all she wants is an opportunity to challenge the incumbent politician, she said. Morgan Griffith is a 27-year, long career politician. He doesnt do squat. He doesnt show up to vote like hes supposed to. He doesnt show up in the district, Lowe said. He knew I was on the path to winning that seat, because I have momentum and I have the people behind me. As for Griffith, the campaign continues as usual, according to a statement from his campaign. I am proud to be the Republican nominee for Virginias Ninth Congressional District, Griffith said in an email. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the region. Lowe said she does not plan on slowing down, and will continue campaigning. The party is going to have to change, Lowe said. Im just going to have to try to fight them. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 we're 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 state's 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." Among the outlets joining the Pilot are the Daily Press, The Washington Post, USA Today, CNN, NPR and The Associated Press. The lead budget negotiator for the Virginia Senate says Gov. Glenn Youngkin has set back agreement on a new state budget by vetoing more than two dozen bills sponsored by Democratic legislators, including a half-dozen that had received unanimous support in both chambers of the General Assembly. Senate Finance Chair Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, said the governors veto of 26 bills carried by Democratic legislators, many of them noncontroversial, would make it harder for Senate and House negotiators to reach agreement on a pair of budgets pending in the special session that began on April 4. I think the governors irrational actions have, without question, set us back, Howell said in an interview on Wednesday. As a result, reaching a budget deal in time for the assemblys veto session on April 27 is possible, but not probable, she said. The governors office had no immediate reaction to Howells comments, but referred to Youngkins public statement on Tuesday that reiterated his call for more than $5 billion in ongoing or one-time tax cuts this fiscal year and the next two-year budget. We can get this done, the governor said. We need to get a budget out of the House and Senate and I know theyre working on it and Im asking them to work as fast as they can. House Appropriations Chair Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, was more hopeful than his Senate counterpart, but said hes in no rush to reach an agreement on the two budgets. Every time we meet, we make a little bit of progress, said Knight, who has met with Howell and Senate Finance Vice Chair George Barker, D-Fairfax, twice in the past week, with plans to meet again on Wednesday. Were just taking small bites at the apple, he said. The apple is big a gulf of almost $3 billion in money available under the competing House and Senate budget plans because of widely different positions on tax cuts that Youngkin has pushed with a high-profile media campaign that has included television ads. The single biggest difference is a proposal to double the standard deduction for state income tax filers at an estimated cost of $2.1 billion in state revenues over the next two years. House and Senate budget negotiators also differ over cutting the 1% portion of the sales tax on groceries that goes directly to local governments and how big of a tax exemption to grant veterans for their military retirement income. Knight didnt mention Youngkin, but he acknowledged some noise that goes on outside of the budget conference committee. They dont know how it works, he said. Many of Youngkins vetoes confounded Democrats and others because they targeted bipartisan bills that had faced little if any opposition during the legislative process in the assembly session that adjourned on March 12. The Virginia Public Access Project published a chart on Wednesday that showed the veto of 26 bills carried by 12 Democratic sponsors, including nine by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and four by Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington. Six bills had passed both chambers of the assembly by unanimous votes, and a seventh passed with support from every Republican in the legislature but some opposition from House Democrats. One of the bills, Senate Bill 297, sponsored by Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, had passed both chambers on divided votes but with bipartisan support. The bill would have given the state a way to enforce existing state law that protects crime victims from being besieged by debt collection agencies to recover health care costs that are pending claims from the Crime Injuries Compensation Fund. Nobody stood up and opposed the bill, said Scott Johnson, a lobbyist for the Medical Society of Virginia and HCA Healthcare. This governor has not figured out yet that governing requires that we all work together, Deeds said Wednesday during a virtual news conference. Republicans in the General Assembly have to figure out whether theyre going to stand on their own two feet and try to help their governor understand the way government works. In his veto statement, Youngkin said, This legislation creates unintended consequences that could harm small health care providers by creating additional legal liability. He added that the bill could result in higher health care costs for Virginians. What was unusual about the veto was nobody from the governors office ever talked to me about it, Deeds said in an interview on Wednesday. I had no idea it was even on their radar screen. Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said in an email, Virginians elected the governor to bring a fresh perspective and outsider experience to governing. He isnt focused on the [Democrats] status quo, hes focused on serving Virginians, Porter said. The question now is whether Youngkins actions will have unintended consequences for passing his own budget priorities. Its not helpful, but the ongoing negotiations are mainly between us and the House. said Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, a member of the budget conference committee. What he did was pretty petty and pretty punitive, Saslaw added. It doesnt help his relationship with the General Assembly. Howell predicted the reaction of Senate Democrats would be to slow down to understand the governors motivations. He just doesnt seem to get it, she said. Another Democratic senator, Scott Surovell of Fairfax County, said he couldnt believe Youngkin vetoed his bill setting solid waste fees even after DEQ officials and industry groups spent a year in meetings to work out a consensus. The bill passes both chambers and then magically a veto appears, Surovell said. The way this process is supposed to work, if you have a problem with the bill you bring it up during session so you can talk about it. Maybe you can make some adjustments. Maybe you can make some changes. Maybe you can find a consensus because we work together to try to reach good policy. And thats how we normally do things. mmartz@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6964 Staff writer Patrick Wilson contributed to this report. Editors note: This is the second of a two-part column. The first part appeared March 31. In my last column I began to recount the history of the Doolittle Raid, which took place 80 years ago this month. The background is a war that is going disastrously for the United States. Japan is running wild through the Pacific, the Americans are nearly finished in the Philippines (incidentally, this month is also the 80th anniversary of the Bataan Death March), and there is woefully little we can do in response. Unwilling to do nothing, American planners conceive of a bombing raid on the Japanese home islands by B-25s, launching from an aircraft carrier (although that bomber is not designed for carrier use). Chosen to lead the audacious raid is Jimmy Doolittle, a daring barnstormer from the interwar years who is now a lieutenant colonel in the Army Air Forces. The USS Hornet loads 16 B-25s and their crews in early April and set out in total secrecy. The task force unexpectedly encounters some Japanese picket boats which report their presence; Doolittles planes take off April 18 some 200 miles farther from Japan than planned. The extra distance strains the limits of the bombers. Despite the early warning, Japan is unprepared for the attack. Until that April morning, in fact, Japan considers the home islands inviolable. No American bases are in range of Japan; and heavier bombers like B-25s cannot, as far as they know, operate from carriers. Then suddenly Doolittles planes are screaming over Tokyo, Yokosuka, Yokohama and other cities. Bombs are falling, buildings are burning, and then the planes are gone. Meanwhile, planes from the Enterprise, another carrier shadowing the Hornet, inflict damage to several small Japanese naval vessels; nowhere near enough to change the course of the war, but it feels good after Pearl Harbor and Bataan. In truth, Doolittles Raiders do little material damage. But the psychological impact on Japan is immense. The Empires war plans are built on the premise that the home islands are immune from attack; suddenly this is no longer the case. While Japan is still winning the war, achieving a final victory now has to be sped up. Japan urgently needs to engage and destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet before other bombs fall on her cities. Plans to advance southward toward Australia are hurried; and an eastward thrust toward Midway the farthest Pacific territory still held by the United States is rushed from the planning rooms. Thus, Doolittles otherwise ineffectual raid sets the stage for the two major confrontations in the first half of 1942: the Battle of the Coral Sea in May, and the turning-point Battle of Midway in June. As for the 16 crews from the raid, most make it to friendly territory in China and are rescued. Three are killed in crash landings; some are captured by Japanese forces. Three prisoners are summarily executed; another dies of disease; others survive years of horrendous conditions in prison camps. One crew lands in Soviet territory and are held in custody by Stalins goons, but eventually are allowed to escape to British-controlled Iran. Doolittle is awarded the Medal of Honor and all of his men Distinguished Flying Crosses. Much is made of their adventure by a nation eager for anything like good news in this trying war. For the first time, American morale soars. No one thinks victory is on the immediate horizon, but it doesnt seem quite so impossible anymore. Doolittle goes on to contribute to victory in Europe as commander of the legendary Eighth Air Force. A few years ago someone pointed out an unassuming gentleman to me and said I should go introduce myself: he was a 100-year-old World War II veteran. Naturally I jumped at the chance. As we exchanged a few words, I realized I was speaking to Col. Richard Cole, Doolittles co-pilot for the raid and at that time one of the last surviving Raiders. He would be the very last upon his death at age 103 in 2019. I also learned that as a boy growing up in Dayton, Ohio, Col. Cole had known the Wright brothers. How often do you get to meet someone like this? Our encounter lasted only a few minutes, and inevitably meant more to me that it could have to him. I was in awe of someone who had not only witnessed but made history. May the memories of the Doolittle Raiders never fade. May our nation never lack the sort of courage they exemplified. Long is a historian, writer and educator from Salem. LANSING, Mich. Peter Lyoya took his six children from Congo in 2014 to escape violence. Now he fears he brought them to the U.S. to die. A Michigan police officer fatally shot his eldest son, 26-year-old Patrick, in the head this month following a traffic stop in Grand Rapids. Video shows a brief foot chase and struggle over the officers Taser before the white officer shoots Patrick Lyoya as the Black man is face down on the ground. Advertisement Peter Lyoya talked with The Associated Press in his Lansing apartment on Thursday, a day after police released video of the fatal encounter (warning: link contains graphic content). Patricks cousin Ben served as an interpreter. A TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer struggling with and shooting Patrick Lyoya at Grand Rapids City Hall on April 13, 2022. Lyoya, 26, was shot and killed about 8:10 a.m., on April 4, after what police said was a traffic stop. (Grand Rapids Police Department/Grand Rapids Police Department) Peter said he came to the U.S. to get away from prolonged civil unrest in which several rebel groups have vied for control of territories in mineral-rich eastern Congo. Patrick, who has two young children of his own, worked at an auto parts factory in Grand Rapids and would visit his siblings in Lansing on weekends, his dad said. Advertisement Patrick never had a problem with anybody, his dad said. In the April 4 encounter, the officer repeatedly ordered Lyoya to let go of his Taser, at one point demanding: Drop the Taser! Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom cited a need for transparency when releasing video collected from a passenger in Lyoya car, the officers body camera, the officers patrol car and a doorbell camera. Winstrom didnt identify the officer, a seven-year veteran who is on paid leave during the investigation. 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 northwest of Detroit. Peter Lyoya asked for justice for his son and for the police to release the officers name. He said Patricks brothers and sisters want to know who killed him and would like to see his picture so they can know this is the person that took our beloved one. Peter Lyoya holds up a picture of his son Patrick Lyoya, 26, in his home in Lansing, Mich., April 14, 2022. (Anna Nichols/AP) Video shows Patrick Lyoya running from the officer who stopped him for driving with a license plate that didnt belong to the vehicle. They struggled in front of several homes while Lyoyas passenger got out and watched. Winstrom said the fight over the Taser lasted about 90 seconds. In the final moments, the officer was on top of Lyoya, kneeling on his back at times to subdue him. From my view of the video, Taser was deployed twice. Taser did not make contact, Winstrom told reporters. And Mr. Lyoya was shot in the head. However, thats the only information that I have. Advertisement State police are investigating. Kent Countys chief medical examiner, Dr. Stephen Cohle, said he completed the autopsy but toxicology tests havent been finished. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she had spoken with the family. He arrived in the United States as a refugee with his family fleeing violence. He had his whole life ahead of him, Whitmer, a Democrat, said. The traffic stop was tense from the start. Video shows Lyoya getting out of the car before the officer approached. He ordered Lyoya to get back in the vehicle, but the man declined. The officer asked him if he spoke English and demanded his drivers license. The foot chase began soon after, video shows. Prosecutor Chris Becker will decide whether any charges are warranted but said the public shouldnt expect a quick decision. While the videos are an important piece of evidence, they are not all of the evidence, he added. Advertisement The officers body camera was turned off before the shooting, which happens when a button is pushed for three seconds, Winstrom said. He said it appears it was deactivated unintentionally due to body pressure during the struggle, but he would not discuss any officer statements about it. That will come out once the investigations complete, Winstrom said. Protesters gather outside Grand Rapids Police headquarters after police released video of the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., on April 13, 2022. (Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette/Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette) Several hundred protesters gathered outside the Grand Rapids Police Department following the release of the videos, with some cursing and shouting from behind barricades. The group demanded that officials make public the name of the officer in the shooting. The demonstration remained nonviolent. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, speaking on behalf of Lyoyas family, called for the officer to be fired and prosecuted. It should be noted that Patrick never used violence against this officer even though the officer used violence against him in several instances for what was a misdemeanor traffic stop, Crump said in a news release. As in many U.S. cities, Grand Rapids police have been occasionally criticized over the use of force, particularly against Black people, who make up 18% of the population. Advertisement In November, the Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments in a lawsuit over the practice of photographing and fingerprinting people who were never charged with a crime. Grand Rapids said the policy changed in 2015. A downtown street has been designated Breonna Taylor Way, named for the Black woman and Grand Rapids native who was killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, during a botched drug raid in 2020. AP reporters Ed White in Detroit, Corey Williams in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and John Flesher in Traverse City, Michigan, contributed to this story. 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. Patrick Lyoya, 26, was killed outside a house in Grand Rapids. 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, on Wednesday released four videos (warning: link contains graphic content), including critical footage of the shooting recorded by a passenger in Lyoyas car on that rainy morning. Advertisement 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 northwest of Detroit. Video shows Lyoya running from the officer who stopped him for driving with a license plate that didnt belong to the vehicle. They struggled in front of several homes while Lyoyas passenger got out and watched. Winstrom said the fight over the Taser lasted about 90 seconds. In the final moments, the officer was on top of Lyoya, kneeling on his back at times to subdue him. From my view of the video, Taser was deployed twice. Taser did not make contact, Winstrom told reporters. And Mr. Lyoya was shot in the head. However, thats the only information that I have. State police are investigating the shooting. Kent Countys chief medical examiner, Dr. Stephen Cohle, said he completed the autopsy but toxicology tests havent been finished. The traffic stop was tense from the start. Video shows Lyoya, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, getting out of the car before the officer approached. He ordered Lyoya to get back in the vehicle but the man declined. Advertisement The officer asked him if he spoke English and demanded his drivers license. The foot chase began soon after, video shows. Winstrom didnt identify the officer, a seven-year veteran who is on paid leave during the investigation. Me being from Chicago for the last 20 years, Ive handled many police shootings myself, so I do have a lot of experience in this, the chief said. I was hoping to never have to utilize that experience here. Video was collected from Lyoyas passenger, the officers body-worn camera, the officers patrol car and a doorbell camera. Prosecutor Chris Becker, who will decide whether any charges are warranted, objected to the release but said Winstrom could act on his own. Becker said the public shouldnt expect a quick decision. While the videos released today are an important piece of evidence, they are not all of the evidence, he said. Advertisement The officers body-worn camera was turned off before the shooting, which happens when a button is pushed for 3 seconds, Winstrom said. He said it appears it was deactivated unintentionally due to body pressure during the struggle, but he would not discuss any officer statements about it. That will come out once the investigations complete, Winstrom said. City Manager Mark Washington warned that the videos would lead to expressions of shock, of anger and of pain. Some downtown businesses boarded up their storefronts, and concrete barricades surrounded police headquarters. Lyoya had two young daughters and five siblings, said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke to his family. He arrived in the United States as a refugee with his family fleeing violence. He had his whole life ahead of him, Whitmer, a Democrat, said. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, speaking on behalf of Lyoyas family, on Wednesday called for the officer in the shooting to be fired and prosecuted. Advertisement The video clearly shows that this was an unnecessary, excessive, and fatal use of force against an unarmed Black man who was confused by the encounter and terrified for his life, Crump said in a release. It should be noted that Patrick never used violence against this officer even though the officer used violence against him in several instances for what was a misdemeanor traffic stop, he added. Crump and Lyoyas family were expected to hold a news conference Thursday afternoon. More than 100 people marched to Grand Rapids City Hall before a City Commission meeting Tuesday night, chanting Black lives matter and No justice, no peace. Protesters march along Monroe Center NW after Grand Rapids police released video of the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., on April 13, 2022. (Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette/Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette) On Wednesday, several hundred protesters gathered outside the Grand Rapids Police Department following the release of the videos, with some cursing and shouting from behind barricades. The group demanded that officials make public the name of the officer in the shooting. Some businesses cut their hours short Wednesday, closing early. Some boarded up windows. But the demonstration remained nonviolent with protesters demanding justice for Lyoya and other Black lives lost in shootings involving police. Advertisement Winstrom last week said he met Lyoyas father, Peter Lyoya, and that they both cried. I get it as a father. ... Its just heart-wrenching, the chief told WOOD-TV. As in many U.S. cities, Grand Rapids police have been occasionally criticized over the use of force, particularly against Black people, who make up 18% of the population. In November, the Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments in a lawsuit over the practice of photographing and fingerprinting people who were never charged with a crime. Grand Rapids said the policy changed in 2015. A downtown street has been designated Breonna Taylor Way, named for the Black woman and Grand Rapids native who was killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, during a botched drug raid in 2020. White reported from Detroit. AP reporters Corey Williams in West Bloomfield, Michigan; David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan; and John Flesher in Traverse City, Michigan, contributed to this story. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 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 Firefighters are battling a wind-driven blaze that has burned at least 150 homes, barns and other structures in a mountain community in drought-stricken New Mexico Pope Francis has celebrated a Mass to mark Holy Thursday, hours before he travels to an Italian prison to perform a foot-washing ritual for a dozen inmates in a gesture of humility " " Virtual power plants amass smaller sources of electricity from different locations so they can act as one conventional power plant. This helps balance energy grid loads and can shift power to where it's most needed during peak times. Energy Systems Integration Group One of the big challenges that U.S. utility companies face is that the demand for electricity isn't constant. Instead, it goes up and down, generally dipping in the nighttime hours and rising during the day, especially on hot days when residents are cranking up the air conditioning in their homes. The electric companies that supply the power must be able to cope with those fluctuations and meet the peak demand. Traditionally, that's required them either to build a lot of expensive coal, gas or nuclear electrical generating plants, or else to buy energy from other suppliers when they need it. But these days, some utility companies are looking at a less expensive and potentially more environmentally friendly solution. We're talking about virtual power plants. Advertisement What Is a Virtual Power Plant? Virtual power plants aggregate multiple smaller sources of electricity such as solar panels, wind turbines and even residential storage batteries that are distributed in different locations across an area, so that they can act as if they are a conventional power plant, and balance energy grid loads or shift power to where it's most needed for reliability. The various units often are connected through a sophisticated software system that signals when they need to increase or decrease power production, and directs where the energy needs to go. In 2021, for example, Green Mountain Power, an innovative Vermont-based utility, announced a plan to create a virtual power plant that would utilize a network of Tesla Powerwall backup batteries in customers' homes. With the help of software from Customized Energy Solutions (CES), the electricity stored in the Tesla batteries can be drawn back into the regional grid system when needed to ensure a steady, regulated flow of electricity to customers. As Cnet.com reported in March 2022, customers get a backup energy source in the event of a power outage, while the utility gets a source of electricity that it can draw upon whenever demand peaks. "This project would not be possible without the great partnerships we have with our customers in the Powerwall program," Mari McClure, president and CEO of Green Mountain Power, said in a press release. "This pilot is unique and important because it builds off our existing innovation and collaboration to deliver meaningful change to essential grid functions by reducing carbon emissions, increasing performance and lowering costs." SunPower Corp., a solar technology provider, also announced in November 2021 it had launched its own virtual power plant. The new system allows customers of Eversource and National Grid in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut who have SunVault storage batteries to get paid for allowing the utilities to use their stored energy during times of peak demand. " " Green Mountain Power's Frequency Regulation pays customers sharing energy through their Tesla Powerwall batteries $13.50 per month on their energy statements. Tesla Advertisement Benefits of Virtual Power Plants In some ways, virtual power plants are analogous to grid computing systems, in which networks of computers can share resources and even combine their capacity to perform tasks, according to Bill Schofield. He's vice president of Future-Grid Services for CES, a Philadelphia-based firm that provides both consulting advice and services to a variety of companies in the energy business, including producers of solar and wind energy. One of CES' clients is Green Mountain Power. "[Virtual power plants are] distributed ... batteries, or small, tiny power plants and local backup generators," Schofield explains. "[It's a] very similar concept to using internet connectivity to connect lots of little resources that can collectively do the same job as a one big power plant." The decentralized nature of virtual power plants makes them potentially more resilient in the wake of extreme weather or other disasters. "Let's say a tornado comes through an area and knocks down the transmission line to a big power plant. You lose all of that power. Right?" Schofield says. "But if you have a virtual power plant, where it has lots of little resources spread all over the place, a tornado might take out 10 percent of the virtual power plant, but the other 90 percent is still there and available." Virtual power plants are advantageous for grids in other ways as well, including voltage support. A crucial factor in a reliable electric grid is keeping voltage within acceptable levels; otherwise, equipment can be damaged, there could be power outages, etc. But voltage varies across the grid and at each interface (substations, transformers, etc.), the correct voltage has to be maintained. With a virtual power plant, there are fewer of these. "You have lots of little resources located close to or at the same location to where the electricity is being used," Schofield explains. "You don't have to build as big of a distribution or transmission lines in order to maintain the correct voltage." " " If a tornado takes out a transmission line to a major power plant, the area could lose all of its electricity. But not with a virtual power plant. BanksPhotos/Getty Images Advertisement Renewable Energy Is Key Yet another advantage of virtual power plants is that they make it easier to regulate renewable energy sources and to get the sort of control over the amount of electricity going into the grid that a conventional fossil-fuel-burning electrical plant would have. "A virtual power plant can include, again, little batteries for backup generator, but it can also under the general term, include what's called 'demand response,'" Schofield says. A utility with a virtual power plant can send messages to customers to turn down their usage at certain times, possibly offering a gift certificate for a local restaurant as an incentive. In parts of the country where utilities buy electricity from various suppliers, virtual power plants could help utility companies be responsive to the market price for electricity. Indirectly, those incentives can help facilitate renewable energy sources like wind and solar, Schofield says. Because they're variable meaning the sun stops shining and the wind stops blowing the amount of electricity they provide must be adjusted to the ability they can accommodate. Traditionally, the balance is offset by fossil fuel providers. "A virtual power plant is intended to function the same, or to provide the same sort of services that a big power plant can," Schofield says, "and to be dispatchable, meaning I can communicate to it and tell it to do something different. The ramp up or down is part of the value." By interacting with consumers and recruiting them to help with managing energy use, virtual power plants could play a role in solving one of the utility industry's longtime problems: peak usage. "A significant majority of the cost of providing electricity is just to handle those peak days," Schofield says. "If you can get consumers of all types to use their consumption in those ways, maybe brush their teeth with a regular toothbrush instead of their electric ... then you can take out a lot of cost from the system. And you can also take out a lot of need for burning fossil fuels. But this is historically very difficult, because ... the average person isn't going to inconvenience themselves very much." But he also says that's changing. Younger generations are more sustainably conscious, and everyone has a smartphone. Perhaps one day you'll get an alert on your phone that says "Electric usage alert. Please turn down your thermostat." And you'll earn incentive points if you do it. Would you? Schofield says you might. "Mostly people want to do a good thing because actually they're paying a fixed price, and the actual cost to them of consuming that electricity is pretty small," he says. "But if you get thousands of people all responding, then that little bit adds up to something meaningful." Now That's Interesting The International Energy Agency projects that global electricity demand will rise 2.5 times by 2050, and it will require $14 trillion in upgrades to the world's electricity grids to cope. Credit: SUSU Economists of South Ural State University together with their colleagues from Slovakia have conducted a big-scale research on the state of economy of the European Union countries. The results of the research have been published in highly ranked scientific journal of Mathematics (Top 10 in Web of Science database). Based on the results of the work by scientists, recommendations for a more sustainable development of the economy in the context of the pandemic and increased economic risks have been given. Doctor of Sciences (Engineering), Associate Professor of the SUSU Department of Digital Economy and Information Technologies Sergey Aliukov conducted a study jointly with his colleagues from Technical University of Kosice within the framework of the grant from the government of the Slovak Republic. In this article, scientists investigated the question of "Why Some Countries Are Rich, and SomePoor?", made a profound description of the economy of European countries and gave recommendations for the development of the European economy. Sustainability of the economy of any country is primarily determined by a set of macroeconomic indicators characterizing current economic state. The scientists presented a multidimensional analysis of the macroeconomic situation in Europe according to the 2020 data. The research aimed at giving a clear picture of the mutual position of the economy of European countries, their proximity or the significance in their differences for identifying the place of each country in the pan-European economic system. "We have established the necessary macroeconomic indicators for the study and determined the direction of the influence of these indicators on the economic situation in European countries. In the course of the study, the countries were divided into groups according to the main characteristics of each group. We managed to determine the main macroeconomic indicators influencing the level of welfare of European countries. We used integrated latent factors and built a fuzzy mathematical model to predict the level of welfare of a country. The study is based on information processing methods such as multidimensional scaling, cluster analysis, factor analysis, multivariate regression analysis, analysis of variance, discriminant analysis and fuzzy modelling. Multidimensional data processing was done using SPSS and FuzzyTech programs," said Sergey Aliukov. The economy of a country depends on many factors of different nature and different units of measurement. On the grounds of the distinguished factors, using multidimensional analysis methods, scientists created graphical models which demonstrate the position of economy in European countries relevant to each other. These models include all the input variables and allow visualizing the results of a comparative analysis. On the basis of the developed models, it is possible to perform simulation forecasts, and to use the results obtained in the article for conducting macroeconomic reforms to improve the economic situation in the countries. International colleagues gave a high appraisal to the joint work with SUSU and expressed readiness for further collaboration. Doctor of Sciences (Engineering) Sergey Aliukov was offered to become a guest editor of a special edition of one of the highly ranked international scientific journals in the field of economics, included in the Top 10 in Web of Science database. South Ural State University (SUSU) is a university of digital transformations, where innovative research is conducted in most of the priority fields of science and technology development. In accordance with the strategy of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, the university is focused on the development of big scientific interdisciplinary projects in the field of digital industry, materials science, and ecology. In 2021 SUSU became the winner in the competition under the Priority 2030 program. The university acts as a regional project office of the World-class Ural Interregional Research and Education Centre (UIREC). More information: Sergei Aliukov et al, Comparative Multidimensional Analysis of the Current State of European Economies Based on the Complex of Macroeconomic Indicators, Mathematics (2022). DOI: 10.3390/math10050847 Provided by South Ural State University Felicia Frazar is the managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail her at felicia.frazar@seguingazette.com . US Sentencing Commission releases 2020 Annual Report and Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics | Main | Amusing (but still quite serious) reminder of what not to do while awaiting federal sentencing The title of this post is the title of this notable new commentary at The Appeal authored by Rachel Barkow and Mark Osler. I highly recommend the full piece, and here are parts of the preamble and the listed "14 steps": As the Biden Administration takes shape and the nation recovers from four years of Donald Trump, there may be a temptation to return to normal. That could be especially true at the Department of Justice, where so many longstanding norms independence from politics, high ethical standards, a commitment to facts took a beating. With many Obama-era appointees back in high-level positions, there is likely a desire to go back to the way things were when the same people were last in power. But thats setting the bar too low. While its critical that the department rededicate itself to its core values, its not sufficient to simply create an Obama Lite initiative. Instead, the DOJ, with its vast authority and discretion, and its power to unilaterally shape the federal criminal legal system, should be a driving force for dramatic, high-impact change. President Bidens Executive Order stating that the DOJ will not renew contracts with private prison companies is a prime example of largely symbolic but practically useless reform. It is a positive step that builds off an Obama-era policy, but it is only a tiny step forward. It does not get to the heart of what really needs to change. No one will be released or serve less time because of this order. Private prisons account for a small percentage of where people in federal prisons are housed, and most of the private contracts at the federal level are with the Department of Homeland Security, which is not covered by the Executive Order. In addition, many of the private contracts have long time periods, so another administration might undo this order before it ever takes effect. It is therefore possible the order will not change anything at all. The Obama Administration, just like administrations before it, had fatal flaws when it came to criminal justice, and the Biden Administration should aim to cure them. This isnt just important for better criminal justice policies and public safety. Its also important because of the institutional weakness that Trump put into stark relief. For too long, the DOJ has relied on the notion that it should have broad discretion because good people work at the department. While we agree that competent, well-meaning people generally do work at the DOJ, the Trump Administration showed why that isnt enough. For example, Obamas Department might have opposed abolishing mandatory minimum sentences because of its own policy to curb their use (though even that policy was inconsistently enforced), but preserving those laws enabled the Trump Administration to use them far more aggressively. If the Biden Administration wants both a lasting legacy of real criminal justice reform and to show a commitment to the rule of law, it needs to pursue critical institutional reform at the Department even if at the expense of its own discretion. With those goals in mind, we propose the following 14 policy recommendations. These are largely aimed at structural issues that can be addressed without legislation that would have the biggest impact in reducing prison populations and remedying disportionate punishments and discriminatory policies. These reforms cover different topics, but they are all backed by empirical evidence as being in the interest of public safety, reducing racial disparities, and giving the DOJ back its good name. These include substantive policy changes and personnel priorities, and we will cover those first precisely because they can be done without Congress. Other reforms require Congresss cooperation. While there is no guarantee Congress will agree, this is the time to pursue these shifts, with Democratic leadership and bipartisan support for criminal justice reform. But legislation will not move without DOJ support. DOJ opposition has been a chief impediment for more significant criminal justice reforms, so its long past time for it to take the lead on breaking the logjam. 1. Revise Charging Policies... 2. Reform Clemency... 3. Commit to Compassionate Release... 4. Ensure First Step Act Programming Credit... 5. Reform and Move the Bureau of Prisons... 6. Abolish the Death Penalty... 7. Appoint Reformers to Key Positions Within DOJ... 8. Support Reform at the Sentencing Commission... 9. Support Creating a High-Level Criminal Justice Advisor Position... 10. Implement Forensic Science Reform... 11. Revise Discovery Policies... 12. Support Legislative Reform... 13. Support Release Through Parole... 14. Eliminate Financial Incentives to Charge Cases... Great example of clemency leading to more compassion ... in the form of compassionate release thanks to FIRST STEP Act reforms | Main | Counsel file initial sentencing briefs on "Blakely factors" in preparation for Derek Chauvin's sentencing April 30, 2021 Prez Biden gets timely reminder that criminal justice reform presents unique bipartisan opportunity I complained in this post that Prez Biden did not have all that much to say about criminal justice issues in his lengthy speech to Congress this week. But I now see from a number of news reports that criminal justice reform got some brief, but especially notable, bipartisan attention after the speech. This Washington Post piece, headlined "GOP lawmaker who voted to overturn Bidens election win wants to help him on criminal justice reform," provides these details: Moments after President Biden concluded his first speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, he was greeted by lawmakers aiming to get in some coveted face time with the president. Among them was Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-Tex.), who helped barricade the entrance of the House Chamber during the insurrection Jan. 6 but still voted to overturn the election that Biden won. But in a brief exchange Wednesday night, Nehls, wearing a Texas-flag mask, introduced himself to Biden as a sheriff from Texas and offered his experience policing Fort Bend County to help with the presidents efforts on criminal justice reform. I want to help with the criminal justice reform. I want to be a part of it. Its needed, he said to the president. I dont know how to reach out to you, but I have the experience. In response, Biden assured him theyd be in touch, saying, Ill reach out to you.... A White House official told The Washington Post on Thursday that Biden appreciated Rep. Nehlss offer and their conversation.... During last years GOP primary for an open seat in Congress, Nehls painted himself as a fierce Trump advocate. Texas Monthly reported that he stated on his campaign website how he would stand with President Trump to defeat the socialist Democrats, build the wall, drain the swamp, and deliver on pro-economy and pro-America policies. After he secured the nomination, Nehls pivoted to a more moderate approach for the general election, focusing on health care and criminal justice reform. He also removed the Standing with Trump section from his website as Trumps approval among Republicans was waning, according to the Houston Chronicle. He went on to defeat his Democratic opponent, Sri Preston Kulkarni, by seven percentage points in November.... On Wednesday night, Nehls tweeted during the speech about the presidents handling of the southern border and slammed Democrats for reportedly handing out masks in the Chamber that were made in China. But in their exchange on criminal justice reform, Nehls took on a much different tone than the one he used on Twitter. I dont want to hurt your reputation, the president said to Nehls of his offer, according to video of the moment. Before Biden went to talk to another lawmaker, Nehls made his final plea: I can do a whole lot of good in that conversation. This Texas Tribune article, headlined "Freshman GOP Texas congressman made a personal pitch to Joe Biden: Let me help with criminal justice reform," provides some more details concerning the type of reforms that Rep Nehls seems eager to champion: Biden administration staff reached out to Nehls' office on Thursday morning, according to Nehls spokesman Daniel Gribble. Gribble added that Nehls is "optimistic about common sense reforms they can accomplish" and the congressman's focus is "recidivism reduction through inmate training programs." "As Sheriff, Rep Nehls implemented HVAC and welding programs for non-violent inmates at the county jail," Gribble said. "He had wild success reducing the 2 year re-arrest rate with participating inmates. Hed like to see similar programs available in County jails across the country and is working on legislation that will make that possible." April 30, 2021 at 03:12 PM | Permalink Comments As I noted, he actually did have something to say about various criminal justice issues. I saw the reference to the person who personally reached out to Biden. Biden's reaction matches at least the standard line he has long promoted -- a willingness to work with people across the table. Time will tell how much this will work out in criminal justice matters. Replies on Twitter noted that person had a suspect criminal justice record. One moves on from there, I guess, looking at the present. I note the excerpt doesn't include this from one of the articles that touches upon my comment there: "Democrats, meanwhile, sought to bring attention to his record that includes a history of alleged misconduct he was fired from a prior policing job after committing 19 violations in one year and complaints about his Fort Bend department's methods." Again, you focus on the good when seeking allies. He could point to some of that. Realistically, a successful local law official will not be just some sort of hack simply because you can work that way and get stuff done. But, gung ho Trump support means aiding and abetting someone horrible on criminal justice in various respects. When people are wary about working with such people, it is not completely unreasonable. Bridges can be built though (see, e.g., an account in "Children Under Fire" where the person behind the Dickey Amendment eventually worked with someone supportive of gun research). The fact someone reached out like this suggests just maybe there is a chance for movement with Biden, someone with certain strengthens and benefits the last two people had less of. Posted by: Joe | Apr 30, 2021 5:20:57 PM Definitely someone who tolerated insurrection and took part in trying to overturn the election is hard to stomach. It seems like he may have been a lousy cop and sheriff too, so I certainly wouldn't have hired or voted for him had it been up to me. But that's not his current job description; he's a representative now. While the programs he's proposing seem fairly small-bore (that might be a police pun), as long as they're implemented in a reasonable way (i.e., not just becoming a slush fund for sheriff's departments), they could be an improvement. So, I suppose it's no harm to just hear him out. Biden can also get a dose of that bipartisanship the squishy centrist types are always clamoring for, whatever difference that makes. I guess the extremely cynical take would be this guy wants to focus on training programs as a diversion from other policing issues that are getting hotly debated recently. Maybe so, but maybe a little incremental progress can still come out of it. Posted by: hardreaders | Apr 30, 2021 5:55:49 PM The important broader point, Joe and hardreaders, is that it is hard to envision many other issues on which Rep Nehls --- and Senators Grassley and Lee and Paul and Wicker and many other GOP folks --- would be so actively eager to express such interest in working with Prez Biden to move forward reforms. Whatever their speific background and possible baggage, there are a good number of elected GOP members of Congress who seem sincerely committed to help achieve various forms of criminal justice reform. I am pleased Prez Biden expressed interest in working with Rep Nehls, and I am hopeful sound GOP reform ideas and brader GOP support in this arena can be harnessed for the collective good. There will surely be disagreement as to the particulars, but something (perhaps a lot) can and should get done if Prez Biden makes these issues a priority for his Administration. Moreover, whether bipartisanship is a real interest or just a talking point for Biden, getting some work done in this space allows him to prove he wants to work together to move reform forward where there is some consensus. Posted by: Doug B. | Apr 30, 2021 8:16:25 PM Don't get me wrong, if Nehls ultimately does contribute to some reform, even if minor, I'll certainly be giving him appropriate credit. As with sentencing, I think a very small set of people are 100% completely beyond reform, or at least beyond aging out of bad tendencies, but certainly anyone in the insurrection/overturning camp has the longest way to go before (re)gaining trust, if ever. So that's why I'm skeptical, based on the established track record, which I think is utterly fair. But again, I certainly hope something positive results. I just don't get why there seems to be suspicion of Biden. AFAIK nothing in his history suggests he would refuse an offer of bipartisan cooperationprovided, of course and importantly, that it's made in good faith. Like I've said, I think it's pretty well known already that he and Congressional Democrats generally have that interest. Maybe that's why they don't constantly broadcast it. I would say the ball's more in Republicans court for them to decide if they have interest too. Nehls seems like it might be a good sign; we'll see if there's more to follow. That's sort of the whole reason it's news when a Republican brings it up, right? For Democrats it's just assumed, and rightly I think. Posted by: hardreaders | Apr 30, 2021 8:58:59 PM I do not doubt that Prez Biden is willing and able to embrace (and even enhance) bipartisan cooperation in this reform area. What is quite in doubt is whether Biden and his policy team will prioritize action in this area. Biden spoke for 65 minutes to Congress this week, and only 2 or so minutes focused on criminal justice issues and there was ZERO mention of sentencing reform. Ergo my concern. Because many advocates, on both the left and the right, are likely to be advocating persistently on these issues, I expect Biden and his team will be somewhat active in this space. But, so far, at the 100-day mark, advocates have to be hoping for more and more efforts by the Reo Nehls and others across the aisle. Posted by: Doug B. | Apr 30, 2021 9:26:50 PM I certainly understand how from the advocate's perspective not getting a shoutout for sentencing is a bit of a letdown. But I don't quite get the point about "priorities". Other than some temporary warm fuzzies, what real difference does it make if he does a shoutout or not? Again, I think it's no secret that many Democrats are interested in and in fact already working on the issue. The Republicans last I checked are grown adults (or at least purport to be) and nothing is stopping them from taking some of their own initiative, like we have now seen with Nehls. Also, it's not like the issue is so obscure that if Biden doesn't bring it up in a speech people will just forget. Joe will grok this I think, but it's sort of like a variation of Murc's Law. Republicans have agency too and it's not like Biden and the Democrats have to go around doing everyone else's jobs for them. As I've said, if there's truly a concern that some people aren't hearing about the issue enough, it is permissible to go advocate with them directly. Insisting that Biden has to be the conduit for everything I think is a little preaching to the choir and also circuitous in getting the message out. Finally, I'm so embarrassed that it took me until comment #3 to say this, but: There's a new sheriff in (the Congressional) town! Posted by: hardreaders | Apr 30, 2021 10:04:26 PM Sen. Grassley again recently supported televised Supreme Court hearings, joining a bipartisan effort in that regard. Democrats over the years repeatedly have cited how Republicans across the aisle have supported them in various respects. This one area is not the only thing where there is potential. Again, given the blog's focus, its understandable it is focused on it particularly. But, there still warrants a sense of perspective there. It's nice this guy went up to Biden, but the account has a spin job flavor. As I noted, his past record is selectively cited. hardreaders notes his new job. Fine enough, but one's past career is likely to influence one's House record. Thus, it is suggested maybe modest reforms will be used to balance/cover opposition to more serious police reform. Unclear. But, it is right to judge him on his whole record, a fair neutral accounting part of realistic strategy. There already was a joint effort, cited by Biden's address, about the anti-Asian hate legislation. Which has a criminal justice aspect, including the details in the bill. This is just one thing already supported by Democrats and the Biden Administration advancing criminal justice. The address again, using "criminal justice," not a narrow subset, covered multiple issues there. Actions were already taken by the Biden Justice Department that shows specific real actions in the area of criminal justice, focusing on wrongdoing of local police departments. It's just one thing, as I said that he did. The Administration very well seems to be taking criminal justice, even at this early date seriously. Not just a "talking point." I appreciate h's reference to "Murc's law" familiar to a different blog. Trump is graded on a curve, his problems even in respect to criminal justice ignored repeatedly & his superiority even in a limited fashion a result of selective and questionable praise (see hardreaders ultimate comments in the past thread). Meanwhile, Biden is looked at with suspicion and deemed likely to fail (maybe if he made my specialty a "priority" ... nothing else for him to worry about after all) in April of his first year, even as his Administration and party already did something positive. New Administration, but same old story. It's at this point not surprising and on that front not even disappointing. It's just tiresome. Posted by: Joe | Apr 30, 2021 11:21:32 PM Joe's points are all very well taken. I appreciate the mention of Grassley. Even someone like him can on occasion be an ally for reform. Although, while very exciting for the diehards like present company, it's not exactly game-changing stuff. For an older example of doing meatier stuff, despite all his flaws and totally undeserved "maverick" reputation, McCain was quite good on campaign finance reform. They literally put "bipartisan" in the name of the act. :) Basically it boils down to this. If they show interest on something, minor or not, and it's in good faithJoe notes possible reasons to be skeptical herethen great, let's hurry up and get it done. But at this point, nobody's going to waste time waiting for cooperation on issues where it's clearly not forthcoming; they're just going to move on and move ahead on their own. Posted by: hardreaders | Apr 30, 2021 11:51:53 PM You folks seem mostly interested in talking about current political discourses in general or various broad aspect of criminal justice politics and policy in general. That's fine, but in any context it seems strange to assert "what real difference does it make" if a Prez, in his first big speech to Congress, signals that he cares a lot about a particular issue. If a Prez leans into an issue, it will get a lot more attention with lawmakers and others; if a Prez leans away from an issue, it will get less. And because criminal justice reform has so many potential elements --- from police reform to bail reform to prosecution/defense funding/priorities/practices to sentencing law to prison reform to reentry/collateral consequences and so much more --- whatever particular part of this story a Prez prioritizes in this space will surely get the most legislative attention short- and long-term. It make perfect sense, politically and practically, that Biden and his team (including folks he puts at DOJ) will focus first and mostly on policing issues. But so much more is getting done with bipartisan support at the state level, and there is so much more that I think needs to be done in the sentencing space. I want Biden and his team to lean into these issues, and I expect they will before too long (e.g., I am expecting some clemency action this year). It is understandable that he has not yet done or even said much on sentencing issues, but that is still disappointing and means that action on these issues are less likely to happen soon, if at all. Sen Grassley's long-standing support for cameras in federal courtrooms is a great example of how a Prez statement can matter. I believe both Obama and Trump completely ignored this issue, even though there is bipartisan support, and so the topic gets very little attention. Grassley re-introduced his bill in March and his co-sponsors include Amy Klobuchar, John Cornyn, Dick Durbin, Patrick Leahy, Richard Blumenthal and Ed Markey. That is a lot of Senate power, and yet nobody is talking about this bill, and I doubt it will be moving anytime soon. But imagine if Prez Biden just said one sentence like "And the Chauvin trial highlighted the value and virtues of the public being able to watch justice in action, and I would like to see Congress ensure federal proceedings are also similarly transparent." I think just a single sentence like that would make a huge difference in the whether this kind of bipartisan bill gets more attention from Congress and the media. Having a Prez prioritize an issue does not ensure any particular action by Congress, but it shapes the terms and intensity of the debate (regardless of the surrounding politics). That is why I want this Prez to prioritize the issues I work on --- and why I understand why others who work on other matters want the Prez to instead prioritize other issues. Posted by: Doug B | May 1, 2021 11:50:03 AM President Biden has "leaned into" various criminal justice issues so far. He cited multiple issues in his address. His picks, including Garland, will (and already are) "leaning in" as well. I'm open to a variety of discourses, but one thing important for me on the level of POTUS is the broad nature of what is at stake. So, e.g., Obama having a "modest" reform in a sentencing area WHILE ALSO getting a lot other stuff (with help of Congress) accomplished (some of which, such as something like drug treatment etc. that the Affordable Care Act advanced, with criminal justice aspects) AND ALSO having burdens not in place when all three branches of the government were Republican (here two branches of Congress and executive), it should be factored in. Net, such things make me more impressed with Obama than Trump. Especially since he negatively burdened criminal justice in a variety of ways. I spoke broadly of "criminal justice" instead of a narrower sentencing matter [which in the Sentencing Law and Policy Blog is something I'm for the nth time I'm not surprised is focused upon] since this is what YOU repeatedly cited. I'm fine with concerns about sentencing issues but it is part of a wider whole, especially at this level, and if a fair perspective is not going to be applied, grading on curves, it is going to be harder. Posted by: Joe | May 4, 2021 10:52:01 AM Fair points, Joe, and if you view health care reform as an important part of criminal justice reform --- a reasonable claim --- Obama's "stock" goes up a lot more. Posted by: Doug B. | May 4, 2021 12:55:08 PM Post a comment "New Originalism: Arizona's Founding Progressives on Extreme Punishment" | Main | "An Algorithmic Assessment of Parole Decisions" This new Politico article, "Criminal justice reform faces political buzzsaw as GOP hones its midterm message," provides an unsurprising, but still disappointing, update on the current political realities facing a set of small but important sentencing and prison reform bills pending in Congress. I recommend the whole piece, and here are excerpts: The Senate delivered former President Donald Trump a bipartisan criminal justice reform deal shortly after the last midterm election. Staging a sequel for President Joe Biden this year wont be so easy. Dick Durbin and Chuck Grassley, the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, are still in talks over finalizing a package that would serve as a more narrow follow-up to the 2018 prison and sentencing reform bill known as the First Step Act. But both senior senators acknowledge its not a glide path forward, particularly given the GOP messaging on rising crime ahead of the 2022 midterms a focus that was on full display during Ketanji Brown Jacksons Supreme Court hearings last month. Thats dampened the interest in doing what we call the Second Step Act, but were still seeing what can be worked out, Grassley (R-Iowa) said in a brief interview. He added that if Democrats agree to certain provisions related to law enforcement, that might make it possible to get something done. Durbin (D-Ill.), meanwhile, said hes concerned about the bills prospects, particularly given Republican accusations during Jacksons confirmation hearings that the justice-in-waiting was soft on crime. The Judiciary chair ranked criminal justice as high on his list of priorities, though he said legislation addressing crime and law enforcement may be just as challenging as immigration a famously tough area of bipartisan compromise on Capitol Hill. While both Durbin and Grassley say the sequel legislation is necessary to fully implement and expand on the sentencing updates in the First Step law, the campaign-season politics surrounding criminal justice reform threaten broader GOP support. Though 38 Republican senators backed the 2018 bill, it took Trumps personal appeals to get many on board. And with Democrats in full control of Washington, Republicans emerging midterm message that liberals are to blame for rising violent crime could make sentencing changes that much harder. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of the Judiciary Committee and a close adviser to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has yet to review the proposal but predicted a tough road ahead. Particularly given the spike in violence in the inner cities, it would probably be controversial depending on what the specific proposal was, Cornyn said. The timing is not great given the closeness of the midterms and the primaries that still remain to be run. The Judiciary panel already passed the foundation for Durbin and Grassleys potential criminal justice reform package last year. It would give inmates who were sentenced prior to the First Step laws passage the ability to petition for its reduced sentencing guidelines, applying them retroactively if approved. Another bill included in it would increase eligibility for a program that allows certain elderly prisoners to serve the rest of their sentences at home. Theres also discussion around expanding the scope of a federal carjacking statute, according to a GOP Judiciary Committee aide.... A separate but related criminal justice push in the upper chamber, however, illustrates that reform advocates arent exactly pinning their hopes on a broader agreement this year. Supporters of eliminating the long-standing federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses originally discussed including that provision in the committees bigger proposal. Now advocates for change want the Senate to move a standalone bill on the crack-cocaine disparity, citing its support from 11 Senate Republicans enough to overcome a filibuster. They have been working on that package for the better part of a year now, and the [standalone bill] is ready right now, said Holly Harris, executive director of the Justice Action Network, who is urging the Senate to act shortly after the Easter recess. My hope is obviously that we can see the [standalone bill] through to fruition here. I mean, its literally on the goal line.... Backers of the legislation eliminating the crack-cocaine disparity, which passed the House overwhelmingly in September, range from conservative Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Its backed by law enforcement groups, including the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the National District Attorneys Association. While Schumer hasnt yet laid out a timeline for when hed bring the crack-cocaine disparity bill to the floor, members of the Congressional Black Caucus earlier this month wrote to him and Durbin urging the Senate to consider the bill without delay. The legislation is a top priority for the caucus, which has already faced setbacks on police reform and voting rights bills. And proponents of the reform are framing it as legislation about fairness instead of crime, highlighting support from Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas). But Senate aides on both sides of the aisle warn that despite the disparity-closing bills bipartisan support, it could still face a challenging path to final passage, including a potentially arduous debate over amendments. Republicans who oppose the bill would almost certainly want to force vulnerable Senate Democrats to take tough amendment votes amid reports of rising violent crime in major cities and the approaching November election. Grassley, who is not a co-sponsor, has also outlined concerns about whether there would be enough Republican support in the Senate to get the legislation over the finish line. While the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the crack-cocaine disparity bill last year, it has yet to schedule a markup. Meanwhile, Durbin isnt giving up on his broader criminal justice reform package. At least not yet. While the Jackson hearings highlighted the extremes of GOP opposition, he said he remains hopeful that there are fair-minded Republicans and Democrats who can form the basis of an agreement. We Are China Beautiful Tibetan village decorated with apricot blossom in Sichuan Ecns.cn) 08:56, April 14, 2022 Beautiful Tibetan village decorated with pink apricot blossoms is seen in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo: China News Service/He Xingming) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) 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, 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. Advertisement A representative for Meadows, a former congressman from the area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows walks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Oct. 30, 2020. (Patrick Semansky/AP) 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. Advertisement 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. France Presidential Election (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) 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. Story continues 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 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. In 10 days, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has gone from popular Twitter contributor and critic to the company's largest individual shareholder to a would-be owner of the social platform a whirlwind of activity that could change the service dramatically given the sometimes whimsical billionaire's self-identification as a free-speech absolutist. Twitter revealed in a securities filing Thursday that Musk has offered to buy the company outright for more than $43 billion, saying the social media platform needs to be transformed as a private company" in order to build trust with its users. I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy, Musk said in the filing. I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Later in the day, during an onstage interview at the TED 2022 conference, he went even broader: Having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization." Since it burst onto the scene in 2006, Twitter has been home to flourishing social and political commentary, shared news, scandal gossip, cat memes and dress color arguments. But it has also provided a platform for viral misinformation and lies, bullying and hate speech and gangs of trolls who can shout down posters they disagree with by unleashing tidal waves of vile images, threats and similar acts of online aggression. Twitter has devoted a substantial amount of effort to stanching the latter while preserving the former though not always in ways that satisfy most users. Like other platforms, it has established restrictions on tweets that threaten violence, incite hatred, bully others and spread misinformation. Such rules drove Twitter's decision to ban former President Donald Trump following the 2021 Capitol insurrection. Twitter has also become a destination for brands and advertisers, many of whom prefer stronger content restrictions, and a megaphone for high-profile figures like Trump and Musk, whos used it to rally supporters and promote business ventures. Musk, who described Twitter as a de facto town square, detailed some specific potential changes Thursday like favoring temporary rather than permanent bans but has mostly described his aim in broad and abstract terms. He said he wanted to open up the black box of artificial intelligence technology driving Twitters feed so that people would have more transparency about why some tweets might go viral and others might disappear. I wouldnt personally be in there editing tweets," he said, but you would know if something was done to promote, demote or otherwise affect a tweet. The billionaire has been a vocal critic of Twitter, mostly over his stated belief that it falls short on free-speech principles. The social media platform has angered followers of Trump and other right-wing political figures whove had their accounts suspended for violating its content standards on violence, hate or harmful misinformation. Musk has described himself as a free-speech absolutist but is also known for blocking other Twitter users who question or disagree with him. While Twitter's user base remains much smaller than those of rivals such as Facebook and TikTok, the service is popular with celebrities, world leaders, journalists and intellectuals. Musk himself has more than 81 million followers, rivaling pop stars such as Lady Gaga. Twitter shares closed at $45.08, down just under 2%, well below Musk's offer of $54.20 per share. That's generally a sign that some investors doubt the deal will go through. The stock remains down from its 52-week high of about $73. Musk called that price his final offer, although he provided no details on financing. The offer is non-binding and subject to financing and other conditions. Twitter said it will decide whether accepting the offer is in the best interests of shareholders. It's unclear, though, just how Twitters board will react after evaluating the offer. It likely will negotiate, seeking a higher price per share, or it may want provisions to ensure that the board remains independent of Musk, said John Coffee, a professor at Columbia Universitys law school and head of its corporate governance center. The board could adopt poison pill provisions to offer more shares and dilute the value of Musks holdings, if Musks stake grows to 10% or 15%, Coffee said. Even then, Musk could still take over the company with a proxy fight by voting out the current directors. At the TED conference, Musk said he has the money. I could technically afford it, he said to laughs. Should Musk go through with his takeover attempt, he likely could raise the roughly $43 billion he needs, possibly by borrowing billions using his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX as collateral. Most of Musks fortune, estimated by Forbes to be nearly $265 billion, is tied up in shares of Tesla. The company allows executive officers to use shares as collateral for loans, but limits the borrowing to 25% of the value of the pledged shares. Data provider FactSet says Musk owns 172.6 million shares worth $176.47 billion. Just over 51% of his stake already is pledged as collateral, according to a Tesla proxy statement. That means Musk could use the remaining stake to borrow about $21.5 billion. He also could borrow on his stake in privately held SpaceX. Musk revealed in regulatory filings over recent weeks that hed been buying Twitter shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31, ending up with a stake of about 9%. Only Vanguard Group controls more Twitter shares. A lawsuit filed Tuesday in New York federal court alleged Musk illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission could punish Musk for hurting other investors by taking too long to disclose his buying up of Twitter shares, but its unlikely that it will do anything to stop a takeover, said Chester Spatt, a former SEC chief economist. This is going to play out reasonably quickly, said Spatt, now a finance professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Jacob Frenkel, a former SEC enforcement attorney now with the Dickinson Wright law firm in Washington, said it is difficult to prove an investors intent in disclosure cases. The mere fact of the violation around the disclosure does not mean that there was fraud, Frenkel said. However, there is plenty of fodder for an investigation into whether anyone with knowledge of Musks share purchases traded in the stock before Musks public disclosures, Frenkel said. After Musk announced his stake, Twitter quickly offered him a seat on its board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the companys outstanding stock. But the company said five days later that hed declined. The decision coincided with a barrage of now-deleted and not-always-serious tweets from Musk proposing major changes to the company, such as dropping ads its chief source of revenue and transforming its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter. The turnabout led CEO Parag Agrawal to warn employees earlier this week that there will be distractions ahead and to tune out the noise and stay focused on the work. Twitter hasn't done as well as its social media rivals and lost money last year. The company reported a net loss of $221 million for 2021 largely tied to the settlement of a lawsuit by shareholders who said the company misled investors about how much its user base was growing and how much users interacted with its platform. Its co-founder Jack Dorsey resigned as CEO in late November and was replaced by Agrawal. Im not saying I have all the answers here, but I do think that we want to be just very reluctant to delete things and just be very cautious with permanent bans, Musk said. It wont be perfect," he said, but there should be a perception and reality that speech is as free as reasonably possible. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 LONDON (AP) British authorities have authorized a coronavirus vaccine for adults made by French drugmaker Valneva, despite the government's decision last year to cancel an order for at least 100 million doses. The U.K. is the first country to authorize Valnevas vaccine, which is also under review by the European Medicines Agency. Britains medicines regulator said Thursday that the two-dose vaccine is intended for adults ages 18 to 50, with the second dose given about a month after the first. The Valneva vaccine is made with the decades-old technology used to manufacture shots for flu and polio. It is the sixth COVID-19 vaccine the U.K. has cleared and the only one that utilizes a killed virus; scientists grow the coronavirus in a lab and then inactivate the virus so it cannot replicate or infect cells. The U.K. government scrapped an agreement with Valneva in September to purchase at least 100 million doses, saying at the time that British regulators probably would not cleared the shot. Valneva said Britain canceled the deal because of supply concerns. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said in September that he couldn't go into details because of commercial issues but that the deal was spiked because it was also clear to us that the vaccine in question that the company was developing would not get approval." Britain was an early backer of the Valneva vaccine, agreeing to invest millions of pounds in a production facility in Scotland. As part of the contract, the U.K. had agreed to buy 100 million doses with options for another 90 million. Even without the Valneva vaccine, the government has acquired more than enough doses to fully vaccinate everyone in the country twice. To date, nearly 60% of the British population has received three doses. Follow APs pandemic coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. SIOUX CITY -- Kidnapping and other charges have been dropped against a Sioux City man arrested after an April 2 incident in which shots were fired in his neighborhood. Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Athena Ladeas on Tuesday dismissed charges of first-degree kidnapping, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, domestic abuse assault and reckless use of a firearm against Capri Rogers. First-degree kidnapping is a Class A felony punishable by a lifetime prison sentence. In her motion to dismiss the charges, Ladeas said the dismissals were "in the furtherance of justice" and that she could refile those or other charges after additional investigation in the case. Ladeas filed a trial information document charging Rogers, 33, with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both are Class D felonies that carry five-year prison sentences. An arraignment was scheduled for April 26 in Woodbury County District Court. Rogers remains in the Woodbury County Jail on a $75,000 bond. Rogers was arrested April 3 after police earlier the previous afternoon had received calls of shots being fired in the 1800 block of Jackson Street. Police responding to the scene found a car with a window shot out and a bullet hole in the hood and bullet holes in a garage. Witnesses identified a man in the area seen carrying a weapon and directed police to Rogers' residence. Rogers consented to a search of the home, and police found a .22-caliber revolver and a shotgun in his bedroom. Police found him in possession of a .22-caliber cartridge and found 140 spent shell casings in the house and evidence of shots fired at walls, windows, televisions, siding and the neighbor's car and garage. Officers also found a female inside the residence suffering multiple serious injuries. According to court documents, the woman, identified as Rogers' girlfriend, told police that Rogers had strangled her to the point of blacking out three times in recent weeks and that she feared for her life. Rogers was accused of firing a handgun into a mattress next to her head. The woman required cranial surgery after an April 1 assault in which Rogers kicked and punched her and would not let her leave the house to seek medical attention until he accompanied her to the emergency room, court documents said. The woman also told police that Rogers killed her two cats in front of her and shot her cellphone. Because of previous felony convictions, Rogers was prohibited from possessing firearms. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Russia's damaged Black Sea flagship sinks in latest setback KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet sank after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles. Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. It said the flames forced the entire crew to evacuate. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat. The Russian Defense Ministry said the vessel sank in a storm while being towed to a port. The ship would typically have 500 sailors on board. The AP Interview: UN food chief says Mariupol is starving KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The head of the U.N.s World Food Program says people are being starved to death in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, and he predicted the countrys humanitarian crisis is likely to worsen as Russia intensifies its assault in the coming weeks. In an interview with The Associated Press, David Beasley also warned that Russias invasion of grain-exporting Ukraine risks destabilizing nations far from its shores and could trigger waves of migrants seeking better lives elsewhere. He said the war that began Feb. 24 was devastating the people in Ukraine, lamenting the lack of access faced by the WFP and other aid organizations in trying to reach those in need amid the conflict. Family seeks charges, officer's ID in Patrick Lyoya's death GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) Peter Lyoya brought his family from Congo to the U.S. in 2014 to escape violence. Now he fears they came here to die. A Michigan police officer fatally shot his eldest son, 26-year-old Patrick, in the head this month following a traffic stop in Grand Rapids. Video shows a brief foot chase and struggle over the officers Taser before the white officer shoots Patrick Lyoya as the Black man is face down on the ground. Peter Lyoya talked with The Associated Press in his Lansing apartment on Thursday, a day after police released videos of the traffic stop. Peter brought his six children to the U.S. to get away from prolonged civil unrest. Subway shooting heightens NYC mayor's focus on rising crime NEW YORK (AP) Mayor Eric Adams, a former New York City police captain, took office this year with a central focus on making the city feel safe and trying to return it to some sense of normalcy post-pandemic. But the first 3 1/2 months of his administration have been beset by a string of high-profile violent incidents, with Tuesdays shooting on a subway train the most terrifying and public of all. The attack complicates Adams push to address crime and persuade people that the city of nearly 9 million is safe. It also occurred amid a broader, multi-year debate about policing and crime, and how the city should respond. EXPLAINER: What is Musk really doing as he guns for Twitter? Mercurial billionaire Elon Musk now says he wants to buy Twitter outright, taking it private to restore its commitment to what he terms free speech. But is he even serious? Can he get the money together? Will shareholders be happy? And what would the social platform look like if he succeeds? LA political donor gets 30 years in prison for fetish deaths LOS ANGELES (AP) A wealthy Democratic donor has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for injecting two men with lethal doses of methamphetamine as part of a fetish that turned fatal. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence for Ed Buck. The judge issued the sentence Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles. Buck is 67 and prosecutors have said he preyed mostly on vulnerable young gay Black men he paid for sex and injected with massive doses of drugs. Buck's lawyers have said he deserved a shorter term because he was sexually abused as a child and that health problems led to his drug addiction. Pressure on US to give Ukraine more intelligence on Russia WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden has called Russias war on Ukraine a genocide and he's accused Vladimir Putin of committing war crimes. But Biden's administration has struggled with how much intelligence its willing to give Ukrainian forces that are trying to stop the Russian leader. Since the war began in late February, the Biden administration has made multiple changes to a classified directive that governs what U.S. agencies are supposed to share with Ukraine. Several people familiar with the directive say the latest changes occurred last week when U.S. intelligence officials lifted some geographic limits on the transfer of the kind of information used in minute-by-minute decisions on the battlefield. Homeschooling surge continues despite schools reopening BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The coronavirus pandemic ushered in what may be the most rapid rise in homeschooling the U.S. has ever seen. Now, even with schools back open and vaccines available, many homeschooling families are sticking with it. Data obtained by The Associated Press found homeschooling numbers this year dipped from last years all-time high, but are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels. Families may have turned to homeschooling as an alternative to hastily assembled remote learning plans. But they say they're staying with it for many reasons, including continuing COVID health concerns, disagreements with school policies and a desire to keep what has worked for their children. Fuel leak thwarts NASA's dress rehearsal for moon rocket CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) NASA's latest attempt to fuel its huge moon rocket for a countdown test has been thwarted by a hazardous hydrogen leak. NASA had just begun loading fuel into the core stage of the rocket Thursday when the leak cropped up at the Florida launch pad. This was NASA's third attempt at a dress rehearsal, a required step ahead of a test flight to the moon. The first two tries were also marred by vexing equipment trouble. Before all these problems, NASA had been targeting June for the launch debut of the Space Launch System rocket. Officials say they're assessing their next steps. Therapist: Depp and Heard had relationship of 'mutual abuse' A former personal assistant to Amber Heard says she never saw the actress suffer any physical abuse at the hands of then-husband Johnny Depp. But Kate James testified Thursday that she does recall Heard spitting in her face when she asked for a higher salary. The former assistant said Heard descended into fits of blind rage and was often drunk. James said Depp was different. She said the Pirates of the Caribbean actor was very calm, almost shy a total Southern gentleman. James spoke during a video deposition that was played Thursday at the trial in a Virginia court for Depps libel suit against Heard. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In November angry citizens accused Downers Grove school officials of allowing pornography on library shelves. Members of the far-right nationalist group the Proud Boys descended on the normally sleepy suburb for a school board meeting. Advertisement And the other side fired back, lobbing accusations of homophobia and hypocrisy. But after all the voices were heard, Gender Queer: A Memoir, a critically acclaimed graphic novel about a nonbinary persons rocky journey through adolescence, remained on Downers Grove high school library shelves. Advertisement "Gender Queer: A Memoir" tells the story of a nonbinary teen. (Simon & Schuster) That outcome is fairly typical in Illinois, a state that has experienced few successful book bans in recent months, according to a new report by PEN America that found 1,586 fully or partially successful challenges nationwide between July 1, 2021, and March 31. (A challenged book was considered banned if access was diminished, for example, by removing it from library shelves but keeping it available for checkout at the circulation desk.) PEN America has not issued a count of this kind before, but lead author Jonathan Friedman said that hes convinced that the 1,586 bans and restrictions represent an increase. The issue has just exploded in the last nine months, said Friedman, director of PEN Americas Free Expression and Education program. He pointed to conservative politicians efforts to restrict access to books they view as objectionable, as well as some school officials willingness to remove challenged books from shelves during the review process, which he said is not in keeping with best practices set forth by groups such as the American Library Association. He also expressed concern about the types of books that are being challenged. These arent just random books, he said. You can see targeting of books about race and racism, or (books) with protagonists of color, or with LGBTQ characters or themes. Of the books that were fully or partially banned in the report by PEN, a nonprofit that advocates for free expression, 467 (41%) include protagonists or prominent secondary characters who were people of color; 247 (22%) directly address issues of race and racism; and 379 (33%) explicitly address LGBTQ themes, or had protagonists or prominent secondary characters who were LGBTQ. The most banned book was Gender Queer, author Maia Kobabes own story of adolescent crushes, coming out, and forging an authentic gender identity. A 2020 American Library Association Alex Award winner, the book received a starred review from the School Library Journal, which described it as a great resource for those who identify as nonbinary or asexual as well as for those who know someone who identifies that way and wish to better understand. Advertisement Illinois saw only four bans or restrictions at three schools over nine months, according to the PEN study, which was based on news reports and information supplied by school districts and librarians. Downers Grove didnt make the list, but Community High School District 117 in suburban Lake Villa and Antioch did, due to a dispute over Gender Queer, which includes two drawings of people engaged in sexual activity. District Superintendent Jim McKay said that the book was removed from high school library shelves for about a month during a review of its appropriateness, but it remained freely available at the library checkout desk during that time. The book has been back on library shelves since about March 24. I think its important that people understand that our schools are responsive to all kids, McKay said, and that means providing books that reflect students identities and experiences. Our school enrollment is becoming more and more diverse over time, and so should our library collection, he said. The other districts where access to books was curtailed included ROWVA Community Unit School District 208 in Oneida, 175 miles southwest of Chicago. There, the novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was temporarily suspended from use in high school classrooms but remained in the school library, according to a January article in the Galesburg Register-Mail. The newspaper said that frequent use of profanity in the book was a major concern for those who wanted it removed from classrooms, while supporters said the book encouraged valuable classroom discussions about racial inequality. School district officials could not be reached for comment. The Hate U Give, which was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, won a Coretta Scott King Book Award from the American Library Association. Advertisement At Lake Forest High School, two books were banned from the library, according to the PEN report: Gender Queer and Saga, Volume 1, the award-winning first installment of a graphic novel series that has periodically come under fire for issues such as nudity and a depiction of sexual activity. Officials at the Lake Forest school district could not be reached for comment, but a February article in the high school newspaper, the Forest Scout, said that while both books would remain in the school library, students under 18 will need permission from a parent or guardian to check them out. In Downers Grove, Gender Queer has remained on high school library shelves while a formal review process is underway, a district spokesperson said via email. Friedman said the low number of successful book challenges in Illinois can be explained, in part, by regional politics. In places like Texas and then later Florida (and) South Carolina to a certain extent, there have been politicians who have clearly made this an election issue. They want to be seen as being tough on books. And thats put additional pressure on schools. You dont normally see that in Illinois, he said. nschoenberg@chicagotribune.com 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Republican gubernatorial candidate Rich Stanek was released from the hospital Thursday after a car crash Tuesday night following a campaign event in Buffalo, his campaign said. The Minnesota State Patrol said Stanek collided with a car going north on Highway 25 Tuesday night as he was pulling out of the Buffalo Covenant Church parking lot driving a pickup truck, according to the incident report. Alcohol was not a factor for either driver and both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, the patrol said. Campaign spokesman Jon Collins told The Associated Press that Stanek, a former Hennepin County sheriff, was taken to the hospital out of an abundance of caution, and was examined for injuries to his neck and back due to previous surgeries in those areas for injuries Stanek sustained earlier in his law enforcement career. The other driver suffered non-life threatening injuries but was not hospitalized, the patrol said. Stanek was expected to return to the campaign trail Thursday after being cleared by doctors, according to his campaign. I want to thank everyone across Minnesota for their warm wishes, Stanek said in a statement. I may have taken a couple days off from the campaign trail to rest, but I will be back on the campaign trial later today. Stanek was sheriff from 2007 to 2019 and is now among the Republican hopefuls looking to get the GOP endorsement next month to face Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in November. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Relatives, supporters, and members of the community march on April 18, 2021, during a peace walk for 13-year-old Adam Toledo who was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer during a foot pursuit. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) The Civilian Office of Police Accountability announced Thursday that it has concluded its investigation into the fatal officer shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo last year in Little Village. The case moves to Chicago police Superintendent David Brown for review. Advertisement Brown is required by ordinance to respond within 60 days, unless he requests an extension of up to 30 additional days, and he will decide if he agrees or disagrees with COPAs recommendations of discipline or other remedial action against the officers involved in the shooting. Browns response to any COPA recommendations will determine the extent of the additional review processes that comes next, which could include a review by the City of Chicago Department of Law, a hearing before the Chicago Police Board, grievance filings and arbitration. Advertisement Friends and relatives of 13-year-old Adam Toledo light candles during a gathering at a mural in his memory in the 3600 block of West Ogden Avenue on March 29, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) COPA has been in contact with the Toledo family, through their representatives, and we ask for patience as the investigation moves through the post-investigation review processes, the agency said in a news release. Last month, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx announced her office would not bring charges against the officer who shot Adam Toledo or the officer who fatally shot 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez days after Toledos death. Prosecutors determined that both officers reasonably believed they were in danger when they opened fired, Foxx said. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announces on March 15, 2022, that no charges will be filed in the shooting deaths by Chicago police of Adam Toledo or Anthony Alvarez. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Toledo, who was shot March 29, 2021, near the 2400 block of South Sawyer Avenue, was the youngest person to be fatally shot by Chicago police in recent years. People protested after graphic body-worn camera and surveillance footage of his death was made public. In a split second, Toledo can be seen running from Officer Eric Stillman, tossing a gun behind a fence, turning toward the officer, raising his hands and being shot, video shows. While surveillance footage captured from the other side of the fence makes it clear Toledo lobbed the gun away, video from the body-worn camera on Stillmans chest does not clearly show Toledo throwing the gun. On the same day as Foxxs announcement, the Toledo family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and Stillman, saying excessive force was used, records show. pfry@chicagotribune.com Twitter @paigexfry 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. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Since the war began in late February, the Biden administration has made multiple changes to a classified directive that governs what U.S. agencies are supposed to share with Ukraine. Much of what the United States collects is shared; some is not. Where the line is drawn depends on protecting the sources and methods of the intelligence, but also trying to limit the risk of escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia. The latest changes occurred last week when U.S. intelligence officials lifted some geographic limits on the transfer of actionable information the kind of information used in minute-by-minute decisions on the battlefield. According to several people familiar with the issue who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss classified matters, officials removed language that had caused delays and meant limits on specific locations of targets in parts of eastern Ukraine. The shifts in the intelligence rules reflect the administration's changing calculations of what Putin might consider escalatory. The U.S. is also trying to step up support to Ukrainian forces that have surprised much of the world in how they have held back Russia but remain undermanned and outgunned. The Pentagon this week also announced $800 million in new military assistance that could include more powerful weapons and defensive equipment. Some people familiar with the directive say there is ambiguity about the new limits. One question is whether the U.S. would delay or limit information about a possible Russian target in areas internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory but that Moscow or its proxies controlled before the war, including the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the Donbas. U.S. personnel have at times limited intelligence that they believed Ukrainian forces could use to retake previously lost territory. The directive still limits information given to Ukrainians about forces in Russia or neighboring Belarus, where Russian forces have staged and previously attacked from Ukraines north. We are intensely sharing timely intelligence with the Ukrainians to help them defend themselves throughout their country, including in areas held by Russia before the 2022 invasion, said one U.S. intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the classified directive. The Wall Street Journal first reported the directive had been changed. Another U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters said the administration was providing detailed, timely intelligence to the Ukrainians on a range of fronts. A letter sent Monday by Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee after the new guidance urges Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, to proactively share intelligence with the Ukrainians to help them protect, defend, and retake every inch of Ukraines sovereign territory, which includes Crimea and the Donbas. The senators said they remain deeply concerned that not enough is being done to share critical intelligence that would assist the Ukrainians as Russian forces move to secure territory in the southern and eastern parts of the country. Unlike a Feb. 10 letter to Biden urging intelligence sharing to the fullest extent possible," Democrats on the committee did not join this week's letter, reflecting apparent divisions in how members view the administration's current guidance. The White House insists it is providing information in line with Ukraine's current goals. Analysts say the war is shifting from a conflict fought across the country to a stronger focus on the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine that Russia has seized or attacked recently. One expected point of focus is the strategic port city of Mariupol, whose mayor says more than 10,000 civilians have been killed in the Russian siege. In addition to its own intelligence capabilities, Ukraine relies on U.S. and Western support to help it plan and repel attacks. Before and during the war, the U.S. has publicly and privately shared intelligence about what it believes are Putins battle plans in the hopes of undercutting Russia and building support for a forceful Western response. Lawmakers from both parties have spoken broadly about the limits since the Russian invasion. Rep. Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a television interview in March that the White House was holding back some real-time intelligence because that steps over the line to making us participating in the war. A spokesperson for Smith, D-Wash., declined an interview request Wednesday. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., on March 1 accused the White House of delaying intelligence due to overly-lawyered processes," adding that information about where an invading Russian tank was 12 hours ago does squat to prevent civilian bloodshed. The directive has been changed to limit delays, officials said. The latest update, according to one intelligence official, is intended to give U.S. officers added clarity allowing for faster and more fulsome cooperation with Ukraine. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week if the U.S. was giving Ukraine intelligence to carry out operations in Crimea or parts of the Donbas previously controlled by Russian proxies. We want to make sure thats clear to our force, and so updated guidance that goes out today will make sure thats clear, Austin said, adding: Certainly the current guidance was not clear in that regard, so well make sure its clear. Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, late last month asked Gen. Tod Wolters, the supreme NATO commander for Europe, whether he was satisfied with the speed of information getting to Ukraine. Congressman, Im comfortable, but I want it to speed up," Wolters said. "And I always will say that even if it occurs in one second, I want it tomorrow to be in a half a second. LaPorta reported from Wilmington, North Carolina. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, a guided-missile cruiser that became a potent target of Ukrainian defiance in the opening days of the war, sank Thursday after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscow's invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles, while Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sank in a storm while being towed to a port. Russia earlier said the flames on the ship, which would typically have 500 sailors on board, forced the entire crew to evacuate. It later said the blaze had been contained and that the ship would be towed to port with its missile launchers intact. The ship had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its removal reduces Russias firepower in the Black Sea. It's also a blow to Russian prestige in a war already widely seen as a historic blunder. Now entering its eighth week, Russias invasion has stalled because of resistance from Ukrainian fighters bolstered by weapons and other aid sent by Western nations. During the first days of the war, The Moskva was reportedly the warship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a standoff. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself. The Associated Press could not independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance. The country recently unveiled a postage stamp commemorating it. The news of the flagship's damage overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where they have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war at a horrific cost to civilians. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian troops 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 how many forces were still defending Mariupol. Russian state television broadcast footage that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers. One man held a white flag. Mariupol has been the scene of the some the war's worst suffering. Dwindling numbers of Ukrainian defenders are holding out against a Russian siege that has trapped well over 100,000 civilians in desperate need of food, water and heating. The mayor said Monday that more than 10,000 civilians have died in the siege, and that the death toll could surpass 20,000. Weeks of attacks and privation left bodies carpeted through the streets, he said. Mariupol's capture is critical for Russia because it would allow its forces in the south, which came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to fully link up with troops in the eastern Donbas region, Ukraine's industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive. The Russian military continues to move helicopters and other equipment together for such an effort, according to a senior U.S. defense official, and it will likely add more ground combat units over coming days. But its still unclear when Russia could launch a bigger offensive in the Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas. The loss of the Moskva could delay any new, wide-ranging offensive. Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, across the Black Sea to the northwest of Sevastopol, said the Ukrainians struck the ship with two Neptune missiles and caused serious damage. Russias Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, without saying what caused the blaze. It said the main missile weapons were not damaged. In addition to the cruise missiles, the warship also had air-defense missiles and other guns. The Neptune is an anti-ship missile that was recently developed by Ukraine and based on an earlier Soviet design. The launchers are mounted on trucks stationed near the coast, and, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missiles can hit targets up to 280 kilometers (175 miles) away. That would have put the Moskva within range, based on where it was when the fire began. Other Russian ships that were also in the northern Black Sea moved further south after the Moskva caught fire, said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military assessments. Before the Moskva sank, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, told The Associated Press its removal would mean we can only have a sigh of relief because this means that fewer missiles will reach Ukrainian cities. The U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday. Still, he called it a big blow to Russia." Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack, and neither is a particularly good outcome for them, Sullivan told the Economic Club of Washington. Russia invaded on Feb. 24 and has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. Its also further inflated prices at grocery stores and gasoline pumps, while dragging on the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the war helped push the organization to downgrade economic forecasts for 143 countries. Also Thursday, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sending two low-flying military helicopters across the border and firing on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo in Russia's Bryansk region, some 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the frontier. Russias Investigative Committee said seven people, including a toddler, were wounded. Russias state security service had earlier said Ukrainian forces fired mortar rounds at a border post in Bryansk as refugees were crossing, forcing them to flee. The reports could not be independently verified. Earlier this month, Ukrainian security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an air strike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, some 55 kilometers (35 miles) from the border. Associated Press 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The snow from this weeks blizzard could be a blessing in disguise for North Dakota ranchers, but its arrival during what should be a warmer month makes it hard to see the long-term benefits. Like many of the states cattle producers, New Rockford rancher Jeff Schafer was well into his calving season when the state was hit by a three-day blizzard that forecasters say could be historic. We were at the halfway point before the storm, said Schafer, 56. The timing of the storm didnt fit with calving season, but we just roll with the punches. The weekly crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that calving as of the start of the week was 48% complete in North Dakota, behind 56% last year but near the average of 50% for this time of year. Cattle and calf conditions before the storm hit were rated mostly good to excellent, with death loss mostly average to light. The storm has the potential to change that. "The combination of snow, wind and colder temperatures will be particularly dangerous for young livestock for much of the region," AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz said. Its a combination of things that threaten cows and especially young calves during such a storm, according to Schafer. His cows still had a good hair coat, but once its soaked down by wet snow it loses much of its insulation value. The wind blows right through you, he said. Thats the challenge with cows and young calves. If you can keep them out of the wind, theyre tough. An April blizzard in 1997 that had similar conditions as this year's storm killed 100,000 cattle in North Dakota, about 10% of the herd. A lot of the lost animals were calves and yearlings. "There wasnt as much advanced warning of that storm as there was this time," said Julie Ellingson, executive vice president of the North Dakota Stockmens Association, the state's largest rancher group. "I know that this system registered in a significant way on a couple different models, and knowing that early has been helpful. We havent had any reports of livestock losses at this time, although it is early, of course." The state Agriculture Department said it didn't expect to have information on possible livestock losses until after the storm was over. The storm dropped as much as 2 feet of snow across a wide area. The timing during calving season might mask the benefits of the storm. Many counties had enacted burn bans, and ranchers across the state have been faced with few options but to sell off cows as they run short of grass. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Thursday, showed little change from last week, but the moisture from the blizzard won't be factored in until next week's map. Nearly all of the western half of the state is abnormally dry or in some form of drought, and has been for more than a year. 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. Schafer, president of the Stockmen's, has had conversations recently with ranchers across the state. Some said the moisture from the storm will enable them to hang on to cows they were planning to sell. Others said they were already fighting prairie fires, and though they might struggle during calving they know they need the moisture. The snow is actually a blessing, he said, adding that it might be the weather event that primes the pump and stops the liquidation of cow herds in the state. Schafer, a fifth-generation rancher who was holding his grandchild, a potential seventh-generation rancher, on his lap as he spoke, said he hadnt lost any calves in the storm. Generally speaking, some of that shows up later, he said, referring to long-term issues such as scours and pneumonia. Ranchers who calve earlier are set up for cold weather with barns and shelter, said Tim Long, herdsman at the Central Grasslands Research Center near Streeter. Some delay calving until April in an attempt to avoid the type of weather the state is getting now. Its just something you have to deal with when it comes, Long said. Cows respond differently to the stress of a blizzard, he said. One might abandon her calf to take care of herself, while another might become overly protective and put at risk a livestock handler trying to move her calf to shelter. A newborn calf that doesnt get up and nurse misses out on the colostrum that is vital to its immune system, and gives it a healthy start in life. Without it the calf will never be as thrifty as it should, Long said. Skye Walz, 35, and her family rely on deep draws not far from the Little Missouri River for calving cover. A few calves were born ahead of the expected April 15 start date of one group of cows, but as the date approached "we got ready," Walz said. "A lot of the time when we start calving there's always some kind of storm," she said. As the storm intensified, Walz, her husband, brother and parents cleared paths in the snow and put out extra hay. That work continued Thursday, which Walz said was worse because of drifting snow pushed by high winds on Wednesday. "Yesterday was pretty intense," she said. Prior to the storm, Schafer sampled soil in some of his farm ground. He found frost at 10 inches, and said this weeks snow will likely delay planting too. Well get a late start, he said. It could be into May. Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 state Sen. Julie Slama, who are married. Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed La Grone to the Legislature in 2018, and Slama's 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 candidate's record on taxes. "Brett's 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 isn't 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A quiet hill about three miles south of Dow City must have seemed a good location to bury loved ones in the 1860s; the spot overlooked a quiet stream and was likely covered with grass and trees. A small cemetery sat on the spot for many years but slowly disappeared from sight and memory as the decades passed. No one alive today knows exactly where the cemetery lies or who is buried there. Christy Rickers, an archaeologist from Vail, became interested because of her membership in the Crawford County Historic Preservation Commission, which is planning to focus this years county fair booth on cemeteries in Crawford County. Rickers is a 1985 Ar-We-Va High School graduate; she has a bachelors degree in anthropology from Iowa State University and a masters degree in archaeology from the University of Minnesota. Some of the information that came from the courthouse said that there was a cemetery out on Kremin ground, Rickers said. The property has been in the Kremin family since the early 1950s. I dont remember seeing any of the cemetery itself, said Dave Kremin. I remember Dad (Howard Kremin) talking about how there had been a fence - markers or rocks - around it. If I saw it, I dont have any memory of it, said Daves brother, Steve. Dad kind of knew where it was at, but hes long gone. My brother Mark said when he was little there were marker stones around the perimeter of the cemetery, but I dont remember seeing them; that was probably in the late 60s. When Rickers contacted the Kremin family, they agreed that an attempt should be made to discover the location of the cemetery and properly mark it. We feel were obligated to do something about this, Steve said. The Kremin brothers, Steve, Dave and Mark, along with Daves son-in-law C.W. Miller, drove out to the field on Saturday to watch as Glenn Storey, University of Iowa associate professor of classics and anthropology, scanned part of the field with a ground penetrating radar (GPR) device. Rickers said Storey was recommended to her by colleagues in the Iowa archeological community. The University of Iowa is also the location of the Office of the State Archaeologist. Storey made scans of 25-centimeter-wide strips (about four-fifths of a foot) across a 40-meter by 20-meter rectangle. He and Rickers marked the area with the hope that it would box in the spot where the cemetery lies but they did not know for sure if it would. Rickers said the first records she found at the courthouse marked the cemetery in the wrong location. Mary Eiten, first deputy county auditor, later found a 1901 deed transferring ownership of the land to the Union Township trustees; the location in the deed was different from what the county map showed. Mike Schulte, a surveyor from Westside, agreed to try to locate the cemetery according to the deed. He came out and marked it - but there is a concern that the description from the deed is based on a center section and the center of the section was never typically marked during the original government surveys, Rickers said. Were kind of looking at a moving target for our starting point. She said the measurement in the deed was given in rods. The deed says there are so many rods from that center point, so the surveyor did the best he could, Rickers said, He said it could be off by as much as a hundred feet just because its hard to locate the original starting point. Schulte marked off his best estimate of the location. Steve Mumm, of Westside, witched the location and marked several places where he thought he detected something, Rickers said. Storey and Rickers boxed in an area much larger than that marked by the surveyor - based on the topography and the memories of the area provided by the Kremin brothers; scanning the plot took from about 10:30 a.m. until about 5 p.m. We would have loved to do an even larger area, but it was a lot of work just to do the area we did, Rickers said. Storey will take at least a few weeks to process all the information and report on what the scan uncovered; when he tested his GPR equipment before performing the scan, he told the group that something appeared to be buried within the area Schulte marked. Rickers said she will continue to try to determine who is buried in the cemetery. Ive gone through the ancestral lines of the families that have owned the land, she said. I have located most of the immediate families and they are all buried in known cemeteries either in Shelby County or Crawford County. The only individuals who remain unaccounted for are the very earliest settlers on the land - Edmund and Mary Howorth. I recently found out that they died in late 1861 and early 1862 and they died prior to the establishment of the Dow City Cemetery, Rickers said. Logic suggests that the Howorths could be in the cemetery, she said. Rickers said she plans to pay for Storeys time and lodging; she will look to see if other sources of funding are available to defray the costs. If his scans show something definitive, Rickers will return to the site to try to confirm the findings. I might just do a little small auger hole or test the soil with a soil probe, she said. It will be up to the family (the Kremins) how extensively they want to dig because our goal is to leave the graves alone but it would be good to try to verify their location with the minimal amount of digging. Rickers said she feels compelled to see the project through. Its interesting because its part of the county history and its the right thing to do, she said. You have people buried out there and they need to be found. She also has a personal reason for taking on the project. My major professor (of archaeology) passed away a couple months ago, Rickers said. I had the feeling I should do, in his honor and memory, whatever I could to find this cemetery. The writer is a member of the Crawford County Historic Preservation Commission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OMAHA -- 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PIERRE, S.D. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature is once again taking aim at the ability of local governments to exercise their powers at the local level. This time, the issue is fireworks sales. In 2017, when lawmakers scrapped Iowas 80-year-old ban on the sale and use of most fireworks, the legislation passed in no small part that local governments could still ban the use of fireworks and control where fireworks could be sold. Since then, many Iowa communities such as Cedar Rapids and Iowa City have banned the use of fireworks within city limits. Cedar Rapids relegated the location of fireworks stand to areas zoned for industrial use. Citizen outrage over a barrage of fireworks use that followed the 2017 legalization and safety concerns prompted local leaders to take action. Now, a bill on Gov. Kim Reynolds desk would prohibit cities and counties from putting in place any regulation or restriction on where permanent and temporary fireworks businesses can locate in commercial districts. Local officials can still ban the use of fireworks, but removing limits on where they can be sold surely will undermine those bans. Reynolds should veto the bill and keep fireworks decisions in local hands. Local control has taken a beating during five years of total GOP control of the Statehouse. Lawmakers prohibited cities and counties from raising local minimum wages and barring housing discrimination against tenants receiving federal housing help. Theyve aimed criminal penalties at so-called rogue county auditors who run elections. They micromanaged local school districts ability to respond to the pandemic based on local conditions. Legislators are still considering a bill that would ban the use of traffic enforcement cameras by local law enforcement agencies. The list goes on and on as Republican lawmakers have shredded local control in an effort to make sure no counties or municipalities deviate from the statewide GOP agenda, even if local actions are supported by local voters. Republicans who once celebrated local control in the face of overreaches by state government have abandoned the concept now that they hold complete control. Its something voters should remember in November. Or maybe on July 4, when explosions will mark our nations celebration of freedom while local voters have less freedom to urge their leaders to turn down the volume. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 'Game of Thrones' star Joseph Gatt has been arrested after police received information he had been engaged in alleged online sexually explicit communication with a minor. Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Departments Juvenile Division arrested the 50-year-old star - who portrayed Thenn Warg in the HBO fantasy series - after searching his Los Angeles home on April 6th. The police said he was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant for Contact with a Minor for Sexual Offense. The Los Angeles Police Departments Juvenile Division, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, are now seeking to identify any additional victims. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Gatt was released on the same day of his arrest after posting a $5,000 bail. Gatt - who was born in Notting Hill, London - appeared in three episodes of 'Game of Thrones', playing Warg, a member of the Free Folk tribe. He has also appeared in several movies, including portraying a science officer in 2013's 'Star Trek Into Darkness', and Frost Giant Grundroth in 2011 superhero film 'Thor'. More recently, Gatt played Neils Skellig in 2019 motion picture 'Dumbo', and in the same year on the small screen he played Victor Zelko in two episodes of US crime drama 'NCIS: New Orleans'. The actor - who was diagnosed with alopecia universalis aged 12 - first appeared in British TV police drama 'The Bill' in 1999, playing character Len Miller in episode 'Piggy in the Middle'. He is thought to be in a relationship with 'Love Shack' actress Mercy Malick. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on celebretainment.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. Ukrainian Catholic University student Oksana Sadova joins professor Clara Orban's Italian language class via Zoom on April 13, 2022, at DePaul University in Chicago. More than 100 college students from Ukrainian Catholic whose studies were interrupted by the war recently joined 42 online classes offered by DePaul. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) When the air raid sirens began wailing at 4 a.m. on a recent day in Lviv, Ukraine, college student Marta Haiduchok began her day seeking shelter in the basement of her apartment building. More than 12 hours later, Haiduchok, 20, was Zooming in to her online classes at DePaul University, where she is one of 100 Ukrainian students learning alongside their American classmates in the Chicago universitys virtual classrooms. Advertisement When the war first started I was super anxious all of the time, and it was hard to concentrate. But in my case, Im putting so much into my education, my studies are helping me do my best to forget everything thats going on, Haiduchok said via a FaceTime interview with the Tribune this week from her home in Lviv, located in western Ukraine about 40 miles from Poland. After the Russian attacks upended the daily lives of millions of Ukrainians, including college students, DePaul partnered with Ukrainian Catholic University and other higher education institutions in the region to enroll more than 100 Ukrainian college students into 42 of the Chicago universitys online courses this spring quarter. Advertisement We were perfectly positioned to be able to help, because we operate on the quarter system, and have had a partnership with the Ukrainian Catholic University for a few years, said GianMario Besana, associate provost for global engagement and online learning at DePaul. Besana said he and several colleagues at DePaul had planned to visit the university in Ukraine in June, but obviously everything is on pause, so instantly the conversation shifted to, what can we do to help Ukraine? After learning many Ukrainian students and their families were displaced from their homes, and universities across the country were operating at reduced capacity, Besana said DePaul reached out to professors who were scheduled to teach online courses for the spring quarter, asking for volunteers interested in welcoming Ukrainian students to Zoom in to their virtual classrooms. Junior Emily Baca attends class in person as Ukrainian Catholic University students join professor Clara Orban's Italian language class via Zoom on April 13, 2022, at DePaul University in Chicago. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Given the eight-hour time difference with Chicago, Ukrainian students were invited to enroll in online courses offered early in the day to allow for synchronized instruction as much as possible, Besana said. War is no longer an abstract concept for our DePaul students, because now, they know classmates like Marta and Sofiia, which is really powerful, Besana said. Sofiia Kekukh, 18, who studies English philology at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, said she is enrolled in seven online courses this quarter five with her university in Ukraine, and two at DePaul. Kekukh, who shared her story via a FaceTime interview with the Tribune this week, said she is studying online from temporary housing at an apartment in Lviv, where she arrived recently after she and her parents abruptly left their home in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, in February. It was dangerous to stay there. My boyfriend called me at 6 a.m. and said, the war has started. We could hear the air missiles, so we left Kyiv the next day, Kekukh said. Advertisement I left everything I have in my life, and took only my backpack, she said. The family traveled by car to a region in central Ukraine, where Kekukhs parents are staying with relatives, while she boarded a train for a 16-hour journey to Lviv, where she is completing her coursework online. We are seeing Russian troops destroy our city, killing civilians, and I cant understand how they can kill children, Kekukh said. But I like the process of studying, because it forces me to focus, and I wont be any help to my country without an education. Kekukh is enrolled in an online course taught by Pascale-Anne Brault, a French professor at DePaul, who said when the university put out a call for faculty willing to accept extra students in their online classrooms, her first thought was, why not? One hurdle the Ukrainian students faced early on was ordering the online textbook, a problem that Brault said was solved when publisher Cengage immediately agreed to provide the students with free e-books and the needed platforms. What has really struck me about the Ukrainian students is they are extra-resilient people, even when facing these atrocities, Brault said. They have a thirst for knowledge, are extra eager to participate, and their inspiring work ethics are setting the tone for the rest of the class. Advertisement DePaul professor Clara Orban echoed Braults admiration for the Ukrainian students, and said those enrolled in her Italian 101 course which she teaches in person, with six students from Ukraine joining online are extremely focused. Ukrainian Catholic University students join professor Clara Orban's Italian language class via Zoom on April 13, 2022, at DePaul University in Chicago. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) So many of us feel powerless to do anything, and yes, we can contribute to a Ukrainian aid organization, but is that enough? Orban said. What DePaul was suggesting, enrolling Ukrainian students in our online classes, is extremely concrete, so I immediately said yes. Speaking from her home in Lviv, Haiduchok, a history major, said after two years of pandemic-era online instruction, she was elated when Ukrainian Catholic University reopened its campus for in-person instruction at the start of the semester in January. But within weeks, the Russian invasion and escalating war shuttered the campus once again in February. Haiduchok, who in addition to being enrolled full time at the Catholic university in Ukraine is taking two online classes at DePaul, recalled looking out the window of her apartment as plumes of black smoke filled the sky after a Russian missile struck a repair plant near Lvivs airport. Knowing I need to study 24/7 really helps me, even though it can be super hard to focus on a task if every five minutes, youre scrolling and seeing what city was bombed, and trying to figure out whats going on, so Ive limited myself to only checking the news every two to three hours, Haiduchok said. Advertisement An aspiring historian after she graduates, she plans to pursue a masters degree, followed by a Ph.D. Haiduchok is documenting her wartime experiences, and hopes to someday teach at a university in Ukraine. I really like how open the American students are, because they will tell you everything, and share their thoughts, which is really cool, Haiduchok said. It is hard for the average person to talk about war, because it seems so far away, and is hard to imagine. But when I speak up and bring up this topic, they all want to know more. kcullotta@chicagotribune.com When President Joe Biden proposed a new federal government budget last month, he included big increases in police spending. If passed by Congress, the budget would expand funding for the federal police by 10 percent and transfer tens of billions of dollars to local police coffers with the goal of putting more cops on the beat and delivering on Bidens State of the Union promise to fund the police. This growth in federal spending would follow similar increases in U.S. cities. Despite calls in 2020 to defund the police, most U.S. cities increased the percent of their budget devoted to policing in 2021. Officials in Washington, Denver, and Los Angeles have all expanded or are proposing to expand their police budgets. Even Austin, Texas, one of the few cities to dramatically cut spending in response to Black Lives Matter protests, has restored its police budget and then some, growing its law enforcement spending 35 percent to a record $442 million this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purported goal of all this police spending is to reduce violent crime. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, for example, pledged to double the already considerable number of police patrolling the citys subway stations following a shooting on the subway in Brooklyn. Earlier this year Adams said he planned to cut funding to most city departments except the NYPD. But the crime-control benefits of additional policing are unclear. Some studies find that additional police officersthe lion share of any police budgethave no impact on violent crime, while others find they decrease it. Amid this uncertainty, some cities are exploring other, nonpolice efforts to reduce serious crime like violence interrupters, mental health responders, and cash transfers. These approaches are promising but have received only a fraction of the municipal and federal spending the criminal legal system has. Advertisement Advertisement A new study out Thursday suggests all the new police budget growth is likely to do one thing: increase misdemeanor arrests. For the study, my co-authors and I analyzed hundreds of U.S. cities and towns over 29 years, tracking how police spending and staffing correlated with misdemeanor arrests. We found the size of a citys police budget and the size of its police force both strongly predicted how many arrests its officers made for things like loitering, trespassing, and drug possession. The trend was clear: When cities decreased the size of their police departments, they saw fewer misdemeanor arrests and when they increased them, they saw more. Sign Up for the Surge Keep up with whats going on in Washington with Slates weekly political ranking, written by Jim Newell. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. We also analyzed whether community policing changed misdemeanor arrests. Community policing, with its emphasis on building police-resident relationships, has been a popular reform for decades, and the presidents budget proposal mentions it prominently. During a visit to New York City in February to discuss how to address rising gun violence with Adams, Biden once again touted community policing as a solution to violent crime. I dont hear many communities, no matter what their color or background, saying I dont want more protection in my community, Biden said. We found, however, that misdemeanor arrest rates did not change after a city adopted community policing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, if community policing improved relationships with residents, it did not lead to fewer misdemeanor arrests. It was the amount of policing, not the type of policing, that influenced misdemeanor arrest rates. Arrests for petty offenses are devastating for the people arrested and their communities. Even a single arrest makes a person less likely to stay in school school, be hired for a job, or obtain housing. The punishment of an arrest often cascades into fines, fees, and what legal scholar Issa Kohler-Hausmann calls procedural hassles, even in cases that do not result in jail time. Advertisement Advertisement As with many policing outcomes, misdemeanor enforcement is concentrated in poor neighborhoods and in communities of color, exacerbating the racial inequity of their harms. In high-arrest neighborhoods, police officers also have a harder time investigating violent crimes because residents have grown distrustful of the criminal legal system and are less likely to cooperate in investigations. Advertisement Advertisement If intense misdemeanor enforcement reduced crime, these costs might have to be balanced against the public safety benefits of low-level arrests, but study after study has found intense misdemeanor enforcement does not reduce crime. One study analyzed the effects of randomly dropping some misdemeanor charges and found people who had their cases dismissed were less likely to be rearrested over the next two years, suggesting misdemeanor enforcement actively causes crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Misdemeanor arrests closely track the number of police officers active in police departments. The blue line in the graph represents the misdemeanor arrest rate across about 5,000 U.S. municipalities. Throughout the past three decades, it has closely tracked the green line representing the number of police officers. When local police in the U.S. were the most numerous, between about 1996 and 2000, so too were misdemeanor arrests. As police departments grew smaller through the 2000s and 2010s, low-level arrests shrunk, as well. This trend demonstrates what police practitioners have known for a while. When you hire more officers, they make more arrests, as a former NYPD police chief put it. Why arrests increase as the number of police increases is unclear. Our study could not determine why this is the case, but, as with any profession, employees likely want to demonstrate productivity. More police officers means each officer has more time to search people for drugs, look for publicly intoxicated people, or pull over drivers to administer breathalyzers. Advertisement Police have wide discretion when choosing whether to prioritize misdemeanor enforcement. The Supreme Court has granted police great leeway in choosing which laws to enforce, when, and where. If departments want to prioritize misdemeanor crime, they can, or if instead they put their resources toward solving violent crime, they can do that. Research finds that when police do the latter, they solve more serious cases. Our study finds that hiring more officers increases misdemeanor arrests more than it does felony ones. Advertisement Advertisement Could it be that cities hired more police after they experienced more misdemeanor crime, and that explains the close correlation between officers and arrests? This inverse explanation is definitely possible, so our study compared the number of officers in one year with the number of misdemeanor arrests in the next to ensure it was not more misdemeanor crimes that were leading cities to hire more officers. We also used a statistical method called instrumenting to adjust for how more crime might cause more arrests. Even so, we found more officers lead to more low-level arrests, no matter how we sliced the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our research also shows a significant but underreported trend: Police made almost half as many misdemeanor arrests in 2018 that they did in 1998. This large decrease in misdemeanor arrests has yet to receive much attention, perhaps because both progressives and conservatives perpetuate the myth that broken windows policing, with its emphasis on misdemeanor enforcement, has endured. The rights love for order maintenance policing might prevent them from admitting that crime declined in the 1990s and 2000s even as police made fewer low-level arrests. Progressives might be loath to admit any improvement in policing, which this decline undoubtedly is. As federal and municipal lawmakers increase funding to police, they should be aware of how doing so will likely increase misdemeanor arrests and their attendant harms. The typical police department only solves (makes an arrest in) about half of all reported violent crimes reported to them, so reallocating existing resources to investigating these serious harms is more likely to reduce crime than hiring more officers who will focus on petty offenses. Advertisement Amid a rise in violent crime, the messages of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests are being replaced by calls to hire more beat cops. Cities and the federal government are proposing more police spending, but the impact of all this new money is uncertain. One thing it is likely to do, even if paired with community policing, is generate more misdemeanor arrests. Arrests that will disproportionately hurt poor and Black people. Arrests that will keep people from jobs, housing, and welfare benefits. Arrests that will make it harder for police to investigate violent crime. During this unique moment, elected officials have the opportunity to reach for innovative policing alternatives, refocus on violence rather than misdemeanors, and continue the beneficial decline in low-level arrests. Few seem ready to take it. On April 4, yet another Black Americans life was stopped much too soon by a police bullet, this time in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A week and a half later, amid growing public outrage and conflicting accounts of the incident, the Grand Rapids Police Department played grisly recordings of the shooting, taken from multiple sources and angles, in a press conference presided over by city officials. More than 21,000 viewers simultaneously tuned in to the YouTube livestream of the Wednesday meeting. Advertisement The presser was the result of consistent, growing public pressure. When 26-year-old Patrick Lyoyaa refugee from Congo whod lived in Grand Rapids for seven yearswas shot to death by a still-unidentified cop, family members and city residents immediately demanded answers. Patricks father, Peter Lyoya, was given access to dashboard camera footage a few days after the shooting and spoke emotionally to local media outlets through a translator (he only speaks Swahili), claiming the recording contradicted initial police narratives about the killing. The local NAACP branch subsequently questioned the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past weekend, a protest and candlelight vigil were held in Patricks memory; hundreds of Grand Rapids residents showed up, and Peters translator, a local pastor named Israel Siku, got a few of the marchers to re-create the incident as hed viewed it in police footage. It was an execution style, he exclaimed, formulating a clear image of a cop holding Patrick on the ground, face down, and shooting him through the back of the head. Advertisement Advertisement A translator for the Lyoya asked marchers to recreate what they saw on the video of the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya. The family says Patrick was shot in the back of the head by a Grand Rapids police officer. The video has not been released yet. pic.twitter.com/LEnjdzHmiU Rose White (@rosekellywhite) April 9, 2022 By Sunday, Peter Lyoya had gained the counsel of attorney Ben Crump, who previously represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. The following day, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters made a statement requesting a fair probe into Patricks death. On Tuesday, the broader NAACP demand[ed] a full and transparent investigation into the shooting. Another march was organized in Grand Rapids that evening, with more than 100 residents marching down to the GRPD headquarters as well as to the City Commissionwhich was holding its first meeting since the shootingto express their dissatisfaction that the shooter had not yet been named. (This is due to the fact that hes a suspect of investigation, although hes been broadly identified as a white man who has served on the force for seven years and is currently on paid administrative leave. He has yet to be interviewed by fellow police and investigators.) Many of the city commissioners offered their verbal support for the protesters; the GRPD, meanwhile, had begun erecting concrete barriers around its building Tuesday evening before marchers arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing that protesters and the family spent the days after the shooting demanding the tapes immediate release, GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom repeatedly emphasized his commitment to transparency about use of force during the Wednesday presserwhich came just one month into his tenure as head of a department thats faced numerous allegations of racist policing over the years. By way of demonstrating that commitment, he alluded to a city law that requires officer-shooting cases to be turned over to state police and county prosecutors, and claimed hed made a deal to legally release the footage before the case concluded. Winstromwho referred to himself as a reform-minded cop whod left Chicagos police force to effect change in the GRPDfurther stated that he hoped Patrick Lyoyas killing would be the last one I ever have to deal with. Advertisement Advertisement The disturbing footage Winstrom showed makes for all the direct evidence the public currently has on hand. Lyoyas death was seen from four separate sources: a witnesss cellphone, the officers body camera, the cop cars dashboard camera, and a nearby home surveillance system. Put together, the incident can be fairly described as follows. Advertisement Advertisement Around 8:11 a.m. on April 4, a police cruiser turned on its siren lights and followed a car with a mismatched license plate through an intersection in the southeast region of Grand Rapids.* The cars driver, Lyoya, pulled over shortly after and stepped out of the car. Stay in the car! yelled the cop as he left the cruiser to confront Lyoya. The two stood outside Lyoyas vehicle during the following exchange: Advertisement Officer: Get in the car! Dude, Im stopping you! Lyoya: What happened? Officer: Do you have a drivers license? Do you speak English? Lyoya: Yes. Officer: Can I see your license? Lyoya: What do you want? Officer: The plate does not belong on this car. Do you have a license or no? Lyoya: Yes. Officer: Wheres it at? Lyoya: Inside the car. Officer: Get it for me. Advertisement Lyoya reopened his car door to talk to his passenger (who remains unidentified), but then closed the door again. He started to walk away, and the officer yelled, Nope, nope, stop, then lunged to detain Lyoya, who broke free and ran around the car to the nearby sidewalk. The cop sprinted after him and called for backup; he quickly tackled Lyoya, slammed his head on the ground and struck him multiple times, and yelled at him to put his hands behind his back as Lyoya repeatedly cried, OK! Around this time, the body-cam footage showed the officers hands positioned in front of the camera lens, with some clicking noises and panting heard. Advertisement Advertisement The officer then stood up, positioning Lyoya upright and keeping his hands behind his back while dragging him along a houses front yard. Lyoya was wriggling in the officers grasp while attempting to stand up; the cop yelled at him again to stop resisting, as Lyoya responded, I did! As Lyoya and the officer got on their feet, the cop pushed Lyoya across the front yard of a house and yelled at him to stop resisting before striking him in the stomach with his knee. At that point, Lyoyas passenger, whod stepped out of the car to better film the incident, exclaimed, Nah, hes good, hes not resisting, bruh! Nothing! Lyoya pulled away from the officer and asked, What are you doing to me? The cop had pulled out a Taser, which Lyoya grabbed with his hand and pushed away from his body as the Taser discharged. Let go of the Taser! the cop screamed. Advertisement Shortly after, the body camera was deactivated. (Winstrom noted that it takes three seconds of holding down the power button to disable the body cameras, though he also said the deactivation could have occurred due to pressure from Lyoyas body.) But other cameras were still rolling, including that of Lyoyas companion. The cop and Lyoya fell onto the ground yet again as the latter tried to avoid the Taser. Hes good! You can talk to him! the passenger yelled as the officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cellphone footage provides the clearest depiction of the killing. As Lyoya struggled to keep away the Taserwhich discharged again, although it did not hit Lyoyathe cop kept him on the ground, eventually turning him face-down and mounting him from behind. It was here that the officer shot Lyoya through the back of the head. After the firing, he got up, yelled at the passenger to get back, and panted into his walkie-talkie. Backup troops soon arrived on the scene. Advertisement While there are still many questions, the grisly footage clears a few points of dispute regarding Patrick Lyoyas death. For one, its clear that Patrick did not use a weapon, despite the GRPDs claims that it didnt know whether he was armed. Second, its clear that the police officer acted with the assumption of this being a traffic stopbut its not certain whether Patrick understood this fact. (His father, Peter, and interpreter Siku both claim that Patrick had actually stopped to check an issue with his car, not in response to the cruisers pursuit. However, Winstrom stated at the presser that the car did not appear to have been breaking down during the drive, as Peter had claimed.) Third, there was a physical altercation, but Patrick did not appear to attack the officer. When he was knocked to the ground a second time, the cop gained physical control to the point where he was able to grab his gun and fire a close shot. Advertisement Ahead of the Wednesday presser, Patrick Lyoya had already been seeping into the national consciousness, but its likely this footage will inspire even wider recognition and fury. One questioner mentioned that Al Sharpton was coming into town; a reporter noted that the city was preparing for several days of protests; another one asked if this incident would become Grand Rapids George Floyd. Hundreds of protesters marched into downtown Grand Rapids after the conference to demand police accountability, and Lyoyas family held a conference with Ben Crump on Thursday to publicly address the footage. Michigan gubernatorial candidates have also weighed in. The highly anticipated report from Michigan State Police is set to be released Friday. Meanwhile, Peter Lyoya, whod fled the conflict-riven Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014 along with Patrick, is now discouraging other refugees from seeking asylum in the U.S.: I thought it was a safe place, but it seems like we are in danger even when we come here. One night last week, I opened Instagram, expecting to scroll through my usual feed of French bulldogs, Selling Sunset cast selfies, and Reels I dont want to watch. But instead, a prompt popped up on my screen: Add your birthday, it said. Below were scrollable fields to select your birthdate, month, and year. I tried to tap out of the prompt, to no avail; I even closed the app and reopened it, but the prompt remained. I did not want to tell Instagram my birthday. Plus, the platforms parent company, Meta, already has that information; for years, I had my birthday on my Facebook profile. Looking for any way out, I clicked a link in the prompt that read: Why do I need to do this? Instagrams help page explained that it wanted to verify that users were over 13, the minimum age to have an Instagram account in most countries. OK, then, I thought. I am definitely over 13, and as long as I pick a birth date before April 2009, I should be good. With a flick of my index finger, I scrolled backward through the field to select a year; it landed on a year a solid decade before I was born, so I impatiently flicked again, more forcefully this time, and discovered the field had scrolled all the way back to the 1930s. Intrigued, I kept flicking and landed on 1876. Sure, why not? 1876 it is. I clicked save. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another prompt appeared. Are you 146 years old? it asked. The two options were go back and yes. Feeling combative, I clicked yes. How would Instagram know? But of course it knew. No one, to our knowledge, has ever lived to 146; the oldest known person was only (only) 122, and some claim she might have been lying about her advanced age. My lie resulted in an immediate blocking, and shunted me to an Instagram page called Help Us Verify Your Age. My account would only be reinstated if I filled out a form, which required me to submit my full name, and a photo of a valid ID that includes my face and name of birth. You must be 13 years old to have an Instagram account, the form said. We disabled your account because you are not old enough yet. But lo! I was banned for being too old! Instagram has been clear that 13 is the minimum age to have an account, but does the platforms system have a maximum age? If Id reported I was, say, 105 instead, would that have triggered Instagrams systems to require me to upload my ID? Advertisement Advertisement I reached out to Instagram to ask if Instagrams systems identify accounts that seem suspiciously old. We do have a maximum age, an Instagram communications rep told me, but would not discuss further details about that max on-record. This makes sense; the platform likely doesnt want people knowing how to circumvent its systems. Twitter and TikTok also have minimum age requirements for users, but have not publicly stated whether they have age maximums; I reached out to both companies for comment, but never received a reply. Advertisement But I wanted to know more, so to find out, I tried to make a new account. When prompted to enter my birthdate, Instagrams scrollable field for birth year only went back to 1919my original selection, 1876, wasnt even an option. Even after entering all my info into the iPhone app, I was unable to make a new account; Instagram gave me a generic error message after each attempt. Instead, I tried using my laptop, and my attempt to create a new account was blocked, saying my IP address had been flagged as an open proxyan address people are using to make abusive accounts. (Perhaps my initial declaration of being 146 triggered this.) But with the help of a virtual private network, I was able to make a new account with a birthdate that wouldve made me 100 years and 1 day old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instagram isnt the only social app asking users about their age. A 1998 law, meant to protect privacy of young children, prevents platforms from collecting marketing and tracking data from users under 13. As a result, social media sites have set the minimum age for accounts at 13, and platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok have also taken to asking users for age verification as well. For those, I typically use a more believable fake birthdateApril 20, 1969and havent yet had a problem. (The subject of my next investigation: How many people use April 20, 1969, as a fake birthday?) Advertisement Advertisement People who work at these companies werent born yesterday; they know users lie about their age. So now, companies are working on ways to catch you in your lie. The maximum age prompt might be one way to do this. Another might be to use AI; Instagram says it has technology that reviews users posts and comments to assess whether their declared age matches what they and their friends say. For instance, if a user tells Instagram theyre 21 but they have comments on their page from friends wishing them a happy 15th birthday or posts that mention a quinceanera, the AI may flag it. Instagram also says people can report underage accounts and that their content reviewers are trained to flag reported accounts that appear to be used by people who are underage. An Instagram rep told me that in the last two quarters of 2021, Meta removed more than 4.8 million potentially underage accounts on Facebook and 1.7 million accounts on Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Flagged accountswhether triggered by AI analysis, user reports, content reviewers, or, in my case, clearly lying about my agehave to jump through some hoops to get their account back. The age verification form Instagram provided after blocking me required the upload of a valid ID, which includes a drivers license, marriage license, or passport. (Twitter and TikTok require ID as well.) But younger folks may not have those documents at all, and other permitted documentsa birth certificateare similarly sensitive. For others, names on these official documents may not match their identity. The account Instagram blocked was the one I use for frivolous follows, like my favorite Aussie Boston Terriers and Bachelor Nation gossip, so Ive decided that losing that account might be for the best. Ill scroll less, and images of my irreplaceable identifying documents wont be in the hands of a social media giant. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. In a study from five years ago, people in Slovakia showed more bravery in defending their motherland. Slovaks are less willing to fight for Slovakia in 2022 than five years ago, the latest "How Are You Slovakia?" poll has found. (Source: TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Most Slovaks would refuse to fight for their country in a war if Slovakia ever found itself in an armed conflict. In fact, just about a quarter of people, 27.5 percent, would be willing to pick up a gun, the latest "How Are You Slovakia?" poll has found. Conversely, 37.1 percent said they would not engage in any fight, and 35.4 percent did not know how to respond to the question. Researchers asked Slovaks whether they would be willing to fight for their own country if Slovakia were on the brink of a war. Read also: Read also: CEO at Kyiv Independent: Putin will not stop in Ukraine. Our neighbours could come next Read more "The very low willingness to fight for Slovakia can be linked not only to low trust in some institutions and the state but also to a certain geopolitical split," sociologist Robert Klobucky said. The Slovak Academy of Sciences, the market researcher MNFORCE and the PR agency Seesame, conducted the poll between March 31 and April 7, surveying 1,000 respondents. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Older men ready to fight As the poll shows, men would be more determined to join battle compared to women. A total of 33.5 percent of men said they would be willing to fight Slovakia's enemy. In the case of women, the number is lower, at 21.7 percent. At the same time, men more often than women answered this question in the negative. Read also: Read also: War in Ukraine would change Slovakia, too Read more It is men aged 60 or over compared to under 40s who would boost the country's combat forces, the poll also hints. This is because older men took part in compulsory military service during the Cold War, and their fathers had fought in the Second World War. "They experienced the war and heroism in the fight against enemies directly through the stories of their fathers," sociologist Barbara Lasticova explained. No tradition in celebrating the army Respondents who think that Slovakia should, geopolitically, belong with the West would be more inclined to protect their country. Individuals who agree with Slovakia's membership in NATO would also be more eager to fight, the poll shows. Read also: Read also: Most Slovaks blame Russia for the war (poll) Read more On the other hand, university-educated respondents would be less willing to pick up weapons. To understand Slovaks' positions reflected in the recent poll, Klobucky added that it is important to look back in time there is no tradition in Slovakia of celebrating its own armed forces. Furthermore, unlike other states and people, the Slovaks did not win any larger armed conflicts or uprisings in the past. More courage in 2017 Researchers from the Slovak Academy of Sciences compared the current willingness with the European Values Study from 2017, when 56.4 percent of Slovaks said they would be willing to fight. Read also: Read also: War in Ukraine. Is Slovakia safe? (Q&A) Read more Lasticova said that the reason behind a decline in people's willingness to fight for Slovakia is the fact that a war today is taking place next to the Slovak border and they can watch its consequences. "Today, respondents see their willingness to fight for Slovakia less idealistically than in 2017," she concluded. https://sputniknews.com/20220413/nypd-claims-subway-shooting-suspect-reported-himself-after-workman-claims-credit-1094746667.html NYPD Claims Subway Shooting Suspect Reported Himself After Workman Claims Credit NYPD Claims Subway Shooting Suspect Reported Himself After Workman Claims Credit Conflicting stories have emerged about just how the suspect in Tuesdays shooting aboard a Brooklyn subway train came to be apprehended. 13.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-13T23:59+0000 2022-04-13T23:59+0000 2022-04-13T23:57+0000 nypd new york us shooting suspect conflicting reports /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0d/1094746567_0:0:2396:1349_1920x0_80_0_0_6e7fe6fc4a4890a74cc9803dfa4a1e37.png On Wednesday afternoon, New York Mayor Eric Adams announced that Frank James, 61, had been apprehended by police in connection with the shooting onboard a Brooklyn subway the day prior.While there was video circulating on social media of James being led to a police cruiser already in handcuffs, no footage of his arrest itself has been made public.Shortly afterward, video appeared across social media of a man who claimed to be responsible for tipping off the police about James whereabouts. Zach Tahhan, a 21-year-old Syrian-American security camera installer, told reporters that he was installing a camera nearby when he spotted James and tipped off an NYPD officer across the street.However, before long, media outlets began reporting that James had turned himself in, not mentioning Tahhans interaction at all. Their reports cited the NYPD.According to the local ABC affiliate, WABC-TV, however, both stories are true. The outlet reported that NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell had said that multiple reports came into Crime Stoppers about James whereabouts, including from bystanders, as well as seemingly from James himself.However, by the time police arrived at the fast foot restaurant, James had left and was found a short distance away.The shooting happened inside an N line subway train on Tuesday morning as the train pulled into the 36th & 4th Avenue subway station in the eastern New York City borough of Brooklyn. The suspect set off smoke grenades and fired 33 shots inside the crowded subway car, shooting 10 people and leaving a total of 29 injured. Graphic images recorded immediately after the attack showed panicked passengers pouring out of the subway along with smoke, and blood smeared and pooling on surfaces. None of the victims have died.The suspects social media was reportedly covered in hateful, rage-filled commentary about a variety of people and ethnic groups, including other Black people, and some specifically raging at Mayor Adams. He also describes himself in the videos as suffering from mental illness, including post-traumatic stress. new york us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 nypd, new york, us, shooting, suspect, conflicting reports https://sputniknews.com/20220414/canadian-party-ndp-faces-backlash-after-accusing-india-of-stoking-anti-muslim-sentiment-1094754575.html Canadian Party NDP Faces Backlash After Accusing India of 'Stoking Anti-Muslim Sentiment' Canadian Party NDP Faces Backlash After Accusing India of 'Stoking Anti-Muslim Sentiment' Jagmeet Singh's NDP entered into a federal "confidence-and-supply" agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government in February. The... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T11:13+0000 2022-04-14T11:13+0000 2022-04-14T11:13+0000 india canada jagmeet singh ndp liberals justin trudeau narendra modi truckers hindus muslims /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/0f/1082640356_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_5fa2db153f1093b4b2e9aca22518e33d.jpg Canadian parliamentarian Jagmeet Singh, the leader of New Democratic Party (NDP), has copped criticism at home after he sought to call out Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for "stoking anti-Muslim sentiment" in India.Canadian social media users have reminded Singh of the hardline stance adopted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government in suppressing the truckers-led protest against vaccine mandates in February of this year.The protesters had laid siege to Canada's capital Ottawa and were demanding that the federal government withdraw its COVID-related mandates. Trudeau imposed the Emergencies Act to curb these protests, including ordering the freezing of the bank accounts believed to be funding the protests.The imposition of a federal emergency was criticised by the main federal opposition Conservative Party of Canada (CPC).Singh, who at the time hadn't thrown his weight behind the Trudeau government, had denounced the truckers' convoy for pushing "misinformation" via "inflammatory, divisive, and hateful comments".Some Canadians urged Singh to focus on resolving domestic problems before commenting on issues facing other nations.Many Indian social media users also did not take kindly to Singh's comments, even alluding to the measures adopted by Ottawa during the truckers' protest.Another Indian social media user accused Singh of being a "bigot" for "stomping on democracy" in Canada over his opposition to the truckers' convoy.Trudeau as well Singh also faced massive criticism in India after both weighed in in favour of protesting farmers in the South Asian country last year.Back then, India had lodged a strong protest with the Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi and warned that these actions could have a "seriously damaging impact" on bilateral ties.Singh 'Deeply Concerned' Over Violence Against Indian Muslims"Human rights must be protected. Canada must play a strong role in working towards peace everywhere", stated Singh.Singh's remarks come against the backdrop of violence between Hindus and Muslims across several Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jharkhand, during Ram Navami on 10 April. The festival marks the birth of the Hindu God Rama.At least one person was killed in the violence while several others sustained injuries, as per reports in the Indian media. In all three states, clashes were reported as religious processions passed through predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods.While Hindu groups have blamed Muslims for instigating these incidents, Muslim groups have accused right-wing organisations of chanting provocative slogans as these processions passed through certain localities.Clashes also broke out between Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh's (RSS) student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and left-leaning groups on the campus of India's premier Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on 10 April. The ABVP says that left-leaning activists disrupted a prayer at one of the university's hostels during the Hindu festival, while the other side claims that the BJP-affiliated group manhandled students who were consuming meat in the hostel canteen.RSS is the ideological parent organisation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).India's top Islamic group Jamaat Ulama-i-Hind (JuH) has said that "rioters" have "made a pattern" of going to Muslim localities and chanting "hateful slogans". Several videos on social media purport to show crowds of Hindus abusing Muslims and brandishing swords as the processions passed by mosques.In the face of the said communal violence, the BJP state government in Madhya Pradesh ordered the demolition of the houses of the alleged rioters, which Muslim groups say is meant to "unfairly" target members of their community. https://sputniknews.com/20220131/karma-indians-get-back-at-canadas-trudeau-as-truckers-protest-cripples-ottawa-1092630087.html india canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dhairya Maheshwari india, canada, jagmeet singh, ndp, liberals, justin trudeau, narendra modi, truckers, hindus, muslims https://sputniknews.com/20220414/desantis-advises-migrants-escorted-to-washington-dc-do-not-come-to-florida-1094766089.html DeSantis Advises Migrants Escorted to Washington DC: 'Do Not Come' to Florida DeSantis Advises Migrants Escorted to Washington DC: 'Do Not Come' to Florida Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already sent two buses full of illegal migrants to the US capital to protest the federal government's refusal to secure the... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T17:35+0000 2022-04-14T17:35+0000 2022-04-14T17:35+0000 us southern border migrants florida /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0b/0b/1090641511_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_5365fa2e595a6d329239edf88559d027.jpg Florida governor Ron DeSantis has warned the illegal migrants stranded in Washington DC against travelling to his state after they expressed such an intent. DeSantis cautioned them that they will find no easy life in Florida and condemned the Biden administration for prompting their illegal immigration into the US in the first place.DeSantis argued that the Biden administration subjected the migrants to a significant risk by creating an illusion that they can easily enter the US. The governor called out a "great disservice" done to migrants by the federal government.The governor went on to stress that Florida is "not a sanctuary state" and that its social programmes were designed to be enjoyed by its citizens and no one else. He called on those considering crossing the US border to do it the legal way, pointing out that obtaining full American citizenship is an "essential part of the promise of America".DeSantis delivered his warning after a group of 23 migrants in Washington DC told Fox News reporters they were planning to travel to Florida. These migrants were delivered to the capital on a bus from Texas as a part of its Governor Greg Abbott's protest against the Biden administration lax immigration policy and reluctance to deal with the influx of migrants that the southern border has been experiencing since 2021.The first group of migrants was delivered to Washington DC on 13 April and another one arrived on 14 April. Both of them were unloaded few blocks away from the US Capitol, had their tracking wristbands cut off and set free. They had previously been detained in Texas after crossing the border illegally.White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that the administration was not concerned with the way Abbott is expressing his protest and on the contrary thanked Texas for helping the migrants "get to their final destination". She recalled that all of the migrants had been processed by the Customs and Border Protection and were free to traverse the country as they wait for the decision on their asylum application.The spokeswoman made no mention of the issue that approximately half of applicants for the asylum do not show up for the final hearing on their case expecting a negative result and a deportation from the country, thus remaining in the US unaccounted for. The administration of Biden's predecessor, President Donald Trump, took a different stance while migrants from most countries (with several exceptions) were allowed to apply for asylum, they had to wait for the decision outside the US in most cases. https://sputniknews.com/20220413/us-lawmakers-inspecting-southern-border-spot-migrants-taking-selfies-against-unfinished-trump-wall-1094742709.html florida Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg us, southern border, migrants, florida https://sputniknews.com/20220414/economic-migrants-virtue-signaling-democratic-party-trans-activism-and-more-1094745557.html Economic Migrants, Virtue Signaling, Democratic Party, Trans Activism and More Economic Migrants, Virtue Signaling, Democratic Party, Trans Activism and More On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including two men accused of impersonating federal agents released on bail... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T08:48+0000 2022-04-14T08:48+0000 2022-04-14T08:48+0000 us genocide media ukraine ww3 nyc the backstory radio radio sputnik /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0d/1094745532_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_c0a8e8e4c51f7c3046b9c376dc62ee66.jpg Economic Migrants, Virtue Signaling, Democratic Party, Trans Activism and More On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including two men accused of impersonating federal agents released on bail, and COVID lockdowns in China Apple manufacturing plants to close GUESTTodd Bensman - Senior National Security Fellow and Author | Illegal Immigrants on Charter Buses, Demographics of Illegal Crossings at the Southern Border, and Work VisasThom Nickels - Author, Journalist | Blue Cities in America, Philadelphia Brings Back Mask Mandates, and Copy and Paste CultureIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Todd Bensman about economic migrants, illegals working in the black market, and asylum claims in America. Todd discussed the political stunt of Texas Governor Abbott and the illegal immigrants sent on buses to Washington D.C. Todd talked about the demographics of illegal border crossers and the financial assistance these migrants receive.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Thom Nickels about virtue signaling, Democrat's policy changes over the decades, and Trans activism. Thom discussed the numerous failures of Democrat-led cities and the exodus of citizens from blue cities to Republican-led areas. Thom spoke on the negative effects of art and culture in America and virtue signaling among progressives.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. us ukraine nyc Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png us, genocide, media, ukraine, ww3, nyc, , the backstory, radio, radio sputnik https://sputniknews.com/20220414/eu-kills-last-opportunity-for-weapons-exports-to-russia-reports-say-1094763022.html EU Kills Last Opportunity for Weapons Exports to Russia, Reports Say EU Kills Last Opportunity for Weapons Exports to Russia, Reports Say BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - The fifth package of EU sanctions imposed on Russia over its special military operation in Ukraine has killed the last opportunity for the... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T13:54+0000 2022-04-14T13:54+0000 2022-04-14T13:54+0000 europe eu russia arms exports /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105918/65/1059186525_0:0:2001:1125_1920x0_80_0_0_fc7e851363fd756945bccd54da2af3c0.jpg According to the broadcaster, a special item provided for weapons sales to Russia despite the 2014 sanctions if it fell within the framework contracts concluded before the introduction of a ban. After the start of Russia's special military operation, Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland harshly criticized the provision, leading to its nullification in the fifth package of EU sanctions.According to the European Commission, EU weapons deliveries to Russia amounted to 39 million euros ($42 million) in 2021. The largest suppliers were France and Germany.On 24 February, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. Western countries and their allies responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Russia.The European Union has also vowed to reduce its dependency on Russian energy. Last week, the bloc announced the fifth package of anti-Russian sanctions, which included a ban on imports of coal and other solid fossil fuels that serve as important sources of revenue for Russia. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 europe, eu, russia, arms exports https://sputniknews.com/20220414/fire-on-russian-missile-cruiser-moskva-contained-mod-says-1094756110.html Fire on Russian Missile Cruiser Moskva Contained, MoD Says Fire on Russian Missile Cruiser Moskva Contained, MoD Says Fire on board of the Russian missile cruiser Moskva is contained and the risk of further detonation of the ammunition on board is averted, the Russian Defence... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T09:54+0000 2022-04-14T09:54+0000 2022-04-14T10:32+0000 russia ukraine russian navy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0e/1094757132_0:9:1706:969_1920x0_80_0_0_43c50be30b45741b272202c062687c89.jpg A fire on board the Russian missile cruiser Moskva has been contained and the risk of further detonations ammunition on board has been averted, the Russian Defence Ministry stated. The ship maintains its buoyancy and attempts are being made to tug it to a port for repairs, the ministry said.The cause of the initial fire, which prompted a detonation of ammunition on board that severely damaged the ship, is still being investigated, the Defence Ministry noted. It further elaborated that the main missile ammunition stock was not affected by the incident. The ship's crew, in turn, has been safely evacuated to nearby ships of the Russian Black Sea fleet, the ministry added.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov separately stated that President Vladimir Putin receives all updates regarding the course of the special military operation in Ukraine, including about the fire on board the missile cruiser Moskva.The special military operation was ordered by Putin on 24 February following a request by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) to protect them against continuing attacks from Ukrainian forces. The Russian president argued that the Donbass republics were subjected to "genocide" by Kiev and that Moscow was left with no other choice but to defend them after the Ukrainian authorities failed to implement the Minsk agreements over the seven years since their signing. https://sputniknews.com/20220414/russian-ka-52-helicopters-launch-missile-strike-on-ukrainian-artillery-position--video-1094755616.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg russia, ukraine, russian navy Mayor Lori Lightfoot shakes hands with Shaad Syed while attending an iftar, a breaking of the fast dinner during Ramadan, at the Muslim Community Center of Chicago, April 19, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) As Mayor Lori Lightfoot gears up for her expected reelection campaign after three tumultuous years, she finds herself in a familiar position: on the defensive. Lightfoot the rookie politician won in 2019 in part because of her credentials as an outsider, but Lightfoot the incumbent does not have that advantage. And in just the past eight days still more than 10 months before the municipal Election Day two candidates have announced plans to run for mayor with expectations several more will join the field. Advertisement During her three-plus years in office, Lightfoot has faced spikes in crime, hasnt run as transparent an administration as promised, and engaged in constant fights with unions representing Chicago teachers and police all while struggling to forge good relationships with politicians or leaders in the citys business community. I have never met anybody who has managed to piss off every single person they come in contact with police, fire, teachers, aldermen, businesses, manufacturing, Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza, 10th, a onetime close Lightfoot ally said recently in explaining why she wouldnt endorse the mayor for reelection. I said it. Thats it. I dont care. Advertisement The situation is rare for an incumbent mayor. Richard M. Daley the longest-serving mayor in city history had his problems but rarely had tough competition come election time. His successor, Rahm Emanuel, faced steeper challenges than Daley but overcame them with massive fundraising. She has the position, she doesnt have the power, said veteran Chicago political strategist Delmarie Cobb, who isnt currently advising any mayoral campaigns. You may be the mayor but you dont have the power that a Daley had or a Rahm Emanuel had and thats because they came in with that kind of power. They didnt have to gain it, they actually had it when they walked in the door. She needed to achieve it and create the illusion of inevitability or being invulnerable. Mayor Lori Lightfoot participates in a group photo taken before the start of the Chicago Police Department's recruit class graduation and promotion ceremony at Navy Pier's Aon Grand Ballroom on March 29, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Still, Lightfoot cant be dismissed. Incumbency in any form has power. Shes earmarked roughly $3 billion in federal funds for city projects and shes launched a series of programs aimed at reversing one of the biggest criticisms of Emanuels tenure disinvestment in Chicagos neighborhoods, especially on its South and West sides. Lightfoot also can argue she deserves more time to finish the job after having faced the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and some of the citys most significant civil unrest since the 1960s. Everybody keeps telling me, shes done, shes done, shes done, said Ald. Nick Sposato, 38th, a Lightfoot ally. But youve got to have somebody to beat somebody. Earlier this week, businessman Willie Wilson who has lost two previous bids for mayor and endorsed Lightfoot in 2019 joined Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, as an announced candidate for mayor in 2023. Lopez has garnered a large amount of attention for his consistent attacks on Lightfoot, mostly focused on crime, but it remains unclear if hell be able to raise enough money to run citywide or counter criticism he nitpicks her unnecessarily. Wilson has significant personal wealth to help fund his campaign and previously generated strong support from Chicagos Black voters, but he hasnt been able to expand his base and make a runoff. In response to the Lopez and Wilson announcements, Lightfoots campaign this week said the mayor is focused on keeping our streets safe from gangs and guns, pushing historic levels of economic investment in the South and West sides and creating jobs and opportunities for all Chicagoans. We have a long road ahead candidates for mayor will come and go, but Mayor Lightfoot wont be distracted from the big challenges at hand of economic recovery and public safety as we emerge from the pandemic. Asked Monday about Wilsons strong support from Black voters, Lightfoot said, I dont know that that assumption is correct. Advertisement Even though Lightfoot has not formally announced her reelection bid, shes expected to and made clear that shes watching the landscape carefully to avoid being upstaged. Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot, left, accepts the endorsement of former candidate Willie Wilson, center, during a press conference at the Chicago Baptist Institute International on March 8, 2019. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) After Wilson gave away $1.2 million in gas all over Chicago and nearby suburbs, Lightfoot followed by proposing $12.5 million in city funds be used for 50,000 prepaid gas cards worth $150 each as well 100,000 passes that will cover $50 worth of CTA fares. The plan still needs to be approved by the City Council. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, who has polled about running for mayor and last week created a Quigley for Chicago campaign committee, recently sent out an anti-crime mailer that touted a federal gun buyback program hes supported. Lightfoot announced a $1 million gun buyback of her own shortly after. She also last year unveiled a $31.5 million guaranteed basic income program after opposing a similar initiative by Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, who weighed a potential mayoral run before deciding instead to run for Congress. University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor Chris Mooney said Lightfoots campaign will need a bigger overarching message than some of her more recent announcements. You could say shes assessing the landscape and looking for threats. One might argue thats one aspect of an incumbents campaign. The other, more important aspect of an incumbents campaign is to be able to tell a story about what he or she has been doing and how things have happened, Mooney said. This is the story they tell in a reelection campaign. I am agnostic on if she has a good story to tell but if shes having to rely on giving gas away, that suggests she doesnt but maybe her campaign has to figure that out. Advertisement After Wilson announced his intention to run for mayor, Lightfoot said at a news conference that she wasnt copying Wilsons idea when she proposed financial relief for drivers and commuters. I dont react to what other people do other than the residents of our city, she said. Villegas, who previously was Lightfoots floor leader before having a falling out with her, said Lightfoot taking ideas from other places is just an example of her inability to collaborate with people and want to share in the ideas and try to make them as good as possible. Once an idea is proposed, what we see is her and her team just take the idea, run with it, have it half-baked, and then try to work on it as they move along instead of just working with the person who has done the hearings, has done the research, and has had their team do research, Villegas said. Its just par for the course. Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot, second from left, with her daughter Vivian and wife Amy Eshelman, rear, at a Latinos for Lori campaign event on March 24, 2019, in Belmont Cragin. With Lightfoot is Ald. Gilbert Villegas and Ald. Milly Santiago. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) To be sure, Lightfoot is not the first mayor to face challenges as she runs for reelection. Emanuel was the first Chicago mayor to be pushed into a runoff. To win in 2015 versus Jesus Chuy Garcia, Emanuel raised more than $24 million to defend his record and famously cut a campaign ad where he wore a sweater to try to soften his hard-charging image. Advertisement Lightfoot is a far less prolific campaign fundraiser than Emanuel and does not have his extensive Rolodex of potential contributors. She has also broken with standard practice for politicians by spending big from her campaign funds. A Tribune report earlier this year found she had less political cash on hand than she had shortly after winning office 2 ago. The mayors two campaign funds bled $213,000 during that time, as Lightfoot raised $2.67 million but spent $2.88 million, a Chicago Tribune analysis of state campaign finance records found. Typically, incumbents stockpile campaign money during non-election years, conserving their cash for expensive television ads, direct mail and get-out-the-vote efforts closer to Election Day. But Lightfoot has outstripped her fundraising by spending steadily on campaign staffers, consultants, polling, digital advertisements, events, travel and more, averaging nearly $100,000 per month in expenses, records show. Her next quarterly fundraising report is expected to be filed in the coming days. The popular consensus that Lightfoot alienates broad constituencies is a stark flip from the position she found herself in the April 2019 runoff election, when she carried all 50 wards in a landslide victory against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who is also head of the Cook County Democratic Party. But Lightfoots standing with voters is more complex and always has been. Advertisement In the first round of the mayoral campaign in 2019, Lightfoot emerged from a historic 14-candidate field with roughly 18% of the vote. While that was enough for her to take first place and move her to the final round versus Preckwinkle, it still shows that 4 out of 5 voters in that first round chose someone else. In that initial February 2019 election, Lightfoot rode broad support from lakefront voters on the North Side who are often liberal. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, left, and Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot with the Rev. Jesse Jackson at a unity event on April 3, 2019 at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) Whats more, Preckwinkle was battered by her ties to Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, whose public corruption charges dominated the election cycle, as well as Preckwinkles past support for the pop tax, which boosted Lightfoots outsider campaign against an unpopular insider. Since then, Lightfoots fortunes have shifted. She has polled particularly poorly with white voters in the city as well as Latinos, according to sources who were not authorized to speak publicly. Chicagos population is roughly one-third white, one-third Black and one-third Hispanic, but the citys 17 majority-white wards accounted for 44% of the vote in the first round 2019 election. Toss in two other majority-Hispanic wards that also are home to predominantly white neighborhoods with a high number of public employees and thats 19 wards that represent roughly half of the citys vote. Those are voters Lightfoot will have to win over as she runs for reelection. Lightfoot critics and allies generally agree she is polling better with Black voters than others, but that is potentially threatened by Wilsons entry into the race. He won most of the Black wards in 2019 and helped boost her campaign on the South and West sides with his endorsement. Advertisement Mayor Lori Lightfoot leaves following an IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 1220 strike event outside the WTTW studios in Chicago on March 21, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Cobb, the political strategist, said she thinks Lightfoot will be able to get support from many living in the majority-Black wards but that vote wont be universal for the incumbent mayor. I dont know that theyre going to be overwhelming for her and if there are other candidates out here who are viable, and who have a record of being with the Black community, she may not have them for long, said Cobb, who is Black. She certainly is not in a strong position as an incumbent. Still, in the hours after Wilson announced his intention to run, Lightfoot previewed one of her main reelection arguments and geared directly at voters on the South and West sides. There has never been a mayor in the citys history whos invested as much as my administration has in majority-Black wards, Lightfoot said, touting her plans to spend money on projects in Black and brown neighborhoods, including proposals to redevelop long-challenged corridors. These neighborhoods have been starved for resources for decades, decades, and when you starve people of opportunity, you starve them of hope. Were on the right path, were on the right path, and this is about the future of our city, she continued. This is about who we want to be coming out of this pandemic and whether were going to bring everybody along or whether were going to return to the days when a few people got all the resources on the table and theres no room for anybody else. gpratt@chicagotribune.com https://sputniknews.com/20220414/french-police-uses-tear-gas-to-disperse-students-protesting-against-candidacies-of-macron-le-pen-1094768558.html French Police Uses Tear Gas to Disperse Students Protesting Against Candidacies of Macron, Le Pen French Police Uses Tear Gas to Disperse Students Protesting Against Candidacies of Macron, Le Pen The incumbent president and its rival from the National Rally will meet again in the second round of presidential election after finishing closely in the first... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T19:00+0000 2022-04-14T19:00+0000 2022-04-14T19:01+0000 europe france emmanuel macron marine le pen /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0e/1094768302_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_1576863463efdca73349c0b1463bc735.jpg Hundreds of students had gathered outside several French universities to protest against the upcoming second round of the presidential election, specifically against the lack of choice for them. Students, who occupied and blocked some of the buildings in the Sorbonne University in Paris chanted "Sorbonne, Sorbonne, antifa" and "No, no, no to Le Pen or Macron", as Republican Security Corps (CRS) cordoned the protesters at the square Place de la Sorbonne.Protesters also hung out the banner saying "Sorbonne occupied against Macron, Le Pen and their world".The CRS started to push the protesting students back from the square at around 1:30pm local time throwing tear gas at the crowd. The students, some of them wearing balaclavas, returned the favour by throwing trash cans, fire extinguishers and furniture, according to the AFP.French students protesting against the "false choice" in the second round of the presidential election gathered at other campuses as well. Several dozen protesters barricaded themselves at the Sciences Po Paris campus in Nancy, while around 150 more blocked the entrance at the central building of the university at number 27 Rue Saint Guillaume, where current president Emmanuel Macron used to study.Protesters were also seen on the premises of the campus of Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS).According to the AP, many students, who protested against the run-off election, supported the left-leaning candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who ceded the second place to Marine Le Pen by a small margin thus failing to reach the second round. The margin between Macron and Le Pen was minimal in the first round, which took place on 10 April, with the La Republique En Marche! Candidate gaining 27.8% of votes and the National Rally presidential hopeful getting 23.1%. The last time in 2017 election Le Pen lost to Macron 33.90% versus 66.10% in runoff election. The second round of this year's election will take place on 24 April.Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg europe, france, emmanuel macron, marine le pen https://sputniknews.com/20220414/hijab-ban-student-appeals-to-karnataka-chief-ahead-of-exams-saying-we-are-the-future-1094756376.html Hijab Ban: Student Appeals to Karnataka Chief Ahead of Exams, Saying 'We Are the Future' Hijab Ban: Student Appeals to Karnataka Chief Ahead of Exams, Saying 'We Are the Future' Last month, the Karnataka High Court in India upheld a ban on hijabs in the state's educational institutions. The court held that a hijab is "not an essential... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T10:58+0000 2022-04-14T10:58+0000 2022-04-14T10:58+0000 india india hijab hijab karnataka karnataka state /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/08/1094587637_0:0:1847:1038_1920x0_80_0_0_3cce98e35490e4c1c05f5781eb75bf02.jpg A Muslim girl student, who approached the court against the Karnataka state government's decision on banning hijabs in class, has now appealed to State Chief Basavaraj Bommai saying that he can still "stop our future from getting ruined".Aliya Assadi, one of the petitioners, has urged Bommai to reconsider the future of Muslim girls students as the ban on hijabs will affect many students who want to wear the Muslim headscarves during the pre-university exams scheduled later this month for second year students. On 15 March, the Karnataka High Court stated that hijabs could not be worn inside classrooms and that students must abide by school dress code rules. After the court's ruling, over 40 Muslim girl students from the Udupi district in coastal Karnataka abstained from appearing for the first pre-university examination held in March. Although petitioners have now appealed to the Supreme Court, the top court has refused to accord an urgent hearing on the pleas challenging the High Court verdict. india karnataka karnataka state Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg india, india, hijab, hijab, karnataka, karnataka state https://sputniknews.com/20220414/imran-khan-kicks-off-nation-wide-rallies-for-early-elections-while-us-congratulates-shehbaz-sharif-1094768301.html Imran Khan Kicks Off Nation-Wide Rallies for Early Elections While US Congratulates Shehbaz Sharif Imran Khan Kicks Off Nation-Wide Rallies for Early Elections While US Congratulates Shehbaz Sharif Tensions are continuing to simmer after the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Earlier this week, over 100 lawmakers from Khan's Pakistan... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T18:52+0000 2022-04-14T18:52+0000 2022-04-14T18:52+0000 us asia & pacific pakistan imran khan china russia coup rally early elections general elections /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0b/1094677589_0:160:3000:1848_1920x0_80_0_0_6af3de397758bc4fa4d27fecc539e5cd.jpg "Imran Khan is a very strong leader, popular and can ignite agitation," says Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais, professor of political science at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, LUMS, Lahore. "He called for a protest [last] Sunday evening on Twitter and we saw really big demonstrations in every city of Pakistan. He and his party members have resigned from the National Assembly and that means he will be doing politics in the streets."Last Sunday, large demonstrations were held in Karachi, Peshawar, Malakand, Multan, Khanewal, Khyber, Jhang, Quetta, Okara, Islamabad, Lahore and Abbottabad, according to Dawn. The newspaper adds that protests also took place in Bajaur, Lower Dir, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Swat, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Nowshera, Dera Ghazi Khan and Mandi Bahauddin.On 13 April, Imran Khan, the PTI chairman, held a massive gathering at Peshawars Ring Road marking the start of the PTI's rallies aimed at holding early elections.Imran Khan has dubbed the cabinet of new Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif an "imported government," insisting that his ouster from power through a no-confidence vote was orchestrated by the US. The former prime minister has repeatedly cited a "foreign threat letter" allegedly blackmailing Islamabad into removing Khan from power. According to the PTI chairman, the US and its NATO allies were up in arms about his independent foreign policy and unwillingness to join anti-Russian sanctions over Moscow's special operation in Ukraine.During the Peshawar rally, Khan accused Sharif of cracking down on Pakistani social media volunteers who oppose the National Assembly no-confidence vote. The PTI leader also said that the incumbent premier is "facing Rs40 billion ($220 million) in corruption charges."According to Daily Pakistan, the next PTI rally will take place at Jinnahs Mausoleum in Karachi on 16 April. On 24 April, Khan's party is due to hold a massive gathering in the countrys second-largest metropolis, Lahore.Khan and his party have shown their strength through nation-wide rallies, according to Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai, author of The Troubled Triangle: US-Pakistan Relations under the Talibans Shadow. According to him, Khan and his fellow party members' resignations were largely aimed at forcing the new authorities to hold early general elections. "Indeed Imran Khan is a strong political figure who enjoys popular support," Yousafzai stresses.Will Sharif Shift to a Pro-US Political Course?Meanwhile, the Biden administration on 13 April extended congratulations to the new prime minister of Pakistan. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that "Pakistan has been an important partner on wide-ranging mutual interests for nearly 75 years and we value our relationship," adding that Washington is looking forward "to continuing [US-Pakistan] long-standing cooperation"."The United States views a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as essential for the interests of both our countries," Blinken said.Earlier, on 12 April, the Pentagon signalled that it is seeking a "healthy" military-to-military relationship with the Pakistani armed forces. When asked about Imran Khan's accusations of Washington's interference in Pakistan's domestic affairs and backing a soft coup d'etat, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby refused to comment on the matter.Earlier, new Pakistani premier Sharif stressed in his inaugural speech that Islamabad will seek to improve relations with Washington.However, one must take into account that US-Pakistan relations have not been smooth for the last couple of years due to a number of issues including the US failure in Afghanistan, Pakistans close relations with Russia and China, according to Yousafzai."Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was vocal and he used to openly criticise the West and the United States which was an unpleasant move for Washington," says the author. "Though Imran Khans relations were good with president Trump yet the relations under President Biden did not continue with the previous pace."According to Yousafzai, "the US relations with the world are not based on statements but on interests". The author believes that Washingtons relations with Islamabad cannot be as close as China-Pakistan relations. He explains that while China and Pakistan are strategic partners, the US largely sees India as its strategic ally in Asia "which irks Pakistan and further pushes it towards China and Russia." https://sputniknews.com/20220411/after-khans-departure-us-could-grab-control-of-pakistans-foreign-policy-political-scientist-says-1094680969.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova us, asia & pacific, pakistan, imran khan, china, russia, coup, rally, early elections, general elections, tehreek-e-insaf (pti) https://sputniknews.com/20220414/india-raising-concerns-over-human-rights-abuses-in-us-marks-emergence-of-new-world-order---1094751424.html India Raising Concerns Over Human Rights Abuses in US Marks Emergence of New World Order - Observers India Raising Concerns Over Human Rights Abuses in US Marks Emergence of New World Order - Observers US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington is "monitoring some recent concerning developments" in India, including "a rise in... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T08:07+0000 2022-04-14T08:07+0000 2022-04-14T08:07+0000 us india antony blinken subrahmanyam jaishankar human right abuses new york minorities muslim /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0c/1094702638_0:318:3071:2045_1920x0_80_0_0_555e96542e1a02d3a6f0aa8cbb82b4b0.jpg Strategic experts have commended the blunt rebuttal by India's Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar over human rights issues. Jaishankar said that New Delhi also has concerns about human rights in the US, a day after Blinken raised "recent concerning developments" in India."Look, people are entitled to have views about us", Jaishankar said. India's strategic experts underlined that it is the first time New Delhi has shown that it can question the US on several contentious issues."How many nations can turn around and tell the US to look in the mirror. The arrival of India on the world stage is announced", retired Maj. Gen. Harsha Kakar underlines.The US-India partnership is now a two-way street, and both nations are discussing bilateral issues on equal terms, experts observe.The Indian minister, who joined politics after spending decades as a diplomat, also stated that human rights issues were not discussed during the 2+2 ministerial dialogue held on Monday in Washington. Blinken had said after the meeting that the US is monitoring human rights abuses by government, police, and prison officials in India.Indian experts have now started pushing the government to commission an annual report on human rights in the US.The "tectonic change" in India's stand, as several experts assessed, has come amid an FBI report suggesting a 200% jump in hate crimes against Sikhs and a 73% rise in hate crimes against Asian people in the US.Jaishankar flagged one such incident that occurred on Monday in New York whereby unknown assailants assaulted two Sikhs. india new york Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg us, india, antony blinken, subrahmanyam jaishankar, human right abuses, new york, minorities, muslim https://sputniknews.com/20220414/kiev-ukrainian-court-arrests-over-150-properties-of-opposition-figure-medvedchuk-1094755051.html Kiev: Ukrainian Court Arrests Over 150 Properties of Opposition Figure Medvedchuk Kiev: Ukrainian Court Arrests Over 150 Properties of Opposition Figure Medvedchuk MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Ukrainian court has seized over 150 properties including apartments, houses, and cars belonging to the leader of the Ukrainian Opposition... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T09:20+0000 2022-04-14T09:20+0000 2022-04-14T09:25+0000 russia ukraine viktor medvedchuk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0c/1094713758_0:91:961:631_1920x0_80_0_0_041924a3b065b2ccc2787a792323a3c9.jpg The beneficial shares owned by Medvedchuk and his wife in the authorised capitals of 25 companies were also arrested, the bureau added.Last May, Medvedchuk, a longtime supporter of Ukraine's rapprochement with Russia and an opponent of joining the European Union, was accused of high treason and illegal exploitation of natural resources in Crimea and placed under house arrest.Shortly after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine, Medvedchuk escaped and remained in hiding until Tuesday, when the Ukrainian Security Service announced that he had been detained on President Volodymyr Zelensky's orders.Later, Zelensky proposed to Russia to exchange the politician for captured Ukrainian soldiers. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that the Kremlin would keep an eye on Medvedchuk's fate and urged European politicians to do the same. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 russia, ukraine, viktor medvedchuk Ukrainain Nationalists Have Mined Overpass in Donetsk Region, Want to Blow It Up and Blame Russia - MoD MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian militants have mined a dam and an overpass in the Donbass, Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center, said on Thursday. "In Svetlodarsk, the Donetsk People's Republic, militants of Ukrainian armed formations mined the dam of the reservoir of the Uglegorsk thermal power plant. In the event of an explosion, the city of Svetlodarsk, the villages of Mironovsky, Luganskoye and a number of other localities with a total population of more than 15,000 people will be in the zone of possible flooding, Mizintsev told a briefing. The defense official added that Ukrainian forces have mined an overpass through the railroad tracks in the Konstantinovka town in Donetsk region and plan to blow it up and accuse Russian armed forces of destroying civilian infrastructure. According to Mizintsev, the Western media will then share yet another fake report about atrocities committed by Russians. https://sputniknews.com/20220414/pakistan-opens-graft-probe-against-ousted-pm-imran-khan-over-sale-of-necklace-1094758776.html Pakistan Opens Graft Probe Against Ousted PM Imran Khan Over Sale of Necklace Pakistan Opens Graft Probe Against Ousted PM Imran Khan Over Sale of Necklace Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday addressed his first public meeting since losing a no-confidence motion last week. Reiterating his... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T12:50+0000 2022-04-14T12:50+0000 2022-04-14T12:50+0000 pakistan imran khan us russia shehbaz sharif tehreek-e-insaf (pti) pakistan muslim league-nawaz /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0d/1094738166_0:0:3063:1723_1920x0_80_0_0_955d81e89555755f13010d957974c80d.jpg Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated a probe into ex-prime minister Imran Khan over the sale of a necklace which he received as a gift during his tenure, Express Tribune reported on Wednesday.As per Pakistani law, Khan was supposed to deposit the necklace in the "Toshakhana", or the state gift repository. He could also have deposited half the worth of the necklace in the state treasury.The investigation by the countrys top agency has been initiated just days after Khan was voted out of office in a no-confidence motion introduced in the National Assembly by Shehbaz Sharif, the former opposition leader and the current Prime Minister of Pakistan. Sharif chairs the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).Pakistani President Arif Alvi had ordered the dissolution of the National Assembly and rejected the no-confidence motion against Khan on 3 April, prompting an intervention by the countrys Supreme Court. After five days of arguments and hearing both sides, a five-judge bench of the top court unanimously restored the Assembly on 7 April.The Supreme Court of Pakistan also called for voting on the no-confidence motion be held on 9 April. It finally led to Khan losing out in the parliament to Sharif, who was sworn in as Prime Minister this week. The voting was largely boycotted by lawmakers from Khans Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan (PTI) party.Khan continues to maintain that the no-confidence motion was initiated at the behest of the US, which was unhappy about the countrys independent foreign policy under his government.Khan has said that Washington was also upset by his trip to Moscow on 23-24 February, and had even conveyed through diplomatic channels that the visit be shelved.The US has rejected Khans charges.But Khan has stood firm, asking his supporters across the country to hit the streets in protest against the imported government, a reference to the Sharif-led government. https://sputniknews.com/20220411/after-khans-departure-us-could-grab-control-of-pakistans-foreign-policy-political-scientist-says-1094680969.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dhairya Maheshwari pakistan, imran khan, us, russia, shehbaz sharif, tehreek-e-insaf (pti), pakistan muslim league-nawaz https://sputniknews.com/20220414/pakistani-general-urges-public-not-to-drag-army-into-political-disputes-1094759241.html Pakistani General Urges Public Not to Drag Army Into Political Disputes Pakistani General Urges Public Not to Drag Army Into Political Disputes Pakistani Major General Urges Public Not to Drag Army Into Political Disputes 2022-04-14T12:00+0000 2022-04-14T12:00+0000 2022-04-14T12:00+0000 pakistan asia army military /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0e/1094759127_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f15ebdc720cb6f99d6eab285c863b58d.jpg He welcomed constructive criticism, but criticised a "malicious campaign" against the Pakistani armed forces and its leadership.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 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 the ousted prime minister, 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 false.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. asia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 pakistan, asia, army, military https://sputniknews.com/20220414/police-los-angeles-elite-are-being-targeted-in-a-string-of-robberies-involving-at-least-17-gangs-1094747064.html Police: Los Angeles Elite Are Being Targeted in a String of Robberies Involving at Least 17 Gangs Police: Los Angeles Elite Are Being Targeted in a String of Robberies Involving at Least 17 Gangs The gangs are following and attacking those who frequent expensive hotels, restaurants, shop at luxury boutiques, drive high-end cars, or wear luxury jewelry... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T00:35+0000 2022-04-14T00:35+0000 2022-04-14T00:32+0000 crime los angeles robbery /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/01/19/1081869502_0:139:1920:1219_1920x0_80_0_0_2fe5191d293640bed04f1ff69b830a53.jpg California's Los Angeles Police Department is growing increasingly frustrated by a string of robberies being carried out by gangs targeting the citys elite and reselling their designer handbags, diamond-encrusted watches and other luxury goods worth tens of thousands to buyers willing to look the other way.A task force has been organized by the LAPD to protect the citys wealthiest. Captain Jonathan L. Tippet, who is head of the task force, says they have identified at least 17 gangs involved in the robberies working in South L.A. They also said there were at least 165 similar robberies in 2021, and that this year so far, there have been an additional 56 robberies of this kind.LAPD believes the gangs perpetrating these crimes have spotters who go into high-end, expensive venues and stalk wealthy targets before notifying other gang members when the target is about to leave. Tippet said the gangs are violent with their victims, and in some cases, they will flash a gun in the targets face, punch or beat on the victim, and that in at least 23 cases thus far, shots have been fired. At least two victims have been killed.But while some media outlets have promoted an idea that crime has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic, David S. Abrams, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, says that while the pandemic has indeed further stressed issues such as poverty, unemployment, schooling, and public health, the magnitude of these crime rates varies depending what kind of crime it is.For instance, overall crime rates fell 23% in the first month during pandemic lockdowns, and stayed low thereafter compared to average crime rates in the five years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.Although overall crime rates were down, Abrams says that homicides and shootings increased substantially beginning the summer of 2020, and while protests prompted by the death of Minnesota man George Floyd may have been a catalyst for this increase, other causes for the spike in homicide and shootings still remain unclear.According to a report released by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, researchers found that aggravated and gun assault rates were higher in the first quarter of 2021 than in the same period of 2020. However, despite the increases, the homicide rate for 2020 was just half of what it was in those same cities sampled 25 years ago, with 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020 compared to 19.4 per 100,000 in 1995. Meanwhile, burglary, larceny, and drug offense rates were lower in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the first quarter of 2020.Some activists have accused police of blowing crime trends out of proportion so they can maintain their budgets, while criminal justice reform advocates are fearful that the sensationalizing of crime rates will be used by politicians to bring back past policing reforms.Activist Hamid Khan, who is an organizer with The Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, accused the LAPD of doing just that. LAPD has to constantly legitimize itself, constantly has to make itself useful to the community, by raising this specter of people running wild, he said.But Tippet is frustrated, as he believes that these robberies are still a major public safety concern, especially since some of the arrested suspects are being released from jail only to commit the same crime while awaiting trial.One of the suspects named Matthew Adams, who is only 18 years-old, was allegedly involved in eight separate follow-off robberies over a six month period which began last fall. According to LAPD Chief Michel Moore, Adams was involved in a robbery in which two UCLA students were robbed of their watches and an iPhone, totaling $145,000 in stolen goods, as well as the robbery of two foreign tourists whose watches cost $73,000, and a third incident where $51,000 of property was stolen.Adams was arrested three times between September and February, but was released due to a pandemic-related rule created in an effort to reduce jail population. Adams was recently arrested for a fourth time and is in jail, but has pleaded not guilty. He faces 20 years in prison for seven counts of robbery and two gun enhancements, his bail is set at $450,000.Moore says he is frustrated, not only because he believes Adams was not held properly accountable for his crimes, but because he also believes other potential criminals will be misled into thinking that certain offenses in Los Angeles are being tolerated. Police Commission President William Briggs asserted that sentiment, saying that the pretrial release of suspects involved in gunpoint robberies represented a failure of the criminal justice system.Other police officials seem more cautious of blowing these instances out of proportion. Commissioner Dale Bonner of the LAPD said last week that discussions about individual career criminals could be used by politicians as a way to incite fear in the public, and push forward questionable criminal justice initiatives. los angeles Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg crime, los angeles, robbery https://sputniknews.com/20220414/ravaged-donetsk-2015-drone-footage-of-war-scorched-city-1094762482.html Ravaged Donetsk: 2015 Drone Footage of War-Scorched City Ravaged Donetsk: 2015 Drone Footage of War-Scorched City Ravaged Donetsk: 2015 Drone Footage of War-Scorched City 2022-04-14T14:07+0000 2022-04-14T14:07+0000 2022-04-15T10:58+0000 donbass. genocide. 2014-2022 donetsk people's republic donetsk donbass ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0e/1094763207_42:0:1231:669_1920x0_80_0_0_a68747663698c58a5e3e3e71bf358c99.jpg This clip, captured by a drone in 2015 shows the destruction wrought on Donetsk by Ukrainian troops at the very beginning of the conflict in Donbass. Residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, and hospitals suffered from the war, as Kiev's forces targeted the city with guns, howitzers, and rocket launchers.While nature is in full bloom, the houses, burnt by war remain empty and silent. Sometimes it is just smashed out windows and cracks in the walls, and sometimes all we can see is obliterated apartments, turned into a pile of rubble. donetsk donbass ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2015 Drone Footage of Donetsk This clip, captured by a drone in 2015 shows the destruction wrought on Donetsk by Ukrainian troops at the very beginning of the conflict in Donbass 2022-04-14T14:07+0000 true PT0M51S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 donetsk people's republic, donetsk, donbass, ukraine, The FBI has acquired sworn depositions that indicted ex-Speaker Michael Madigan and his former chief of staff gave more than three years ago in a lawsuit accusing Madigans campaign organization of propping up sham candidates. The move represents a new development in the sweeping federal racketeering case federal authorities filed last month against Madigan. Federal authorities made the request for the transcripts last month, attorney Anthony Peraica said, only days after the Chicago Tribune posted a video of the Madigan deposition, the only one Madigan said he ever gave. Advertisement In the depositions, Madigan and his former chief of staff, Tim Mapes, answer hours of questions under oath from Peraica. In an interview with the Tribune, Peraica said an FBI agent made contact in March to request the transcripts and that he complied with the request by sending them to federal authorities via email. Advertisement They reached out for transcripts for Madigan and (former Madigan chief of staff) Tim Mapes, Peraica said, adding that an FBI agent did not explain why he wanted the transcripts. No comments were made. No questions were asked by federal authorities. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. The transcripts simply could be the FBI making sure they have not left out anything that could build or buttress their cases against Madigan and Mapes. Depositions, which are given under oath, could become valuable for comparison purposes, especially since Mapes has been charged with lying to a federal grand jury. The Tribune disclosed the contents of the transcripts in 2019, but the timing of the federal request suggests authorities at least want to review the transcripts for any potential clues to help their criminal cases. Madigan, who held the speakership for a national record 36 years, was indicted March 2 in a 22-count federal racketeering conspiracy case. Mapes was indicted last year on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Both have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. When he unveiled the Madigan indictment, U.S. Attorney John Lausch said the investigation into Madigans alleged criminal enterprise is ongoing. The FBI asked for the transcripts two or three days after the Tribune first posted the video of Madigans deposition two days after the announcement of Madigans indictment, Peraica said. He said he sent only written transcripts to the FBI and not any copies of any video depositions. The depositions arose in a case Peraica, also a former Republican member of the Cook County Board, filed for Jason Gonzales. Advertisement Gonzales ran as a Democrat for state representative against Madigan but lost the primary bid in 2016. Gonzales alleged Madigan and his allies put up two phony candidates with Hispanic surnames on the ballot to confuse voters and draw support away from Gonzales in the 22nd state legislative district, which has a majority-Latino population. Jason Gonzales confronts and questions Angel Garcias, right, who is holding a sign stating "vote no on convicted felon Jason Gonzales" outside a polling place in Chicago on March 7, 2016. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Madigan gave his deposition in September 2018, Mapes a month earlier. Gonzales case was tossed out by both the federal district and appellate courts. The U.S. Supreme Court declined a request to hear the case in November. Although the case never went to trial, Madigan and Mapes were still required to give depositions. The video of Madigan raising his hand, swearing to tell the truth and going through a nearly five-hour series of questions gave viewers an extended look at him answering questions while arguably still at the height of his power. Both Madigan and Mapes, as well as other aides who were deposed, proved adept at providing short, clipped answers. Madigan himself used the phrases I dont recall, I dont remember and I have no memory more than 100 times. During the deposition, Madigan denied having reached out to any political allies to try to stack the 2016 primary ballot with candidates to undermine Gonzales bid. Instead, Madigan maintained, Gonzales was backed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, as part of a Republican Rauner invasion of the Democratic primary. Rauner and Gonzales both denied that. Advertisement Gonzales did not try to overturn the 2016 primary, which Madigan won with 65% of the vote. The challenger sought damages of up to $2 million, accusing Madigan and his operatives of committing fraud on the ballot. Madigan and his allies denied it. Federal authorities had no comment on the purpose of the FBIs request for the transcripts. Attorneys for Madigan and Mapes also declined to comment. rlong@chicagotribune.com jmeisner@chicagotribune.com https://sputniknews.com/20220414/rotten-corpse-text-painkiller-addiction-anger-issues-brought-up-as-depp-heard-trial-goes-on-1094766238.html 'Rotten Corpse' Text, Painkiller Addiction, Anger Issues Brought Up as Depp-Heard Trial Goes On 'Rotten Corpse' Text, Painkiller Addiction, Anger Issues Brought Up as Depp-Heard Trial Goes On Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have been locked in a legal stand-off for years, both accusing each other of domestic abuse. Depp decided to bring the matter to... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T17:45+0000 2022-04-14T17:45+0000 2022-04-14T17:45+0000 viral johnny depp amber heard trial defamation /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0e/1094766434_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_82e9e45dfffbacb68d0659d692a5aaf8.jpg During the second day of the Depp vs. Heard trial, the legal team of Amber Heard claimed that Johnny Depp sent a text in which he expressed that he hoped that his ex-wife's "rotting corpse" would be "decomposing in the trunk of a car", according to UK media reports, citing the court testimony.The allegation was made as Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft asked a witness, Depp's friend Isaac Baruch, whether he remembers a certain encounter with Depp back in 2016, The Daily Star reported.Bredehoft went on: "Do you recall Mr. Depp calling Amber Heard a c**t and saying it was her fault?", to which Baruch responded: "It's written there, I see that."Then Heard's lawyer read another Depp's message that allegedly said "That c**t ruined such a f*****g cool life we had for a while."Over the course of the trial, Depp's sister Christi Dembrowski also revealed to the court that the actor's doctor told her that Johnny took no accountability for his behaviours and purportedly had anger issues. Additionally, his doctor allegedly was pessimistic if he would ever be able to stop doing drugs, according to The Sun.When asked about whether he was angry with Heard, Depp's friend Baruch said he just wanted the entire drama to be over.The trial is set to continue for several weeks; prominent figures like Jason Momoa, Elon Musk, Paul Bettany and others will deliver their testimonies. Depp launched the multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit against Heard after she penned an op-ed for The Washington Post which indirectly accused Depp of being a domestic abuser. During the first day of the trial, Heard's legal team rolled out a brand new allegation against Depp, claiming that he penetrated his ex-wife with an alcohol bottle - an assertion that the actor's team dismissed as "fictitious". Depp, in his turn, argues that the allegations of domestic abuse were designed by Heard in order to corrode his career and advance her own.The two married in 2015 after several years of dating, with Heard filing for divorce just a year later, accusing Depp of physical abuse. https://sputniknews.com/20220413/depp-v-heard-johnny-calls-ex-wife-compulsive-liar-as-she-accuses-him-of-sex-assault-1094740282.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 viral, johnny depp, amber heard, trial, defamation https://sputniknews.com/20220414/russia-says-2-ukrainian-combat-helicopters-invaded-russian-airspace-struck-residential-buildings---1094761275.html Russia Says 2 Ukrainian Combat Helicopters Invaded Russian Airspace, Struck Residential Buildings Russia Says 2 Ukrainian Combat Helicopters Invaded Russian Airspace, Struck Residential Buildings Authorities in the Bryansk region of Russia earlier reported the shelling of a border crossing with Ukraine and attacks against a nearby settlement, which... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T13:06+0000 2022-04-14T13:06+0000 2022-04-14T13:45+0000 russia situation in ukraine ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0e/1094762456_0:0:2574:1449_1920x0_80_0_0_c77549a9c395a30483bd451ecf2c783f.jpg The Russian Investigative Committee (IC) has opened a criminal case over an airstrike conducted by two Ukrainian combat helicopters on 14 April on Russian territory in the Bryansk region. The helicopters violated Russian airspace and carried out at least six strikes on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo, the RIC said.The strikes left at least six houses damaged and seven people injured, including a two-year-old child, the committee said. The helicopters managed to infiltrate Russian airspace by flying at a low altitude.The RIC said that the Ukrainian military conspired to affect decision-makers in Russia to force them to prematurely end the special military operation that is being carried out by the country's military in Ukraine.The criminal case was opened amid several more reports of strikes conducted on objects in Russia by the Ukrainian military on 14 April. Authorities in the Bryansk region said that a border checkpoint was shelled from the territory of Ukraine. The incident did not lead to any casualties, despite the presence of several refugees there, whose cars were destroyed in the strike.Additionally, the governor of the Belgorod region of Russia reported that the village of Spodaryushino was attacked from the territory of Ukraine on 14 April. The attack did not result in any casualties, but the residents of Spodaryushino and nearby Bezimeno were evacuated out of an abundance of caution.Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February in response to a defensive request from the DPR and LPR, which had been reporting intensified shelling by Ukrainian forces. President Vladimir Putin argued that Russia was "forced" to respond citing Kiev's failure to implement the Minsk agreements and peacefully reintegrate the Donbass republics into the country. https://sputniknews.com/20220401/fire-hits-oil-depot-in-russias-belgorod-near-border-with-ukraine-governor-says-1094377942.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg russia, ukraine https://sputniknews.com/20220414/sedition-charges-slapped-on-manipur-congress-politician-who-called-home-minister-bearded-monkey-1094751238.html Sedition Charges Slapped on Manipur Congress Politician Who Called Home Minister 'Bearded Monkey' Sedition Charges Slapped on Manipur Congress Politician Who Called Home Minister 'Bearded Monkey' The politician was detained after he slammed the Home Minister's suggestion that Hindi be made compulsory for students until the 10th grade. According to the... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T10:03+0000 2022-04-14T10:03+0000 2022-04-14T10:03+0000 india india bharatiya janata party (bjp) state of assam indian national congress congress karnataka state karnataka amit shah /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/05/1082542632_0:113:3001:1801_1920x0_80_0_0_14915248e7f4b93c2c88895a0b677e74.jpg A Congress politician in India's northeastern state of Manipur was arrested under sedition charges for calling federal Home Minister Amit Shah a "bearded monkey" during a television debate, Imphal Times reported. Sanoujam Shyamcharan Singh was held on Tuesday after he criticised Home Minister Shah for recently suggesting that the Hindi language be made compulsory for students until the 10th grade in schools in the northeastern states. Singh reportedly also said the federal Home Minister, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party politician, doesn't know which community he actually belongs to. The Congress politician's arrest was made after a complaint was filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth wing member M. Barish Sharma, who stated: "The accused (Singh) deliberately humiliated and belittled the Hindus of mainland India by terming them as animals." Singh, however, was granted bail the same day.Last week, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Hindi language should be made compulsory in all eight northeastern states up to the 10th grade in schools.He described Hindi as "the language of India" and said that citizens from different states should use it to communicate with each other.Political Parties in States Oppose Home Minister's Remark on HindiNot just opposition politicians criticised Shah, but some BJP politicians belonging to non-Hindi states voiced discontent with the senior leader's remark.Former Karnataka state chief and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, "Hindi is not our national language, we will never let it be".An India Today report cited Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh as saying that he objects to "the imposition of Hindi"."We respect Hindi, but we are opposing the imposition of Hindi," Ghosh stated.Shiv Sena politician Manisha Kayande said there is an "agenda to make regional languages lose their value".The chief of BJP's Tamil Nadu state unit K. Annamalai has also said that they will not allow the imposition of Hindi on the state, reported The Indian Express.India does not have one national language, rather it has Hindi and English as official languages used by the federal government. Additionally, the country has 22 scheduled languages used in different states --- Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.Many state government schools teach their state language, such as Tamil, Telugu, Assamese, Bengali, etc, where most of the time, Hindi is an elective language. india state of assam karnataka state karnataka Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg india, india, bharatiya janata party (bjp), state of assam, indian national congress, congress, karnataka state, karnataka, amit shah https://sputniknews.com/20220414/trump-claims-current-developments-in-ukraine-a-genocide-1094763436.html Trump Claims Current Developments in Ukraine a 'Genocide' Trump Claims Current Developments in Ukraine a 'Genocide' On Wednesday, the Kremlin underscored that it categorically disagrees with US President Joe Bidens genocide accusations against Russia, reminding... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T14:30+0000 2022-04-14T14:30+0000 2022-04-14T14:30+0000 us russia ukraine joe biden donald trump genocide dmitry peskov special operation forces /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/06/1091276648_122:153:2799:1659_1920x0_80_0_0_56e57d9f96a6426ed33bd54fac160632.jpg Former president Donald Trump has described the current events in Ukraine as genocide, mirroring recent remarks on the issue made by Joe Biden.The claims followed French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen echoing the country's President Emmanuel Macron by refusing to call the current developments in Ukraine "genocide".In an interview with the TV channel France 2, the leader of the right-wing party National Rally said that de jure, genocide is an extremely clear definition that does not correspond to the currently known facts surrounding the situation in Ukraine.She spoke after Macron insisted people should tread carefully when using genocide-related terminology, especially regarding the Ukraine conflict.This was preceded by Moscow berating Biden for his use of the word genocide to describe Russias actions in Ukraine, and accusing Washington of hypocrisy regarding its own crimes.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia categorically disagrees and considers unacceptable any attempt to distort the situation in this way.During a speech on Tuesday, Biden called the current events in Ukraine a genocide, telling reporters shortly after that he used the term because its become clearer and clearer that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian.When asked if Bidens claims reflect the wider view of the US government, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that there has been no legal determination on whether genocide has been committed by Russia in Ukraine. Price added that it will be the task of international lawyers to determine whether what we're seeing meets that legal threshold of genocide.Russia's Special Op in Ukraine Russia launched the special operation to "demilitarise and de-Nazify" Ukraine on 24 February, after the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics (DPR and LPR) appealed for help in defending themselves against intensifying attacks by the Kiev forces. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the goal is to protect the people of Donbass, who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that only Ukrainian military infrastructure is being targeted during the operation and that civilians are not in danger. Right now, Russian troops focus on liberating Donbass following the successful completion of the operations first stage, according to the MoD. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg us, russia, ukraine, joe biden, donald trump, genocide, dmitry peskov, special operation, forces https://sputniknews.com/20220414/twitch-bans-channels-distributing-russian-propaganda-spokesperson-says-1094754189.html Twitch Bans Channels Distributing 'Russian Propaganda', Spokesperson Says Twitch Bans Channels Distributing 'Russian Propaganda', Spokesperson Says Twitch Bans Channels Distributing 'Russian Propaganda' 2022-04-14T08:37+0000 2022-04-14T08:37+0000 2022-04-14T08:59+0000 russia ukraine twitch /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107700/28/1077002898_0:0:2048:1153_1920x0_80_0_0_4163e543ec19f5f256c27c38747faf0f.jpg On Wednesday, TTP published a report saying it allegedly "found multiple Twitch channels that are actively spreading Russian-fuelled propaganda on Ukraine". According to the report, this "propaganda" includes a "widely debunked talking point that Russia is de-nazifying Ukraine" and "conspiracy theories that the US is running biolabs in Ukraine". TTP also accused Amazon of making money on this "propaganda" given that many channels generate revenue through subscription features and advertising, which is split with Twitch.The spokesperson added that the platform has banned the channels detailed in the report, and was investigating other channels. The spokesperson declined to comment on the reasons for banning the specific channels to "protect the privacy of individuals involved", according to the Financial Times.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 European Union and the US 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. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 russia, ukraine, twitch https://sputniknews.com/20220414/ukrainian-nazis-poisonous-substance-report-changed-to-chemical-weapons-by-media-outlets-1094746846.html Ukrainian Nazis' "Poisonous Substance" Report Changed to Chemical Weapons by Media Outlets Ukrainian Nazis' "Poisonous Substance" Report Changed to Chemical Weapons by Media Outlets A report from Ukrainian Azov Battalion Nazis that three of their fighters were hurt by a "poisonous substance" was changed to a possible chemical weapons... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T08:45+0000 2022-04-14T08:45+0000 2022-04-14T08:45+0000 radio sputnik the critical hour pakistan india ukraine china azov battalion bbc radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0d/1094746618_27:0:1271:700_1920x0_80_0_0_5ef8035c9bad5cf26ae130ba76f34db1.png Ukrainian Nazis' "Poisonous Substance" Report Changed to Chemical Weapons by Media Outlets A report from Ukrainian Azov Battalion Nazis that three of their fighters were hurt by a "poisonous substance" was changed to a possible chemical weapons attack by the BBC News outlet. Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss the Ukraine crisis. A report from Ukrainian Azov Battalion Nazis that three of their fighters were hurt by a "poisonous substance" was changed to a possible chemical weapons attack by the BBC News outlet.Ted Rall, political cartoonist and syndicated columnist, joins us to discuss the NYC subway attack and the French election. Police are searching for the suspect who attacked a group of passengers on a New York City subway car during rush hour yesterday. Also, right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen looks to have a legitimate chance of ousting French President Emmanuel Macron in what may turn out to be an earth-shattering political event in Europe.Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, joins us to discuss foreign policy contradictions in the US empire. The US empire has leveled cities in the Middle East, wiping out tens of thousands of civilians in a few days, but currently claims the moral high ground in Ukraine.Teresa Lundy, principal and founder of TML Communications, a leading public relations, communications, and advocacy firm in Pennsylvania, and business columnist at Metro Philly, joins us to discuss recent changes in abortion laws. An Oklahoma law change has outlawed nearly all abortions. The law is expected to end up in the Supreme Court as the issue of reproductive rights comes to the forefront in American politics.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss China. The US empire has pivoted to "human rights" attacks on India as the powerful Eurasian nation refuses to join its coalition against both Russia and China.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss Russia. In his most recent anti-war article, Ray talks about the position of the University of Chicago Professor John Mearsheimer, the widely respected "dean" of the realism school (aka "offensive realism") of international relations, on the Ukraine conflict. Mearsheimer explained that the root cause of the conflict lies in the April 2008 NATO summit declaration that Ukraine and Georgia "will become members of NATO," and that Russia sees this as an "existential threat" and therefore "must win" this one.Janvieve Williams Comrie, pan-Africanist organizer, international human rights and racial justice strategist, and the executive director at AfroResistance, joins us to discuss Colombia. Left-leaning anti-imperialist forces are on the edge of winning in Colombia as the first Black vice presidential candidate pushes on. Janvieve Williams Comrie joins us to discuss the history and perils faced by Colombia's VP hopeful.Ray Baker, political analyst and host of the podcast Public Agenda, joins us to discuss war profiteering. Corporate media is saturated with pundits who are financially benefiting from the array of military engagements that the United States is supporting. We also discuss the revolving door of the Pentagon media money-making scheme.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. india ukraine china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg radio sputnik, the critical hour, pakistan, india, ukraine, china, azov battalion, bbc, , radio https://sputniknews.com/20220414/us-court-reduces-damages-to-ex-tesla-employee-in-racism-suit-reports-say-1094760957.html US Court Reduces Damages to Ex-Tesla Employee in Racism Suit, Reports Say US Court Reduces Damages to Ex-Tesla Employee in Racism Suit, Reports Say US Court Reduces Damages to Ex-Tesla Employee in Racism Suit, Reports Say 2022-04-14T13:03+0000 2022-04-14T13:03+0000 2022-04-14T13:03+0000 tesla racial harassment racism /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0b/13/1090872945_0:136:3001:1824_1920x0_80_0_0_48d0576b91834b301b866aaf1b8dbc72.jpg US District Judge William Orrick dubbed the original award as "excessive" but agreed with all the charges against the company, the newspaper points out. According to the judge, Tesla showed "striking" indifference to the plaintiff's complaints.Tesla made no comment about the situation.On 5 October 2021, a California federal jury found Tesla liable for racial harassment in the workplace and failure to take adequate steps to stop the abuse. The plaintiff, a black former employee named Owen Diaz, was awarded nearly $137 million.On Wednesday, a federal district court in San Francisco reduced the sum Tesla has to pay to $15 million, the Wall Street Journal reported. That amount includes moral damages of $1.5 million and punitive damages of $13.5 million. In doing so, the court rejected Teslas appeal that the damages should be reduced to $600,000. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 tesla, racial harassment, racism https://sputniknews.com/20220414/us-to-provide-ukraine-with-even-more-intel-heavier-equipment-in-near-future---report-1094745739.html US to Provide Ukraine With Even More Intel, Heavier Equipment in Near Future - Report US to Provide Ukraine With Even More Intel, Heavier Equipment in Near Future - Report Meanwhile, the White House announced that it will send $800 million in additional weapons to Kiev, including artillery, armored personnel carriers, and... 14.04.2022, Sputnik International 2022-04-14T01:31+0000 2022-04-14T01:31+0000 2022-04-14T01:28+0000 situation in ukraine us ukraine us arms for ukraine ukraine crisis biden administration military & intelligence russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/0e/1094747415_0:320:3073:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_276e21c8a942f23d2fabbfcdb89553de.jpg The Biden administration is expanding the intelligence it provides to Ukraine's forces so they may target Russian troops in Donbass and Crimea, as part of a shift in US backing that also includes a new security assistance package with stronger weaponry, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.According to undisclosed officials within the White House, the decision was made last week to increase intelligence cooperation in order to help the Ukrainian military better understand the Russian troop movement in order to hit them with artillery, drone attacks, and other weaponry, including those provided by the US.Notably, under the new strategy, however, the US would refrain from supplying intelligence that would allow the Ukrainians to strike targets on Russian territory, a constraint set by Washington to reduce the possibility of the conflict spreading further, according to the report.More to that, the office of Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines reportedly produced intelligence-sharing guidance for US espionage agencies, while the office of the Defense Secretary issued a parallel guide for military operations.The previous US intelligence arrangements were put in place when American officials predicted that one of the directions of the Russian special military operation would be targeting Kiev.The report noted that - at the time - the Biden administration was concerned about the risk of escalating tensions with Moscow. And apparently, as of now, the White House decision to share more intelligence and provide artillery signals a shift in the US' approach to the conflict, and comes after Kiev has been repeatedly requesting tanks, aircraft, and other heavy armament from the US and NATO partners for weeks.Earlier, the US shared intelligence with Ukraine about Russian capabilities in the Donbass breakaway republics and Crimea, but stopped short of sharing targeting data that would allow Kiev's military to take offensive action to try to reclaim the lands.Sources reportedly noted that in light of the expected resumption of fighting, it was Republican lawmakers who pressed for additional intelligence to be supplied to Kiev, prompting the administration to reassess intelligence-sharing arrangements.In a Thursday testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hinted at the impending change in intelligence sharing, telling members that the administration was planning to provide updated guidance. Austin reportedly stated the earlier guidance did not make it clear that such intelligence may be used to help the Ukrainians to launch an attack at Donbass and Crimea.After that, US intelligence authorities and Pentagon officials started working to amend the intelligence guidance.New US Lethal Weaponry Package to UkraineBiden's latest armaments package is the first time the US has deployed its own-built artillery to Ukraine. The US will reportedly have to instruct the Ukrainians on how to use the 18 155 mm howitzers and 40,000 artillery ammunition that are being provided. According to the Pentagon, this training will most likely be carried out by US personnel already stationed in Eastern Europe.A total of 200 M-113 armored personnel carriers, 100 armored Humvees, two radars to detect the source of enemy artillery fire, two air observation radars, Claymore anti-personnel mines, and chemical and biological warfare protection equipment are said to be among the other systems.The US is also reportedly transferring unmanned naval vessels, which are expected to largely be used for reconnaissance tasks, although some officials have speculated that the Ukrainians may equip them to hit targets at sea, according to US media.Eleven Russian-made Mi-17 cargo helicopters are also part of the latest support package. In 2021, Ukrainians already received five Mi-17 helicopters.According to the statements, Russia is redeploying soldiers to Ukraine's south and east, as the first stage of its special military operation, reduction in combat capability of Ukrainian troops, was officially recognized as complete. The respite in hostilities has been seized by Ukraine to increase its pleas to the West for more armaments and sanctions against Russia.Thousands of Javelin anti-tank guns, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, and other lethal weapons have already been given by the Biden administration. The US, on the other hand, has put a stop to delivering Ukraine combat aircraft, which the White House thinks may cause Russia to regard the US as belligerent in the conflict. It has also refused to comply with Ukraine's demands that the US and NATO countries impose a no-fly zone over the country. https://sputniknews.com/20220413/new-us-military-aid-package-to-ukraine-may-include-humvee-armored-vehicles-reports-suggest-1094728489.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Kirill Kurevlev Kirill Kurevlev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Kirill Kurevlev us, ukraine, us arms for ukraine, ukraine crisis, biden administration, military & intelligence, russia With a win last week, Keep Rockin A put herself in position to advance to the April 25 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for older female pacers at Yonkers Raceway. But the six-year-old mare needs to keep rockin on Friday (April 15). Keep Rockin A vaulted to No. 8 in the Matchmakers points standings with her 1:51.4 victory on April 8 at Yonkers. It was Keep Rockin As first win for trainer Jeff Cullipher, who bought the mare with ownership partner Pollack Racing in November. Prior to the sale, the Australian-born import won three times in the U.S., including the Betsy Ross Invitational. The top-eight horses at the end of Fridays fifth of five preliminary rounds are eligible for the Blue Chip Matchmaker final. If horses are tied for the last spot, they will be drawn by lot to complete the field. It was a long time coming, Pollack Racings Tom Pollack said about Keep Rockin As win. We liked her from the minute we got her, shes just had some bumps in the road. She was tying up, she shut her air off a couple times; its just always been something. [Second trainer Rico Robinson] has done a really good job trying to fix everything. Last week, she finally put it all together. Keep Rockin A, a daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven-Kept For Pleasure, has competed in every round of the series, posting a third and two fourths in addition to her win. For her career in North America, she has won four of 28 starts and $167,447. We would have loved to give her a week off at some point in the series, but unfortunately based on where we were and the fact that shes really not staked to a lot, we wanted to keep going and give her every shot here, Pollack said. On Friday, Keep Rockin A is in the first of three $40,000 divisions. She will start from post 5 in a seven-horse field with Tim Tetrick in the sulky. Her division is stacked, with five of the top eight in the Matchmaker standings in the field: Easy To Please (second), Miss You N (tied fourth), and Best Head West and Mystical Carrie (both tied sixth). Keep Rockin A is 5-1 on the morning line. Miss You N, starting from post one with Dexter Dunn driving for Virgil Morgan Jr., is the 5-2 favourite. Its been a real competitive series, for sure, and we got in with a tough group, Pollack said. We control our own destiny. There are a lot of interesting scenarios, but its nice to be in a position where if we race well, things hopefully fall into place for us. Another horse that won last week to move into contention for the final was Lit De Rose, who is ninth in points. Lit De Rose, who sat out the third leg of the series, has a second and a fifth in addition to her victory. After the second leg, she scoped sick and had a little blood in her trachea, so I gave her the week off and put her on Lasix, trainer-driver Pat Lachance said. She raced really good (last week); she was really strong. Lit De Rose, a seven-year-old daughter of Leader Bayama-Intense, is owned by breeder Guy Corbeil of Quebec. The mare raced in Canada exclusively until November, when she joined Lachances stable in New Jersey. Since then, she has won seven of 14 races and hit the board a total of 10 times. Shes been very consistent, Lachance said about the winner of 30 of 85 lifetime starts and $466,777. We thought she belonged (in the Matchmaker). She is as good as anyone with a trip. She leaves the gate real good, and she finishes strong too. When shes right, she flies home. She loves to get to the wire. Shes got two moves in her, which is nice, and she is very versatile. She can race off the pace, she can be on the lead; it doesnt matter where you put her, she likes to race either way. That makes things a lot easier. Lit De Rose is in the second Matchmaker division, which includes one other horse in the standings top 10 Racine Bell, who is tied for second. Racine Bell, starting from post one with Jason Bartlett driving for David Dewhurst, is the 7-5 morning-line favourite. Lit De Rose, who leaves from post 6, is 6-1. The third division finds the top horse in the series, Drama Act. The five-year-old Ron Burke trainee has three wins and a third in the event and is safely into the final. George Brennan will drive Drama Act, the 6-5 morning-line favourite, from post 4. Division three also includes Karma Seelster, who is tied for fourth in points. She is 5-2 with Jordan Stratton at the lines for Andrew Adamczyk. Racing begins at 6:55 p.m. (EDT) at Yonkers. For the complete Blue Chip Matchmaker standings, click here. (USTA) For many participants in the harness racing industry, racing is as the saying goes in your blood. But for a large number of kids growing up today, even those with hands-on agricultural experience, that's not always the case. On April 7, a group of 4-H Cloverbuds from Brookfield, N.S. (Colchester Area) had the firsthand opportunity to visit two Standardbred stables at Truro Raceway. A group of seven young Cloverbuds made a visit to learn about horses in general and also had the lucky chance to learn about Standardbreds. Kaitlyn Wesley, owner of Prince Adam and co-owner of Campbell Racing Stable, and Ryder Rennison, owner, trainer and driver of the Rennison Stable, both were on hand to help teach the youth about these amazing animals. First at the gate was Prince Adam bouncing around and nickering to his owner Kaitlyn. The youth were in awe with 'Prince' but when Ryder walked around the barn with the mini pony, Dapper Dan, owned by Andrea Rennison, the Cloverbuds were in it for the long haul. Dapper Dan was used to make the kids comfortable with a horse and become aware of their surroundings. Then the fun began! The youth learned what the horses in the barn would receive for breakfast, lunch, supper and bedtime snacks. Being hands on with the horses, they were able to brush and scratch them, then Ryder gave a demo on the care of a horses foot. He showed them the shoes and how they differ from summer and winter using Special FX, a Rennison Stable horse. I would say the favourite part about the visit was being able to see the kids light up with joy when they touched the horses and gave them treats for being so good! said Wesley. (With files from Campbell Racing Stable & Rennison Stable) Veteran performers and amateurs alike are promoting traditional art forms via livestreaming. After some four hours of getting her makeup done, an artist was about to meet her audience online. Starting in April last year, Chen Yu began to perform excerpts of Yueju Opera, a traditional art form popular in Zhejiang province and Shanghai, by livestreaming on short-video platform Douyin, which is known as TikTok overseas. "At first, no one knew about me, and the number of audience was small," Chen says. "But I continued singing, and I began to get messages. People noticed that I work hard, and I guess they were inspired by my spirit." Chen, who was born in 1986 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, attended an art college in the city's Xiangshan county after junior middle school to learn how to perform Yueju Opera. Almost daily for three years, starting at 5 am, she practiced singing and movement, gradually mastering the art form. For a time, she played a young male role, or xiaosheng, as part of a local opera troupe in Ningbo. But she lost her job because the shows were reduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, she looked for alternatives. "I loved Yueju Opera and performing, and didn't want to give it up," she says. Along with many of her peers, Chen started livestreaming on Douyin. Her first performance drew a paltry audience of a few dozen. But her popularity suddenly exploded, and she has attracted an online fan base of more than 210,000. Six days a week, her fans watch her livestreaming, either performing popular Yueju Opera excerpts or talking about the art form. One livestream session can last up to six hours. "Livestreaming makes this traditional art form trendy and more promotable," she says. However, she says she still hopes to return to the stage one day. Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, says in an interview with The Beijing News: "The influence of the internet in promoting knowledge and traditional culture, including operas and other forms of intangible cultural heritage, is increasing through social media platforms." Other traditional art forms have also become more visible as a result of social media. Cheng Cheng, a 31-year-old actress of Huangmei Opera in Huanggang, Hubei province, also performs via livestreaming. In 2019, she happened to see one of her colleagues in a local theater company livestreaming a piano performance and noted the large audience. At that time, Cheng had already uploaded several videos related to Huangmei Opera and had gained 80,000 fans. She says she thought livestreaming was the way forward. "Performing onstage is different," she says. "Audience size is limited and the chances to perform face-to-face are fewer because of the pandemic. But with livestreaming, I can sing in front of more people and tell them about Huangmei Opera." Before she turned to livestreaming, Cheng would travel to different cities and provinces to perform on occasions, such as the opening of a new factory, festivals or weddings. The largest audience she had in a show was 10,000. However, on Douyin, a single post of her singing garners some 200,000 likes. Besides livestreaming from indoors, she performs at local parks. During a livestreaming session in December, one of her fans left a message, saying she showed Cheng's videos to her grandfather, who commented that he thought nowadays no one was performing such traditional art forms, but found that they were "hiding" in mobile apps. Cheng says that through the messages left by the viewers, she realizes that many have little understanding of the opera when they first log in to her livestreaming sessions. Now, she is including talks on Huangmei Opera in the livestreaming. Cheng says she comes across other performers on Douyin, and shares her experiences of performing online with them. In addition to amateur enthusiasts, veteran opera artists and cultural inheritors have also turned to performing and teaching traditional art forms via the internet. According to Douyin, last year, about 99 percent of different Chinese operas on the country's intangible cultural heritage list were performed on its platform. The top five most-liked genres were Huangmei Opera, Peking Opera, Yuju Opera, Yueju Opera and Qinqiang Opera. "Livestreaming provides more opportunities for young artists," Zhang Hui, Party secretary and head of the Hubei Huangmei Opera Theater, tells Chutian Metropolis Daily. "Even though there are offline performances, the scale and time span of the shows is limited due to the pandemic." Contributions of money by online viewers can provide young artists with incentives to enhance their skills and work harder to attract more followers, Zhang Hui says. The Calibraska Arts Initiative and the West Nebraska Arts Center are preparing for another summer full of fun art classes and camps for the public. The two organizations kicked off the registrations with a Summer Sign-up Party April 2 at WNAC. There will be classes offered for people ages 6 years to adult. The arts center will offer two summer art camps June 14-17. The morning camp is for kids, ages 6-9 years, and runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The afternoon camp is for kids, ages 10-15 years, and runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. During the four-day camp, students will create original artwork using various mediums and techniques with guidance from artists. The art camps are always a part of summer we look forward to, Stephanie Coley, WNAC program manager, said. They are halfway full with six students in each class. Following the camp, students artwork will be on display June 17 during a public reception at the center. The arts center teachers are Kim Cardwell and Mary Hunt. This year, we have a new teacher, Kim Cardwell, Coley said. Shell be teaching card making, origami and box making. Hunts classes will explore the Aztec culture and includes activities with Aztec influence in sculpting, painting and building projects. We want as many students as possible to be involved with our art camps, Coley said. We have scholarship applications for those in financial need. They are limited, so if interested, please contact us as soon as possible. To apply for scholarships, visit www.thewnac.com, email Coley at steph@thewnac.com or call 308-632-2226. Camps cost $95 for members and $110 for non-members. The registration deadline is June 10. For more information on the camps and to register, call the arts center. There are special rates for siblings. We are thrilled to help the youth explore their potential and thrive in the arts, Coley said. Calibraska will be in Scottsbluff June 21 July 1, bringing teaching artists from Los Angeles to Scottsbluff to teach in the program, including Calibraska founding director Erica Larsen-Dockray. Larsen-Dockray, who grew up in Scottsbluff, will be joined by Bona Bones, an animation faculty member at Kansas City Arts Institute and a freelance animator in Hollywood and husband and wife duo Bertha Aguilar and Diego Robles, who are LA-based educators, independent artists and filmmakers. While in town, the artists will offer classes and camps on 2D digital and stop motion animation, drawing, cinematography and editing, new genres in art, zines and lettering design. The classes are offered in English and Spanish. Calibraska also offers online classes June 2 through July. The online classes explore story development, animation and activism, the history of music video with a veteran Hollywood producer and digital design and color with a Disney animator. More information about the classes can be found at www.calibraska.org. They are also piloting a Creative College Prep course specifically for Nebraskans planning to apply to an art school or creative program during the fall of 2023. The class starts in April and runs through December and offers one-on-one guidance for preparing and applying to arts-based programs. The class is free, however students need to apply by April 15 to be considered for it. To learn more, visit www.Calibraska.org/creativecollegeprep. The early registration deadline is Friday, April 15. Regular registration runs from April 16-May 15 and late registration ends June 1. For more information on the classes, to sign up, visit www.calibraska.org or contact Calibraska at info@calibraska.org or call Larsen-Dockray at 308-631-5704. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CAIRO (AP) Rival Libyan officials began talks Wednesday in the Egyptian capital on disputed constitutional arrangements for their country's elections. The U.N.-brokered talks come as the North African nation is increasingly deadlocked. Twelve lawmakers from Libya's east-based parliament and 12 from the High Council of State, an advisory body in the capital of Tripoli, in western Libya, are taking part, according to the parliament's spokesman, Abdullah Bliheg. The U.N. special adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, said the meetings in Cairo would conclude next Wednesday, hopefully with an agreement on a "solid constitutional basis and electoral framework." You have a critical role to play in making your voice heard in support of your 2.8 million fellow Libyan citizens who have registered to vote," she said, addressing the meeting. Libya has been pulled apart again, with two rival governments claiming power after tentative steps towards unity in the past year, following a decade of civil war. The oil-rich North African country has been wrecked by conflict since the NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country has for years been split between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by different militias and foreign governments. In February, the countrys east-based House of Representatives named a new prime minister, former interior minister Fathi Bashagha, to lead a new interim government. The lawmakers there claimed the mandate of interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who is based in Tripoli, expired when the election failed to take place as planned in December. Dbeibah, however, remined defiant against replacing his government, despite the resignations of a handful of ministers and the handover of government buildings in the southern and eastern regions to Bashagha's government. Over the past two months, divisions among Libyan factions deepened, with militias mobilizing especially in the western region. That has raised fears fighting could return after more than a year and a half of relative calm. The presidential vote was originally planned for Dec. 24, but was postponed over disputes between rival factions on laws governing the elections and controversial presidential hopefuls. That was a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form In the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature, expectation lurks as a kind of devilish phantom farmer secretly sowing seeds of disappointment. That is what life is sometimes like inside the Nebraska State Legislature. You can spend an entire year or more crafting a single piece of legislation only to see it fail on the floor of the Legislature by a single vote or two, and that is what happened last week on more than one occasion. Last week was a very disappointing week in the Nebraska State Legislature. With just a few days left in the legislative session, some of the Legislatures most important bills failed to advance and become law, and sometimes it was by a small margin of votes. So, today I am going to tell you about three bills which should have advanced in the Legislature last week, but didnt. Each of these bills was a good bill, but is now dead for the year. The first bill to tell you about is my own constitutional resolution for the consumption tax, known in the Legislature as LR 264 CA. LR 264 CA was my priority bill for the year and it failed on the floor of the Legislature with only 19 affirmative votes. It needed 25 votes to advance. What was just as disappointing as the vote was the fact that the north gallery was completely full of citizen supporters who came out to listen to the debate only to see that only a few Senators remained on the floor to participate in the debate. Instead of hearing reasons to support the consumption tax, these Senators had already made deals with the lobbyists or made up their own minds not to support it and turned a deaf ear to the floor debate. So, LR 264 CA is now dead. The second bill to tell you about was LB 933, Sen. Joni Albrechts pro-life bill. This bill was equipped with a trigger clause to end the practice of abortion in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Constitution gets amended, or Congress passes enabling legislation allowing states to pass their own laws on abortion. However, pro-choice Senators led a filibuster against the bill. When Sen. Albrecht tried to get around the filibuster by invoking cloture, a motion which would have ended the floor debate and put the bill up for a vote, it failed by only two votes. Cloture votes require affirmative votes from two-thirds of the Legislature (33 votes), and failure to meet that threshold automatically ends debate for the day. The cloture vote received 31 YES votes with three Senators absent, which was 67.4 percent of the Legislature, more than two-thirds. Nevertheless, 15 NO votes or 32.6 percent of the Legislature was all that was needed to kill the bill. LB 933 is now dead. The third bill to tell you about is LB 543, otherwise known as the Right-to-Repair Act. LB 543 was Sen. Tom Brandts priority bill for the year. The Right-to-Repair Act gives the owner of agricultural equipment the right to repair equipment without breaching the manufacturers original contract. Owners of the equipment would be given access to manuals, tools and parts which are necessary for making the repairs. The Right-to-Repair Act is controversial because it mandates that manufacturers part with their own proprietary information. Passing LB 543 on General File, however, would have enabled the Legislature to continue having a constructive conversation about this very controversial topic. Instead, LB 543 failed on floor of the Legislature. So, LB 543 is now dead. As you can see, life in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature can sometimes be full of disappointments. It can be frustrating to invest yourself in a piece of legislation only to see it die in committee or fail on the floor of the Legislature. Being a State Senator is not a job for the faint of heart; instead, it is a job which requires firm resolve, steadfast patience, and persistence over time. I will be back again next year to try and achieve my number one goal, which is to give meaningful tax relief to all Nebraskans. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe As someone my age would do, I took to Instagram to ask the residents of Statesville (at least the ones that follow me) about their opinions on After an investigation that focused on drug dealers who bring drugs into Wythe County, the Wythe County Sheriffs Office arrested three men this week. Deputies seized more than six pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $300,000. The average buy is for about one gram of meth. The amount seized was enough for 2,900 buys, officials said. In a press release, Sheriff Charles Foster said that through controlled drug buys and gaining information over the past several months, deputies were able to arrest major drug dealers coming into the county to supply methamphetamine. On Tuesday, deputies arrested Antonio Isaiah Reynolds, 23, of Roanoke, near exit 86 on Interstate 81 after he was accused of bringing approximately six ounces of methamphetamine into the county to sell. The press release said that Reynolds tried to flee from deputies and struck a Wythe County Sheriffs Office vehicle. Deputies arrested him and charged him with possessing 100 or more grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. If found guilty, Reynolds faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to $1,000,000. On Wednesday, deputies arrested West Virginia residents Aaron Darnell Edwards, 20, of Princeton, and Qunzell Gavan Payne, 20, of Bluefield, near exit 77 on I-81m after police said they brought six pounds of methamphetamine into Wythe County to sell. During their arrests, deputies found them to also be in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9 mm loaded handgun. They both were charged with the distribution of methamphetamine of 100 grams or more, which is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 40 years to life in prison. Here are the charges each man faces: Antonio Isaiah Reynolds: two counts of possession of meth with intent to distribute. Quenzell Gavan Payne: possession with the intent to distribute greater than 100 grams and possession of a firearm while distributing Schedule 1 or 2 drugs. Aaron Darnell Edwards: possession with the intent to distribute greater than 100 grams and possession of a firearm while distributing Schedule 1 or 2 drugs. The Wythe County Sheriffs Office will continue to aggressively focus on drug dealers who are poisoning our community, said Wythe County Chief Deputy Anthony Cline. Accused of abusing a puppy and causing fractures, a Wytheville resident has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. Patrick Scott Rigsbee, 30, was arrested on March 31 following an investigation by Wytheville Animal Control Officer K.M. Kelley. In a search warrant application for the Oyo Motel room where Rigsbee lives, Kelley wrote that the Wytheville Police Department got a complaint on March 30 about the possible abuse of multiple animals. Upon officers responding to the location, they located one animal that was seized and currently suffers from nine broken ribs and a fractured hip, Kelley wrote. On Wednesday, Kelley said the hound mix was being cared for by a veterinarian. Free on a $2,500 bond, Rigsbee, who lived in North Carolina before moving to Wytheville, has a June 6 trial date set in Wythe County General District Court. His criminal history includes charges of assault and battery, burglary, larceny, probation violation, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of methamphetamine, according to court documents. In July of last year, the Wythe County Commonwealths Attorney Office dropped a felony child abuse charge against Rigsbee related to a male minor. He was arrested in January 2020. If convicted of the animal cruelty charge, he faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. A motorcyclist from Bristol, Tennessee, has died after a wreck last Monday in Washington County, Virginia, where he was being pursued by a deputy from the Washington County Sheriffs Office. A deputy with the Sheriffs Office had observed Tommy G. Millhorn, 40, of Bristol, Tennessee, driving at a reckless speed in the area of Industrial Park Road, a press release from the Washington County Sheriffs Office said. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Millhorn, who was riding a 2001 Honda Shadow motorcycle, accelerated, the release from the Sheriffs Office said. The deputy chased the motorcycle driver, who exceeded the speed limit and then left the roadway, subsequently entering a grassy area and hitting a small embankment. The driver was still alert and oriented when deputies made contact, the release stated. According to the Virginia State Police, the crash happened just after 10 p.m. on southbound state Route 611 nearly a quarter-mile south of Route 883. Millhorn was transported to Johnston Memorial Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. He was wearing a helmet. The crash remains under investigation. You are here: Arts Renowned dancer-choreographer Yang Liping recently collaborated with light painting artist Roy Wang in creating a series of photographs and videos that merge the two art forms. The project selected snippets from Yangs representative dance pieces, including The Spirit of Peacock and Moonlight, performed by young dancer Xiao Han, who succeeded Yang as the lead dancer in these pieces. Chinese light painting artist Roy Wang designed and created light effects for each dance move with hand-held light sources, and shot the processes via long exposure, hence creating photographs in which the dancer is backlit by surreal lights and images. The Daily News Students in Need drive has reached $17,327. The drive raises money for the Lower Columbia College Student Success Fund. The fund makes grants to help students overcome financial humps that might otherwise force them to drop out of school. All proceeds from the fund go to the college because the newspaper absorbs all administrative costs. This is the drives seventh year, and its fundraising goal is to raise $35,000 by May 1. To donate online, go to www.tdn.com/students and click on the donate button. Latest donations $5,000: Sharon Bergman in honor of Dan Evans. $1,800: anonymous. $500: Jim and Eileen Reinecke. $250: anonymous. $200: Richard and Betty Swanson. $100: Larry and Amanda Chambers, Mary A. Wheeler in appreciation of Early Childhood Education students and staff, Don and Donna Denzinger, and John and Kathy Lance. $50: Cheryl S. Karr and Roger Cleveland in memory of Martin Cleveland. $25: Allison Hutchinson. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A joint cybersecurity advisory released by the Department of Energy, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the National Security Agency and the FBI is photographed in Washington, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The agencies issued the joint alert Wednesday announcing the discovery of malicious cyber tools capable of gaining "full system access" to multiple industrial control systems. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Elswick 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 toolsand 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." "We're 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: ""We've been warning for years that our critical infrastructure is constantly under attack. Today's alerts detail just how sophisticated our adversaries have gotten." Microsoft had no comment. Explore further How Ukraine has defended itself against cyberattackslessons for the US 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk arrives on the red carpet for the Axel Springer media award in Berlin on Dec. 1, 2020. Musk is offering to buy Twitter, Thursday, April 14, 2022. He says the social media platform he has criticized for not living up to free speech principles needs to be transformed as a private company. Credit: Hannibal Hanschke/Pool Photo via AP, File In just ten days, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has gone from popular Twitter contributor to the company's largest individual shareholder to a would-be owner of the social platforma whirlwind of activity that could change the service dramatically given Musk's self-identification as a free speech absolutist. Twitter revealed in a securities filing Thursday that the sometimes whimsical billionaire has offered to buy the company outright for more than $43 billion, saying the social media platform "needs to be transformed as a private company" in order to build trust with its users. "This is not a sort of way to make money," Musk said during an onstage interview at the TED 2022 conference Thursday. "Having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization." Like other platforms, Twitter over the past several years has established restrictions on tweets that threaten violence, incite hatred, bully others and spread misinformation. Such rules played a key role in Twitter's decision to ban former President Donald Trump following the 2021 Capitol insurrection of Jan. 6. Musk detailed some specific potential changes Thursdaylike favoring temporary rather than permanent bansbut has mostly described his aim in broad and abstract terms. While Twitter's user base remains much smaller than those of rivals such as Facebook and TikTok, the service is popular with celebrities, world leaders, journalists and intellectuals. Musk himself has more than 81 million followers, rivaling pop stars such as Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga. Twitter shares were changing hands at $44.82 in afternoon trading, down slightly more than 2% and well below Musk's offer of $54.20 per share. That's generally a sign that some investors doubt the deal will go through. The stock is still down from its 52-week high of about $73. Musk called that price his best and final offer, although he provided no details on financing. The offer is non-binding and subject to financing and other conditions. "I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy," Musk said in the filing. "I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company." Twitter said it will decide whether accepting the offer is in the best interests of shareholders. Analyst Daniel Ives of Wedbush said in a client note that he believes "this soap opera will end with Musk owning Twitter after this aggressive hostile takeover of the company." He thinks it would be hard for any other bidders or consortium to come forward and said Twitter's board will likely be forced to accept Musk's offer or start a process to sell the company. The login/sign up screen for a Twitter account is seen on a laptop computer Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. Musk is offering to buy Twitter, Thursday, April 14, 2022. He says the social media platform he has criticized for not living up to free speech principles needs to be transformed as a private company. Credit: AP Photo/John Raoux, File Musk revealed in regulatory filings over recent weeks that he'd been buying shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31, ending up with a stake of about 9%. Only Vanguard Group's suite of mutual funds and ETFs controls more Twitter shares. A lawsuit filed Tuesday in New York federal court alleged that Musk illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission could punish Musk for hurting other investors by taking too long to disclose his buying up of Twitter shares, but it's unlikely that it will do anything to stop a takeover, said Chester Spatt, a former SEC chief economist. "This is going to play out reasonably quickly," said Spatt, now a finance professor at Carnegie Mellon University. The SEC, he said, "weighs in after the fact for the most part." The billionaire has been a vocal critic of Twitter, mostly over his belief that it falls short on free speech principles. The social media platform has angered followers of Donald Trump and other far-right political figures who've had their accounts suspended for violating its content standards on violence, hate or harmful misinformation. Musk has described himself as a "free speech absolutist" but is also known for blocking other Twitter users who question or disagree with him. After Musk announced his stake, Twitter quickly offered him a seat on its board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the company's outstanding stock, according to a filing. But the company said five days later that he'd declined. The decision coincided with a barrage of now-deleted and not-always-serious tweets from Musk proposing major changes to the company, such as dropping adsits chief source of revenueand transforming its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter. The turnabout led CEO Parag Agrawal to warn employees earlier this week that "there will be distractions ahead" and to "tune out the noise and stay focused on the work." Twitter hasn't done as well as its social media rivals and lost money last year. The company reported a net loss of $221 million for 2021 largely tied to the settlement of a lawsuit by shareholders who said the company misled investors about how much its user base was growing and how much users interacted with its platform. Its co-founder Jack Dorsey resigned as CEO in late November and was replaced by Agrawal. Musk's more than 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 didn't happen, but the tweet caused Tesla's stock price to jump. Musk's latest trouble with the SEC could be his delay in notifying regulators of his growing stake in Twitter. Both his 2018 comments about taking Tesla private at $420 per share and his latest bid to take Twitter private at $54.20 per share seemed to jokingly reference the number 420, a slang reference to marijuana. "I guess he's free to name whatever price he wants," Spatt said. "One could argue he's trying to poke a finger at the SEC. It's hard to see what the commission could do about that. But I do think his violation of the 10-day disclosure requirement is a substantive thing." Explore further Musk suggests Twitter changes, including accepting Dogecoin 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Maria and her baby Remi, after collecting food at the new site in Oruchinga. Credit: WFP/Claire Nevill Maria Macumi fled Burundi when her husband was brutally murdered. Like all refugees at Oruchinga refugee settlement, in Uganda, she now has a form of identification that gives her access to the correct supply of food from the World Food Program to feed herself and her children. Part of the identification process relies on iris recognition technology invented by John Daugman, Professor of Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition at the University of Cambridge. "The striking thing about an iris pattern is that it contains a great deal of randomness, making each one very unique," says Daugman. The idea that the iris might be used like a fingerprint goes back to 1949 when a British ophthalmologist named J. H. Doggart noted what an incredibly rich and complex pattern the iris reveals. "I would describe it in terms of entropy which is a fundamental concept from information theory that measures the amount of randomness in a set of patterns," says Daugman. "I realized that iris patterns have a massive amount of entropy, which enables a globally unique signature to be encoded from each one." An 'impossible problem' "To recognize someone just by looking at their eyes sounds like an impossible problem, despite the long tradition asserting that 'the eye is the window to the soul,'" says Daugman. "Computer vision initially focused on predictable objects with simple geometries, like manufactured parts," Daugman explains. "But natural objects are not always like that, and now the field is much more focused on probabilistic reasoning and learning. The key breakthrough in my iris recognition algorithms was to regard randomness not as noise, but rather as the key to the solution." Building on this idea, Daugman went on to develop a set of algorithms called IrisCode which provided an automatic and rapid method for determining a person's identity. "When the codes for two different iris patterns are compared, the likelihood that they might agree by chance in, say, more than a third of their bits (that is binary digits, which are the basic units of data in computing) is less than one in a million," explains Daugman. "Such comparisons are like tossing a fair coin about 250 times in a rowthe chances of getting fewer than one third 'heads' are less than one in a million." Astonishingly, because of the simplicity of parallel bit comparisons, the IrisCode algorithm can carry out millions of iris pattern comparisons per second. This proved crucial for the commercialization of the technology. Patents and commercialization Daugman's patents began to be granted in 1994 and were licensed to companies that started to make special iris cameras, such as Panasonic, Oki and Sensar. Such cameras acquire images in the near-infrared band (700900nm) in which even dark brown eyes, as possessed by most of the world's people, reveal rich iris texture. Other licensees included systems integrators like Sagem and Morpho, data centers like Google, banks, and designers of airport security gates and systems, such as the UK Home Office project IRIS (Iris Recognition Immigration System) for passport-free international border crossing. Using information theory, Daugman demonstrated that IrisCode was highly resistant to generating false matches even within datasets topping billions. Such a robust biometric technology had not been seen prior to IrisCode and no such technology has been developed since. Today, all iris recognition systems across the world are based on the algorithms created by Daugman. "In India," said Daugman, "if you don't have the means of confirming your identity, you don't exist." Without documentation individuals are unable to access State benefits and services. This is a major problem in a country in which only 5.15% of Indians hold a passport, and only a minority of the population hold a bank account. Woman using an iris camera to enrol herself with the Unique IDentification Authority of India. Credit: UIDAI In 2011 the Unique IDentification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched a biometric national identity program called Aadhaar which used IrisCode technology. Now almost the full population of 1.3 billion have been enrolled. "People queued up eagerly to get themselves enrolled biometrically and to get the Aadhaar," says Daugman. "To quote Srikanth Nadhamuni, who was the director of UIDAI, it was perceived to be a 'door opener.'" Tackling corruption The Aadhaar program means that aid is also more likely to reach the people who need it rather than being lost to corruption. Previously more than half of the $60 billion India annually spent on social programs, subsidies and welfare benefits didn't reach its intended recipients. But Aadhaar seeks to address this by preventing benefits from being "siphoned off by corrupt officials and middlemen," to quote Nadhamuni. Empowering women Before the roll-out of the Aadhaar program, a ration card under the name of the male head of a household was often used for access to services. But now women are being given an official individual identity, which is the first step towards improving access to the services they need. For refugees who have lost everything, the benefit of being able to prove who they are cannot be overestimated. It means they can quickly and safely access the humanitarian aid they are entitled to. Humanitarian organizations have adopted the use of IrisCode technology. For example, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) used it to successfully register nearly 110,000 Myanmar refugees in Thailand's border camps between January and June 2015. Saving bank fees IrisCode technology can also make aid donations go further. In 2017, the WFP (World Food Program) combined IrisCode technology with blockchain as a means of making regular cash transfers simpler, more efficient, and more resistant to fraud. It was used at the King Abdullah Park, Azraq and Zaatari Refugee Camps in Jordan. More than $23.5 million worth of entitlements have been transferred to refugees through 1.1 million blockchain transactions. This saved 98% of bank transaction fees, achieving better value for money. The gift of identification In March 2018 the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of Uganda, in collaboration with UNHCR and the WFP, launched an ambitious initiative to collect the biometric datafingerprints and iris scansof everyone living in refugee settlements across the country. The aim of the project was to ensure that food distribution was fair and not subject to fraud. Registration began in Oruchinga refugee settlement and incredibly, just seven months later, the exercise was complete, with 1.15 million refugees enrolled. Central to the project's success was the support of those living in the settlements who spread the message and encouraged sign-up. Today, thanks to Daugman's technology, millions of people, just like Maria, are being treated with the dignity they deserve. Explore further A novel eye detection system capable of capturing images in motion from a distance of two meters Elon Musk acknowledged his bid to buy Twitter may fail, but said he has a "plan B" Tesla chief Elon Musk said Thursday he's not sure his $43 billion bid to buy Twitter will succeed, but asserted he has a "plan B" in case of failure. In his first spoken comments since the shock offer became public, Musk downplayed his concerns over money, though assembling the funding for an all-cash offer of this size is never simple. The world's richest person would need to part with some of his mountains of Tesla stock if his offer gets board backingwhich is not guaranteed. "I'm not sure that I will actually be able to acquire it," Musk told a conference in Canada, referring to Twitter. He went on to note that money wasn't the primary issue, saying "I could technically afford it." Musk acknowledged he has a "plan B" if his offer fails, but refused to elaborate when pressed. "For another time, I think," the billionaire said. Musk's filing to US authorities on the proposal offered an idea of what he'd do if rejected: "My offer is my best and final offer and if it is not accepted, I would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder." Musk last week disclosed a purchase of 73.5 million sharesor 9.2 percentof Twitter's common stock, which ignited a roller-coaster of events, including his refusal to join the company's board. In his comments Thursday, Musk reiterated his statements that the aim of his bid was to promote freedom of speech on Twitter. "This is not a way to make money," he said. "My strong intuitive sense is that having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization. I don't care about the economics at all," he added. The serial entrepreneur's endeavors include driving a shift to electric vehicles through his automaker Tesla, private space exploration, and linking computers with brains. His behavior, however, has raised eyebrows, prompted laughs, and sometimes drawn condemnation or even litigation. Explore further Musk dodges limits in Twitter board seat refusal: experts 2022 AFP 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. 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. WASHINGTON It wasnt quite at the steps of the U.S. Capitol, but awfully close. A charter bus carrying migrants from Texas under Gov. Greg Abbotts recently announced plan arrived in Washington on Wednesday morning. The bus pulled up to an intersection a few blocks from the Capitol, close to Union Station, shortly after 7 a.m. That location also happens to be next to a building that houses the operations of several television outlets, including Fox News. The network aired footage showing migrants leaving the bus one at a time, clutching manila envelopes and wearing hospital-style bracelets on their wrists. Abbott signed a letter last week directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management to provide the bus rides to migrants who are released from federal custody in cities along the border with Mexico if the migrants volunteer. Despite assurances from Texas officials that the program is completely voluntary, some civil rights groups have raised legal questions about the plan, largely centered around whether the migrants could feel coerced to board the buses. Defenders of the busing have characterized it as a desperate attempt by Texas to deal with broken federal immigration policy generally and the surge of migrants expected when pandemic-related border restrictions are lifted next month. According to Fox News, 23 migrants disembarked the bus Wednesday morning and waved to it as it drove off. That tally included 19 men, four women and two small children, according to Fox, and included individuals from Nicaragua and Venezuela. In a statement early Wednesday, Abbott confirmed the arrival of the first bus and said a second bus is en route to Washington. 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. 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. A&M United Methodist Church will celebrate Easter at Veterans Park in College Station on Saturday with food, games and fellowship. The event is from 10 a.m. to noon and includes crafts, bounce houses and egg hunts. A free lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Registration is required at am-umc.org/events. THURSDAY EVENTS Easter Egg-stravaganza, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. The Easter Bunny will be present and there will be Easter-themed games. Children under 10 will be given a bag filled with eggs, candy, toys and a coloring sheet in lieu of an egg hunt. Brazos County Health District open house, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 201 N. Texas Ave. in Bryan. Guided tours, speakers and information about services offered by the health department. Aggie Super Circuit horse show, through Sunday at the Brazos County Expo, 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. The Turn of the Screw, 7:30 p.m. at Stagecenter Theatre, 218 N. Bryan Ave. in Bryan. Tickets are $10 and only available at stagecenter.net. Once Upon a Story Time, 10 a.m. at Lake Walk Pavilion, 4107 Lake Atlas Drive in Bryan. The Childrens Museum of the Brazos Valley will host a free, one-hour story time and craft. Trivia on the Green, 7 to 10 p.m. The Green at Century Square. Win prizes by competing with your friends to answer questions about sports, history, music and more. Free and open to the public. century-square.com/events. BCS Triathlon Club weekly ride, 6:30 p.m., departing from the east corner of the Lowes parking lot, 4451 Texas 6 in College Station. Lunch and Learn, online event from noon to 1 p.m. Hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley. The topic is Ukraine resistance. For the Zoom link, visit go.theeagle.com/brazosuu. LIVE MUSIC Mary Charlotte Young, 7 p.m. at The Front Porch at Century Square, 170 Century Square Drive in College Station. Tom Sless, 6 p.m. at Mos Irish Pub, 1025 University Drive in College Station. Ricky Montijo, 6 p.m. at Casa Do Brasil, 1665 Greens Prairie Road in College Station. Mark Briles, 7 p.m. at Luigis Patio Ristorante, 3975 Texas 6 in College Station. COVID-19 TESTING St. Teresa Catholic Church, 201 Hall St. in Bryan, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On-site registration accepted. curative.com. Kohls parking lot kiosk, 1509 Texas Ave. in College Station, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rapid PCR testing. On-site registration accepted. curative.com. Blinn College, 651 Blinn Blvd. in Brenham, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday. On-site registration accepted. curative.com. Rudder Plaza kiosk, 275 Joe Routt Blvd. on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nasal swab tests for Texas A&M students, faculty and staff members. Appointments required. Mays Plaza kiosk, 210 Olsen Blvd. on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nasal swab tests for Texas A&M students, faculty and staff members. Appointments required. SUPPORT GROUPS Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 5:30 p.m. A peer-led weight loss support group. Call 846-0617 for location. NAMI Brazos Valley Mental Health support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Free support group for people with symptoms of mental health issues. Open to residents in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties. Meetings are held online and in-person. Call 774-4713 or visit namibv.org/namibvsupport for more information. EXHIBITS Oceans of Plastic at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. A collection of art made from plastic pollution acquired from beaches along the Texas coast. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, and tickets must be purchased at bush41.org/visit/admission. The Art of Gemology, through July 9 at the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, 4180 Texas 6 in College Station. A collection of work by Neena Buxani. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Painting My Legacy, through May 31 at the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, 4180 Texas 6 in College Station. A collection of work by June Dudley. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Texas on Paper, through May 29 at the J. Wayne Stark Galleries in the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station. The exhibit examines the growth and popularity of printmaking among artists and an exploration of various paper media. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. tx.ag/paper. Space: Now You See It, through May 15 at the J. Wayne Stark Galleries in the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station. The exhibit explores how floral art installations inhabit and alter perceptions of space and depth of field. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. tx.ag/floralspace. Fire and Earth, the Story of Ceramics, through May 28 at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan. Exhibit highlights include the origins of ceramics, current uses and the future of the material. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults. A historic three-volume series commemorating the life of former Colombian President Virgilio Barco Vargas was donated Wednesday to George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum by Carolina Barco and her siblings. The three-volume set was commissioned last year by current Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez as part of a time-honored tradition to honor former presidents on their 100th birthday. Other commemorative events and projects included conferences, an exhibition, podcast and a documentary. The donation of the three-volume set comes out of appreciation for President George H.W. Bushs support of Colombia during Barco Vargas presidency. Her father believed in the written word, and felt if it wasnt written or in an archive, it would not be remembered or allow those to understand their history or country, Barco said. I think for him this book would be very important, and leaving this book here in this library and with this institution ... is so fantastic. I think it is such an appropriate place for it to be, said Barco, an ambassador and former foreign minister. The three-volume series entitled Virgilio Barco: A Tribute identified seven legacies of Barcos public life, Barco said. One of the most important legacies dealt with international relations and the fight against narco-terrorism. Colombia had to make a very firm and big decision and that was to fight back against the drug lords, Barco said. They resorted to terrorism killing, meaning, kidnapping. My father came in, in this very difficult moment and within the first four months they killed the president of the major newspaper. In hopes of stopping terrorism in Colombia, Barco Vargas used an extradition treaty with the United States, one that he helped negotiate as an ambassador in 1977-79, his daughter said. The late Colombian president met with President Bush and the U.S. Congress, as well as other international leaders, to discuss the importance of shared responsibility relating to the issues of drug trafficking, production and consumption, Barco said. President Bush assumed the responsibility and organized a trip and meeting in Cartagena, Barco said. Colombia, at that moment, was one of the most dangerous countries in the world, so for President Bush to say that he was going to have a meeting and was going to go to Cartagena was really, really courageous. Also at that meeting were the presidents of Peru and Bolivia, who were the two largest coca producing countries in the world. The statements from the meeting and documented summaries of meetings in Washington were chosen to be part of the book, Barco said. As President Bush left, we had a conversation with his team and decided it was very important to offer alternative economic opportunities to the producers of coca, Barco said. Thats when he pushed and Congress was very open to approving the Andean Trade Preference Act, which allowed us to bring most of our exports tariff free into the United states and made it easier for us to sell our products. Two other biographies were donated by the Barco family: Barco: Life and Events of a Crucial Presidency and the Violent World He Confronted focused on Barco Vargas crucial fight against drug traffickers and Virgilio Barco, the Last Liberal looked at his life as president and his values of open discussion and concerns on social issues. What an important role President George Hebert Walker Bush and his team had, and how grateful Colombia is for the support we received at that very crucial moment, the support we continue to receive and to work together, Barco said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ross Ramsey is executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune, a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Contact him at rramsey@texastribune.org. Donated U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Army uniforms hang inside glass cases on the walls of Building 2 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem. There is a lot of pride from our folks, said Rebecca Stackhouse, executive director of the Salem VA health care system, as she walked past and headed down one of the many winding corridors of the 88-year-old building. The labyrinthine VA campus has been a fixture in Salem and for Southwest Virginia veterans for decades. Thousands receive health care at the facility every year and some have been coming for decades. When a recent federal-level recommendation to close the VA Medical Center was released, veterans, employees and community members grew concerned. How could it ever be accomplished? The Department of Veterans Affairs released a list of recommendations March 14 for modernizing the health care system at its facilities across the country. Because of decreasing veteran enrollment in the area and the age of the VA hospital in Salem, the department recommended building a new medical center in Roanoke and closing the existing hospital, which employs nearly 1,800. The new facility would provide inpatient mental health services, outpatient services, a residential rehabilitation treatment program and a community living center. Inpatient medical and surgical, emergency department and outpatient surgical services that the VA currently provides would be done through a sharing agreement or lease with another provider. If that kind of collaboration proves to be impossible, VA would utilize community providers instead. Under these recommendations, the VA Medical Center in Salem would close. The Salem VAMC has difficulty recruiting and retaining specialty care providers and the current multi-building layout, aging infrastructure, and major architectural engineering challenges on the campus make it impractical and inefficient for continued future capital investments, the recommendations stated. The report did not include details about what would happen to the more than 200 acres where the facility is currently located. Stackhouse said the recommendations released in mid-March are only the start of a very long process. The recommendations that went in very likely could not be the recommendations that end up going to Congress, if that happens, she said. For us, its going to be years before we see any changes and we are not sure what those changes are going to be. The MISSION Act, which was signed into law in 2018, requires the VA to study the current and future health care needs of veterans and to assess their facilities once every four years. It also requires the VA secretary to develop recommendations to modernize the departments medical facilities. For the past two years, the VA has analyzed data, conducted interviews with leaders at each of its medical centers, hosted listening sessions and consulted with other veteran organizations to develop their recommendations. Now that the final report has been published, the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission, a presidentially appointed body, will conduct public hearings and review the recommendations before submitting its own to President Joe Biden. The president has until the end of March 2023 to approve or disapprove of the recommendations. After that, recommendations are sent to Congress, which will have 45 days to reject them. If no action is taken, they will be considered approved. Implementation of the approved recommendations could span decades as congressional funding fluctuates and the details of the plan are implemented. The one thing that is not going to change, no matter what the final set of recommendations are a year from now, is that the VA will always have a presence here, Stackhouse said. We will always provide care to the veterans in the Roanoke Valley and the rest of Southwest Virginia. Old history, new challengesRoanoke Valley residents lined the streets Oct. 19, 1934, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt rode in a convertible on his way to the brand new VA hospital in Salem. That afternoon, Roosevelt commissioned the hospital in person. Newspaper clippings and memorabilia from that day hang on the walls inside the front door of Building 2 on the VA campus. Residents recalled the excitement of the day in anniversary articles throughout the years and it has shaped the story of the hospital. Now more than 80 years later, facility deficiencies are estimated to be more than $290 million. Annual operations and maintenance costs are about $14 million, according to the VA report. The hospital is in a constant state of renovation as it evolves to keep up with modern health care trends. The facility is currently revamping its emergency room with 5,000 additional square feet of treatment bays and trauma rooms. One inpatient wing is being renovated to create private rooms, instead of the mix of single, double and four-bed patient rooms it was designed with in the 1980s. About six months ago, the center finished a new dialysis center and plans to build a dental clinic on top of it. Most of the buildings on campus date to the 1930s and 60% of them are on the National Historic Register. This can make it more expensive and challenging to keep up with the times. For example, the roofs must be outfitted with real slate shingles and copper flashing and nails to secure them. The facility has an 80-year-old plumbing system. The heat is delivered via steam and the cooling comes from chilled water. In 2017, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the medical center after employees were exposed to mold in Building 75. The facility completed plumbing repairs, maintenance on the HVAC system and an indoor air quality review to fix the problem. Anytime you try to put 2022 health care into a 1934 infrastructure, it can make it a challenge, Stackhouse said. We do what we need to do to make sure that we can safely provide that care. And our staff are extremely resilient in adapting to what we need in the short term because they see the benefits. The Salem VA Medical Center is not radically different from others across the country. The average age of a VA hospital is 60 years, compared to just eight and a half in the private sector. Many of them were built before women were allowed to serve in the military and at a time when inpatient care was more common than outpatient services. The Hampton VA Medical Center, which was built in 1940, faces frequent flooding issues. The VA also recommended closing that facility and building two new medical centers in the area. The department said veterans have trouble accessing the Hampton hospital because of heavy traffic on the bridge and tunnels. Unlike eastern Virginia, where veteran populations are expected to grow in the coming years, the VA believes Southwest Virginia will see a 9.3% decline in enrolled veterans by 2029. Currently, the area has more than 43,000 enrolled. Unraveling the webAfter more than 80 years, the VA medical center has become a city within a city. The sprawling campus is a one-stop shop for a lot of veteran needs with a barber shop, canteen, pharmacy and health services. Salem city councilman and former mayor Randy Foley said he cant imagine the VA hospital will ever be closed because of the amount of logistics that would be involved. I just dont see how you can undo it, Foley said. I cant imagine how it could ever be done in our lifetime. There are just so many pieces to it that its hard to fathom it being done, frankly. The hospital is the largest employer in the city and the size of its property leaves a large footprint. Foley said it would be beneficial for the city if the land were to become available, but he said the city council hasnt talked about what that might look like in the future. In Knoxville, Iowa, the VA closed a 160-acre hospital in 2009 after operating there for more than a century. The property was transferred to the city in 2020 and the buildings were demolished with plans to build housing on the site in the next few years. The VA also closed a 103-acre facility in Brecksville, Ohio, in 2011. Now, Sherwin-Williams plans to build a research campus on the site, according to local news reports. Foley said more questions arise about whether Carilion Clinic and LewisGale Medical Center would be able to enter a collaboration or handle the influx of new patients. Many medical students in the state also work at the VA during surgical rotations opportunities that may be lost if the facility reduces its scope. Carilion Clinic said in a statement that its currently operates a clinical rotation program for Carilion resident physicians and fellows at the VA. Carilion also partners with the VA through the Community Care program, which provides primary, specialty and mental health care for veterans when the facility cannot provide the services due to limited availability of specialists, longer wait times or an extraordinary distance from the veterans home. Its too soon to comment on how this report might impact local offerings, Carilions statement read. In general, we are always looking for opportunities to collaborate to best serve our veterans and our community. LewisGale declined to comment for this story. There may also be a risk of job loss if the medical center were to close. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents VA staff, called the recommendations devastating and would result in the vast privatization of veteran health care. If the AIR Commission were to accept what the VA proposed (March 14), large segments of the VA health care system would be shuttered, effectively denying veterans their preferred choice in health care, the group said in a statement. Instead, our nations heroes would be forced to navigate the patchwork of for-profit, private care, competing with non-veterans for appointments and hospital beds and left to their own devices to find providers with the ability to treat the complex health issues with which many veterans struggle. Concerned Veterans for America, a group that promotes veteran access to private health care, issued a statement in support of the recommendations. This process is long overdue, and while some may decry some of these recommendations, everyone should keep in mind the end goal: make sure our veterans can get the care they need, when and where they need it, the statement said. The current system is outdated and broken. Making improvements does not mean cutting care or resources; rather, it means making sure resources are best serving the veteran. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said he does not support privatizing the veterans administration. He said he will look for local veterans input on how much of this report should be accepted and on how to maintain the quality of the VA. This report was really just the first step in examining how we create a VA thats going to really work effectively for the 21st century, Warner said. None of this is going to happen overnight. At the end of the day, anything thats going to change has to result in better, quicker and more accessible care for our veterans. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Friends of the Lied, which supports the Lied Center for the Performing Arts, had a board meeting and afternoon outing in downtown Grand Island on Wednesday. The nonprofit consists of members from all over Nebraska including Grand Island who raise money and awareness for Nebraskas storied performing arts organization. Associating the Lied Center with Lincoln or the eastern Nebraska metro area alone is a misconception, said Lied Center for the Performing Arts Executive Director Bill Stephan, who attended the luncheon and outing Wednesday. We take artists across the state, with our Arts Across Nebraska tours, our mission is to serve the entire state. The pandemic also gave the Lied Center an opportunity to give their reach even more breadth. During the pandemic, we had a lot of virtual programs, Stephan said. A record number of people from all over the region watched. Thirty percent of our audience comes from outside of Lincoln, he added. He said when bringing events to communities, the Lied Center partners with local arts organizations. We always have to have a partner in each of those communities, to make it successful. They help us decide what programs are appropriate for their community and which ones theyre excited about. Stephan said he is optimistic a sizable Lied-led holiday event will come to Grand Island this Christmas season. Were very hopeful. Every year we bring out programs to different cities across Nebraska. You just always want to keep your eyes and ears open about whats touring around the state. One way to do that, Stephan said, is to visit https://www.liedcenter.org/. Stephan said while some shows of Lieds caliber can easily cost $100-$250 to attend, the Lied Center has been able to keep costs down, and make the arts accessible to everyone. At the Lied Center, you might be able to get tickets for $30 or $50. We have half-price tickets for kids on all of our shows. And so that makes it affordable for families, he said. Stephan said Friends of the Lied is always welcoming new members, no matter their location in Nebraska. Having people from Grand Island to North Platte to Scottsbluff to Nebraska City as part of the Friends of Lied organization and the board inspire us and give advice and be involved, he said. The board meets on a monthly basis, including the Spring Into Lied luncheon at Grand Islands Chocolate Bar and afternoon dessert and presentation at Bella Design and Decor. There is a role for just about anyone, like event planning and collaborating with educators, but there is a camaradarie within the organization, Stephan said. The Friends of Lied have great friendships and its a real networking opportunity. Then, when theyre doing all this work, theyre making the world a better place by bringing the arts to everybody in our communities, he said. To learn more about Friends of the Lied, including how to get involved, visit https://www.liedcenter.org/individual-giving/about-friends-lied. 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." YORK -- Dr. Shane Mountjoy will step down as provost at the end of the semester, leaving York College after more than 30 years of service. Mountjoy has accepted a position as associate provost for academic administration and dean of faculty at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. His administrative term with YC concludes in May, and Mountjoy and his wife Vivian will move to Texas this summer so that he can begin his new job in June. A York College graduate with the class of 1988, Mountjoy began his long tenure at YC in 1990, teaching history alongside Dr. Tim McNeese. Mountjoy finished his masters in history at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then went on to complete the Ph.D. in higher and adult education in 2001 at the University of Missouri. In 2006, he ventured into administration, taking the role of dean of students. He was added to YCs senior leadership team in 2009, then promoted in 2010 to vice president of student development. In 2014 Mountjoy was named to the position of provost and he has served as YCs chief academic officer since then. He and his wife Vivian (Stevens 88) met as students at York College. She has served in numerous volunteer capacities on the campus during their tenure at YC as well as hosting many social events and meals for students in the Mountjoy home. During their years living in the York community, the Mountjoys have raised a family of four daughters, Macy Johnson (14), Karlie Mountjoy Jenkins (15), Ainsley Eley (18) and Tessa, who will graduate from Lubbock Christian University next month. Mountjoys family ties to YC extend beyond his own immediate family. He followed his older brother, Todd, to YC, and then was followed by sisters Tammy (King) 90 and Shelby (Maxwell) 95. Further, Mountjoys father and mother, Ted and Janet, moved to York so that Ted could finish his undergraduate Bible degree after more than nearly 20 years in ministry in Wisconsin. "Vivian and I have been impacted by the mission of this institution since we first enrolled as freshmen in the fall of 1986, Mountjoy said. As students we experienced faculty, staff, and administrators who selflessly gave of themselves in the name of Jesus. The example of those individuals deeply influenced us to dedicate our lives to Christian higher education. God has richly blessed us with friendships and memories over the years which include students being a part of our family's life through babysitting, doing laundry, sharing non-cafeteria chili or waffles for dinner, or simply sitting on a couch to pet a dog and doing homework off campus, he said. There have been many changes to YC over the years, but the common bond for all Yorkies from any decade is experiencing the underlying spirit of God-honoring service, Mountjoy said further. That shared experience continues to shape us and we are humbled to have been a part of that experience for others during our time here." Mountjoy has been an integral part of York Colleges growth over the last decade, introducing new academic programs and innovative paths to reach potential student bases. Graduate studies, non-traditional students and online studies, as well as cooperative education initiatives, have flourished under his leadership. Dr. Mountjoy was just so involved with students, according to Breianna Cortez, a 2021 graduate now in a physician assistant program at Oklahoma City University. He and his wife were great chaplains for the softball team, and they fed us often in their home. He was a great listener, and he always promoted personal growth. He judged none but loved all. We have been blessed by his years on the YC campus. Due in large part to the current position and strength of York Colleges faculty and academic programs, the transition to York University will take place this summer. Mountjoy led undergraduate curricular reform to facilitate the name change. Further, under his oversight, graduate programs grew from 14 to more than 200 students through critical academic partnerships. Also, he helped launch programs such as a summer study abroad and a student scholar leadership program. Shane Mountjoy is largely responsible for many of the successes of York College in the past decade, Chancellor Steve Eckman reported. His dedication to the College and to serving Christ embodies YCs mission. In my more than 40 years of experience in Christian higher education, Shane stands out as perhaps the ablest administrator I have served with. His leadership will be missed. Mountjoy was also instrumental in assisting Bible faculty member Terry Seufferlein and others to establish an associates degree program at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women to enable female inmates to pursue their education while incarcerated. Known as the Second Chance Education Program, this higher educational opportunity is the only degree-granting program for such inmates in the state of Nebraska. Congratulations are in order to Dr. Mountjoy and his new role at LeTourneau University, said President Sam Smith. Losing a talented peer with so much institutional knowledge is tough, but also a compliment to have other institutions value our talented team here at YC. The search for York Universitys next provost is underway. China will make all-out efforts to ensure spring farming and agricultural production supplies amid the domestic resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday. Agricultural departments at all levels have been advancing spring farming and ensuring agricultural supplies, and the output of vegetables as well as meat, eggs and milk has increased and is sufficient to meet consumer demand, according to a meeting held by the ministry on Tuesday. The meeting called for more efforts to prevent and control pests and diseases in spring farming, while ensuring the supply of agricultural machinery parts and the smooth transportation of farm produce. Coordination between departments should also be strengthened and differentiated pandemic prevention and control measures should be implemented. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. MARION The man who allegedly robbed the Peoples National Bank in Marion was shot and killed in a California bank robbery. Travis Tarrants, 45, was shot and killed in Fontana, California by police after he allegedly attempted to rob another bank, Marion police said in a news release. It was the third bank in as many states. Tarrants allegedly robbed his first bank on Nov. 15 last year in Bloomington, Indiana. He allegedly drove his Chevrolet Colorado to the Old National Bank in the area, according to police. The investigation resulted in the arrest of the registered owner, Tarrants, as he was the original owner of the vehicle, who was charged with the Old National Bank robbery. Charges were added once he allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to remove an officers gun from his holster, police said. Tarrants was later released on his own recognizance in January. However, he failed to appear for his next hearing date in February and an arrest warrant was eventually issued. By then his whereabouts were unknown, police said. On Feb. 28 video surveillance showed that Tarrants, unidentified at the time, arrived on the west side of Marion in the late afternoon. He allegedly soon settled down in a parking lot near the Peoples National Bank and remained there overnight inside his truck, police said. Tarrants only left the truck on the few occasions where he walked to a nearby business to use their restroom facilities. The following morning video surveillance showed Tarrants as he allegedly left the parking lot and made the short drive to the Peoples National Bank, where he donned his Jabbawockeez-like mask and entered the bank at 10:49 a.m., police said. Tarrants, allegedly armed with what appeared to be a black semi-automatic pistol, robbed the bank and fled from Marion in his Chevrolet truck, successfully evading police capture, police said. Neither the suspect, unknown at the time, nor his truck were immediately located by law enforcement. As members of the Marion Police Department continued to search for additional evidence of the suspects identity, they also reached out to the community for help locating the suspect Chevrolet Colorado with all its unique body damage. The Facebook post alone received 600 shares and reached almost 66,000 people, police said. Because of the post, the Bloomington police and the Marion police were able to connect and realized the same vehicle was used in both robberies and the suspect was the same. On March 29, with the new information from the Bloomington police, the Williamson County States Attorneys Office filed a charge of armed robbery against Tarrants. A nationwide warrant for his arrest was also issued. By that point, attempts to locate Tarrants Chevrolet Colorado had already revealed the truck had made its way to the Pacific coast. It was seen traveling through areas of southern California between March 13 and 27. Agencies within these areas were notified, but Tarrants exact location continued to remain just outside of law enforcements reach, police said. At 1:28 p.m. April 7 Tarrants allegedly entered the Bank of America located at 11510 Summit Ave. in Fontana, California. He was allegedly armed with what was described as a gun and proceeded to commit a robbery, police said. Fontana PD officers, who were in the area for training, were able to quickly respond to the scene. There, witnesses directed them to a nearby Wendys that Tarrants was last seen entering. As Tarrants attempted to exit the rear of the building, a confrontation between the police and Tarrants ensued, police said. The confrontation ended with officers shooting Tarrants, who then died at the scene. The gun recovered was found to be a replica firearm, police said. The Marion police said they are thankful for the publics help in bringing the case to a close. Our departments investigation into the PNB robbery has now officially come to an end, police said. Thank you again for all your help, and here is a link for even more details Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Felony charges have been filed against a local man for allegedly stealing guns and ammunition. Dakota Rushing, 24, was charged on Wednesday with aggravated possession of stolen firearms, a Class 1 felony, according to Jackson County States Attorney Joseph Cervantez. If convicted, Rushing faces up to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The quick work and detailed investigation by the Zeigler Police Department and assisting agencies helped me to continue to be aggressive in continuing to remove stolen firearms from the streets of Jackson County, Cervantez said. This is not the county to unlawfully possess a firearm. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Zeigler. On March 24, the chief of the Zeigler Police Department responded to a burglary call at a house on North Main Street. The previous night, someone broke into the house, cut open a gun safe and stole several firearms along with ammunition. Due to the number of firearms missing and the size of the ammunition boxes, the police suspected that more than one individual could have been involved in the burglary, police said. Police received a tip March 28 that Rushing allegedly fled Zeigler with stolen guns and ammo to hide out in Carbondale. On March 29, the police were able to locate Rushing's exact location in Carbondale. The Illinois State Polices Southern Illinois Drug Task Force was requested to help apprehend Rushing and seize the stolen firearms. While some guns were seized at the location, Rushing was nowhere to be found, police said. The following day, police received another tip that said Rushing had allegedly returned to Zeigler, and the police considered him to be dangerous. Given that he was desperate and may have possessed one (or more) reported stolen handguns on his person, this represented a very real threat to the citizens of Zeigler, and it was urgent he be apprehended, police said in a social media post on March 31. The police then assembled an ad hoc task force, and with the help of dispatchers they were able to narrow down Rushings location to approximately a one-block radius of Main Street and Railroad Street. Rushing surrendered later that day. Rushing is currently being held in the Franklin County Jail on associated charges. A warrant for his arrest for the Jackson County charges has been issued with a bond set in the amount of $150,000. The following departments aided the Zeigler Police Department in the case: Franklin County State's Attorney Abby Dinn, Jackson County State's Attorney Joe Cervantez, Sesser Police Department, Christopher Police Department, Illinois State Police Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Illinois State Police District 13, Illinois State Police SWAT, Illinois Secretary of State Police, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, Zeigler Fire Department, Zeigler Street Department and Central Dispatch of West Franklin County. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. For Christians, perhaps no day is as sacred and holy as Easter and for believers in Southern Illinois, few places are as appropriate for observation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Union County. About 2,000 of the faithful are expected to gather for the 86th annual Easter Sunrise Service on April 17. Gates to the grounds open at 5 a.m. and the service is scheduled to begin at 6:30 a.m., said Jeffrey Isbell, executive director of Bald Knob Cross of Peace. Isbell said the non-denominational service will also be live-streamed for those unable to make it to the grounds. He said the service is a great opportunity for Christians to come together. The whole mission of the cross is to unify people together to experience the presence of God. That was the sole purpose back in 1937 when 250 people gathered, he said. In our world today, there are many differences that we have, even in the church, but one thing that unites us all as Christians is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and thats what were all coming together in unity to experience and celebrate. Casey Pollard, pastor of Shawnee Worship Center in Vienna, will lead the service. Kevin and Tricia Edwards and Chris Parton will lead worship. Theres really nothing as surreal as experiencing the sunrise service at Bald Knob, Parton said, explaining that music will be a big part of the service. We will be focusing on songs that focus on Christ and his resurrection. Some will be contemporary songs and some will be the music that has be around for hundreds of years, he explained. Isbell said food trucks will be on-site prior to the service and he anticipates the service will conclude by 7:30 a.m., so that worshiper may also attend Easter observations at their own congregations. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The federal transportation mask mandate is being extended for another 15 days, meaning individuals traveling aboard airplanes, trains and on public transportation in the United States will be required to wear a mask until at least early May. The mandate, the federal government confirmed on Wednesday, is now set to expire on May 3. The Associated Press was first to report the extension. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that it was keeping its mask order in effect, and the Transportation Security Administration announced it was extending the mandate for an additional 15 days. "CDC continues to monitor the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, especially the BA.2 subvariant that now makes up more than 85% of US cases," the TSA said in a statement. "Since early April 2022, there have been increases in the 7-day moving average of Covid-19 cases in the United States. ... TSA will continue to coordinate closely with CDC and communicate any changes to this requirement with the public." In its own statement, the CDC said, "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." According to the latest estimates from the CDC, BA.2 caused 86% of new Covid-19 cases nationwide last week. A Biden administration official familiar with Wednesday's decision told CNN the goal of the extension was to gather more information and understanding of the BA.2 variant of the coronavirus. The United States is now averaging 38,345 new Covid-19 cases per day, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Cases are trending up in more than half of states -- including all but one state in the Northeast, Delaware. But the daily rate is still one of the lowest since mid-July. According to the CDC's latest ensemble forecast, there could be just over 11,000 additional deaths over the next four weeks, one of the lowest such estimates for 2022. The number of new global Covid-19 cases and deaths also continued to decline by 24% and 18%, respectively, during the week of April 4 to April 10 compared with the week before, the World Health Organization said in its weekly epidemiological update, published Tuesday. But WHO and its International Health Regulations Emergency Committee (IHR) said on Wednesday that the Covid-19 pandemic remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern -- a designation originally made in January 2020. In many places within the US, broad requirements that individuals wear masks in public places have been lifted. The transportation mandate applies to mass transportation including planes, trains, buses and hubs like airports. The mandate had been set to expire on April 18. White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha told CNN on Monday that the CDC planned to share a scientific framework this week for the federal transportation mask mandate. Asked by CNN's John Berman what he personally thinks about lifting mask mandates on transportation, Jha said, "I think these decisions should always be guided by science and evidence and a framework, a scientific framework, that helps us make smart decisions about these. "We're going to see what they come up with. And based on that, I think we're going to want to make a decision based on kind of the facts on the ground and the science and the scientific framework that we have." Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at an event in Indiana on Wednesday that he thinks "we're all ready for the day when we can move on from these mandates," but said that the country needs to monitor and mitigate emerging variants of Covid-19. "We have to make sure whatever we do is responsible from a public health perspective. On one hand, we're in better shape than ever before thanks to the vaccinations that have taken place and the boosters people have got. On the other hand, we have these variants that emerged and we need to keep a close eye on them. So my hope is we are on a path forward, ultimately, leading us out of these mandates," he said. The White House moved last month to extend the transportation mask mandate, initially established at the beginning of Biden's presidency, until April 18. The White House has said government agencies would consult with the CDC about the circumstances in which a mandate could be brought back. Flight crew unions initially applauded the measure for protecting staff unable to avoid close contact with passengers, but some in the airline industry have recently called for an end to the mandate. A group of major airline CEOs has said they want it to end. The union representing Southwest Airlines flight attendants asked the Biden administration in March to "lift the federal mask mandate as soon as is practicable." And a group of 21 states, as well as groups of pilots and flight attendants, asked federal courts in March to permanently end the mandate. The mandate has also led to incidences of conflict with passengers in the skies. The Federal Aviation Administration says that since the beginning of 2022, there have been some 744 incidents of unruly passengers related to face masks reported to the agency by airline crews. This story and its headline have been updated with additional reporting and statements. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. CNN's Jamie Gumbrecht, Greg Wallace and Naomi Thomas contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 California Congressman Ro Khanna says student debt is crippling students across the U.S. I think theres nothing we can do more important than forgiving student debt, Khanna said Tuesday. I was at Harvard last night, thats what they care about at Harvard, thats what they cared about at HBCUs, thats what they cared about at state schools. Its not about where youre at college, this is something that is crippling, crushing students across the country, Khanna said. Khanna discussed the issue during a Fireside Chat with Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack. The congressman asked why the U.S. doesnt forgive $50,000 in student debt for people who meet certain financial requirements. I think we ought to forgive the $50,000 of student debt for working-class families. If we have families making under $150,000, I think $50,000 should be forgiven, Khanna said. Khanna noted the government has already suspended interest on student loans during the pandemic. You cant say I have the authority to forgive the interest, but I dont have the authority to forgive the principle, its all money, Khanna said. He called on college students to be vocal about student debt. We need an outcry, a rallying cry of young people around the country to forgive the debt. Its unconscionable that people are $30,000 to $40,000 in debt starting life. Some have them until theyre 50, 60, 70 years old, Khanna said. The Fireside Chat was held in the Ministers Hall on the campus of Claflin University. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Chris Sununu, the Republican governor of New Hampshire, said this at a Washington, D.C., dinner about the last Republican president: "The press often will ask me if I think Donald Trump is crazy. And I'll say it this way: I don't think he's so crazy that you could put him in a mental institution. But I think if he were in one, he ain't getting out." Sununu later said he was only joking, but he was clearly speaking what my dear wife Cokie would have called "vicious truths." The mere fact that a sitting GOP governor would say such things about Trump reveals a basic fact about politics today. The former president remains the most powerful force in the Republican Party, but his strength is slipping; his flame is flickering. Trump seems at times like one of those aging stars playing to gray-haired crowds in minor league arenas. He's singing the same songs, his Golden Oldies, but the cheers echo with nostalgia for the past, not excitement for the future. In a recent NBC poll, only 36% of Republicans described themselves as primarily Trump supporters, while 56% professed loyalty to the party. During the 2020 election, 53% had identified as Trumpists first. In a CBS survey, only 35% of Americans -- Trump's hardcore base -- wanted him to run for president again. "Things feel like they've been shifting," Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini told The New York Times. Trump voters "are looking at alternatives," and while they still feel "a strong attachment" to their hero, they are increasingly open to what Ruffini calls a "next-generation Trump candidate." Others are betting that Republicans would even consider a non-Trumpist candidate. Maryland's popular moderate governor, Larry Hogan, is already plotting trips to early primary states and telling The Associated Press: "There is a large and growing lane of Republicans and Americans across the political spectrum who are fed up with toxic politics and want to move in a new direction." There are many factors behind the shift Ruffini discerns, but it starts with a sense of fatigue, a desire to forget the insanity and instability that dominated the Trump years. GOP pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson quotes a Republican voter named Barney who joined a focus group discussing Trump's future. "His show's over," Barney concluded. "We need some new blood at the head of the country and different types of leaders. I mean, this divide among the parties is getting really crazy." The signs of discontent are sprouting up like spring flowers. During a Trump rally in rural Georgia last month, Greg Bluestein of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweeted, "This is the smallest crowd I've seen at a rally of his in Georgia since he won the 2016 election." NPR reporter Stephen Fowler noted that the crowd was "not very enthusiastic" and kept "streaming out," even as Trump was still speaking. Then there is Truth Social, the new messaging app Trump created after he got kicked off Twitter and Facebook. Its launch has been marred by technical glitches, the departure of three key executives and waning public interest. "The app, which quickly became Apple's top free app following its launch on the evening of Feb. 20, has since fallen to number 84," reports The Daily Dot. Sure, Trump retains considerable clout in Republican primaries, but many of his endorsed candidates are faltering. Take Georgia, where Trump is trying to purge Gov. Brian Kemp for committing one unpardonable sin: He told the truth about Trump's defeat in 2020. But Trump's preferred candidate, former Sen. David Perdue, is trailing Kemp by 10 points, and Republican lawmaker Clint Dixon explained to the Times that Georgia voters "have turned the page on the election." Trump's rivals are also emboldened by his mounting legal troubles and the growing possibility that he could be charged with several serious crimes before the next election. Federal District Judge David Carter wrote that "it is more likely than not" that Trump obstructed justice on Jan. 6, 2021. And while the judge cannot bring legal action against Trump, the Justice Department can, and its new budget includes $34 million to hire 80 attorneys to advance that investigation. Other prosecutors, from Atlanta to Albany, are also targeting Trump's legal liabilities. It's not yet certain that the Trump show is over. He still has a lot of money and fervent support from his base. But as the old rocker belts out his Greatest Hits, the lights and the applause are starting to dim. Steven Roberts teaches politics and journalism at George Washington University. His new book is "Cokie: A Life Well Lived." He can be contacted by email at stevecokie@gmail.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 China pledges all-out efforts to ensure farm produce supply Xinhua) 08:59, April 14, 2022 Residents shop for vegetables at a supermarket in Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 11, 2022. (Photo by Wu Dejun/Xinhua) BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China will make all-out efforts to ensure spring farming and agricultural production supplies amid the domestic resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday. Agricultural departments at all levels have been advancing spring farming and ensuring agricultural supplies, and the output of vegetables as well as meat, eggs and milk has increased and is sufficient to meet consumer demand, according to a meeting held by the ministry on Tuesday. The meeting called for more efforts to prevent and control pests and diseases in spring farming, while ensuring the supply of agricultural machinery parts and the smooth transportation of farm produce. Coordination between departments should also be strengthened and differentiated pandemic prevention and control measures should be implemented. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) The Shanghai market watchdog has investigated and dealt with 192 cases of price gouging in the past few weeks, especially on the eve of lockdowns when people needed to stock up on groceries. Price gouging involves selling goods at a price higher than the price tag displays, and charging extra for a product or service, Peng Wenhao, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation, said at a news briefing on Wednesday. She added that two outlets of a chain supermarket and a chain restaurant that raised delivery fees by as much as 10 times were fined and ordered to suspend their services early this month. The investigations were launched by the city's market watchdog to strengthen the price supervision on daily necessities and epidemic prevention products. As of Monday, law enforcement workers had issued nearly 39,000 warnings to various market entities during the latest COVID-19 outbreak in the city. The administration said it will boost communication with subdistrict governments and strengthen price supervision over group purchasing, an important method adopted to help guarantee residents' needs for groceries are met. It urged organizers of group purchasing and related businesses to provide commodities at reasonable prices based on operational costs, and to publicize information, such as product names, quantities, specifications and prices. They also need to provide after-sales services for consumers to protect their rights and interests effectively. Residents are encouraged to report price violations to the watchdog. Fu Chen, director of the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested the public avoid face-to-face contact with delivery staff and community volunteers and wear masks and gloves when collecting group bought items. Residents should spray disinfectant on the outer packaging and leave it outside for 10 to 30 minutes before taking it home. Residents are being encouraged to leave packaging outside their homes, he said. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, the South Carolina 6th District congressman, has been a leading voice for student loan forgiveness. He and a group of Democratic lawmakers called on President Joe Biden to extend beyond May 1 the payment pause for student debt put in place during the coronavirus. The president responded by announcing an extension through Aug. 31. In a statement, Biden acknowledged that the economy is stronger than it was a year ago but that "we are still recovering from the pandemic and the unprecedented economic disruption it caused." "That additional time will assist borrowers in achieving greater financial security and support the Department of Education's efforts to continue improving student loan programs," he said. But Clyburn and others want the president to take the lead on doing more than pausing payments. The South Carolina congressman has proposed legislation that would eliminate up to $50,000 in student loan debt for 42 million Americans, which Clyburn has said would provide debt relief to 95% of student borrowers, including canceling student debt entirely for 75% of borrowers. The current student debt crisis endangers the financial stability of millions of struggling families and contributes significantly to the racial wealth gap, according to Clyburn. Clyburn and other lawmakers urged Biden to make clear to the American public your intention to cancel a meaningful amount of student debt. Clyburn said Black students in particular are affected as they borrow more often while they are in school, and have a harder time paying their debt off than their white peers. They are more than three times as likely to go into default within four years on their federal loans as white borrowers. As a community with much at stake in the future of students at two historically Black universities, we favor assistance for students. But as with federal spending for pandemic relief and other Biden administration priorities, there is legitimate concern about cost and effectiveness. Adam Looney is economic studies executive director at the Marriner S. Eccles Institute at the University of Utah. Writing for brookings.com, he states: "There are better ways to spend that money that would better achieve progressive goals. Increasing spending on more targeted policies would benefit families that are poorer, more disadvantaged, and more likely to be Black and Hispanic, compared to those who stand to benefit from broad student loan forgiveness. Indeed, shoring up spending on other safety net programs would be a far more effective way to help low-income people and people of color." Widespread student loan forgiveness would rank among the largest transfer programs in American history. Based on data from the Department of Education, forgiving all federal loans would cost $1.6 trillion. Forgiving student debt up to $50,000 per borrower would cost about $1 trillion. Limiting loan forgiveness to $10,000, as Biden has proposed, would cost about $373 billion. Under each of these proposals, all borrowers would stand to benefit to differing degrees. Looney is right that targeting relief is a better approach, stating that some people do not need loan relief at the expense of taxpayers. "Student loan relief could be designed to aid those in greater need, advance economic opportunity, and reduce social inequities, but only if it is targeted to borrowers based on family income and post-college earnings. Those who borrowed to get college degrees that are paying off in good jobs with high incomes do not need and should not benefit from loan-forgiveness initiatives that are sold as a way to help truly struggling borrowers." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. While some Wyoming lawmakers are pushing to punish women for using drugs while pregnant, the state lacks data on the matter. As it stands, the Equality State does not collect data on how many infants are born addicted to substances or infants who are born to mothers who used narcotics during their pregnancies. If a mother is exhibiting signs of withdrawal or addiction, the procedure to address the situation is different based on the hospital. The hospital can report the matter to the Department of Family Services, but its likely that happens infrequently. Last year, the Department of Family Services received only 115 reports of children born while suffering from drug withdrawal, said Korin Schmidt, director of the department. Of those, 37 children were taken into protective custody. We do not have statewide data and we do not have data on every child born, Schmidt said. Rep. Ember Oakley, R-Riverton, brought a bill in the 2022 budget session that would have criminalized the use of controlled substances during pregnancy. Wyoming is one of eight states without a law on the books to address the issue of pregnant women using drugs. Oakley believes that there is a gap in Wyomings law. But others, like attorney and Judiciary Committee member Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, had their doubts. The bill ultimately failed, but two legislative committees the Joint Judiciary and Joint Health committees have the topic slated for the upcoming interim session. Its relatively uncommon for two committees to take up the same issue. Oakley expressed skepticism that the interim will help a future bill become law. I dont think further discussion will change anybodys mind, she said. The Joint Judiciary Committee dealt with a similar issue last interim. Multiple people testified that the committee needed to address the fact that Wyoming incarcerates children at one of the highest rates in the nation. When the committee started to dig into the issue, the panel found that there is no comprehensive data on multiple aspects of the juvenile justice system, let alone what proportion of the states kids have been incarcerated. The committee then successfully brought and passed a bill that requires the Department of Family Services to start collecting data on juvenile justice in the state. Nethercott said that the lack of data collection on infants born to mothers who used drugs is completely unacceptable. If we really want to understand how to address this issue, I think thats a fundamental place to start, she said. Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CODY The Park County Republican Party may be setting its sights on a new target of animosity even before its campaign against U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney has been completed. That target is U.S. Sen. John Barrasso. Its a disgrace, Park County committeeman Tim Lasseter said. Hes headed down the path of Liz Cheney. At its meeting last Thursday, the party voted unanimously to send a letter reprimanding Barrasso for his vote to support the $1.5 trillion government spending bill that passed through the Senate on March 15. Within this dense, 2,741-page legislation is funding that can be used by Planned Parenthood, the biggest abortion provider in the United States. Barrasso was the lone member of Wyomings delegation to vote for the bill. The bill passed with a 68-31 vote, with U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis voting against it, as did Cheney in the House. The bill provides more than $286 million for family planning and additional $575 million for family planning internationally. Due to the Hyde Amendment, family planning organizations like Planned Parenthood cannot use governmental funds directly toward performing abortion services, but the Catholic News Agency reports that pro-life groups argue that by receiving funds for certain services it can free up other monies for performing abortions. While this legislation was far from perfect, Republicans in the Senate negotiated nearly $65 billion in savings over President Bidens budget request, Barrassos secretary Gaby Hurt said. The bill secured increased funding for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and restored $2 billion in funding for border wall construction. The county party censured Cheney in 2021 for speaking out against former President Donald Trump and his alleged role in sparking the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. In August, the county party sent a letter saying it no longer recognized her as a Republican, followed by the State GOP a few months later. Next time hes next, Park County Committeeman Troy Bray said, referring to Barrassos next election race, which, if he decides to run in, would take place in 2024. The criticism against Cheney has nothing to do with abortion. In fact, the representative has been one of the staunchest opponents of abortion, as has Barrasso. Planned Parenthood and Pro Choice America both gave Barrasso a zero score four years in a row due to his votes on abortion issues. Similarly, pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony List gave Barrasso an A+ grade. Senator Barrasso has stood up against extremist nominees of the pro-abortion Biden-Harris administration, against pro-abortion action both in the administration and through legislation advanced by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the List reported. Sen. Barrasso has voted consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants. This includes stopping hard-earned tax dollars from paying for abortion, whether domestically or internationally, and protecting health care provider rights for those who refuse to engage in brutal abortions. The organization also said Barrasso spoke in opposition to the confirmation of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra due to his stance on abortion. But if voting with a flawless conservative record or in lockstep with former President Donald Trump is the mark to meet, Barrasso does come up a little short, which may be part of the Park County GOPs hostility for the fourth-term senator. According to political database FiveThirtyEight, 11% of Barrassos career votes were not aligned with Trump, including his vote to certify the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania and Arizona. Cheney agreed with Trump on all but 7.1% of issues over her career. In a recent phone conversation with Barrasso, Park County GOP Chairman Martin Kimmet said the senator defended his vote by saying the money cannot be used for performing abortions. He said, Its just one vote, Kimmet recalled. This prompted committeeman Brad Kolb of Powell to chime in and describe the senator as one-vote Barrasso, bringing great laughter from the audience and a few more references to this moniker over the course of the meeting. The Planned Parenthood appropriation made up less than .1% of the total bill funding. Certain members of Congress have gained a reputation for not fully reading through all of the bills they are voting on, a speculation a few committee members attributed to Barrasso in this instance. Kimmet said if Barrasso had voted against the bill, he couldve turned the 18 other (Republican) votes in the Senate and turned that bill, because of his leadership and influence within the body. Barrasso is the Chair of the Senate Republican Conference and is a ranking member of the Senate Energy Committee. Lasseter said constituents are doing a much better job following the actions of their elected officials than they had in the past. He said he initially supported a formal censure of Barrasso, but stepped back from that idea when decided it would have weakened the impact of the Cheney censure. The Park County GOP has, of late, been one of the first county parties to react in Wyoming when it comes to chastising elected officials deemed not conservative enough. When it came to the Cheney censure, 19 other county parties followed suit along with the state party. The Republican National Committee censured her in February. Its now more important than ever to hold electeds accountable, committeeman Richard Jones said. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 2 Angry 5 Outdoor recreation is poised to become more accessible. A bill to modernize mapping of federal lands that was championed by Wyomings U.S. senators cleared Congress last week and headed to the presidents desk. The Modernizing Access to Our Public Land, or MAPLand, Act allocates $47 million to federal land management agencies for the digitization and online publication of maps detailing how public lands can be accessed, when roads and trails are open or closed, what types of vehicles are permitted on those roads and where certain activities, such as hunting, fishing and shooting, are allowed. It also requires federal officials to update the maps at least twice per year. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, R-WY, both co-sponsored the bill, which was introduced in the Senate a year ago and in the House of Representatives last May. The bill isnt just great for land owners and Americans who love the outdoors, its great for Americas economy too, Barrasso wrote in a Star-Tribune column following the bills introduction in the House. The legislation will help boost our growing outdoor recreation industry, as well as the many businesses located near or on public lands. Much of Wyomings public land is surrounded on all sides by private land. Under current state law, its unclear whether the controversial practice of corner crossing stepping from the corner of one private-land-locked parcel of public land to another is legal or not. But, Barrassos column noted, non-digitized agency records, including agreements with landowners allowing access to public lands via private property, can be inaccessible to recreators. Approved by the House in March with a vote of 414 to nine (Rep. Liz Cheney, R-WY, voted in favor), the bill cleared the Senate by unanimous consent vote last week. The only opposing votes came from Republicans representing states east of Wyoming, including three from Texas. The bill will help fishermen, hunters, and hikers to easily plan their adventures, Barrasso said in a statement on Friday. The people of Wyoming understand the importance of promoting outdoor access while ensuring private property rights are protected. Some of the Wests most prominent outdoors and conservation groups have watched the bills progress closely and celebrated its passage last week. Inadequate or faulty data can spell disaster for the public land hunter, Land Tawney, president and CEO of Montana-based Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said in a statement. The importance of reliable, comprehensive information on access opportunities on our public lands cannot be overstated. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Wyomings Economic Analysis Division on Tuesday released the 2021 edition of its Just the Facts report. Just the Facts is a collection of statistics that give a rundown on Wyomings residents, its economy, its government and more. The Economic Analysis Division draws on 50 different sources to compile the fact sheet. (It uses the most up-to-date statistics available, but some of the numbers havent been updated since 2019 or 2020.) Here are some statistics that stand out. For the full report, visit the Economic Analysis Divisions website. 2021 statistics Wyoming received the second-most federal highway money in 2021, at $486 per capita. For years, Wyoming has struggled to sustain its roads on its own. In 2020, a report to Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) estimated the agency was underfunded by about $350 million a year. In February 2022, the Wyoming Legislature failed to introduce a bill to raise the state fuel tax 15 cents. The money generated from that hike would have gone toward addressing WYDOTs budget deficit. Meanwhile, an infrastructure bill passed by Congress last year is set to allocate another $1.8 billion toward Wyomings highway system. The rate of Wyomings state and local sales tax was 5.3% in 2021, coming in at 44th. Illinois had the highest sales tax rate, at 9.8%. The four states with no sales tax Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon all tied for the lowest rate, of course. 2020 statistics Wyoming had the third-highest percentage of men in 2020, at 51.0%. Alaska, which was 52% male that year, had the highest. Alabama had the lowest at 48.3%. The percentage of people over age 25 with a high-school diploma in Wyoming was 93.8% the fifth-highest in the country. But the state trailed behind when it came to higher education. It had the ninth-lowest proportion of people over age 25 with a bachelors degree, at just 28.2%. Health care coverage also stuck out. The proportion of people in Wyoming without health insurance in 2020 was 11.3%, the eighth most in the country. Texas had the highest overall, with 17.5% of its residents uninsured. Massachusetts had the lowest at 2.6% Wyoming is one of 12 states in the country that hasnt expanded its Medicaid program. The Wyoming Department of Health estimates expanding Medicaid would extend insurance to 10,000 Wyomingites who wouldnt have it otherwise. To date, all attempts by Wyoming lawmakers to expand Medicaid have failed the latest being in February. Lessons from across the state line: What Wyoming could learn from Montana's Medicaid expansion Wyoming legislators have battled over Medicaid expansion for a decade without arriving at any solution. Montana could offer some ideas. 2019 statistics Compared to the rest of the country, Wyoming has spent a lot on its residents. In 2019, state and local government spending was $17,246 per captia. Alaska took first place, at $20,442 per capita. Idaho, which doled out $8,549 per capita, spent the least. As of 2019, Wyoming had the highest suicide rate in the nation, at 29.3 per 100,000 people. Suicide has been an epidemic in Wyoming for decades, one the state has been slow to address. In March, the Wyoming State Legislature voted to give allocate $2.1 million in federal relief money to expand the states suicide prevention hotlines to 24/7 services. (Exactly what thatll look like, though, remains to be seen.) Hotline services are expanding. The next challenge is keeping them for the long haul. Wyoming is getting closer to having its own 24/7 suicide hotline services. But an important hurdle still remains: how to keep those services operating and improving over the long haul. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. A national electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) trading management platform will be launched on June 15, according to China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration. Establishing a unified e-cigarette trading platform is a key part in regulating the e-cigarette market and promoting an orderly operation of this sector, the administration said on its official website Wednesday. Since then, all e-cigarette production, wholesale and retail entities who have obtained licenses will begin to trade in this unified platform step by step, the administration added. E-cigarette use in China is rising sharply and authorities are taking measures to regulate e-cigarettes in terms of product safety and quality. China's market regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation, unveiled national standards for e-cigarettes on April 8. The standards, which will go into effect starting on October 1, stipulate that all e-cigarette products must be manufactured in accordance with the national standards. Last month, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration issued a regulation that aims to strengthen supervision on e-cigarettes. According to the regulation, the country will implement license management for e-cigarette production, wholesale and retail entities starting from May 1. Efforts will be made to regulate e-cigarettes in terms of production, transportation, import and export, said the regulation. 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. In 10 days, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has gone from popular Twitter contributor and critic to the company's largest individual shareholder to a would-be owner of the social platform a whirlwind of activity that could change the service dramatically given the sometimes whimsical billionaire's self-identification as a free-speech absolutist. Twitter revealed in a securities filing Thursday that Musk has offered to buy the company outright for more than $43 billion, saying the social media platform needs to be transformed as a private company" in order to build trust with its users. I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy, Musk said in the filing. I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Later in the day, during an onstage interview at the TED 2022 conference, he went even broader: Having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization." Since it burst onto the scene in 2006, Twitter has been home to flourishing social and political commentary, shared news, scandal gossip, cat memes and dress color arguments. But it has also provided a platform for viral misinformation and lies, bullying and hate speech and gangs of trolls who can shout down posters they disagree with by unleashing tidal waves of vile images, threats and similar acts of online aggression. Twitter has devoted a substantial amount of effort to stanching the latter while preserving the former though not always in ways that satisfy most users. Like other platforms, it has established restrictions on tweets that threaten violence, incite hatred, bully others and spread misinformation. Such rules drove Twitter's decision to ban former President Donald Trump following the 2021 Capitol insurrection. Twitter has also become a destination for brands and advertisers, many of whom prefer stronger content restrictions, and a megaphone for high-profile figures like Trump and Musk, whos used it to rally supporters and promote business ventures. Musk, who described Twitter as a de facto town square, detailed some specific potential changes Thursday like favoring temporary rather than permanent bans but has mostly described his aim in broad and abstract terms. He said he wanted to open up the black box of artificial intelligence technology driving Twitters feed so that people would have more transparency about why some tweets might go viral and others might disappear. I wouldnt personally be in there editing tweets," he said, but you would know if something was done to promote, demote or otherwise affect a tweet. The billionaire has been a vocal critic of Twitter, mostly over his stated belief that it falls short on free-speech principles. The social media platform has angered followers of Trump and other right-wing political figures whove had their accounts suspended for violating its content standards on violence, hate or harmful misinformation. Musk has described himself as a free-speech absolutist but is also known for blocking other Twitter users who question or disagree with him. While Twitter's user base remains much smaller than those of rivals such as Facebook and TikTok, the service is popular with celebrities, world leaders, journalists and intellectuals. Musk himself has more than 81 million followers, rivaling pop stars such as Lady Gaga. Twitter shares closed at $45.08, down just under 2%, well below Musk's offer of $54.20 per share. That's generally a sign that some investors doubt the deal will go through. The stock remains down from its 52-week high of about $73. Musk called that price his final offer, although he provided no details on financing. The offer is non-binding and subject to financing and other conditions. Twitter said it will decide whether accepting the offer is in the best interests of shareholders. It's unclear, though, just how Twitters board will react after evaluating the offer. It likely will negotiate, seeking a higher price per share, or it may want provisions to ensure that the board remains independent of Musk, said John Coffee, a professor at Columbia Universitys law school and head of its corporate governance center. The board could adopt poison pill provisions to offer more shares and dilute the value of Musks holdings, if Musks stake grows to 10% or 15%, Coffee said. Even then, Musk could still take over the company with a proxy fight by voting out the current directors. At the TED conference, Musk said he has the money. I could technically afford it, he said to laughs. Should Musk go through with his takeover attempt, he likely could raise the roughly $43 billion he needs, possibly by borrowing billions using his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX as collateral. Most of Musks fortune, estimated by Forbes to be nearly $265 billion, is tied up in shares of Tesla. The company allows executive officers to use shares as collateral for loans, but limits the borrowing to 25% of the value of the pledged shares. Data provider FactSet says Musk owns 172.6 million shares worth $176.47 billion. Just over 51% of his stake already is pledged as collateral, according to a Tesla proxy statement. That means Musk could use the remaining stake to borrow about $21.5 billion. He also could borrow on his stake in privately held SpaceX. Musk revealed in regulatory filings over recent weeks that hed been buying Twitter shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31, ending up with a stake of about 9%. Only Vanguard Group controls more Twitter shares. A lawsuit filed Tuesday in New York federal court alleged Musk illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission could punish Musk for hurting other investors by taking too long to disclose his buying up of Twitter shares, but its unlikely that it will do anything to stop a takeover, said Chester Spatt, a former SEC chief economist. This is going to play out reasonably quickly, said Spatt, now a finance professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Jacob Frenkel, a former SEC enforcement attorney now with the Dickinson Wright law firm in Washington, said it is difficult to prove an investors intent in disclosure cases. The mere fact of the violation around the disclosure does not mean that there was fraud, Frenkel said. However, there is plenty of fodder for an investigation into whether anyone with knowledge of Musks share purchases traded in the stock before Musks public disclosures, Frenkel said. After Musk announced his stake, Twitter quickly offered him a seat on its board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the companys outstanding stock. But the company said five days later that hed declined. The decision coincided with a barrage of now-deleted and not-always-serious tweets from Musk proposing major changes to the company, such as dropping ads its chief source of revenue and transforming its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter. The turnabout led CEO Parag Agrawal to warn employees earlier this week that there will be distractions ahead and to tune out the noise and stay focused on the work. Twitter hasn't done as well as its social media rivals and lost money last year. The company reported a net loss of $221 million for 2021 largely tied to the settlement of a lawsuit by shareholders who said the company misled investors about how much its user base was growing and how much users interacted with its platform. Its co-founder Jack Dorsey resigned as CEO in late November and was replaced by Agrawal. Im not saying I have all the answers here, but I do think that we want to be just very reluctant to delete things and just be very cautious with permanent bans, Musk said. It wont be perfect," he said, but there should be a perception and reality that speech is as free as reasonably possible. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. The Russian military says the damaged Moskva missile cruiser has sunk while being towed to a port. The Russian Defense Ministry said the Moskva sank Thursday in a storm after being gutted by fire. The ministry previously said a fire on the warship set off some of its weapons and forced the crew to evacuate. But Ukrainian officials said the Moskva, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, was hit by Ukrainian missiles late Wednesday off the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa. The U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday. Still, he called it a big blow to Russia. KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: Russian militarys damaged Black Sea flagship sinks Pressure on US to give Ukraine more intelligence on Russia UN says Ukraine war threatens to devastate many poor nations Ukraines detention of oligarch close to Putin angers Moscow Polish, Baltic presidents visit Ukraine in show of support Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: UNITED NATIONS The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations accused Russia of making the precarious food situation in Yemen and elsewhere worse by invading Ukraine, calling it just another grim example of the ripple effect Russias unprovoked, unjust, unconscionable war is having on the worlds most vulnerable. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a U.N. Security Council meeting on war-torn Yemen on Thursday that the World Food Program identified the Arab worlds poorest nation as one of the countries most affected by wheat price increases and lack of imports from Ukraine. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky shot back saying: The main factor for instability and the source of the problem today is not the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, but sanctions measures imposed on our country seeking to cut off any supplies from Russia and the supply chain, apart from those supplies that those countries in the West need, in other words energy. The sharp exchange took place a day after a U.N. task force warned that the war 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 their report saying: 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. NEW YORK A Russian legislator and two aides were charged with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions as they pushed a covert Russian propaganda campaign in the U.S. to win support for moves against Ukraine and other countries, an indictment unsealed Thursday said. Three conspiracy charges were brought in an indictment in Manhattan federal court against the legislator, Aleksandr Babakov, 59, and two of his staff members Aleksandr Nikolayevich Vorobev, 52, and Mikhail Alekseyevich Plisyuk, 58. All three men named are based in Russia and remain at large, authorities said. Babakov currently serves as deputy chairman of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian legislature, federal authorities said in a release. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Babakovs actions show Russias illegitimate actions against Ukraine extend beyond the battlefield, as political influencers under Russias control allegedly plotted to steer geopolitical change in Russias favor through surreptitious and illegal means in the U.S. and elsewhere in the West. Russian authorities have accused Ukrainian forces of launching air strikes on the Russian region of Bryansk which borders with Ukraine, the latest in a series of allegations of cross-border attacks by Kyiv on Russian territory. Russias Investigative Committee alleged that two Ukrainian military helicopters entered Russias air space Thursday and, moving at low altitude, acting deliberately, they carried out at least six air strikes on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo, about 11 kilometers away from the Russian border. It said at least six houses in the village were damaged and seven people, including a toddler, sustained injuries. The Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the attack. Earlier on Thursday, Russias state security service, or the FSB, also accused Ukrainian forces of firing mortars at a border post in the Bryansk region on Wednesday. The reports could not be independently verified. Earlier this month, Ukraines top security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an air strike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, 35 miles from the border. PARIS France is moving its embassy in Ukraine back to Kyiv from the western city of Lviv, after Russian troops pulled away from regions around the capital and have concentrated on embattled eastern Ukraine. The French Foreign Ministry announced the move Thursday after Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba about French military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. A date for the move was not announced. France had maintained its embassy in Kyiv at the outset of the war but moved its operations to Lviv in March. France sent a new convoy of fire trucks, ambulance and emergency equipment to Ukraine on Thursday and a team of French investigators arrived this week to gather evidence of war crimes. Russian news reports say a criminal case has been opened against a Siberian journalist whose news website had published content critical of Russias military operation in Ukraine. Mikhail Afanasyev, the chief editor of Novy Fokus in the Russian region of Khakassia, was arrested by security forces Wednesday over the websites reporting on 11 riot police who had allegedly refused deployment to Ukraine as part of Russias military action there. Afanasyev was accused Thursday of disseminating deliberately false information about the Russian armed forces, an offense which carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence, according to a law passed in early March. Another Siberia-based journalist was also arrested Wednesday on suspicion of breaching Russias new laws on the media coverage of the situation in Ukraine. Sergei Mikhailov, the founder of the LIStok weekly newspaper based in the Republic of Altay, was reportedly placed in pre-trial detention over the outlets alleged calls for sanctions against Russia. LONDON Britains Foreign Office says it is freezing the assets worth up to 10 billion pounds ($13.1 billion) belonging to two Russian oligarchs described as long-standing business associates of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Officials said Thursday that Eugene Tenenbaum took control of Evrington Investments Ltd., an Abramovich-linked investment company, immediately following Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Tenenbaum, who is also a director of Chelsea Football Club, was hit with an asset freeze. The other sanctioned Russian is David Davidovich, who was subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban. The move came after the Channel Island of Jersey said this week it is freezing an estimated $7 billion of assets suspected to be connected to Abramovich, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Britains government said the measures cut key revenue sources for Putins war machine amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron declined to use the term genocide to describe Russias Ukraine war, arguing against an escalation of words. Asked about the use of the term by U.S. President Joe Biden, Macron said the word genocide must be spelled out by jurists, not by politicians. Speaking on French radio France Bleu, Macron said he spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday and will speak again with him later that day. He said he will do everything to end this war and stay by the Ukrainians side. Macron previously denounced war crimes in Ukraine and France sent magistrates and police officers to help the International Criminal Court, which opened an investigation. GENEVA The international Red Cross says its rolling out its largest-ever cash assistance program to help more than 2 million people in Ukraine or who have fled abroad cope with the fallout from Russias invasion. Nicole Robicheau, spokeswoman of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said Thursday the organization plans to distribute well over 100 million Swiss francs about $106 million - to people affected by Russias seven-week-old war in Ukraine. Humanitarian groups like the IFRC have recently touted the effectiveness of cash assistance programs for people in places hit by events like natural disasters, drought, famine and conflict, as a way to allow people to decide what they need and put money back into the local economy, Robicheau said by phone. The program aims to help some 360,000 people inside Ukraine and many more in countries of refuge. IFRC says it and national Red Cross organizations have already helped over 1 million people with items like blankets, food, mats and kitchen equipment. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Western countries attempts to phase out Russian gas imports will have a negative impact on their economies. Speaking Thursday, Putin said European attempts to find alternatives to Russian gas shipments will be quite painful for the initiators of such policies. He argued that there is simply no reasonable replacement for it in Europe now. Putin noted that supplies from other countries that could be sent to Europe, primarily from the United States, would cost consumers many times more. He added it would affect peoples standard of living and the competitiveness of the European economy. The European Union is dependent on Russia for 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil. PARIS Frances government says it has frozen 33 properties on the French Riviera, Paris and elsewhere that belong to Russian oligarchs targeted for sanctions over the war in Ukraine. The Finance Ministry this week published an updated list of Russian-owned properties that have been frozen in France, including a luxury chateau overlooking the Mediterranean on the Cap dAntibes that reportedly belonged to sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Together, the 33 properties are estimated to be worth more than half a billion euros. Unlike property that is seized or confiscated, frozen properties still belong to their owners and they can continue living in them. But they cannot be sold or rented out. The total value of Russian assets frozen or seized in France is now approaching 24 billion euros, with the bulk of that being nearly 23 billion euros in frozen financial assets for the Russian central bank. Aside from financial assets and properties, French authorities have also frozen or seized three yachts and four transport ships, and frozen six helicopters and three artworks. LVIV, Ukraine -- Russias Defense Ministry says the fire at the Moskva cruiser, the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet, has been contained. It says the vessel remains afloat and will be towed to the port. The ministry said in a statement Thursday that there is no open fire at the ship anymore and explosions of the ammunitions have ceased. The main missile weapons were not damaged, the statement read. Ukrainian officials claimed however that the ship has sunk, saying its a resounding slap in the face to Moscows forces. The conflicting accounts couldn't be immediately reconciled. Oleksiy Arestovych, adviser to Ukrainian presidents office, said in a Facebook post that 510 crew were onboard the Moskva cruiser as it sank in the Black Sea, following serious damage from a Ukrainian missile strike. Military analyst Oleg Zhdanov said the damaging of the Moskva significantly raises the morale of Ukrainian forces on the eve of a new wave of Russian offensive in the Donbas. In the early hours of Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sustained serious damage after its ammunition detonated as the result of a fire. The ministry did not ascribe the fire to a missile strike. LONDON Irelands foreign minister is in Kyiv, the latest in a string of senior European politicians to make the trip to show support for Ukraines fight against Russian invasion. The Irish government says Simon Coveney, who is also defense minister, is meeting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov. Ireland has sent Ukraine 20 million euros ($22 million) in humanitarian aid and 33 million euros ($36 million) in non-lethal military assistance. It is also a strong backer of Ukraines bid to join the European Union, and the government said Coveney would discuss how Ireland can assist Ukraine in its application for EU candidate status. BERLIN German authorities say they have seized a massive superyacht in Hamburg after determining that it belongs to the sister of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov. The Federal Criminal Police Office said Wednesday that, after extensive investigations and despite offshore concealment, it had been able to determine that the owner is Gulbakhor Ismailova, Usmanovs sister. Superyacht Dilbar was launched in 2016 at a reported cost of more than $648 million. The German police office said German authorities worked in Brussels to ensure that European Union sanctions applied to the owner. It says the yacht can no longer be sold, rented, or loaded. The United States and EU last month announced economic sanctions against Usmanov, a metals magnate, over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine. A German official said in early March that the superyacht was registered to a holding company in Malta, but subsequent investigation by the Federal Criminal Police Office revealed the vessel is owned by a series of companies based in the Cayman Islands, Cyprus and Switzerland leading to Usmanovs sister as the beneficial owner. PRAGUE Three Czech lawmakers from Parliaments upper house, the Senate, are visiting Kyiv together with their counterparts from Poland. Led by speaker Milos Vystrcil, they were invited by Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of Ukraines unicameral parliament Verkhovna Rada. 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. 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. The cruiser typically has about 500 on board. 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 tripwires that were left behind in northern Ukraine by the retreating Russians. He urged people returning to their homes in those towns to be wary of any unfamiliar object and report it to the police. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. At last weeks SAHBA Home Show, I presented The Top 10 Things Homeowners Do Wrong. If you missed the show or want to refresh your memory, heres a summary of the presentation. Hopefully, there will be something here that you can use to save you some time and money. 1. Homeowners dont always use licensed, bonded and insured contractors to get the job done. Looking for what they think is the best buy, they throw caution to the wind. This is not the time to be cutting corners for cost. You wouldnt go to a doctor or dentist who wasnt licensed just to save a few bucks. Why would you not protect a huge investment like a home? By law, if a home improvement project is going to cost more than $1,000 including labor and materials, or a permit is required, a contractor is required to be licensed. Hiring someone who is licensed, bonded, and insured can protect you from potential disasters. 2. Homeowners dont replace their air filters. I know youve heard this over and over, but its true. Most air filters should be replaced once a month. Clogged, overused filters leave the air dirtier and make your air conditioner work harder, even wearing out the overall lifespan. I recommend investing in pleated paper filters mounted in a cardboard frame (not spun fiberglass). Change them out every time you pay your mortgage. 3. Homeowners flush items down the commode that they shouldnt. Really, nothing should be flushed down the toilet that it wasnt specifically designed for. Even Q-tips and cotton balls have been known to clog a few drains. Face tissues should always go in the trash can, not down the toilet. These, and many other items, are not easily biodegradable and can clog drain pipes. These problems can be especially troubling for those with a septic system. 4. Homeowners use too much soap. Despite what your grandmother used to tell you, youre not that dirty. Using excessive amounts of soap in your clothes washer dulls your threads and shortens the life of your clothing. The solution is to run a washing machine cleaner through your washer once a month and cut back the amount of detergent you use. HASSAR, a Rosie-Certified-Partner suggests: Half of the recommended amount for a large dirty load. A quarter of the recommended amount for a large load thats not as dirty. An eighth of the recommended amount for a medium to small load thats not really dirty. For the dishwasher, detergent matters. Do not use gel or liquid dishwasher soaps. Powder is better than liquid. One reason is that its easier to tell when youre using too much. If the powder doesnt completely dissolve, you used too much. Excess liquid detergent only creates a film residue that you probably wont see. HASSAR recommends Finish 3-in-1 Tabs. The cleanest dishes come when powdered detergent is used along with hot water and the sanitization settings on the dishwasher. Make sure your detergent door is in good working order to guarantee that the detergent is released at the proper time. Use a small amount of LemiShine in the detergent holder, with Finish, to keep dishes sparkling. As little as a to a tsp will do the trick. 5. Homeowners dont keep their carpets properly cleaned. Did you know you should be vacuuming several times a week? This will keep dust, dirt and oils from settling into your carpet. An indoor air quality issue that may surprise you is that your vacuum cleaner is probably the single most polluting piece of equipment in your home. Its ironic that the more you vacuum, the dirtier your indoor air probably is, especially when you know many carpet manufacturers recommend daily vacuuming. The best solution for this source of indoor air pollution is to invest in a well-sealed HEPA filter vacuum. 6. Homeowners waste money getting their air ducts cleaned improperly. Duct cleaning is only one component of a proper system cleaning. It is extremely important that the return air ducts and/or plenum are thoroughly cleaned and checked for air leaks. I have never inspected an air conditioning system that didnt have some leaking. After sealing and cleaning the return air components, the evaporative coils in your air handler must be thoroughly cleaned. Some disassembly of your air conditioning unit is usually required and should only be completed by an air conditioning specialist. This thorough cleaning and sealing of your return air, evaporative coils, air handler cabinet and supply registers should take two technicians at least half a day on an average-size home with one air conditioning system. Hence, the cost is generally twice what you see advertised by the discount duct cleaning specialists. However, when done correctly, this service only needs to be done every five to seven years. 7. Homeowners dont do everything they can to make their homes energy efficient. Go through your home. Check every penetration on each exterior wall, door, sweep and weather stripping, windows, glides, rollers and electrical J-boxes. Doing these simple maintenance jobs can help you save money each month on your energy bills. Also, try super cooling. To stay cool and save money during the summer, make sure you are on the proper energy consumption plan with your utility company. 8. Homeowners use the wrong tools for projects. Using the wrong tool, or using the right tool improperly, can cause serious injuries. And, just because the tool is right for this job doesnt mean it will be the right size or type for the next. Sometimes, especially for experts, buying the right tool for the job is not cost-effective. For some projects, rental equipment is a better investment. Do a cost comparison between a particular piece of equipment against how much it would cost to rent it for six months. 9. Homeowners keep too much junk in their closets and garages. Get rid of anything you dont need. Donate gently used items to charities to be used by others rather than stored in your closet. Also, consider installing features such as shoe racks, drawer systems, tie and belt racks, and jewelry trays to maximize space. Above all, do not rely on floor space or you will end up with another cluttered mess in no time. 10. Homeowners dont keep safety first. Is your home ready for a disaster? Fire extinguishers should be in every home. There are four classes of extinguishers, one for different types of fires. The fire department has an easy way to remember these distinctions: Class A Ashes (wood, paper, cloth anything leaving ash when burnt) Class B Barrels (gasoline, grease, oil, paint) Class C Current (electrical fires with wires, fuse boxes) Class D Dont Get Involved (metal fires leave it to the professionals) If disaster strikes, accurate documentation is needed to guarantee the replacement of your belongings. The five steps listed below are just part of a researched and tested system for documenting and protecting the value of your home and possessions in case of loss: Photographs and videos Identification of photos for cross-referencing Inventory sheets and cards Receipts and other documentation Safe storage of records in a fire-proof location Mark your calendars for the weekend of Sept. 30Oct. 2 for the next SAHBA Home Show and catch the next presentation. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert since 1988, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio broadcast, heard locally from 10 to 11 a.m. on KNST (790-AM) in Tucson and from 8 to 11 a.m. on KGVY (1080-AM) and (100.7-FM) in Green Valley. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Tucson Electric Power home customers will see their monthly bills rise an average of about $4 a month for at least the next 18 months to reimburse the utility for higher wholesale power and fuel costs since 2020. But the increase approved Wednesday by the Arizona Corporation Commission is less than a third of the increase TEP originally requested for a usage-based surcharge that essentially passes through to ratepayers higher-than-expected costs for power and fuel. TEP said it needed to increase the surcharge to recover about $90 million in higher costs for purchased power and fuel, plus about $18 million in costs the company agreed to defer in 2021 to help customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The utility cited an average 88% increase in natural-gas costs in 2021 and a 149% spike in wholesale power costs at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station transmission hub last summer. The surcharge, known as the purchased power and fuel adjustment clause, or PPFAC, is adjusted up or down annually, sometimes resulting in a credit. The charge consists of two rate components: a true-up rate to reflect actual costs TEP has paid and a forward component based on forecast future costs. The new rate of just over eight-tenths of a cent per kilowatt-hour of power usage will result in a monthly residential surcharge of about $6.49, up from $2.63 under the current rate, based on average monthly usage of 797 kWh. Customers who use more power than average will see larger increases, while TEP business customers pay the same usage-based PPFAC rate and will see commensurate increases based on usage. In filings with the ACC, TEP said recovering its past higher costs over 12 months would have increased the average TEP home bill by $12.68 per month. But TEP also offered regulators the options of collecting the costs through PPFAC increases over 18 or 24 months, which would have increased bills by $9.27 or $7.56 per month, respectively. The ACCs own utility staff had recommended the 18-month payback period, while reducing TEPs proposed rate increase to cover its past higher costs, which would have resulted in a $9.27 average monthly bill increase. The state Residential Utility Consumers Office had advocated for extending TEPs cost-recovery period to soften the blow on ratepayers and reevaluating such surcharge mechanisms for their effectiveness in the future. At its meeting on Wednesday, the five-member commission approved the 18-month payback rate for part of the surcharge as part of an order proposed by staff. But the commission also voted to drop the forward-looking rate component to zero, under an amendment offered by Commissioner Jim OConnor, cutting the monthly home bill impact to under $4. Responding to questions on Wednesday, TEP attorney Michael Patten said the forward-looking rate component of the PPFAC sends a price signal to ratepayers that costs are increasing, and setting that rate at zero will only increase the true-up rate component in the future. TEP stresses that it passes its costs along without any markup and earns no profit from the PPFAC surcharge. OConnor, part of a three-member Republican majority on the five-member commission, said he found that response weak. They send a price signal to the customer, and whats the customer supposed to do, turn out the lights if they dont like it? the retired Scottsdale businessman said. He said TEP is fully entitled to recoup its costs but shouldnt be allowed to double bank to catch up with its arrearages. The company is in the position to be the buffer between the consumer here and the market and that wild volatility in fuel costs, and theyre well-positioned and capitalized to do that, said OConnor, who spent 42 years in the securities industry and owned his own investment firm. The Corporation Commission approved the new PPFAC rate on a 4-1 vote, with Democrat Sandra Kennedy voting against it. Commissioner Justin Olson supported TEPs surcharge increase but said in the future, the commission should consider cutting a utilitys allowed return on equity a key measure of corporate profitability to reflect the cost risk that is shifted from the company to ratepayers through such surcharges. Kennedy said she generally opposes so-called adjuster mechanisms like the PPFAC that raise customers bills outside of the larger scrutiny of general rate cases. Besides the PPFAC, TEP gains revenue from five adjuster mechanisms that appear as surcharges on customer bills, supporting energy-efficiency and renewable-energy programs, compensating utilities for fixed costs not recovered due to higher energy efficiency and rooftop solar, and a surcharge to help cover the cost of mandated environmental controls. Arizona Public Service Co. and other state-regulated utilities have similar adjuster mechanisms, approved by the ACC over the years. Its a cost of doing business, and the company can make bad decisions and still pass those costs on to the ratepayers, so theres no protection for ratepayers, Kennedy said. Corporation Commission Chairwoman Lea Marquez Peterson, a Tucson Republican, said TEPs PPFAC request and other controversies over adjuster mechanisms have convinced her that the whole process needs to be reevaluated by the commission. What really motivates the utility to make the very best deal for our consumers? she said. Were a bit stuck in this older process and I think we do need to reevaluate how this was structured in the past. Mining giant Freeport McMoRan, TEPs biggest industrial customer, filed comments proposing that TEPs PPFAC be capped at $0.004, or four-tenths of a penny, per kilowatt hour, citing a limit the Corporation Commission imposed on APS for a similar power-supply adjustment. But the commission staff did not support that, and Utilities Division Director Elijah Abinah noted that APS surcharge is different because APS can change the rate up to the cap without the approval of the full commission, while TEP must seek approval annually with no set cap. Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 520-573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Mexican woman died Monday after getting stuck hanging upside down while attempting to climb over the border wall into Arizona, officials say. Authorities were alerted by Mexican officials Monday night that a woman was stuck on the border wall near Douglas, off International Road and Kings Highway, said a Facebook post by Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels. The 32-year-old Mexican national apparently climbed over the wall and, while she was climbing down the U.S. side with a harness, her foot and leg got entangled and she was trapped upside down for a significant amount of time, the sheriffs office said. The Border Patrol responded and she was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. These types of incidents are not political; they are humanitarian realities that someone has lost a loved one in a senseless tragedy, Dannels said in the post. We have to do better in finding solutions to the challenges facing our border, and we have to do it for the right reasons. Regardless of opinions, it is the facts that should direct our progress, and we will keep working toward a shared goal of border safety and security. The Pima County Medical Examiner is doing an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, while the Cochise County Sheriffs Office continues its investigation. The Mexican Consulate in Douglas knows the womans identity and is in contact with relatives, who live in Agua Prieta, Sonora, and have asked the consulate not to release any of her personal details. The consulate is helping to deliver her remains to the family. Consul of Mexico Ricardo Pineda Albarran said the Consulate of Douglas condemns the actions of human trafficking groups who lead people into dangerous situations crossing the border. This is at least the fourth death this year of migrants who were injured while trying to climb over the border wall. The previous three incidents were on the southern border of Texas, according to statements by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com or 573-4223 . On Twitter: @DanyelleKhmara Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. No matter what economic framework Taiwan wants to join, it must be done on the premise of observing the one-China principle, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday. "We oppose Taiwan's participation in any economic and trade arrangement of an official nature or signing of any economic and trade agreement of an official nature," said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference. Ma made the remarks when commenting on a letter of some U.S. officials that urged the Biden administration to invite Taiwan to join the so-called "Indo-Pacific economic framework." The U.S. government continues to hype up the concept of "Indo-Pacific" and pursue the so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy," which is, in essence, an attempt to create small, divisive circles to contain China, Ma noted. Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authority's attempt to squeeze into such circles fully exposes its nature of relying on the United States to seek "Taiwan independence" and provoking the mainland, he said. Russia's damaged Black Sea flagship sinks in latest setback KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet sank after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles. Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. It said the flames forced the entire crew to evacuate. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat. The Russian Defense Ministry said the vessel sank in a storm while being towed to a port. The ship would typically have 500 sailors on board. The AP Interview: UN food chief says Mariupol is starving KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The head of the U.N.s World Food Program says people are being starved to death in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, and he predicted the countrys humanitarian crisis is likely to worsen as Russia intensifies its assault in the coming weeks. In an interview with The Associated Press, David Beasley also warned that Russias invasion of grain-exporting Ukraine risks destabilizing nations far from its shores and could trigger waves of migrants seeking better lives elsewhere. He said the war that began Feb. 24 was devastating the people in Ukraine, lamenting the lack of access faced by the WFP and other aid organizations in trying to reach those in need amid the conflict. Family seeks charges, officer's ID in Patrick Lyoya's death GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) Peter Lyoya brought his family from Congo to the U.S. in 2014 to escape violence. Now he fears they came here to die. A Michigan police officer fatally shot his eldest son, 26-year-old Patrick, in the head this month following a traffic stop in Grand Rapids. Video shows a brief foot chase and struggle over the officers Taser before the white officer shoots Patrick Lyoya as the Black man is face down on the ground. Peter Lyoya talked with The Associated Press in his Lansing apartment on Thursday, a day after police released videos of the traffic stop. Peter brought his six children to the U.S. to get away from prolonged civil unrest. Subway shooting heightens NYC mayor's focus on rising crime NEW YORK (AP) Mayor Eric Adams, a former New York City police captain, took office this year with a central focus on making the city feel safe and trying to return it to some sense of normalcy post-pandemic. But the first 3 1/2 months of his administration have been beset by a string of high-profile violent incidents, with Tuesdays shooting on a subway train the most terrifying and public of all. The attack complicates Adams push to address crime and persuade people that the city of nearly 9 million is safe. It also occurred amid a broader, multi-year debate about policing and crime, and how the city should respond. EXPLAINER: What is Musk really doing as he guns for Twitter? Mercurial billionaire Elon Musk now says he wants to buy Twitter outright, taking it private to restore its commitment to what he terms free speech. But is he even serious? Can he get the money together? Will shareholders be happy? And what would the social platform look like if he succeeds? LA political donor gets 30 years in prison for fetish deaths LOS ANGELES (AP) A wealthy Democratic donor has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for injecting two men with lethal doses of methamphetamine as part of a fetish that turned fatal. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence for Ed Buck. The judge issued the sentence Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles. Buck is 67 and prosecutors have said he preyed mostly on vulnerable young gay Black men he paid for sex and injected with massive doses of drugs. Buck's lawyers have said he deserved a shorter term because he was sexually abused as a child and that health problems led to his drug addiction. Pressure on US to give Ukraine more intelligence on Russia WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden has called Russias war on Ukraine a genocide and he's accused Vladimir Putin of committing war crimes. But Biden's administration has struggled with how much intelligence its willing to give Ukrainian forces that are trying to stop the Russian leader. Since the war began in late February, the Biden administration has made multiple changes to a classified directive that governs what U.S. agencies are supposed to share with Ukraine. Several people familiar with the directive say the latest changes occurred last week when U.S. intelligence officials lifted some geographic limits on the transfer of the kind of information used in minute-by-minute decisions on the battlefield. Homeschooling surge continues despite schools reopening BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The coronavirus pandemic ushered in what may be the most rapid rise in homeschooling the U.S. has ever seen. Now, even with schools back open and vaccines available, many homeschooling families are sticking with it. Data obtained by The Associated Press found homeschooling numbers this year dipped from last years all-time high, but are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels. Families may have turned to homeschooling as an alternative to hastily assembled remote learning plans. But they say they're staying with it for many reasons, including continuing COVID health concerns, disagreements with school policies and a desire to keep what has worked for their children. Fuel leak thwarts NASA's dress rehearsal for moon rocket CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) NASA's latest attempt to fuel its huge moon rocket for a countdown test has been thwarted by a hazardous hydrogen leak. NASA had just begun loading fuel into the core stage of the rocket Thursday when the leak cropped up at the Florida launch pad. This was NASA's third attempt at a dress rehearsal, a required step ahead of a test flight to the moon. The first two tries were also marred by vexing equipment trouble. Before all these problems, NASA had been targeting June for the launch debut of the Space Launch System rocket. Officials say they're assessing their next steps. Therapist: Depp and Heard had relationship of 'mutual abuse' A former personal assistant to Amber Heard says she never saw the actress suffer any physical abuse at the hands of then-husband Johnny Depp. But Kate James testified Thursday that she does recall Heard spitting in her face when she asked for a higher salary. The former assistant said Heard descended into fits of blind rage and was often drunk. James said Depp was different. She said the Pirates of the Caribbean actor was very calm, almost shy a total Southern gentleman. James spoke during a video deposition that was played Thursday at the trial in a Virginia court for Depps libel suit against Heard. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. 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. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. NEW YORK (AP) The man charged with opening fire on subway riders on a train in Brooklyn was ordered held without bail Thursday at his first court appearance, where prosecutors told a judge he terrified all of New York City. Brought into a Brooklyn federal court without handcuffs, a subdued Frank James, 62, softly answered standard questions about whether he understood the charges and the purpose of the brief hearing. His lawyer later asked the public not to prejudge him. James was arrested in Manhattan after calling a police tip line to say where he was Wednesday, a day after the nightmarish rush-hour attack left 10 people with gunshot wounds and countless others fearing for their safety on the nations busiest subway system. Authorities say he unleashed smoke bombs and dozens of bullets, in a train full of morning commuters. He's charged with a federal terrorism offense that applies to attacks on mass transit systems authorities say there's currently no evidence linking him to terror organizations and are still trying to derive a motive. The defendant terrifyingly opened fire on passengers on a crowded subway train, interrupting their morning commute in a way the city hasnt seen in more than 20 years," Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara K. Winik said. "The defendants attack was premeditated, was carefully planned and it caused terror among the victims and our entire city. While James was in court, Hourari Benkada was in a hospital bed with a bullet wound in his leg. Benkada said he was just feet away from the gunman on the train and has struggled to sleep since. Tuesday's horrific scene keeps replaying in his mind. "Im still shocked about it, Benkada said in a video interview Thursday, grimacing in pain as he recalled the attack. He had headphones on, music blaring, as smoke began filling the subway car. He initially thought it was a small fire. But the smoke "kept escalating to black, black smoke like 9/11," he said, and the whole train was pitch-black. Then there were gunshots, screams and a scramble for safety. Benkada said he tried to shield a pregnant woman from getting hit during the mayhem, and as people pushed forward, a gunshot tore into his knee. The shooting victims, who range in age from 16 to 60, are all expected to survive. Prosecutors described James in court papers as a calculating shooter who wore a disguise a construction worker-style hard hat and jacket that were shed right after the attack and fired in cold blood at terrified passengers who had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. But defense attorney Mia Eisner-Grynberg cautioned against a rush to judgment. "Initial reports in a case like this are often inaccurate, she said outside court. She noted that James alerted police to his whereabouts, 30 hours into a manhunt that included cellphone alerts to the general public. Once he knew he was wanted, he called Crime Stoppers to help," Eisner-Grynberg said. She had agreed to his being held without bail, at least for now. His attorneys could seek bail later on. At the request of James lawyers, Magistrate Roanne Mann said she would ask for James to get psychiatric attention, as well as magnesium tablets for leg cramps, at the federal lockup in Brooklyn where he's being held. Authorities say a trove of evidence connects James to the attack. His bank card, his cellphone and a key to a van he had rented were found at the shooting scene. Officers also found the handgun they said was used in the shooting; tracing records show James purchased the gun from a licensed gun dealer in Ohio in 2011. In court papers, prosecutors suggested James had the means to carry out more more attacks, noting that he had ammunition and other gun-related items in a Philadelphia storage unit. The New York City native had been living in Milwaukee and Philadelphia recently. Investigators were examining many hours of videos that James posted on social media, as recently as Monday, in which he delivered profanity-laced diatribes about racism, society's treatment of Black people, homelessness and violence. He also discussed his history of psychiatric treatment and complained about how New York's mayor is dealing with homeless people on subways and with gun violence. He also talked about shooting people, prosecutors noted in court papers. Associated Press journalists Jim Mustian, Michael R. Sisak and Jennifer Peltz contributed. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) The first of four men accused in a failed plan to build a biotechnology plant in Vermont using tens of millions of dollars in foreign investors money raised through a special visa program was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison. William Stenger, 73, the former president of the Jay Peak ski resort, also was sentenced to three years of supervisory release and ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution. He pleaded guilty last August to providing false documents. In exchange, nine fraud charges were dropped. Stenger told the court he wished to apologize to his family, the employees of Jay Peak and Burke ski resorts, the state, the investors, and his community of Newport. I let you down, he said, adding that he started out with the best intentions and got lost along the way. Stenger and Miami businessman Ariel Quiros, the former owner of Jay Peak and Burke Mountain ski resorts, and two other men were indicted in 2019 over the failed plan to build the AnC Bio plant in Newport, Vermont, using millions raised through the EB-5 visa program that encourages foreigners to invest in U.S. projects that create jobs in exchange for a chance to earn permanent U.S. residency. Rasha Mesharafa, who was from Egypt and invested $2 million, testified virtually Thursday that she had extensive communication with Stenger through email and became concerned about a lack of financial reports and delays with the AnC project. She said she went to Jay to meet with him and Stenger lied straight to my face. All of a sudden there is no money, no jobs, no project, absolutely nothing, she said. Mesharafa, who recently got her U.S. citizenship, said she lived this nightmare for four years and holds Stenger responsible. Government lawyers say Stenger came up with the AnC Vermont EB-5 project idea, championed it, and lied to investors, the Vermont Regional Center, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Securities and Exchange Commission about its revenue and job prospects. They say Stenger was responsible for raising over $80 million from investors based on lies and deceit," according to a court filing. The project was a fraud from the beginning, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul van de Graaf, who said Stenger was an excellent salesman." The federal receiver appointed to oversee the ski resorts and the EB-5 projects provided partial restitution to the investors but the investor group is still out millions of dollars, prosecutors said in their court filing. Stenger's lawyers said his primary motivation has been to develop and improve the economy of Vermont's rural Northeast Kingdom and he saw the EB-5 program as a chance to create good high-paying jobs, according to court documents. They said he was not motivated by money like Quiros and Kelly were, and has cooperated with and helped the receiver who was appointed by the court to oversee the resorts and projects. Federal prosecutors requested a five-year sentence for Stenger, the maximum under the plea deal, while Stengers lawyers asked for home confinement. U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford said he considered Stengers age, health, family circumstances and financial responsibilities in taking care of his wife, who also has health issues, but said the impacts on the victims is clear. "Mr. Stenger made this fraud possible because of business reputation and his contacts, and gave it a credibility that in hindsight it never should have had, Crawford said. Three years before the criminal indictment, the federal Securities and Exchange Commission and the state of Vermont alleged that Quiros and Stenger took part in a massive eight-year fraudulent scheme. The civil allegations involved misusing more than $200 million of about $400 million raised from foreign investors for various ski area developments through the EB-5 visa program in Ponzi-like fashion. Quiros and Stenger settled civil charges with the SEC, with Quiros surrendering more than $80 million in assets, including the two resorts. Quiros has pleaded guilty to criminal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and the concealment of material information in the failed plant plan and awaits sentencing. William Kelly, an advisor to Quiros, has pleaded guilty to two charges. A fourth man, Jong Weon (Alex) Choi, a businessman in South Korea, remains at large, according to the federal court. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. 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. Today is Thursday, April 14, 2022. Let's get caught up. Here are today's top stories, celebrity birthdays and a look back at this date in history: *** FIRST, THE WEATHER After a busy night largely composed of damaging wind and tornado reports, the severe storm threat weakens as it heads towards the East Coast. CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has the forecast. *** TOP STORIES Click on the links below for full versions of today's top stories. Keep scrolling for a look back at this day in history and today's celebrity birthdays: *** THURSDAY LISTEN The Ethical Life podcast: Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about the recent case where a former nurse in Tennessee was convicted of two felonies and now faces eight years in prison for a fatal medication mistake. Next, they discuss how fear of others can seep into our consciousness, and how that can change the way we act. And in the third segment, they look at the ethical considerations that go into designing our infrastructure. *** IMAGE OF THE DAY *** TODAY IN HISTORY *** HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ... Celebrity birthdays: April 14 Abigail Breslin Adrien Brody Anthony Michael Hall Brad Garrett Da Brat JD McPherson John Shea Loretta Lynn Pete Rose Sarah Michelle Gellar Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PHOENIX The state wants a judge to throw out a 5-year-old lawsuit charging that lawmakers are not living up to their constitutional and court-ordered obligation to adequately fund new schools and repair existing ones. Hanging in the balance is whether lawmakers will be ordered once again to fix the system, as they were several times since 1994 and if they will potentially have to come up with billions of new dollars. At a hearing Wednesday, lawyers for the state told a Maricopa County judge there have been drastic system changes in funding since the lawsuit was filed in 2017 by school districts and education advocates challenging the system of who gets money. The states lawyers pointed to infusions of cash and alterations to the policies that govern when a district is entitled to state dollars for a new school. The question of how schools are funded should be left to the elected legislators, Brett Johnson, lead attorney for the state, told Superior Court Judge Daniel Martin. He said lawmakers have already made changes, and they need flexibility to make future policy adjustments. Plaintiffs ask this court for a political policy opinion on whether the legislature might devise a better system to fund the capital expenditures of K-12 public schools, Johnson wrote in court filings. He said those plaintiffs, including not just school districts but also the Arizona School Boards Association and the Arizona Education Association, are asking Martin to intercede because they have not succeeded in achieving all of their policy objectives through the traditional legislative process. But the schools say the problems are real and that the Arizona Constitution requires lawmakers to fix them. The undisputed evidence shows that the state does not provide sufficient capital funding to ensure that no district falls below the states facility standards, Danny Adelman, an attorney for the schools, told the judge. He wants Martin to immediately direct lawmakers to craft a system that is constitutional which is what the Arizona Supreme Court first ordered in 1994. Under the system in place at that time, school districts raised and borrowed money for new construction and repairs solely through local property taxes. That year the justices concluded the method of funding schools violated state constitutional requirements for a general and uniform school system. They said it created illegal disparities between rich districts and poor ones. Some districts have schoolhouses that are unsafe, unhealthy and in violation of building, fire and safety codes, wrote Justice Frederick Martone for the high court. There are schools without libraries, science laboratories, computer rooms, art programs, gymnasiums and auditoriums. At the same time, Martone said, there are schools with indoor swimming pools, a domed stadium, science laboratories, television studios, well-stocked libraries, satellite dishes and expensive computer systems. Several interim solutions proposed by the Republican-controlled Legislature were rejected by the court. Lawmakers eventually created the School Facilities Board, which was supposed to pick up every districts construction needs. But lawmakers never came up with a new source of revenue to pay the potential $300 million annual price tag, instead absorbing the cost into the states general fund. That, however, worked only when the economy was good and revenues were increasing. When the Great Recession hit and state tax collections tanked, one of the casualties was money for the board. The funding formula was replaced by a grant process. But challengers, in filing suit in 2017, said districts that needed schools or major repairs but couldnt wait for a grant once again had to turn to their local voters for bond approval, the very system the Supreme Court previously found illegal. There have been adjustments since, including one instituted by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. It says districts no longer need to wait until schools actually are overcrowded to get funding to start building new ones. But Adelman said the state is still not providing all the funds necessary to construct new schools and provide a regular flow of dollars for maintenance and major repairs, such as saving up for a new roof. Schools must wait for their systems to fail before getting financial help, their lawyers said or rely on local tax dollars, a system that is no better than what the justices voided 28 years ago. Attorney Colin Ahler who also represents the state, said thats not what the record shows, however. He also said the law requires only that schools get enough to fund minimum guidelines, not meet some higher standard. But Adelman said the state isnt even doing that. Districts without are being left behind (with) failing HVACs, failing facilities, water infiltration, dilapidated foundations, sinkholes for years, portables in Quartzsite that were virtually condemned for years, undrinkable water, he said. Only districts with sufficient local wealth (and supportive voters) can consistently maintain their facilities without falling below standards, Adelman wrote in court filings. And districts without local wealth are left behind. None of this would be an issue if the state picked up the cost of new schools. Adelman told Martin that the Supreme Court in its 1994 ruling made clear that the financing of public education in Arizona is the responsibility of the state, not school districts. The state cannot attempt to pawn off its constitutional obligations on the districts, he wrote in court filings. Theres another reason the state cannot shift the burden to local taxpayers, Adelman said: All districts are not created equal. Some have large amounts of commercial and industrial property which contribute more to the tax base than residential property. But it is the districts with residential properties that have the most students. For example, Peoria Unified School District has relatively low property wealth compared to the number of students it educates, said Joshua Bendor, another attorney for the plaintiffs. To raise a given amount per pupil through bonds, Peoria must impose a tax rate almost five times greater than the rate Scottsdale Unified School District would need to impose to raise that same amount of money per pupil, and almost 15 times greater than the rate the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District would need to impose, Bendor said. The state has the burden of explaining why it is reasonable for some taxpayers to pay tax rates that are 15 times more than their fellow citizens in other school districts to meet the schools basic capital needs. That disparity, he said, is precisely the issue the Supreme Court addressed in 1994. There is nothing in the record showing a meaningful relationship between a districts property wealth and its capital needs, Bendor said. But William Richards, who represents Republican legislative leaders, told Martin that whats missing from the schools arguments is proof of harm from the funding formula. The plaintiffs have not made any showing at all that a single district actually failed to provide the educational services and curriculum delivery required by the state minimum academic standards to a single actual student, he said. Everything beyond that, he said, is irrelevant. The Legislature is not required to fund all the capital facilities each district chooses to acquire, Richards said. Nor is it required to ensure that every district has exactly the same facilities and capital resources. The judge did not indicate when he expects to rule. Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on Twitter at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com . Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Tumbleweeds drift along the Rio Grande as sand bars within its banks widen. Smoke from distant wildfires and dust kicked up by intense spring winds fill the valley, exacerbating the feeling of distress that is beginning to weigh on residents. One of North Americas longest rivers, the Rio Grande is another example of a waterway in the western U.S. thats tapped out. From the Pacific Northwest to the Colorado River Basin, irrigation districts already are warning farmers to expect less this year despite growing demands fueled by ever-drying conditions. Climate experts say March marked the third straight month of below-average precipitation across the U.S. and areas of record dryness are expanding in the West. On Thursday, federal water managers shared their annual operating plan for the Rio Grande, a major water source for millions of people and thousands of square miles of farmland in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. They believe they can keep the river flowing, but it will depend on the weather. Ed Kandl, a hydrologist with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said warmer temperatures will affect supplies, but relief could come if summer monsoons develop. We'll just have to see what happens, he said. Mark Garcia, who farms about 400 acres (160 hectares) with his family in Valencia County, just south of Albuquerque, ran the numbers. He has a degree in mathematics and taught calculus for years before retiring and turning to the farm full time. He found his family would be compensated for not irrigating about half of its acreage this year, and more water would be left in the river to help New Mexico work off a debt that has been growing as the state falls short of its obligations to deliver water to neighboring Texas. Logically, it was almost like a no-brainer, Garcia said of opting into the fallowing program. The risk analysis was, I had to take it, I had to do it. I didnt want to, though." Sitting in his backhoe in one of his fields, Garcia began to get emotional. He said he grew up watching his dad farm the land. I was born into this, he said. The hard thing for me is I feel like I dont want the government to pay for me not to work. I have an issue with that. The state of New Mexico and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District are hoping more farmers can make that tough choice at least long enough to help managers address the pending water debt. The district oversees irrigation for more than 140 square miles (260 square kilometers) of farmland along a 175-mile (280-kilometer) stretch of the Rio Grande Valley to the north and south of Albuquerque. Even it acknowledges the program is a temporary solution. Casey Ish, a water resources specialist with the district, said over 200 irrigators have enrolled, and officials are targeting fields that are less productive or need to be rested. For us, this is just one tool and one way the district is trying to help the state manage the states compact debt, but we certainly dont anticipate pulling a third or half the district into a fallowing program year over year, Ish said. Thats not sustainable from a price point or an ag point." Thursday's virtual meeting included estimates of how much the Bureau of Reclamation will have to work with this season based on spring runoff predictions and current reservoir levels. Officials said it's possible the Rio Grande, as it passes through the heart of Albuquerque, could start drying in late August or early September. With below-average snow cover and reservoirs in some places reaching critically low levels, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted in its most recent monthly climate report that concerns are mounting that the western drought will intensify. On the Colorado River, the U.S. Interior Department recently proposed holding back water in Lake Powell to maintain Glen Canyon Dams ability to generate electricity amid what it said were the driest conditions in the region in more than 1,200 years. The potential impacts to lower basin states that could see their water supplies reduced California, Nevada and Arizona arent yet known. But the conundrum speaks to the wide-ranging functions of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam, and the need to quickly pivot to confront climate change. In the Pacific Northwest, experts are predicting one of the driest summers on record, noting that nearly 71% of the region made up of Oregon, Washington and Idaho is in drought and nearly one-quarter is already experiencing extreme drought. An irrigation district that supplies more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers on the California-Oregon border announced earlier this week that they would get a fraction of their normal water allocation this year due to drought. Its the third consecutive year that severe drought has impacted farmers, fish and tribes in a region where theres not enough water to satisfy competing demands. Irrigation districts that supply water to farmers along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and along the Pecos in the east also are promising short seasons. Just north of the New Mexico-Colorado border, farmers in the San Luis Valley turned on their spigots April 1, drawing on their share of the Rio Grande. Water managers in New Mexico immediately saw the gauges drop, meaning less water ultimately will make its way to central New Mexico. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. TTCU Federal Credit Union this week announced the launch of the TTCU Cares Foundation, which will fund projects in the areas of education, community betterment and human services. Giving back to the community is a commitment that TTCU Federal Credit Union made over 85 years ago, TTCU President and CEO Tim Lyons said in a statement. It is part of the credit union philosophy of people helping people. This foundation will give us an opportunity to increase our impact in the communities in which our credit union members live. The TTCU Cares Foundation will support programs that improve the quality of life in its members communities and organizations. The foundations first round of donations included City Year Tulsa, Reading Partners, Street School, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma and the Mental Health Association. The credit union also plans to award grants to help educators. As a credit union founded by teachers, education is always going to be a large part of how we give back, TTCU Cares Foundation Director Steffanie Bonner said in a statement. We are currently working on developing grants for teachers. The foundation will be funded by donations from employees, TTCU members and community members. TTCU is the second-largest credit union in Oklahoma with 19 branches, including six in Tulsa. Featured video: Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Grace Zizzo, from Wagoner, was recently inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Oklahoma State University. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Zizzo is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others. MOD Pizza the all-capitals word stands for Made on Demand opened its first Tulsa location Tuesday in the Tulsa Hills shopping complex, 7454 S. Olympia Ave. The chain was founded in 2008 in Seattle by Scott and Ally Svenson, who wanted to use their entrepreneurial skills to create a new sort of pizza restaurant, while also working to help people who might ordinarily be overlooked with gainful employment, and finding ways to give back to every community they serve. MOD Pizza offers 10 signature combinations of toppings, from the meat-heavy Mad Dog to the appropriately named Pizza Salad. Customers may also create their own pizzas, choosing from some 40 ingredients, including six sauces. Pizzas come in 6-inch and 11-inch sizes. Four salads are also available, along with a create your own option. Soft drinks, house-made lemonades and a selection of wines and beers are available. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Delivery and takeaway are available. 918-901-9594, modpizza.com. Wild Fork adds spring items The Wild Fork, 1820 Utica Square, is ready for spring with some new additions to its menu. The new items include a cornmeal-crusted trout stuffy with creamed spinach, served with jasmine rice ($24.95); braised lamb shoulder with creamy orzo pasta and a carrot-fennel slaw ($30.95); a grilled strip steak topped with chimichurri and salsa roja, with grilled tomatoes and garlic mashed potatoes ($32.95); and a basil-Provolone spread, served with crostini ($12.95). Reservations are recommended. 918-742-0712, wildfork.com. God Save the Queen at White Lion Pub The White Lion Pub, 6927 S. Canton Ave., will host a special evening to celebrate the 96th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21. The evening will include several of the Queens favorites comestibles and libations, beginning with a gin and Dubonnet cocktail, followed by a selection of hors doeuvres and celery soup. The main course will be a Steak Royale, with chocolate mousse for dessert. Patrons will also be able to get their photos with the Queen or, at least, a life-size facsimile thereof. Cost is $65 per person (gratuity, tax and beverages are extra). Seating is limited and reservations are required. To reserve, call the pub at 918-491-6533 Tuesday through Saturday after 4 p.m. Tests and taxes Two inevitable April events are fast approaching the deadline to file ones income tax returns, and state testing for public schools. Two national chains are hoping to offset the pain and anxiety of these events with special offers. Local McDonalds restaurants are offering free breakfast from 6 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, to all students in grades 3-8, when accompanied by a parent or guardian; a valid school ID must also be presented. The free breakfast includes the choice of an Egg McMuffin Sandwich or Fruit and Maple Oatmeal, apple slices, and choice of milk, apple juice or orange juice. This offer is good only for dine-in customers. mcdonalds.com. Firehouse Subs offers a coupon on its website that will give customers a free medium sub sandwich with the purchase of another sub, chips and drink on Monday, April 18. Dine-in only. firehousesubs.com/taxday. Cinco some brews at On the Border On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, which has two Tulsa area locations, is counting down to Cinco de Mayo with $3 beer specials each Thursday in April. Dos Equis will be the special deal on April 14; Voodoo Ranger IPA on April 21; and Blue Moon April 28. ontheborder.com. Featured video: Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Abortion-rights groups went to court Thursday seeking to restore abortion services in Kentucky, where the last two abortion clinics signaled they couldn't immediately comply with sweeping new restrictions imposed by the Republican legislature. Two lawsuits filed in federal court in Louisville asked that a judge intervene to block the law from taking effect while the case is litigated. Kentucky's GOP-dominated legislature overturned Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of the abortion measure on Wednesday as the chants of abortion-rights advocates shouting bans off our bodies echoed through the statehouse. They joined Republican lawmakers across the country in passing new restrictions, while some Democratic-led states have worked to preserve or expand access. In Kentucky, the new law is filled with revisions to the state's abortion laws, with many new requirements that clinics must meet. The two remaining abortion clinics in Kentucky both in Louisville, the state's largest city can't comply because the law mandates a new regulatory process that hasn't been set up yet, resulting in an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Kentucky, the plaintiffs said. It is impossible to comply with its vast provisions, resulting in an immediate ban on abortion in the commonwealth absent this court's intervention, they said. Kentucky's Republican attorney general, Daniel Cameron, said he is ready to defend the new law. The General Assembly passed HB 3 to protect life and promote the health and safety of women, and we are prepared to earnestly defend this new law against the legal challenge from Planned Parenthood and the ACLU," he said in a statement Thursday. About half of all abortions performed in Kentucky are the result of medication procedures. The new law, which took effect immediately, requires such women to be examined in person by a doctor before receiving the abortion pills through a registration process that hasn't been established, they said. EMW Womens Surgical Center was closed Thursday and cannot provide abortion services until a court grants a temporary restraining order, while Louisville's Planned Parenthood location remained open for other services such as STD testing, ultrasounds and birth control, their spokespersons said. No protesters appeared at midday outside the Planned Parenthood office, and only two stood silently holding signs outside the surgical center, which has been targeted so frequently by protests that the city passed a law in 2021 creating a 10-foot-wide buffer zone. The new Kentucky law also requires new reporting that will violate patient privacy, providing women with no protection against having their identities exposed through the information submitted by the clinics, the abortion-rights groups said. Opponents also condemned the new law for failing to make exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. Those are violent crimes, Democratic Rep. Rachel Roberts said. This bill forces those women to be violated again. With this law, Kentucky now aims to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, replacing the 20-week limit in the state code. The 15-week ban is modeled after a Mississippi law the U.S. Supreme Court is considering in a case that could dramatically limit abortion rights in many states. The law's supporters wanted Kentuckys stricter ban in place in case the Mississippi law is upheld. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban into law on Thursday. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Update (8:45 a.m.): The suspect died, police said. He has not been identified. "We have not confirmed names yet as we are working that information," Officer Danny Bean said. A man was shot by police and then taken into custody after apparently shooting a man, killing a woman and keeping police at bay for hours Wednesday afternoon and evening. The man had fired shots at police multiple times from inside a house near Fourth Place and 73rd East Avenue, between Sheridan Road and Memorial Drive, where police thought he was holding a wounded woman hostage. After taking the man into custody just before 7 p.m., officers entered the house and found the woman dead, Capt. Richard Meulenberg said. The man who had been shot Wednesday afternoon was able to leave the residence and call the police to the scene, Meulenberg said. He had been shot at least three times but was stable when he was taken by ambulance to a hospital, Meulenberg said. A relative at the scene told Meulenberg that the woman in the house was the sister of the man who reported being shot. Fire Department spokesman Andy Little said firefighters arrived first at the scene, where a man told them he was at the house by himself. But responding officials saw a little boy in the bed of a pickup in the driveway, and the child told them his mother was hurt inside the house. When firefighters asked the man again whether anyone was in the house, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at them, Little said. One of the firefighters was able to grab the child and get him to safety in a fire truck, Little said. Officers who responded before 3 p.m. were shot at from inside the home, Meulenberg said. An officer was hit by a ricocheting bullet that grazed his hand, and a fire truck was struck by at least one bullet. He is still out here in the fight, Meulenberg said of the injured officer while the standoff continued. He is not requiring any major medical care at this time. More shots were fired out a window at police officers just before 6:30 p.m., and then the man came to a doorway. Because police feared that he had the woman hostage inside and might go back in, a police officer shot him in a shoulder, and he was knocked to the ground by the impact, Meulenberg said. Police then took him into custody around 6:45 p.m. Meulenberg said earlier that the man is a known suspect to some of the officers, noting that they were calling him by name while engaging in dialogue during the standoff. The mans father was on the phone with him from outside the house, sobbing and pleading for an end to the situation. The man reportedly hung up when officers asked the father to try to get the woman inside the house on the phone. No officers fired any shots at the man until the standoffs end, Meulenberg said. Tulsa Honor Academys middle school, just west of Sheridan near Third Street, was put on lockdown during the nearby police response. Administrators worked with Tulsa Public Schools campus police to safely dismiss students for the day, a spokesperson confirmed. Bell Elementary, also near the middle school, was on modified lockdown for part of the afternoon. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BROKEN ARROW With the number of critical occupations requiring college degrees projected to increase in the state, its more important than ever to help more Oklahomans attain them, the states higher education chancellor said Wednesday. Weve got a lot of ground to make up and not a lot of time to do it, Allison Garrett told the Tulsa Higher Education Consortiums Spring Convening on Wednesday at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow. Between now and 2028, what were seeing is a shift to 66 of the top 100 critical occupations in Oklahoma being jobs that will require a college degree. At the same time, just 26% of Oklahomans currently have a bachelors degree, she said. Thats well below the national average of 33%. The Tulsa Higher Education Consortiumconsortium, which launched last year, is a joint effort involving a number of regional colleges, universities and partner organizations to help more area students get four-year degrees and better fit changing workforce needs. Garrett, who was appointed chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in November, discussed the challenges facing higher education institutions, and by extension the industries that depend on their graduates. These are just some of the things I see as I peek into the future, she said, adding that institutions have to be ready to meet the evolving needs of the students coming into them. Along with the positive challenges of increasing diversity, the state has a big negative in its rate of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, Garrett said. This is incredibly important to note. We rank fifth from the top in K-12 students having experienced significant trauma, homelessness, food insecurity, violence in the home. This is not one where you want to be top-10. To make things worse, the ratio of students to counselors in schools is much higher than the national average, she said. So, as we look at the population headed our way, we have to be adaptive and make sure our (higher education) institutions are ready to fully support our students, Garrett said. College readiness is also a critical issue. Garrett said only 14% of all high school graduates in the state are college-ready in all four areas of the ACT, with just 9% being ready to study in STEM fields. Youre looking at, for the 44,000 high school graduates we have, maybe 4,000 being ready to study in STEM fields, she said. That is so far short of where we need to be. For higher education institutions, it means offering the kinds of support services students need, she said. Garrett, former president of Emporia State University in Kansas and a onetime Walmart executive, succeeded longtime Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. Although shes had only five months to survey the scene, shes noticed that Oklahoma higher education also has some good things going for it. The beauty of a state like Oklahoma is we have consumer choices of all types, Garrett said. Weve got private institutions, weve got research institutions, weve got four-year institutions that are low-cost institutions, weve got great community colleges. Lots of opportunities. Were 11th lowest in the nation in average cost of attendance, 11th lowest in average debt upon graduation. So, there are some really, really great opportunities for students here in the state of Oklahoma. Something else Garrett said she noticed early on is not as encouraging. Before I interviewed for the job, I took a look at degree production in the higher ed system here. Allied health, business and teaching degrees were way up there. But not computer science degrees. It was down, down the list, right next to performing arts degrees, she said. That was a big shocker for me because, given where were moving as a society and what our current needs are, we ought to be producing far more graduates in those kind of technology-oriented fields. Garrett said the regents are planning to kick off a systemwide strategic planning process soon. Institutions in the consortium include Tulsa Community College, University of Tulsa, Langston University, Northeastern State University, OSU-Tulsa, Rogers State University and OU-Tulsa. For more information, visit tulsahighered.com. Featured video: Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. I demand a recount might be an almost comically cliched part of our lexicon, but in fact, at least in Oklahoma, actual election recounts are pretty rare. But thats just what took place Thursday morning at the Tulsa County Courthouse a hand recount of the 206 Tulsa County votes cast this month in the Sand Springs City Council Ward 1 runoff election. Cody Worrells margin of victory over Michael Phillips on election night, April 5, was two votes among the narrowest of narrow margins. Even Worrell has said he doesnt blame Phillips for seeking a recount under the circumstances, adding that had the tables been turned, he probably would have done the same. Thursdays recount in the courtroom of Tulsa County District Judge Doug Drummond didnt change a thing, however. Of the 206 total votes cast in Tulsa County 116 in Precinct 851, 76 in Precinct 857 and 14 voted absentee by mail the final tally remained 110 votes for Worrell and 96 for Phillips. The overall vote total is complicated a bit because Sand Springs Ward 1 encompasses a small piece of Osage County, where an additional 28 votes were cast eight for Worrell and 20 for Phillips, state election data indicate. But Osage Countys votes werent contested, so that means the election night vote totals of 118 for Worrell and 116 for Phillips will stand. For his part, Phillips is content that the process played out fully and appropriately, even if he still lost the election. I am perfectly satisfied, he said. Theres always the very slimmest of chances (of a changed outcome) but it was worth pursuing. The endeavor required Phillips to put down a deposit of $600 to cover the cost of the recount, money that would have been refunded to him had the election outcome changed. He is likely to get a portion of that back, paying only for the actual cost of the recount. Worrell, who now is looking ahead to being seated on Sand Springs City Council, said he, too, had confidence in the system. Ive always felt pretty good about our Oklahoma election system, especially compared to some of the other states that have a lot of trouble, he said. Every time Ive voted, the volunteers have always been professional and seemed like they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman sees the outcome as a victory no matter which candidate walked away with the most votes. When our numbers match up, for the system, its always a victory, she said. Were very, very confident in the system that we have in place, and then of course our voting devices, so when the numbers match up to what we know that they should be, thats always a wonderful thing. Freeman said recounts are pretty rare. This is my first recount as secretary, and Ive been secretary now for five years, she said. So, no, theyre not that common. This was an extremely close race, with two votes, so its no wonder that they would want to just make sure, she said. I dont blame the candidates at all for wanting to make sure. Featured video: Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Here's a look at a few trending topics for April 13. Woman who faked her own kidnapping Sherri Papini, the Northern California woman accused of faking her own kidnapping in 2016, has signed a plea deal and will confess she made up the entire plan, her attorney's office confirmed to CNN. "I am deeply ashamed of myself for my behavior and so sorry for the pain I've 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," Papini said in her statement. "I will work the rest of my life to make amends for what I have done." Read more here: Brooklyn subway shooter 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. Get more info here: Cedric McMillan Bodybuilder Cedric McMillan has died at the age of 44, his sponsor confirmed Tuesday. "We regret to inform you that our friend and brother @cedricmcmillan passed away today. Cedric will be greatly missed as an athlete, comrade, friend, and father," Black Skull USA, a supplements company, wrote in a post on Instagram. The company didn't provide further details around McMillan's death. Find out more here: Cedric McMillan, star bodybuilder, dead at 44 Bodybuilder Cedric McMillan has died at the age of 44, his sponsor confirmed Tuesday. Patrick Lyoya 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. Get more info here: Cuba Gooding Jr. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday 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. The 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. Read more here: *** During his years studying in Japan, Pham Thanh Toan thought a lot about how to use technological innovations to make Vietnamese farmers' jobs easier. When he returned to Vietnam, Toan, 33, founded MiSmart Smart Technology JSC with the aim of applying automatic technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to agricultural production, which is challenging for a young entrepreneur like him compared to others. Overcoming numerous obstacles MiSmart uses autonomous devices and AI technologies that use Big Data to supply digital solutions to agriculture such as irrigation and remote monitoring systems. According to Toan, who earned a master's degree in artificial intelligence in Japan, MiSmart has developed and produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at a lower cost that helps farmers spend less on technology while improving their crop yields. The company develops both the hardware and software for the UAVs. The entrepreneur has dreamed of building such devices ever since he studied in Japan a few years ago. "When I was studying abroad, I read the news on the Internet about the tricky situation of farmers who had to sell their agricultural products at a much lower price every time they had good crops," Toan recalled. "I want to turn this sadness into actions that can make a difference," he continued, explaining the reasons behind his decision to focus on applying innovative technology solutions to agriculture in Vietnam. The entrepreneur believes he is fortunate to have been able to study in Japan, a country known for its prominent level of science and technology. The years of studying here have given him a lot of useful knowledge, including existing technological solutions that can be learned. As a case in point, Toan is interested in the way the Japanese use autonomous drones to spray pesticides in agriculture to increase efficiency by more than 50 times compared to traditional methods. In addition, such drones help reduce pesticides and protect farmers' health while helping increase production. With these thoughts in mind, Toan met an old friend, a PhD student studying in Australia, and shared the idea with him during a Lunar New Year vacation. The two decided to find answers to the problems of Vietnamese agriculture at all costs. In their research, they encountered many obstacles, in particular, they could not buy some parts or equipment they needed for their projects. While such equipment is not made domestically, they also cannot order it from abroad if the number of purchased parts is too small. They overcame these challenges by making many things themselves. Their first prototype UAV, including Demeter VS20, was unveiled in 2020. Despite its lightweight, the Demeter VS20 can lift heavy objects and operate autonomously, semi-autonomously or manually. The device folds neatly and resists dirt. In terms of efficiency, the Demeter VS20 can increase a farmer's labor productivity by over 25 times compared to traditional methods. It can also help farmers improve pesticide spraying efficiency by more than 20 times, in addition to saving 30 percent of the amount of pesticide and 90 percent of the water used. Thanks to these remarkable features, the drone enables farmers to quickly control a plant disease even in a large area. This brings further benefits to the growers in terms of production and exports. Eventually, the device can be an alternative when there is a shortage of labor, which is quite common nowadays. Once a poor student Few people know that Toan had an extremely difficult youth. "In 2006, I was able to enter college with a fairly good grade, which was enough for me to study in a special class for gifted students at the Faculty of Information Technology of the University of Science under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City," Toan recalled. "At that time, it was very difficult for my family to fund my study because of the excessive cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City." Fortunately, Toan said, he learned from a Tuoi Tre (Youth) reporter who lives next door that the newspaper had been giving scholarships to help poor students with good academic records. "The memory of the touching feeling of receiving the scholarship of VND3 million [US$131] is still fresh in my mind," Toan recalled. "I was able to cycle from the newspaper's headquarters to my dormitory in Thu Duc City [a dozen kilometers away] tirelessly that day." Besides drones for agriculture, MiSmart also focuses on the development and mass production of surveillance drones used for fire prevention, emergency rescue, natural disaster management, natural resource protection, and more. Since MiSmart has its own technology that can churn out batteries at a much lower price, the company plans to lease its batteries in the future. The firm's recent achievements include working with the Department of Plant Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Information and Communications to develop an app that addresses plant diseases. "The app has been approved by the Ministry of Information and Communications as an app to be used under the strategy of digital transformation of the agricultural sector in 2022," Toan said. MiSmart has won many awards since its launch in 2019, including the excellence prize at Ho Chi Minh City Artificial Intelligence 2020 and the first prize at Viet Solutions 2020 -- a digital transformation competition in Vietnam. In 2021, MiSmart was one of five startups that won prizes at the 'AI Accelerator Challenge 2021,' a contest to support Vietnam's economic recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic and drive the development of a vibrant AI startup environment. In addition, the company has commanded the attention of some large hedge funds and is enabling mass production by selling hundreds of products to other entrepreneurs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the news you should not miss today: Society -- Traffic congestion on some busy streets in Ho Chi Minh City was worse than usual on Wednesday night, owing to a rapid hike in the number of personal vehicles on already crowded commuting routes. -- Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to award the Medal of Courage to Thai Ngo Hieu, a 33-year-old police captain, for saving four young people from drowning on a southern Vietnamese beach on April 10. -- A police officer from Binh Duong Province has been suspended from work for 30 days following video footage of him assaulting a man and a woman in Thuan An City on Monday. -- Lien Hoa, a well-known brand name for banh mi in Da Lat, has been fined VND92 million (US$4,019) and suspended from operation for three months after causing a mass food poisoning incident that caused hundreds of people to be hospitalized. -- A Vietnamese vessel on Wednesday rescued a Georgian crew member of a cargo ship off Nha Trang City who was in a coma caused by a head injury, according to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center. Business -- During a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan on Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper said that Vietnam and the U.S. have had wonderful agricultural cooperation, including the protection of Mekong River resources. Lifestyle -- Google Doodle, a temporary logo on the Google homepage, on Thursday featured Son Doong Cave, the largest known cave in the world, located in the heart of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the north-central province of Quang Binh, to commemorate the grotto's discovery on this day in 2009. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A police officer from Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam has been suspended from work after he was caught on camera engaging in a physical confrontation with some residents over a conflict earlier this week. The provincial Department of Public Security confirmed on Wednesday it had suspended Captain Tran Xuan Phuong, an officer under the police division for administrative management of social order (PC06), from his position for 30 days. During the suspension, relevant agencies will clarify the case where Phuong reportedly had a scuffle with some residents in An Thanh Ward, Thuan An City. On Tuesday, N.T., a resident of An Thanh Ward, posted on her Facebook account a video clip of a fight involving many people. T. stated that the incident took place on An Thanh 14 Street in An Thanh Ward at around 4:00 pm on Monday. According to the woman, she and her husband were visiting her mother that day. After noticing two parked automobiles that were blocking the alley, the couple complained to the owners. An argument broke out between both sides and escalated into a physical confrontation. T. and her husband were eventually outnumbered and hit by the car owners and their friends. T. said one of the car owners even dared her to call the police. Go ahead and call the police, I am a policeman, T. quoted the man as saying. After acknowledging the incident, a leader of PC06 has ordered verification of the case. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Commuters were stuck in traffic for multiple kilometers along two major roads in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City during rush hour on Wednesday evening. The serious traffic congestion lasted for hours on Ung Van Khiem and Nguyen Gia Tri Streets in Binh Thanh District. On Ung Van Khiem Street, the traffic jam occurred from the Dai Liet Si Intersection to the Ung Van Khiem- Nguyen Gia Tri Intersection. Congestion at the intersection of Ung Van Khiem and Nguyen Gia Tri Streets in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, April 13, 2022. Photo: Duy Nam / Tuoi Tre On Nguyen Gia Tri Street, vehicles traveling in the direction toward Dien Bien Phu Street were also running at a snails pace. As of 7:30 pm the same day, the situation had yet to improve despite the efforts of traffic police officers. The gridlock was attributed to a sudden increase in the number of vehicles and narrow roads. Commuters are stuck in traffic on Ung Van Khiem Street in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, April 13, 2022. Photo: Duy Nam / Tuoi Tre The problem was exacerbated when many commuters tried to run the red lights. Nearby streets and alleys were also congested as people took a shortcut or detour. The situation was still not cleared as of 7:30 pm on April 13, 2022. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre Toan, a commuter on Nguyen Gia Tri Street, said he was unable to move for more than 30 minutes. Van, a resident on Ung Van Khiem Street, stated that traffic jams happen on a daily basis on these roads. However, congestion is usually less severe and lasts for about an hour from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, Van added. A traffic jam in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, April 13, 2022. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre Congestion also occurs on Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, April 13, 2022. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! HANOI -- Police in Vietnam on Thursday arrested Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung on suspicion of bribery, the Ministry of Public Security said. Dung, 58, is accused of taking bribes and police have searched his house, the ministry said in a statement. Dung's arrest is part of a wider investigation where foreign ministry officials have been accused of taking bribes from Vietnamese citizens abroad who have wanted to return to the country on "rescue flights" at a time during the COVID-19 pandemic when commercial flights were not available, according to state media. Dung was appointed Vietnam's ambassador to Japan in January but hadn't officially taken the post. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn't immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The police on Thursday also arrested an official of the Health Ministry and an official of the Ministry of Public Security for involvement in the same case. Four foreign ministry officials were arrested earlier in January. A Vietnamese vessel rescued on Wednesday a Georgian crew member of a Tanzanian cargo ship off Nha Trang City who was in a coma caused by a head injury, according to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center. The rescue center received an emergency call for help from the Tanzania-flagged DOLPHIN ship when the crude oil tanker was located 150 nautical miles southeast of Nha Trang on its way from China to Singapore at 6:30 pm on Tuesday. The captain reported that Imeda Takidze, a 33-year-old Georgian crew member, was suffering from a hematoma, swelling, unconsciousness, and irregular breathing due to a head injury. Rescuers climb a rope ladder onto Tanzania-flagged DOLPHIN ship to the aid of a Georgian crew member suffering a head injury off Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, April 13, 2022. Photo: Van Binh / Tuoi Tre Although the patient had been given medicine and an emergency ventilator, his life was in danger. The center thus dispatched a vessel marked SAR 27-01 from Nha Trang to the aid of DOLPHIN. After its medical staff gave first aid to the patient, the vessel arrived in Nha Trang at 4:00 pm on Wednesday. The patient was then transported to a local hospital for further treatment. Rescuers use a pulley to move a Georgian crew member suffering a head injury from Tanzania-flagged DOLPHIN ship to vessel SAR 27-01 off Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, April 13, 2022. Photo: Van Binh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Google Doodle, a temporary alteration of the logo on Googles homepages, commemorated the discovery of Son Doong Cave -- the worlds largest natural cave in the north-central Vietnamese province of Quang Binh -- on Thursday. The doodle, which depicts sunlight illuminating a person standing in a giant sinkhole located deep in Son Doong Cave and lighting up many green shades of mountains and forests, was rolled out in Vietnam and 16 other countries and territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands, the UK, Romania, Sweden, Greece, Singapore, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, and Thailand. Situated in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh, close to the Laos - Vietnam border, Son Doong Cave was first discovered by a local farmer who was seeking shelter from a passing storm in the jungle in 1990. Only on April 14, 2009 did the grotto become internationally known as the worlds biggest cave after a group of cavers from the British Cave Research Association conducted an expedition there. Sunlight illuminates Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Oxalis The Guinness Book of World Records published a book of world records in 2013 which recognized Son Doong Cave as the largest grotto in the world. Tourism activities involving the cavern have been organized in a restrictive way as the Peoples Committee of Quang Binh has imposed a cap of 1,000 visitors every year. Since its opening to tourists in August 2013, the cave has welcomed 5,025 travelers, including 1,997 Vietnamese nationals, 1,327 Americans, 320 Australians, and 197 Britons. More people have stood on the summit of Mount Everest than have witnessed the surreal beauty inside the enormous cave, according to CNN. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! On 60 Minutes this Sunday, the 1997 trial of a British nanny who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter of an eight-month-old American baby. The Trial of Louise Woodward It was one of the most controversial court cases of all time and even now, 25 years later, its outcome remains hotly disputed. In 1997, eight-month-old Mathew Eappen was in the care of his young British nanny, Louise Woodward, when she made a panicked call to emergency services claiming he was unresponsive. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Matthew died a few days later in hospital. But instead of accepting the 18-year-old nannys account of how she found the baby, police were convinced it was murder, and that in a fit of rage Woodward had caused catastrophic injuries to Matthew by violently shaking him. What followed was an astonishing trial, televised around the world, that pitted medical expert against medical expert and questioned the very definition of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Reporter: Tom Steinfort Producer: Johanna Hamilton, ITV (UK) 7pm Sunday on Nine. Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall has given a Q+A ahead of next weeks special, Legend of the Sea Devils This is the second in a trio of specials airing in 2022. This screens 7:30pm Monday on ABC TV Plus but will be available earlier on iview. Where do we find our core cast at the beginning of this special? This special sees the TARDIS crew landing in a coastal village in China, on the trail of the mystery of the treasure of the Flor de la Mar, which the Doctor has been meaning to find out about for a long time. When they get there, they discover some very strange events and a terrible evil being unleashed in this village! What was your inspiration for this episode and how did you come to work together with Ella Road on this script? We had been intending to do a piratey story during Flux and we didnt manage to make it work for all sorts of reasons. So when it came to thinking about the final specials that was one of things I really wanted to revisit, to do a big, thrilling Bank Holiday romp of an adventure for Jodies penultimate story, featuring a warrior pirate queen. Ella (Road) then came to us with the idea of Madam Ching this incredible character from history and it all knitted together thanks to her. Can you tell us a bit about the process of bringing the new guest actors on board? We are always really lucky on Doctor Who as we have one of the best Casting Directors in the business in Andy Pryor. Andys great at keeping tabs on everyone and also uncovering great new, young talent as well. So when we were thinking about the story, I talked to him and gave him a heads up on the characters that we were thinking of. Usually the process is that Andy will put together a list, people who will tape and well look at load of people so thats how it went on this and we saw some amazing people. Crystal (Yu) just absolutely shone out, and then we also Marlowe Chan-Reeves who plays Ying-Ki, I think this is his first television job and hes an absolute star of the future. Its something that happens all the time on Doctor Who, down to the genius of Andy Pryor and his team theyre the unsung heroes of the series since 2005. They have cast every episode and this litany of incredible guest actors is absolutely down to them and their brilliance. The show owes that team a huge debt of gratitude. Why did you decide to bring back the Sea Devils? Was it always planned? How did you go about bringing that vision to life with your team? We didnt start with Sea Devils at all, but the great thing about Doctor Whos history is sometimes you can pull on all of that history and go, Oh wait okay, the perfect monster has already been created, and is already in there! So you can spend a long time thinking about creating or making a bespoke monster for this story, but actually, we thought, If you add the Sea Devils in, this becomes really exciting they bring an extra layer of story, an extra layer of thrills and an extra layer of meaning for the fans. And so it wasnt always in there but when we put them in and tried them out it really worked. Then the question is whether you do a big redesign, as we did with the Silurians when I was working for Steven Moffat on Matt Smiths first season. They were created by the same writer, Malcom Hulke, and are sort of cousin monsters! With the Sea Devils, it felt like there were ways that we could fit that original, brilliant and recognisable design into this story and have a bit of fun with it, pirate them up a little bit while also doing little bits of updating and augmenting but fundamentally retaining the incredible design by John Friedlander. So theyre very much his creation, and updated by Robert Allsopp and Ray Holman, our costume and monster designers. Then we were really lucky in that we had Craige Els, who played Karvanista in Flux, as the Chief Sea Devil. Hes a magnificent actor who is now beneath another mask we still havent seen his real face in the main show! He does a brilliant performance and we knew we needed a really great actor a great voice actor and a physical actor as well. What he brings is just gorgeous, as always. What was added in after filming? They seem very true to the prosthetic that was created by Robert Allsopp. Its just things like expression, blinking of the eyes, they do a bit of snarling just tiny little things to make sure that things come alive but theyre very much the monsters as you saw them previously. There seems to be great anticipation about their return? Its the lovely thing you can do occasionally there arent millions of Doctor Who monsters that you can bring back. But theres a lovely affection for the Sea Devils, and they havent been used in the modern era. Also probably my earliest memory of Doctor Who and probably my earliest memories of being alive almost, is seeing them on the TV, so it was a nice thing to do in the penultimate story we were doing. How does the relationship between Yaz and the Doctor develop further in this episode? Dan has cottoned onto the dynamic between the Doctor and Yaz and from a distance, observed what they havent been admitting to themselves. I think really, in Eve of the Daleks, both Yaz and the Doctor have hinted that they have feelings that they are suppressing and keeping quiet about. So there are some conversations that need to be had and youll see those conversations developing and taking place in Legend of the Sea Devils. The Doctor and Yaz have something to talk about! Would you say this is more of a standalone episode? Yes, its a big standalone bank holiday action romp for all the family! A rollicking, swashbuckling adventure for the Doctor, Dan and Yaz with big monsters, big pirate ships, the sword fights, lots of fun, loads of action, lots of lovely jokes and a great, fun tone before we go into the big epic battle for survival with Jodies final episode. This episode was of course filmed during strict COVID restrictions. What were some of the bigger challenges that you faced in making it happen? It was a huge ask, and I didnt know whether we could do it after the production team had pulled out all the stops for Flux. We knew it was a big deal to be able to transport the show back in time, around the world, onto ships and onto the seas. Its just a testament to the whole production team from first to last from pre-production to post production. Daf Shurmer, our Production Designer, is an absolute legend himself and he did something that I think should have been impossible and I think was impossible and he achieved it. Hes just given us such scale with so many great sets that look amazing. Haolu Wang, our brilliant director, and Mark Waters our Director of Photography, have shot it wonderfully with energy and love and fun, and the cast all got into that. And DNEG who do all our CG and visual effects have just delivered something really special. Weve got sea monsters, weve got pirate ships, weve got the oceans, and were in an ancient coastal village! As with every episode of Doctor Who, is it was a massive team effort. Everybody involved in the COVID procedures on Doctor Who whether it was testing everybody or sorting out the bubbles we never had a day shut down due to COVID, it involved incredible work by the whole team. And the fact that I think Jodie Whittaker did not go out for almost a year, while she was working on her final series -she set such a great and responsible example, and put the show first. For anyone who is coming to Doctor Who as a new viewer is this an easy one to step in and get on board with? What do you hope families take from it? I think its definitely a great episode to come into. Its got a lot of action, very heroic plot, lots of fun, big mad monsters, mad ideas, cinematic ambition, all that stuff and a great cast. We have a big, epic, rollicking, fun adventure for you whether youve never seen Doctor Who or youve seen every episode. And then for long term audiences and fans of the show there are loads of lovely little easter eggs and nods to the past so its absolutely got something for everyone. Is it starting to feel a bit surreal now that your time on the series is coming to an end? The workload is less so its lovely doing the post production on these last two specials because youre not having to write and film at the same time. As showrunner, when youre doing Doctor Who and youre in the thick of it youre doing three jobs at the same time. Youre writing for episodes down the line, youre looking at all the filming thats happening and youre in the edit and post production on multiple episodes. So its really nice now that I dont have any other episodes to think about. I love the post production process, its one of my favourite bits because youre just watching teams of geniuses produce great work! So its nice not to have the workload, its nice not to have the pressure of whats coming up. Im sort of combining having a break with finishing these episodes and working on other things so its lovely right now. China's neighborhood diplomacy has again come into the spotlight. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited four South Asian countries Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal intending to boost regional cooperation and partnerships for stability and shared economic benefits. China's peripheral diplomacy is characterized by mutually beneficial, cooperative, and win-win relationships with its neighbors. Wang's trip to Nepal demonstrated the two countries' strong relations marked by friendliness, high-level understanding, mutual support, cooperation, and respect for each other's sensitivities. During his visit, Wang said that no matter how the international scene and domestic situation of the two countries change, China will strive to promote the building of a China-Nepal community with a shared future in the direction set by the leaders of the two countries. Nepal and China have enjoyed successful relations since they established their diplomatic ties in 1955. In recent years, their ties have elevated to a strategic partnership, enabling Nepal to transform from a land-locked country into a land-linked country with access to Chinese seaports. Moreover, the two countries have also signed a series of cooperation agreements in various areas. As such, Wang's visit is expected to further boost the implementation of those agreements. During Wang's visit, China and Nepal signed a series of new agreements to promote economic and technical cooperation and the building of infrastructure and health cooperation. These measures are crucial for building a Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network that aims to make the Himalayas a bond of friendly cooperation between the two countries. Sino-Nepali cross-border cooperation on railways and electricity is expected to boost connectivity, investment, tourism, and people-to-people ties, as it will facilitate Nepal to make use of its advantages in terms of human resources, geographical location, the national ecosystem as well as the opportunities brought by China's development so as to achieve further development and play a more significant role in regional and international affairs. The agreement on power grid interconnection will accelerate the construction of the cross-border transmission lines, harnessing Nepal's immense water resources, thereby ushering in a new era of energy cooperation between the two neighbors. China has supported embracing a development path that fits Nepal's national priorities while encouraging relevant parties to engage in inclusive consultation to ensure the people's long-term interests. Therefore, both sides must activate the Nepal-China Joint Consultation Mechanism established to complete existing projects and explore new areas of cooperation. Peace, stability, and development in the neighborhood are the prerequisites for the stability and prosperity of any country. Therefore, Nepal will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and will never allow any force to use its territory to engage in any activities against China. Furthermore, China will also support Nepal in pursuing independent domestic and foreign policies and oppose any attempt to undermine Nepal's sovereignty and independence and engage in geopolitical games in Nepal. As the elements of geopolitics are shaping a new global order, Nepal and China need to work together to protect the principle of non-interference in the countries' internal affairs to promote peace and harmony in the region. This will also enable Nepal to become a promising land for cooperation between China and South Asia. Ritu Raj Subedi is the Deputy Executive Editor of The Rising Nepal. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. Big budget Apple TV+ drama Metropolis will film in Victoria, based at Melbournes Docklands studios. The 8 part series, inspired by Fritz Langs 1927 classic sci-fi, is written and directed by Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), who also serves as showrunner. Produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group and Esmail Corp., it is projected to contribute $188 million to the Australian economy. Matchbox Picture will shepherd the production locally. The project has funding from the Morrison Governments $83.8m Location Incentive fund, with the Victorian Screen Incentive further contributing $41.6 million to the project. Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher, said: Im pleased to welcome these productions to Australia, creating more than 2,100 jobs for local cast and crew, more than 7,200 extras roles, and utilising an estimated 2,100 businesses across the country, supporting our ongoing national prosperity and further strengthening our creative and cultural sectors. Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, Danny Pearson said: Metropolis will be among the largest productions to ever film in Victoria, providing thousands of secure local jobs and delivering a massive skills boost. Victoria is already home to some of the best staff, talent and production facilities in the world new virtual production infrastructure will cement the states reputation as a global screen destination. Matt Vitins, Chief Operating Officer of Matchbox Pictures, who will be managing production services on the project, said: Metropolis comes in the context of a pipeline of premium television drama series from across Universal Studio Group attracted to Australia by the Location Incentive including Clickbait, Young Rock, La Brea, Irreverent and Joe vs Carole. Australias strong history and reputation in visual effects and equally strong record in game development means it is well placed to take a world-leading position in the application of virtual production technology. This latest pipeline of projects, as well as the investment in infrastructure and training, will position Australia for a decade of high-end work in virtual production driven film and television shows. The Andrews Labor Government is providing $12.5 million to deliver the infrastructure which will be built in Victoria, boosting the states position as a world-leading centre for screen production. The Morrison Government is also backing the technically ambitious series, providing $5 million to support students with training to work with this state-of-the-art technology as part of a national upskilling program. The infrastructure will include one of the largest permanent LED volumes high-tech digital screens that can display realistic background environments and visual effects allowing imagined and real destinations to be filmed on stage. This technology, which was used to bring worlds to life in the ground-breaking Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, will be configured for high-budget international films and television series. A second LED volume, adapted for more contained scenes, will attract domestic as well as international productions. Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, the Hon Danny Pearson MP, said: With this industry-leading infrastructure capability, were putting Victoria at the forefront of the global screen industry. Together with the recent addition of our new super sound stage, this will make Victoria the go-to place for ambitious screen productions. The virtual production workforce training program on Metropolis will place a number of paid trainees with visual effects houses, games developers and other companies engaged in virtual production workflow. Universal Studio Group and Matchbox Pictures will also establish a partnership with the Victorian College of the Arts that will enable students to develop technical skills in virtual production. This virtual production infrastructure, coupled with the recent completion of Sound Stage 6 at Docklands Studios Melbourne- which was designed to support larger-scale international productions substantially advances both Victorias and Australias strategic position as a leading screen production destination. Cartoon Network has refreshed its brand with vibrant colours, music and design and has partnered with children who are redrawing their world to tell their own stories. Cartoon Network recently wrapped up a Redraw Your World art competition, which ran in collaboration with Crayola and NSW Art Gallery and saw hundreds of kids across Australia and New Zealand submit their creative vision of a redrawn world. The campaign encourages kids to always be true to themselves, and to be confident in their abilities to impact real change in both big and small ways. Redraw Your World videos will launch on Cartoon Network and its social channels in the coming weeks until the end of 2022. Cartoon Network is committed to inspiring imaginations and empowering kids. Its a vibrant and fun place where differences are always celebrated, said Leslie Lee, Head of Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific. New shows include We Baby Bears, Jellystone! and Tom and Jerry in New York and a new pre-school brand Cartoonito will launch in Australia and New Zealand, with a morning programming block on Cartoon Network. A Tyler man pleaded guilty Thursday to killing a 14-year-old boy by striking the child with a boat while at Lake Palestine in 2019. Jeffrey Joe Hampton, 34, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Roberto Carlos Bermejo Hernandez on June 2, 2019. He is also charged with accidental boating death. Hampton entered his guilty plea in the 114th District Court, and then asked for a jury trial to determine his punishment in the sentencing phase. Read more from our news partners at CBS19. The University of Dayton Flyer Pitch competition named its winners life-changing business and new venture ideas that aim to bring clean drinking water to people around the globe, improve the experience of breastfeeding mothers, and support childrens learning and emotional wellness. On the startup track, Lunnie, a redesigned nursing bra created by Sarah Kallile, took the largest prize money with $50,000 from Flyer Pitch and Ohios Entrepreneurial Services Provider program. Lunnie is up to six times more absorbent than other bras on the market, and was created to offer women more comfort and style. AIMM, a company developing a water filter powered by gravity that kills bacteria and viruses to produce clean water, also won and was funded with $35,000. AIMM, founded by former UDRI researcher Luis Estevez, says the work is important because the World Health Organization reports that drinking water for more than 2 billion people worldwide is contaminated with feces. On the Greater West Dayton Incubator social venture track, Fail Me Not Tutoring, a company founded by Michelle Curington that offers interactive sessions to help students in kindergarten through eighth grade in reading and math, won the community choice award and $10,000. More than 1,400 people voted in the contest. Unemotional, a culturally responsive social emotional learning service for students grades seven through 12 at urban schools, also won a top prize of $10,000. The program, created by Jordyn Calhoun based on her experience with students amid COVID-19, offers curriculum and services including after school programming, professional development for educators and more. The companies also won in-kind support. Throughout the competition they worked with industry-specific mentors to develop their ideas with access to a coworking membership at The Hub Powered by PNC at the Dayton Arcade and the Greater West Dayton Incubator. We had an incredible group of businesses this year with life-changing ideas to bring forward, said Vince Lewis, UDs associate vice president of entrepreneurial initiatives. We want this competition not only to help businesses launch and grow, but to be a catalyst for social change with money and mentorship for nonprofits, social enterprises and community initiatives in Greater West Dayton. We know these entrepreneurs will add to Flyer Pitchs long track record of success with 74 businesses launched and more than $24 million of capital raised. Flyer Pitch is one of the largest new-venture contests at the collegiate level, with more than $150,000 in cash prizes and $50,000 in in-kind prizes. It is operated by the University of Dayton's L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Greater West Dayton Incubator in partnership with PNC Bank, the Entrepreneurs Center and Bandila Studios. More information about Flyer Pitch and a full list of winners is available online. The Greater West Dayton Incubator is accepting applications for a new office fellowship program at the Hub Powered by PNC, where entrepreneurs can access resources, network and use conference space and other amenities. Many small businesses can benefit from the mentoring, services, and space offered through the GWDI StartUp Fellowship, said Whitney Barkley, director of the Greater West Dayton Incubator. Black and brown entrepreneurs, women, and those living in and serving Greater West Dayton are still a minority in our regional startup ecosystem. The fellowship helps remove barriers for them and ensures the Hub is an inclusive and equitable space that spurs innovations from all zip codes. The program will offer 14 under-resourced, underrepresented and otherwise marginalized entrepreneurs a years discounted office space at the Hub. Coworking access and offices for one, three or four people are available. The first three months in any space is free, with the remainder of the year discounted. For example, coworking passes, normally $1,800 for the year, are offered to entrepreneurs in the fellowship program for a total price of $675. Entrepreneurs must live in or serve the Greater West Dayton area, have been in business at least one year, have less than $50,000 of net income, and meet other eligibility requirements. Applications are being accepted through April 18. More information is available online at thegwdi.com. The Hub Powered by PNC is one of the largest university-anchored innovation spaces in the country created in partnership by the University of Dayton and the Entrepreneurs Center. The Hub fellowship program is the latest offering from the Greater West Dayton Incubator, an initiative created in partnership with Black community leaders in the Greater West Dayton and the University of Dayton, with support from The Entrepreneurs Center. The incubator offers access to working space, consulting, training, capital and other resources, including a microloan program, with a focus on the Greater West Dayton area. Sebastian "Weizen" Gaehl Rakes in his First Super MILLION$ Title April 14 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. Flash The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it has imposed personal sanctions against 398 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 87 Canadian senators in a retaliatory move. The decisions were made in response to a "wave of anti-Russian sanctions" imposed by the U.S. administration on March 24 this year against 328 deputies of Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, and Canadian sanctions against all members of the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of parliament. The ministry said it would impose new counter-measures in the near future, and would expand its stop list and take other retaliatory steps. SALADO 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 south of Waco. 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 countys 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 states 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.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 of snow was expected. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You are here: World Flash Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday that his government has relocated more than 250 enterprises from the conflict-affected areas to safer places inside the country, the cabinet's press service reported. Out of these companies, 121 are already fully operational in the new location, Shmyhal said. Another 430 manufacturing companies will move their facilities to safer regions with the government assistance soon, he added. Besides, the government has allocated some 200 million hryvnias (about 6.8 million U.S. dollars) to employers who hire internally displaced persons, Shmyhal said. Ukraine started a major program to relocate its enterprises amid the conflict with Russia in mid-March. The United Nations has estimated that more than 7 million people have been internally displaced in Ukraine due to the conflict. Waco police searched two churches this week in response to phoned-in threats this week, according to a statement from the Waco Police Department. In each case, officers responded to the location of the threatened church, searching in and around all buildings and grounds for suspects and other possible menacing hazards, a police spokesperson said Thursday. None were found. One church was threatened by phone on Monday and the second on Wednesday afternoon. A police spokesperson said officers are not aware of any connection between the two cases, other than both threats made against churches. Due to the similar threats being made, the Waco Police Department asks for immediate reports for any type of threat. As a reminder, it is illegal to give a false report. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 254-750-7500 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 254-753-4357. These investigations are ongoing. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. McLennan County property appraisals have hit the mail, and some recipients have hit the roof. The blame lies with a 30% countywide jump. On Facebook, people are pretty hot. Those who come in and talk are pretty reasonable, McLennan County Chief Appraiser Joe Don Bobbitt said. They seem to understand this is all about the real estate market, the basics of supply and demand. A lot of people are moving into the area. Not that Bobbitt is encouraging property owners to camp outside his office to share their feelings. A process exists to protest appraisals. The deadline to file protests is May 16, and hearings will start the same day. The Appraisal Review Board, an appointed group of private citizens, will hear protests from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays until July 20, after which it will return documents to Bobbitt. The McLennan County Appraisal District by law must certify tax rolls by July 25. The county, municipalities and school districts take the certified rolls into account in setting tax rates for the coming fiscal year. Bobbitt said the review board ideally devotes 15 minutes to each protest, but may extend its time with a taxpayer. The board strives to wrap up daily meetings with protesters by 5 p.m., but sessions may run hours longer. Bobbitt released preliminary numbers last month showing home values countywide would be up an average of 30% compared to a year ago. Taxpayers finding fault with the numbers need to take steps to prove their case, Bobbitt said. The appraisal district lacks resources to visit every residential property as it pursues fresh values, having actually set eyes on about 10,260 of the 125,000 residential properties during the most recent analysis. It relies on comparables to complete its task, those being sales prices of similar homes in a given neighborhood or countywide. Bobbitt in late March said about 3,000 homes were sold countywide between MCADs two most recent appraisal processes, and our values were about 30% less than what they sold for, on average. Other counties are seeing something similar, substantial changes year-to-year. Texas is one of 12 nondisclosure states, meaning property sales prices do not become a matter of public record available to anyone, including county appraisers. Legally no one in Texas can compel someone to release real estate pricing information. In disclosure states, sales prices are duly recorded and tapped by appraisers and real estate professionals monitoring trends. The Texas law does not prohibit anyone from voluntarily providing real estate sales prices, including multiple listing services that collect data. Being a nondisclosure state, there are sales we are not aware of or do not have access to, Bobbitt said. Protesting property owners may help their cases by informing the review board of such transactions, he said. Bobbitt said homeowners should bring attention to issues with the house, deferred maintenance, cracks in the foundation, or a leaky roof. But he cautioned that the advisory board will not adjust appraisals indefinitely due to problems with the property. After a couple of years, it becomes increasingly difficult to secure adjustments from the board, he said. Appraisal notices include information on filing a protest. Property owners who file a protest will receive a written notice of the time, date and place of the hearing 15 days before the hearing date. Those wanting a hearing by teleconference must notify the board 10 days before the scheduled hearing and submit an affidavit prior to the start of the hearing, the McLennan County Appraisal District website says. A fact sheet on the site says protesting taxpayers may request a copy of the evidence to be presented at the hearing. If necessary, those filing a protest may request a hearing in the evening or on a Saturday. To the greatest extent practicable, the hearing will be informal, the explainer says. You or your designated agent may appear in person, by telephone conference or videoconference call or by submission of a written affidavit to present your evidence, facts and argument. Bobbitt expects 18,000 protests, about 3,000 more than last year. Commercial property appraisals will go out beginning April 29, Bobbitt said. He said his office continues to analyze commercial values, and will apply about a 17% increase in construction costs since the last appraisal. Home sales prices in Greater Waco have accelerated in recent months. Real estate professionals say demand for homes locally has outstripped supply, causing prices to rise accordingly. The Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center reports the average price for a home sold in McLennan County in February was $293,810, about $33,000 more than in February last year. A home selling in July 2021 fetched $319,665, on average, well above the $191,856 in July 2017, according to the Real Estate Research Center report. Statewide averages show the norm in July 2021 was $384,705, a more than $100,000 increase from $280,078 in July 2017, according to the report. Bobbitt said besides increased demand for homes in Texas, his office is facing pressure from the Texas Comptrollers Office to ensure property appraisals match market value, as required by law. He told the Tribune-Herald in March the Comptrollers Office will conduct a property value study later this year, tracing the steps of local appraisers, and if our values are not within 5% of theirs, I could be audited. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A week after a Waco hospital recorded zero patients in treatment for COVID-19, many area houses of worship will celebrate Easter or Passover with varying degrees of precautions, but most clergy said their congregations will have lighter pandemic related restrictions this year than last year. Last Friday, Ascension Providence Hospital recorded zero patients admitted for COVID-19 for the first time since the pandemic began. Assessing Wednesdays data, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention place McLennan County at low risk of COVID-19 transmission. Based on the improving health in the area, some Waco congregations will include masks and temperature checks with their Easter celebrations, while others conduct Holy Week services with no pandemic restrictions at all. One area synagogue canceled its usual community Passover Seder for the third year, but this year it is for good reasons. After more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases Jan. 21, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District data show a downward trend to some of the lowest daily new case numbers of the pandemic this week. The health district reported six new COVID-19 cases and three McLennan County residents hospitalized for the disease Thursday. Many Waco clergy encourage congregants who feel comfortable to attend worship in-person this week. We want all our members to feel safe doing what they can for Holy Week this year, said Jimmy Hunter, pastor of Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church on Elm Avenue in Waco. Staff and members of his church work hard to follow the CDC guidelines, Hunter said. We encourage people to attend worship in-person, if theyre able, said Jeff Abshire, executive pastor of Antioch Community Church on North 20th Street in Waco. Dont come in-person if youre not feeling well. Comparisons to last year Temple Rodef Sholom in Waco has canceled its community Passover Seder this weekend for the third year in a row, but this time for good reasons, Cantor Monica ODesky said. Now that they can travel, many member of our temple are spending Passover with their relatives and friends, ODesky said. So, were still not having a community Seder this year, but its because so many are healthy and will be out of town, not because of pandemic restrictions. This year Passover begins at sundown Friday. The cantor of a Jewish congregation leads the members in singing many of the traditional prayers during nearly all services. I recorded a video of an entire Passover Seder in 2020, and the past two years thats all we had, ODesky said. Members of the temple have assembled in-person Friday evenings for Sabbath services for many weeks recently, she said. She said in many Jewish congregations, tradition calls for a Passover Seder with immediate family and close friends the first night of unleavened bread and a community Seder for the whole congregation the second night. Toliver Chapel has loosened its pandemic precautions compared to last year. Last year we had Easter service in our parking lot, Hunter said. Toliver Chapel had rented a zip-lift and Hunter said he preached from up there. Members of our church surrounded me in their cars, with windows rolled down to hear my preaching, he said. And witness to the word, which would usually be shouting Amen! or clapping, then was the beeping of car horns. This year Hunter said his congregation can assemble indoors for Easter Sunday service. We will still sanitize the pews and the sanctuary before and after the service, Hunter said. But our members can attend in person. Our ushers will check their temperature in the entry area of the church and give them masks if they dont have their own before they enter the sanctuary. Many other churches are leaving precautions up to the decision of their members. At Antioch Waco, Abshire said a handful of those who attend continue to wear masks. But since the pandemic, people continue to leave a couple of seats between families and groups who know each other well, he said. So, they are distancing on their own, as they feel comfortable and we dont need to enforce that. It also helps that Antioch Waco has a large auditorium for people to spread out. At First Spanish Assembly of God on Clay Avenue, Assistant Pastor Angel Alvarado said his church will not discriminate between masked and unmasked or vaccinated and unvaccinated for Holy Week and Easter this year. The Gospel is for everyone, Alvarado said. All services are bilingual in Spanish and English and he said people are welcome to come to in-person services this weekend as they feel comfortable. Easter was completely online for his church in 2020, Alvarado said. In 2021, we came back inside, but it was every other row of pews, and 6 feet between family groups for social distancing. For the Church Under the Bridge, which serves many poor and homeless people as well those with Ph.Ds., Pastor Jimmy Dorrell said Holy Week services for his congregation are outdoors and people can mask or not as they want. For Easter our vans will pick our members who travel by foot or by bicycle up in their usual location and take them out to Camp Hope for Resurrection Sunday baptisms and picnic, Dorrell said. Church Under the Bridge will celebrate Easter at 1007 Camp Road, about 30 minutes from Waco on the Middle Bosque River on the way toward McGregor, Dorrell said. At First Methodist Church of Waco, the Rev. Ryan Barnett said masking is optional and many activities proceed as normal. This year were moving ahead full speed, Barnett said. Last year we had COVID precautions including spacing, masking. This year Waco is in a different place at Easter. Were thankful that health has improved in our community. He said First Methodist is moving forward with plans for Holy Week 12 services in eight days at three locations. Barnett will preach at five of the services, he said. We have much to be thankful for, Barnett said. Our congregation is assembled and ready to celebrate. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lawyer: Cuellar not FBI target DALLAS 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. Smog cities The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday sought to list the Houston and Dallas metro areas as severe violators of 2008 federal ozone pollution standards, kicking off a process that will likely impose stricter pollution controls in both regions to reduce smog. Ground-level ozone pollution, known as smog, harms human health by constricting lung muscles, making it harder to breathe and exacerbating lung diseases such as asthma. More than 79 million Americans live in areas that do not meet national air quality health standards for smog, according to the EPA. In addition, the EPA is seeking to designate the San Antonio region as a moderate violator of the more recent 2015 ozone standard of 70 parts per billion. Inmate execution HOUSTON A 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. Suit: Prosecutor worked for judge MIDLAND 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 Pettys 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 dont 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 Youngs murder conviction last year and the states 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. <&rule> Associated Press writer Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed to this report. <&rule> Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 Macchi built this Ca.100 under license during the spring of 1935 at their factory in Varese. The aircraft, numero di costruzione (production number) 3992, joined the Regia Aeronautica as MM65156, with its first assignment being at the seaplane school in Pola Puntisella, then in Italy but now a part of Croatia. The aircraft later found itself operating from Idroscalo di Desenzano, the same location which hosted the famous Reparto Alta Velocita (High Speed Department) that competed for the Schneider Trophy air races. Samuele Silvano acquired the fragile-looking Ca.100 circa 1938, registering it I-ABOU. He kept the aircraft at Pavia alongside the river Po, within hangars which once housed seaplanes operating the first commercial routes in Italy from Trieste to Torino. By 1948 I-ABOU had moved to Lake Como, where it underwent refurbishment. Here the aircraft performed training and pleasure flights. In November 1951 the seaplane also took part in humanitarian missions, transporting supplies to isolated populations during the terrible river Po flood. Gerolamo Gavazzi saved the aircraft from oblivion several decades ago, resurrecting the aircraft to airworthy condition in 1991 following a six-year effort, but a sad moment was in store for the elegant craft on July 11, 2006. After several passenger flights, I-ABOU was taxiing for its final scheduled takeoff for the day when it collided with a Cessna which was returning to the seaplane ramp. Nobody was injured, thankfully, but the Ca.100 capsized, sadly. Unstoppable, Gavazzi decided to rebuild the aircraft once more, although it was a long and tortuous process. Gavazzi sent the Capronicinos Colombo S.63 engine to the UK for repairs, but it was almost fifteen years before he could reinstall the powerplant installed on the restored airframe. Finally, in September 2021, the Ca.100 was again ready for flight. Thanks to Gerolamo Gavazzi immense dedication and commitment, I-ABOU regained her crown as the worlds oldest airworthy seaplane. Video courtesey by Paolo Montonati Many thanks to Ugo Vicenzi and Paolo Montonati for their support in drafting this article. Issue #95 of Warbird Digest magazine features the Capronino seaplanes full story, along with that for an equally rare Ca.100 land plane which Gerolamo Gavazzi also restored its well worth a read! BUFFALO, N.Y. A decommissioned World War II-era destroyer docked near downtown Buffalo in New York was taking on water and listing perilously on Thursday. Crews were working to keep the USS The Sullivans from sinking at its berth at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, where it had been open for tours. Weve got a committed group down here. Were not going to give up the ship and failure is not an option, said park president Paul Marzello. Marzello said they believe there was a breach on the right side of the hull Wednesday night. He said crews trying to stabilize the 79-year-old vessel are pumping out up to 13,000 gallons a minute. Emergency repair crews, including an underwater diving team, are at the scene working to determine what caused the breach. I think weve seen the worst, but I dont know, he said. The USS The Sullivans, a National Historic Landmark, was named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. The brothers were killed in action when the USS Juneau was sunk by the Japanese in the South Pacific during World War II. More than $1 million was raised last year to repair the ships breached hull. Repairs to the ship were in progress, but were paused in October. The naval park says water must be at least 54 degrees Fahrenheit for the epoxy used in repairs to adhere to the steel of the ship. In March 2021, Kelly Sullivan, granddaughter and grandniece of the Sullivan brothers, was in Buffalo, N.Y., at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to lend her support at the launching of that $1 million fundraising campaign. The USS The Sullivans is one of four decommissioned Naval vessels at the park. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 INDEPENDENCE An Independence man has been arrested for pulling a gun on another man during an argument. Independence police arrested Christopher Alan Southerland, 21, on charges of intimidation with a weapon and two counts each of going armed and felon in possession of a firearm. He was taken to the Buchanan County Jail, and bond was set at $30,000. According to court records, Southerland was walking his dogs in the 100 block of Fifth Avenue Northeast on March 31 when he another man got involved in an argument. Southerland allegedly pulled a handgun and then ran off, records state Then on Tuesday afternoon, Independence police were called to a fight in the 300 block of First Street East. As officers approached, they saw Southerland fighting with the same man from the March 31 incident. During the struggle, the other man removed a pistol from Southerlands waistband, unloaded the weapon and discarded it, according to court records. Authorities allege Southerland is prohibited from handling firearms because of a prior adjudication for theft. Photos: Guns in Northeast Iowa crime cases Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CEDAR FALLS The parcel of land where Cedar Falls Community Schools newest elementary was built is being officially divided with the city. The Board of Education approved a series of resolutions Monday separating the McMahill First Addition property. We jointly purchased 40 acres roughly about 15 years ago with the city of Cedar Falls, said Superintendent Andy Pattee. In the fall of 2018, the district opened Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School on the east side of the parcel. Quit claim deeds were authorized by the board for Lot 1, where the school is located, and Lot 2, which is on the west side of Arbors Drive. Ownership of Lot 1 will be conveyed to the district. Likewise, the western side of this lot is going to be the citys full ownership potential green space park features, things like that, said Pattee. Most of its going to be green space. There will be a need for some hard surface down the road as you look out five, 10, 15, 20 years. He noted that the property has adequate capacity for water detention when parking lots are added to the city land. Weve oversized those water detention (areas) just to make sure that were covered, said Pattee. As a result, there should not be any adverse impacts as those surfaces are added. The board also approved two stormwater maintenance and repair agreements on the parcel. Tract E, on the school property north of Ashworth Drive, will continue to be owned by both entities. It will be jointly maintained by the city and the school district, Pattee said. The other stormwater area, Tract F, is the larger water retention basin that you see when you come into the site off of Eric Road, he said. That will be fully owned and maintained by the school district per agreement that we have with the city going back now almost five years. The neighborhood developer will also share responsibility for maintaining it as they continue to build out that subdivision. Board members approved establishment of the citys permanent drainage easement, as well. What were providing to the city is to have their storm water drain into Tract F, Pattee explained. It was designed and built to have additional drainage from the other subdivisions. In other business, the board approved: A resolution directing the sale of the $69.9 million in general obligation bonds to help fund construction of the new high school. The board will also hire Ahlers & Cooney of Des Moines as bond and disclosure counsel related to the upcoming sale, expected May 11. The 2022-23 academic year calendar, with classes running from Aug. 23 to May 30, 2023. It includes spring break March 13-17 and three inclement weather make-up days following the end of school. May 31 and June 1-2, 2023, would be potential make-up days. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CEDAR FALLS Cedar Falls Community Schools has settled the first of three employee contracts being negotiated this year. The Board of Education on Monday approved a two-year agreement with Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Local 238, representing 51 skilled trades, grounds and custodial staff. The union, which started negotiations with Cedar Falls Schools on March 3, ratified the agreement March 25. All employees will receive a $1 per hour raise when the contract goes into effect July 1, a total increase of 5.91% in wages and non-insurance benefits. During the second year which continues through June 30, 2024 hourly wages will go up another 55 cents for a 3.07% increase. Base wages, used to set the pay of new employees, will also rise by $1 the first year and 55 cents the second. Currently, base wages range from $15.28 to $20.83. Adrian Talbot, the districts executive director of human resources, said one unusual component was included in the contract. There will be a one-time retention payment for $750 paid to all employees employed on the 30th of June, 2022, through June 15 of 2023 who also sign a letter of assignment for the 2023-24 school year, he said. The payments, to be made at the end of that month, will be funded using federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief dollars. Based on the 51 current employees, the total cost of the retention payment is $38,250. This payment will not become part of the ongoing hourly wage rate, said Talbot. It is not included in the calculation of the first-year total wage increase. Denelle Gonnerman, the districts chief financial officer, told the board the first-year wage increase is about a $333,000 impact. Talbot also noted the affect of increases in health insurance costs, a prohibited subject of bargaining under state law. When insurance is included, the increase is 5.68% in year one and 3.56% in year two, he said, of additional expenses covered by the district. Including those costs is an average total package settlement over two years of 4.32%. Single insurance premiums employees pay are growing by $30 a month the first year to $90 and by $20 a month to $110 the second year. The district also started negotiating contracts March 3 with Cedar Falls Educational Support Professionals and the Cedar Falls Education Association. In December, the board approved a three-year contract with its other bargaining group, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2749. That union represents food service workers. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Dogs might be mans best friend but even dogs might not like some things humans do. Buzz60s Mercer Morrison has the story. Flash The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to China said that the UAE is committed to building a meaningful, measurable and long-term legacy from Expo 2020 Dubai that will set a benchmark for future Expos. Ambassador Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri made the remarks on Wednesday at a webinar held by the embassy to discuss the management and utilization of the Expo's facilities and built environment. According to the plan, District 2020, a new urban zone in Dubai, will repurpose 80% of the Expo's construction projects into an integrated and multi-functional community and become a "futuristic area" which will continue to attract new businesses and people to settle down, as well as tourists to visit. "District 2020 has been empowered with the latest and most disruptive technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data and the Internet of Things," the ambassador said. He also mentioned the environmental sustainability of District 2020. "It refers to more than environmental responsibility, but the ability of an ecosystem to remain relevant for generations," he said. The six-month-long Expo 2020 Dubai has been record-breaking in many aspects. It is the first Expo to be held in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region as well as the first event of its size and scale since the pandemic began. The China Pavilion covers an area of 4,636 square meters and is one of the largest national pavilions at the Expo. Named "Light of China," the pavilion has provided a glimpse into the country's latest innovation achievements in the fields of space exploration, information technology, modern transportation and artificial intelligence. During the Expo which ran from Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, the pavilion received more than 1.76 million visits and organized over 100 exhibitions, promotional events and business fairs for more than 3,000 companies, with deals worth 8.7 billion yuan signed concerning sectors such as energy, food and infrastructure. The pavilion also received around 1.45 million views online via a virtual reality cloud platform. "China is willing to share and exchange experience in the management of Expo legacies with the UAE, and is proactively promoting the sustainable utilization of the China Pavilion," said Zhang Shenfeng, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Zhang added that he and his colleagues are working to strengthen communication and cooperation between enterprises from China and the UAE, as the two countries' development paths, namely China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the UAE's concept of "Revitalizing the Silk Road," are highly compatible. China and the UAE established strategic relations a decade ago, which were later enhanced to a comprehensive level in 2018. Over the years, economic ties between the two sides have grown stronger. China is now the largest trading partner of the UAE, while the latter is China's top investment destination in the Arab world. The two countries are expected to enhance practical cooperation in the fields of new energy, renewable resources, and aviation and aerospace technologies. WATERLOO As the world focuses on the war raging in Ukraine, Hawkeye Community Colleges Lindsay Buehler has become the caretaker, of sorts, for an exhibition, Brotherland: War in Ukraine featuring documentary photography by Brendan Hoffman. The American-born photographer is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he is covering the war as a contributing photographer for U.S. national media outlets. Hawkeye received the show last summer after it left The Blanden Art Museum in Fort Dodge and originally displayed it at Black Hawk Hall corridor from Aug. 30 to Dec. 16. Because Hoffman hasnt designated the exhibitions next stop and has no way send it safely back to Ukraine, the artwork continues to hang at HCC, said Buehler. His photography is stunning. Just as I was getting ready to take the work down and pack it back into the crate it traveled from Ukraine in, things started to escalate. So were keeping it safe until he is able to return stateside, or lets me know where to send it, she explained. Brendan is still in Ukraine, documenting the war for the New York Times. Were glad to give it space and greater context. Brendan even joined us from Ukraine via Zoom last November for an artist talk with our students. Hoffman is a founding member of a photographic collective, Prime, and contributes work to such publications as the Times and National Geographic magazine, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, USA Today and other leading publications. He became familiar with Iowa while covering the Iowa caucuses in 2008 and 2012. He was interested in Iowa and Webster City, in particular, and has photographed that community, Buehler said, as part of an exploration of Middle America. A coincidental connection with Webster City is how Buehler eventually crossed paths with Hoffman. Hoffman, originally from Albany, N.Y., graduated from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, and launched his career in Washington, D.C., covering the White House and Congress. He moved to Moscow, Russia, in 2013, and began working in Ukraine during the Revolution of Dignity. His long-term photographic project on Ukraine began with the 2013-2014 Maidan protests in Kyiv which lead to his extensive, continuing coverage of the war in eastern Ukraine, including the first and second Battle of Donetsk Airport and the Battle of Debaltseve. His work has been exhibited in Mariupol, Sumy, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zaporizhia and Kryvyi Rih. In his artist statement related to Brotherhood: War in Ukraine, Hoffman noted, Ive been photographing the war, and civilian life surrounding it, since its early days in April 2014, one of very few photographers to have continually worked on both sides. My portrayal takes a humanistic perspective to consider that the vast majority of people touched by this war, civilians and soldiers alike, on all sides, are victims whose lives have been irreversibly altered by forces beyond their control forces that, as in all wars, originate with a deliberate choice to kill. My pictures also emphasize the inherent absurdity of armed conflict: the shock of the unimaginable juxtaposed with the utterly mundane. Hoffman also covered the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and other international stories. His first photographic feature story for National Geographic, published in July 2020, was about the challenges facing India and Pakistan in sharing water resources in the Indus River basin. The photographer received a Fullbright Scholar fellowship for 2018-2019 and has received numerous grants, including from the National Press Photographers Association. I think the context of his work in Ukraine is understood in greater detail now. All of the regions that he spoke to us about last fall Donbas, Donetsk, etc., have become familiar terms, Buehler said. She keeps track of Hoffman regularly on Instagram to make sure hes still posting photos and is OK. He posts photos daily, which I think is his way of letting those of us in the States know that hes OK. At some point, Im sure hell get in touch and decide where the exhibit is going. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Courier Des Moines Bureau 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 theres 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 3,389 the following year to 14,433 a 325% increase 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Seems like everyone we know is headed to Europe right now...including us. Yay! So what's new in the world's most exciting capitals? London is bursting at the seams with new restaurants, bars, and hotels ripe for the moment. From the hip, eclectic Shoreditch district to poised and elegant Mayfair, from fashion-forward, party-all-night Soho to vibrant Camden, here are just a few of our favorite stays, restaurants, bars, and more to check out on your next trip. Where to Stay in London Now The Alice in Wonderland-meets-Oscar Wilde aesthetic at The Mayfair Townhouse. (Courtesy of @themayfairtownhouse) The Mayfair Townhouse Extravagance is an equal opportunity affair at The Mayfair Townhouse, a boutique hotel that stretches across 15 historic townhouses on Half Moon Street. With its Alice in Wonderland-meets-Oscar Wilde aesthetic (think rich colors, floral-bombed portraits, mischievous foxes, and the play The Importance of Being Earnest placed on your bedside table at night), the hotel does stalwart English luxury with a wink. The Mayfair provides all its guests with a free mini bar filled with local, gourmet snacks and drinks, heated walls and floors in the baths, and other amenities typically reserved for those who are willing to pay for them. On the ground level, the theatrically sophisticated Dandy Bar crafts cocktails and serves both light bites and classic mains. Located on a relatively quiet street in the busy district, its just a short walk from the Mayfair to Buckingham Palace, the West End, and so much shopping. // 27-41 Half Moon Street (London), themayfairtownhouse.com One Hundred Shoreditch The brand new One Hundred Shoreditch is a stylish send up to abstract art and relaxation in Londons Shoreditch. Formerly the citys Ace Hotel, the independently owned Shoreditch has remade the public spaces entirely with sculpture, textiles, and color. Upstairs in the guest rooms, a more minimalist aesthetic prevails, with clean white linens and black-and-white tiled baths. The property currently has two bars, the moody, bunker-like Seed Library in the basement, and the cheerful lobby bar. A third lounge on the rooftop will open soon to views over East London, while a coffee bar and British seafood restaurant Goddard and Gibbs round out the amenities on the ground floor. // 100 Shoreditch High St (London), // 100 Shoreditch High St (London), onehundredshoreditch.com The Hottest Restaurants in London Now The dramatic dining room at Sessions Arts Club. (Courtesy of @sessionsartsclub) Sessions Arts Club Since opening last September, Sessions Arts Club has drawn the attention of Londoners as both an urban sanctuary with exceptional food and as an event and music space hosting the likes of Florence Welch and Holly Humberstone. Once the judges dining room of a historic Sessions House (thats a courthouse to us yanks), today the space is monumental and bright with the exclusive feel of a members-only club without the stodginess. Chef Florence Knight churns out an array of seasonal dishes, each one more beautiful than the last: white asparagus with vin orange and egg; pane carasau (thin, wafer like bread) with cavolo nero and anchovy; squid noodles with tomato and calmarata; rhubarb and custard. And while the dining room, with its partially restored plaster, dramatic staircase, and flaming brazier chandeliers is stunning, the cathedral-inspired bathroom, with its stained-glass renditions of famous English characters on the toilet doors, is the best in town. // Old Sessions House, 24 Clerkenwell Grn (London), sessionsartsclub.com Rita's In all ways but the one that counts (the food), Ritas is the polar opposite of Sessions Arts Club. Its intimate and understated, well-heeled but not flashy, modern but not without heart. The Soho restaurant and wine bar, which opened in 2021, is the culmination of nine years of pop-ups and residencies from chefs Missy Flynn and Gabriel Pryce and is a mashup of American, Mexican, and Italian culinary traditions. Ritas current menu includes everything from salt fish taquitos to sugar pit pork chops with grilled cabbage, hazelnut slaw and baked apple mustard to rhubarb tres leches cake. If youre not keen for dinner, it's worth stopping by just for the snacks, which include deviled eggs and tear-and-share garlic bread that are truly delightful. // 49 Lexington St (London), ritasdining.com London's Innovative Cocktail Scene Drinks at Lyaness revolve around five unexpected ingredients and flavor profiles. (Courtesy of @lyanessbar) Lyaness Sustainable spirits magician Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr. Lyan, is back with his third monument to the craft of cocktails. Opened shortly before the pandemic hit, Lyaness is now ranked one of the Worlds 50 Best Barsbut dont let that intimidate you. The wide open space looks out over the Thames from the ground floor of Sea Containers London and is more laid back than you might imagine. The drinks arent what you might expect, either. The Lyaness menu revolves around five seasonally rotating key ingredients and flavor processes to produce mixers like oyster honey, pigs blood curacao, and malt and grass amazake that minimize waste and create complex, non-traditional tastes and aromas. Head there in the late afternoon for the best shot at snagging a seat without a reservation. // 20 Upper Ground (London), lyaness.com Crossroads This reborn Camden joint is among the growing set of zero-waste cocktail havens slowly creeping across the European bar scene. The speakeasy-like space inside a former Victorian-era bathroom is all dark blues and dusky light, which during the day streams from an original glass ceiling. The hyperlocal signature cocktail list includes tipples like the Tomato (made with gin, gazpacho, oak and smoked birch) and the Basil + Pepper (made with agave spirits, red basil, green pepper, fortified wine, and soda) as well as beer and wine. // Former WC, junction of Royal College St and Camden Rd (London), crossroads.bar The baby boomers are the first generation to structure their retirement savings around 401(k)s, and many of them are just beginning to retire, says Katie Kavehrad, a wealth adviser-planner at Paradigm Wealth Partners in Knoxville, Tennessee. A reluctance to spend Another reason for the slow uptake of this strategy is that people think of a 401(k) as a sort of rainy-day fund. There is a reluctance in some people to do this because they have mentally decided, My 401(k) is precious. I dont want to use it up, observes Eric Jaffe, a financial adviser and CEO of Mosaic Wealth Partners in Rockville, Maryland. This option is also shunned by some financial advisers whose fees are based on the number of assets they manage and who dont want their clients to deplete their 401(k) holdings. Even confronting the options for how to best pay for retirement is daunting, never mind deciding among them. We spend almost our entire working lives saving. Its an entirely different way of thinking that, Well, now Im going to live off that, Jaffe says. Theres the psychological factor of, Im no longer adding; Im subtracting. Should employers build the bridge? Scholars are now raising the idea of making this easier by having companies handle the logistics of a 401(k) bridge to maximize future Social Security income. Under their proposal, employers would draw money from retirees 401(k) accounts to provide them with an amount equivalent to what theyd get from Social Security, which they could then forestall claiming until theyre old enough to qualify for the maximum payout. Other than the extra paperwork, there wouldnt be any cost to businesses for doing this, and there are no regulatory reasons that they couldnt, says Gal Wettstein, a senior research economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College who has studied this proposal. It would, in fact, be another benefit that they could offer to attract new workers an important consideration in a tight labor market. Employers dont see a demand for it, Wettstein adds, but according to a new report that he cowrote, when the strategy was explained to them, more than a third of 50- to 65-year-olds surveyed said they would take advantage of the 401(k) bridge. Conducted last year, the survey included 1,349 respondents with 401(k) balances of at least $25,000 the minimum that participants would need to put off taking Social Security, even briefly. Recipients who retire at 62 but draw $1,900 a month from their 401(k)s would use up $23,000 in 401(k) savings for each year they delayed claiming Social Security. Most of those surveyed appeared to have never heard of the idea, according to Wettsteins report, which was released in February. The way we think about it is that its certainly something anyone could do on their own right now, or financial advisers can recommend it, but the details are a little hard to work out by yourself, Wettstein says. It would be possible for an employer to do that work for you, without you having to sit down and start calculating what your benefits would be if you delay versus if you dont delay. Drawbacks There are some drawbacks to the 401(k) bridge approach, Allan and others point out. Thirty-eight states tax retirement distributions, for instance, but only 13 tax Social Security benefits. And for the sake of leaving something to an heir or heirs, its better to keep assets in investment or retirement accounts. Using up that money first means theres less to leave behind. People who have reason to believe they might not live long, who could need long-term care, who worry about other kinds of financial emergencies or who dont have much saved up also harbor understandable reservations about depleting their 401(k)s too soon, experts say. The sweet spot for using the bridge strategy is having between $100,000 and $250,000 in investments and savings, including 401(k)s, says Mike Piershale, president of Piershale Financial Group in Barrington, Illinois. There is concern and worry about running out of money. Youre talking about the unknown, notes Michael Solari, principal in the firm Solari Financial Planning in Bedford, New Hampshire. Some clients may have already experienced that with parents. Theres quite a bit of angst around that. Retirees who claim Social Security earlier than 70 still end up drawing down their 401(k)s and other retirement accounts more quickly than those who dont, however, Wettstein has found. Im sure thats true that people are scared of running out of money, he says. But that kind of fear regarding the bridge is misguided. The bridge protects you from running out of money, because Social Security does not run out. Meanwhile, financial advisers continue to explain the math and the psychology to their clients. Using a 401(k) as a bridge is not a new concept, but its becoming more known and a more relevant issue to discuss with people, Jaffe says. Its more relevant than ever to figure out how youre going to make the assets youve accumulated last. Jon Marcus is the higher-education editor at The Hechinger Report and also writes for The Washington Post, The New York Times and other outlets. New York Attorney General Letitia James launched a wide-ranging investigation Thursday into whether the oil industry has engaged in gas price gouging. James is shown here during the New York State Democratic Convention in New York, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Dewaun Robinson, who is president of the Black Lives Matter chapter in Flint, wants to see change after seeing video of a deadly police shooting in Grand Rapids. Okapi OTC Shares approved for real-time trading in USA Perth, April 14, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Okapi Resources Limited ( ASX:OKR ) ( FRA:26O ) ( OTCMKTS:OKPRF ) is pleased to advise that it has secured DTC approval to allow real-time electronic clearing and settlement in the United States for its OTCQB listed ordinary shares through the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC").The move will simplify trading and enhance liquidity for investors in North America and globally. Okapi gained a secondary compliance listing on the OTCQB market with the ticker code OKPRF in November 2021, with B.Riley FBR acting as OTCQB Sponsor. The compliance requirements are essentially the same as the Australian securities exchange with announcements automatically uploaded onto the OTC platform.The Company completed full service eligibility from the DTCC and is now able to complete real time electronic clearing and settlement. DTCC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust Company, a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Online brokers such as Ameritrade, Fidelity, Charles Schwab and E-Trade all offer OTCQB trades. Investors should inquire of their respective brokers whether OTC shares are available for Okapi.Key advantages of trading ( OTCMKTS:OKPRF ) stock:1. Allows real time electronic trading in the US;2. Trades in the North American time zone and settlements in US Dollars (USD); and3. OKPRF is the same class Ordinary Shares to ASX traded stock ( ASX:OKR ), not a synthetic. The shares are simply registered in two different Share Registries.Okapi's Managing Director Andrew Ferrier said: "We are excited that we have secured DTC electronic trading, allowing Okapi shares to be traded in USD for the convenience of our existing and new North American shareholders. This will simplify trading and enhance liquidity with a wider pool of investors. This particularly makes sense for Okapi with which is focused on developing uranium assets in North America."About Okapi Resources Limited Okapi Resources Limited (ASX:OKR) recently acquired a portfolio of advanced, high grade uranium assets located in the United States of America and in the Athabasca Basin, Canada. Assets include a strategic position in one of the most prolific uranium districts in the USA - the Tallahassee Creek Uranium District in Colorado. The Tallahassee Uranium Project contains a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource estimate of 27.6 million pounds of U3O8 at a grade of 490ppm U3O8 with significant exploration upside. The greater Tallahassee Creek Uranium District hosts more than 100 million pounds of U3O8 with considerable opportunity to expand the existing resource base by acquiring additional complementary assets in the district. The portfolio of assets also includes an option to acquire 100% of the high-grade Rattler Uranium Project in Utah, which includes the historical Rattlesnake open pit mine. The Rattler Uranium Project is located 85km from the White Mesa Uranium Mill, the only operating conventional uranium mill in the USA hence provides a near term, low-capital development opportunity. In January 2022, Okapi acquired a portfolio of high-grade exploration assets in the world's premier uranium district, the Athabasca Basin. The Athabasca Basin is home to the world's largest and highest-grade uranium mines. Okapi's clear strategy is to become a new leader in North American carbon-free nuclear energy by assembling a portfolio of high-quality uranium assets through accretive acquisitions and exploration. China conveys sympathy to people injured in NYC subway shooting Xinhua) 09:00, April 14, 2022 (Source: Xinhua) BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday conveyed China's sympathy for the people injured in the recent New York City subway shooting, as well as their families. According to media reports, at least 29 people were injured in the subway attack in Brooklyn, New York City, on Tuesday. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily news briefing that the Chinese Consulate General in New York immediately activated an emergency mechanism for consular protection, and that it has not received any information about Chinese casualties in the incident to date. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Consulate General in New York will continue to follow the development of the incident closely," Zhao said, reminding Chinese citizens in the United States to raise their risk awareness level and ensure their own safety. Zhao said that recurring tragedies like the Brooklyn subway shooting are a part of the chronic problem of the proliferation of guns and gun violence in the United States, which is in turn a part of the country's chronic human rights problem. Coincidentally, on the same day of the shooting, the U.S. State Department released its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices of 2021, which criticized other countries' human rights situations while making no mention of its own deteriorating human rights situation. According to the Gun Violence Archive website, more than 10,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence in the United States so far this year, during which time the country has witnessed at least 130 mass shootings, the spokesperson said. "The United States has become a veritable 'nation of guns.' We really hope that this kind of tragedy will not happen again, and that American people will be able to live their lives without shootings, without discrimination, without fear," he said. Zhao stressed that the U.S. government should stop acting as "a lecturer of human rights" and pointing fingers at other countries' human rights situations. "Instead, it should take concrete measures to improve its own terrible human rights situation," he added. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque rolled out a new automated system for ticketing speeders that officials say is geared toward changing driver behavior as the city confronts a rising toll of traffic deaths. The initiative will eventually involve placing up to 10 speed cameras at hotspots around the city to issue $100 citations or, as an alternative, require community service. The citations will be mailed and will not be reflected in driving records. Mayor Tim Keller said the main goal is changing hearts and minds. Our goal here is behavior change. Were not going to gain any points or profit for this program for citing people, he said. Thats not what its about. It is about behavior change. Keller said the citations will cover the cost of the program and any leftover money will go toward Vision Zero projects. If the program is used to its full capability, that could mean up to $100,000 annually for the traffic safety initiative. During a Wednesday news conference, officials distanced themselves from comparisons to the controversial red light camera program scrapped by the city years ago. Keller said they tailored the initiative to avoid the pitfalls of that program by allowing community service, changing the review and appeal process, and selecting a reputable vendor. Bottom line, Keller said, is something needed to be done. Unfortunately, you just have to look at our pedestrian fatality rates, and the fact that New Mexico and Albuquerque are at the wrong end of every statistic, he said. We have to honor that by taking action. With that, the mayor said he was putting Albuquerque drivers on notice. He said the first three cameras are set up on stretches of Montgomery and Gibson, and will begin giving warnings April 25. The citations will start May 25. The city signed a one-year contract with the company NovoaGlobal for 10 speed cameras, and Keller said they will utilize all devices at different spots around the city over time. Its not going to be a secret, he said, but were also not just going to advertise where were putting them right away. Keller stressed that going a few miles over the speed limit will not get you a citation, noting that the program is targeting excessive speeding that leads to crashes and, often, fatalities. The Albuquerque Police Department had been surveilling such streets as Gibson and Montgomery for months leading up to the initiative, finding hundreds of drivers speeding over 100 mph. Lt. Nick Wheeler with APDs Traffic Unit said there is no shortage of anecdotes. Wheeler said he stopped a woman hours earlier doing 92 mph on the freeway and she told him she wasnt paying attention to her speed. He said one camera caught someone speeding 122 mph down Gibson at 10:30 a.m. Wheeler said the cameras will work as a force multiplier to surveil hotpsots and allow officers to do traffic enforcement elsewhere as speeding problem areas move around, a problem cited often by the department. However, he said that if the cameras capture the same vehicles repeatedly speeding over 100 mph, officers will target that stretch to catch those drivers in the act for criminal cases. The guys and gals that are traveling upwards of 100 miles an hour on the city streets need to start getting arrested or cited into court so they can face the consequences on the criminal side, he said. Wheeler said the cameras are pretty tough. They are made with bulletproof glass and steel, powered by batteries, solar panels or through a power line. He said the machines can read through tinted license plate covers and even spray paint, in the case of vandalism. Wheeler said those who are cited will be given a $100 civil citation or, in the alternative, will serve 4 hours of community service in a 90-day period. People can contest citations with the City Clerks Office through e-hearings or in person. He said the department just wants people to slow down. One of the hardest things for myself and my guys to do is to go tell someones family that they died as a result of someone elses bad driving, and a lot of our crashes are (the) results of speed. Its extremely frustrating, Wheeler said. Standing behind him, the faces of Julie Gonzales and Rosa Rivera were streaked with tears. The mother and aunt of Erika Chavez know the pain all too well. The 33-year-old mother of three was killed in September 2020 when a man crashed into her at 120 mph on the West Side. Rivera, becoming choked up, said Chavezs 3-year-old daughter was in the car and watched her mother take her last breath. Valerie Hermanson, the new Vision Zero coordinator, tried to keep her composure, tears rolling down her face, as Rivera spoke. Its been a year and seven months (since) we lost our beautiful Erika Chavez. And every single day, its been a heart-stopping, agonizing pain that we have felt from the day that this happened. And it will be a part of our everyday life, Rivera said. We ask you to please watch your speed and please work with us in saving your family members lives. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal A Metropolitan Detention Center inmate is suing Bernalillo County, alleging that three correctional officers sexually abused him late last year. The plaintiff, suing as John Doe, claims that three jail officers led him to an administrative office and took turns digitally penetrating him and then retaliated against him for making a formal complaint. Jail officials say his allegations are unfounded. Does suit, filed Tuesday in state District Court in Albuquerque, comes after he initially complained via the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act. He submitted a grievance, but PREA investigators working at the jail found it to be unsubstantiated, his lawsuit says. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, interest, costs, attorneys fees and any other relief the court deems appropriate. His attorney, Jason Wallace, said Doe has been detained at MDC while awaiting trial. The criminal justice system exists specifically to address crimes, and in this case, its perpetuating them and its perpetuating them against a vulnerable population. These are not folks over at MDC by choice, said Wallace, who represents Doe along with Levi Monagle. Theyre sort of at the mercy of the people who oversee them. Thats where this serious abuse of power comes into play, and its a real betrayal. The jails chief, however, said Does case was investigated in line with MDC policy and the allegations were unfounded. The case was also referred to the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office for criminal investigation. It is our understanding that the investigation conducted by the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office was unfounded as well. The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center has no further comment due to pending litigation, MDC Chief of Corrections Greg Richardson said in a written statement. A BCSO spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a Journal inquiry about the case. According to the suit: Doe has been in MDC custody since Dec. 17, 2021. On or about Dec. 20, a jail lieutenant and four jail officers, two of them women, took him from his pod to an administrative room/office. The women left per direction from one of their male colleagues. Plaintiff was then forced to his knees by the three remaining officers his forehead was pressed to the floor, his pants and underwear were removed This event was not related to any strip search and did not follow any protocols associated with a proper strip search. Doe sought and received a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners exam and filed a PREA grievance, prompting retaliation that included days in segregation/solitary confinement. The officers also told other inmates about Does PREA grievance, and one allegedly announced it to Does entire pod using the term snitch. Last month, upon information and belief, Does PREA grievance was determined unsubstantiated. According to jail reports, an unsubstantiated PREA allegation is one for which the investigation produced insufficient evidence to make a final determination as to whether or not the event occurred. An unfounded allegation is one investigators determined not to have occurred. The county releases PREA reports annually, but has not yet posted the 2021 version online. MDCs 2020 report cites 91 PREA allegations. Investigators deemed most unfounded (57), but five were substantiated and 29 determined unsubstantiated. KYIV, Ukraine The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, a guided-missile cruiser that became a potent target of Ukrainian defiance in the opening days of the war, sank Thursday after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles, while Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital, Kyiv. In his nightly video address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alluded to the sinking as he told Ukrainians they should be proud of having survived 50 days under attack when the Russians gave us a maximum of five. Listing the many ways Ukraine has defended against the invasion, he noted those who showed that Russian warships can sail away, even if its to the bottom of the sea. It was his only reference to the missile cruiser. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sank in a storm while being towed to a port. Russia earlier said the flames on the ship, which would typically have 500 sailors aboard, forced the entire crew to evacuate. Later it said the blaze had been contained. The Moskva had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its removal reduces Russias firepower in the Black Sea. Its also a blow to Moscows prestige in a war already widely seen as a historic blunder. Now entering its eighth week, the invasion has stalled amid resistance from Ukrainian fighters bolstered by weapons and other aid sent by Western nations. During the first days of the war, the Moskva was reportedly the ship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a standoff. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself. The Associated Press could not independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance. The country recently unveiled a postage stamp commemorating it. The news of the flagship overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where Moscows forces have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war at a horrific cost to civilians. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian troops 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 how many forces were still defending Mariupol. Russian state television broadcast footage that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers. One man held a white flag. Mariupol has been the scene of the some the wars worst suffering. Dwindling numbers of Ukrainian defenders are holding out against a siege that has trapped well over 100,000 civilians in desperate need of food, water and heating. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told AP in an interview Thursday that people are being starved to death in the besieged city. Mariupols mayor said this week that more than 10,000 civilians had died and the death toll could surpass 20,000, after weeks of attacks and privation left bodies carpeted through the streets. Mariupols capture is critical for Russia because it would allow its forces in the south, which came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to fully link up with troops in the Donbas region, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive. The Russian military continues to move helicopters and other equipment together for such an effort, according to a senior U.S. defense official, and it will likely add more ground combat units over coming days. But its still unclear when Russia could launch a bigger offensive in the Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas. The loss of the Moskva could delay any new, wide-ranging offensive. Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, across the Black Sea to the northwest of Sevastopol, said the Ukrainians struck the ship with two Neptune missiles and caused serious damage. Russias Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, without saying what caused the blaze. It said the main missile weapons were not damaged. In addition to the cruise missiles, the warship also had air-defense missiles and other guns. The Neptune is an anti-ship missile that was recently developed by Ukraine and based on an earlier Soviet design. The launchers are mounted on trucks stationed near the coast, and, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missiles can hit targets up to 280 kilometers (175 miles) away. That would have put the Moskva within range, based on where it was when the fire began. Launched as the Slava in 1979, the cruiser saw service in the Cold War and during conflicts in Georgia and Syria, and helped conduct peacetime scientific research with the United States. During the Cold War, it carried nuclear weapons. In 1989, the Slava was supposed to host a meeting off Malta between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, but gale-force winds moved the talks to the docked cruiser Maxim Gorky. On Thursday, other Russian ships that were also in the northern Black Sea moved further south after the Moskva caught fire, said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military assessments. Before the Moskva sank, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, told AP its removal would mean we can only have a sigh of relief. While the U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a big blow to Russia. Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack, and neither is a particularly good outcome for them, Sullivan told the Economic Club of Washington. Russia invaded on Feb. 24 and has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It has also further inflated prices at grocery stores and gasoline pumps, while dragging on the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the war helped push the organization to downgrade economic forecasts for 143 countries. Also Thursday, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sending two low-flying military helicopters some 11 kilometers (7 miles) across the border and firing on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo, in Russias Bryansk region. Russias Investigative Committee said seven people, including a toddler, were wounded. Russias state security service had earlier said Ukrainian forces fired mortar rounds at a border post in Bryansk as refugees were crossing, forcing them to flee. The reports could not be independently verified. Earlier this month, Ukrainian security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an air strike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, some 55 kilometers (35 miles) from the border. ___ Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal About 200 students, graduates and instructors in the bench jewelry and truck driving trade programs at Central New Mexico Community College, many of them carrying signs, filled an auditorium Tuesday night to push back against plans to sunset the courses and no longer offer certificates to those who complete them. One after another, speakers told CNMs governing board that the programs are successful, affordable and lead to good jobs, and without them they might not otherwise be able to pursue those careers. One supporter handed the board a petition with 900 signatures of people who want to maintain the jewelry program. No one spoke in favor of eliminating the programs. However, a CNM official told the Journal that the programs are no longer economically viable for the college. Board Chairman Tom Swisstack said comments would be taken into consideration during a review by CNMs planning and finance committees before the full governing board takes any action. The boards next meeting is scheduled for May 10. A number of speakers complained that CNM administration gave them no advance knowledge that the courses were being targeted, including instructors and business stakeholders in the community who rely on the programs for hiring. Its not surprising that faculty were not forewarned of the plans to remove these programs from CNMs offerings, given the administrations history of denying faculty the right to be involved in critical operational and program decisions, said Marissa Juarez, a full-time faculty member of the School of Communication, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Speaking in support of the two programs, Juarez said the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in the trucking industry will grow 6% in the next 10 years and it makes no sense to scale back a program that provides a crucial service in the nations supply chain at a time when there is a nationwide shortage of truck drivers. The bench jewelry program, she said, enriches the local art community and the jewelry making industry while creating jobs. That was echoed by Mathew James Shepardson, owner of Tskies Jewelry in Albuquerque. He first hired a graduate of the bench jewelry program four years ago. Tskies has been growing about 50% each year and there are now seven graduates working for the business. I would not have been able to maintain this progress if it was not for the CNM bench jewelry program, he said. The new hires were all extremely proficient and required little training in safety protocols. I was basically able to plug them right in. Jewelry, Shepardson said, is more than just a trade good to be manufactured; it is art, and art is our culture. Established more than 30 years ago, the truck driving program, which is consistently full, leads the way to obtaining a Class A Commercial Drivers License. It provides people, even those from disadvantaged backgrounds, an opportunity to generate more income than in almost any other field in New Mexico, said instructor John Morningstar. Our program is exceptional nationally and the most comprehensive program Ive ever seen in this industry, he told the governing board. Does it lose money for CNM? I dont doubt it. Could we find a way to make that ledger balance a little better? Im sure we can, but we dont know what your budget shortfall is, so its hard for us to know how much we need to make this work. All of CNMs 181 associate degree and certificate programs are evaluated annually by a committee of representatives from each division of the college. They take into consideration the college mission, market demand, program economics and alignment to academic and industry standards, said Samantha Sengel, CNMs vice president of workforce and community success. Of them, 14 were recommended for sunset, with two of them the truck driving program and the bench jewelry program possibly being offered on a non-certificate basis to run out of one of the CNM Ingenuity workforce and training sites. The certificate truck driving program takes about 15 weeks and costs participants about $1,600. But it is prohibitively expensive to CNM, where it has been running a yearly deficit of between $450,000 and $600,000, Sengel said. Moving it to CNM Ingenuity, which has an existing non-credit truck driving program, would increase the cost to those enrolled to about $4,600 and shorten the course time to four weeks. Efficiencies and consolidation under a new Ingenuity business model would help the program break even within the first year, she said. The costs leading to a certificate in the bench jewelry program over two or three semesters is about $1,000 per participant, Sengel said. It isnt yet known what that cost would be by moving it to Ingenuity, she said. The problem with that program is it doesnt meet CNMs threshold of having 10 graduates per year per program. In the 2020-21 academic year, there were just 12 declared majors and only four graduates in that program, Sengel said. The bench jewelry programs main instructor, Harley McDaniel, said the enrollment drop was a result of the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, we were doing really good and had 30 or 40 students in the program at a time, he said. According to Sengel, every program at CNM was impacted by the pandemic, but the bench jewelry certificate program has been on a downward enrollment and completion trend for three years. In 2019-20 it had just six graduates, and in 2018-19 just eight. We lose on average about $16,000 a year on that program alone, she said. That certificate program is recommended to deactivate in Fall 2023, allowing current students to finish. Jewelers are not required to have a certificate by employers to enter the field and there is no job growth projected by the most reliable workforce data, Sengel said. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal Its an aptly named, high-tech space lab with a need for speed. The Air Force Research Laboratorys Space Vehicles Directorate on Tuesday cut the ribbon on the Rapid Architecture Prototyping and Integration Development, or RAPID, Laboratory, a 14,000-square-foot addition to an existing lab on Kirtland Air Force Base. The new laboratory will bring together researchers from AFRL, the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, the Space Rapid Capabilities Office and Space Systems Command in a building designed as a one-stop shop of sorts for new satellites, where researchers can quickly test new ideas and technologies. The building was designed to take an idea on a white board efficiently through digital engineering, model and simulation, construction and operational tests, all within the same area on base, said Col. Jon Luminati, who leads AFRLs Space Vehicle Directorates Integrated Experiments and Evaluation Division. The building is perfectly named the RAPID building, and it is all about going fast, said Col. Eric Felt, director of AFRLs Space Vehicles Directorate. Velocity says how fast and where youre going. And, really, thats what this building to me is all about. How can we innovate faster than our peer-pacing competitor, which is China. And, to do that, we have to pull out all the stops. The new lab cost about $7.3 million. Studio Southwest Architects was the project architect and Eagle Eye LLC was the construction contractor, according to an AFRL news release. The lab has both secure and non-secure spaces. In the secure space on the second floor, blue lights are positioned along the walls. They turn on if someone without a top secret security clearance is on the floor, an indicator that researchers should shut their doors and keep conversation to a minimum. Luminati said that, because the emphasis is on cutting-edge new technologies, the lab will be a good location for testing small satellites. In many cases, those are built because they are a quicker and cheaper way to test details for larger satellites. For example, the lab may produce a small satellite to test how the equipment will respond when confronted with massive temperature swings or radiation in space. Its small, and so its cheap, and I can build it fast. And I can prove that the technology works, Luminati said. So, those small satellites allow me to go much, much faster because I can take risks, right? Theyre easier to assemble. And I can integrate a whole bunch of technology and do it at a faster cadence. The cutting-edge work in space being done at KAFB is focused on research and development. That long-range approach means local space researchers day-to-day activities are not affected much by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Luminati said. But he noted that, late last year, Russia tested an anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites, which highlights how important the space domain work being done at Kirtland is to national security. The State Department said Nov. 15 that the destructive Russian test created thousands of pieces of debris that will threaten all nations security, economic and scientific interests for decades to come. It just underscores how we need to be able to maintain a technical lead and technical edge because we so heavily rely on space-based capabilities. And we cant assume that theyre a sanctuary anymore, he said. We spent the last couple decades engaged in the Middle East and Central Asia. Now, youre dealing with sort of a new class of player, right, who has the ability to sort of compete in that (space) domain that the folks we focused on (in) the last decades had not been able to do. And so it really does show the importance of the space domain. Editors note: The article has corrected the name of the architecture firm on the project. Authorities found the remains of two people on Wednesday inside a home that burned down during the McBride Fire in Ruidoso. Officer Dusty Francisco, a State Police spokesman, said the agency learned an elderly couple had tried to evacuate the area Tuesday evening but were unaccounted for by relatives. This is an active and ongoing investigation, Francisco said. The identity of the deceased and cause of death have yet to be determined by the Office of the Medical Investigator. The discovery came as the McBride Fire burned thousands of acres in Ruidoso, prompting widespread evacuations and destroying more than a hundred structures, including homes. Francisco said local firefighters responded around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday to a house fire at 569 Gavilan Canyon Road. He said, later that evening, the Ruidoso Police Department learned an elderly couple had not been heard from since trying to escape the fast-spreading wildfire. Francisco said on Wednesday State Police, Ruidoso police detectives and the Bonita Volunteer Fire Department found the remains inside the burned out home. State Police is currently working with the Office of Medical Investigator to positively identify the deceased victims and determine the cause and manner of death, he said. RISON, Ark. A 20-year-old Arkansas woman was killed when a tree fell on her home as severe storms swept through the state and a possible tornado ripped roofs off homes in Alabama, officials said. The womans death occurred Wednesday as part of a multiday severe weather outbreak that caused tornadoes, powerful winds and huge hail in parts of the central and southern United States. A weak tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service tore roofs from homes in a public housing community and peppered cars with debris Wednesday night in rural Greene County, Alabama, located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Birmingham. Billy Hicks, who lives in the area, told WBMA-TV he was lying down when he heard a rush of wind that lasted only a few seconds. I jumped up and put my clothes on, put my shoes on when everything was over with. I come to the side door and looked across the street. I knew that something had hit all these houses, said Hicks, who got in his car to go check on neighbors. Authorities swarmed the area but didnt find anyone who was hurt, said Zac Bolding of Greene County Emergency Medical Services. Most of the people we talked to as we were doing a house-to-house search explained that they were in their bathroom or an interior hallway, so they were listening to those warnings and without that I think we would have been looking at a much different situation, he said. In Arkansas, the woman was died when a tree toppled on her home in Rison shortly after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, pinning her to the couch, said Stephen McClellan, Cleveland Countys emergency management coordinator. Rison is about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of Little Rock. A day earlier, 23 people were injured in the central Texas town of Salado. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth said Wednesday that the twister was rated an EF3 with peak wind speeds of 165 mph (265 kph). On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott declared Bell County, where Salado is situated, and nearby Williamson County to hasten state assistance to storm-ravaged areas. Tornadoes were also reported Tuesday in parts of Iowa and Minnesota. Residents in the small southeastern Minnesota farming community of Taopi were cleaning up after a devastating tornado destroyed half of the towns homes, toppled tall trees and left piles of debris. A tornado that was rated EF2 with peak wind speeds of 130 mph (209 kph) struck Taopi near the Iowa border late Tuesday night, tearing the roofs off houses, overturning vehicles and bringing down power lines. There were no reports of serious injuries. Volunteers arrived Wednesday to help residents clean up the debris in the community of about 80 people. Family members sifted through rubble looking for keepsakes. Half the town is gone, City Clerk Jim Kiefer said. Of Taopis 22 homes, at least 10 are beyond repair, with roofs and walls missing, he said. Kiefer said his house is OK, but his mothers home is a total loss. She wont be going home, he said. Also, a blizzard struck North Dakota this week, closing the state Capitol, schools, government offices and some businesses for a third day Thursday. The National Weather Services blizzard warning for much of the state and smaller sections of South Dakota and Montana remained in effect Thursday. More than a foot of snow (30 centimeters) has fallen in Bismarck with about 2 feet (61 centimeters) in Dickinson and 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, at the weather services Bismarck office. TOLEDO, Ohio The school closures, stay-at-home mandates and curfews that Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine imposed early in the pandemic still infuriate Donald Trumps most loyal supporters. His dismissal of the former presidents stolen election lie and criticism that Trump poured gas on the fire before the U.S. Capitol riot put him at odds with many GOP voters. But that may not be enough to topple DeWine in the states upcoming May 3 primary. Despite some notable splits with Trump, he is entering the final stretch of the campaign in a strong position to win the GOPs nomination for another four-year term. Hes facing challenges from three lesser-known conservatives who could essentially split the far-right faithful, with DeWine potentially emerging as a Republican who crossed Trumps base and managed to survive. Whatever happens in the election happens, but this was a crucial time in our history, DeWine, 75, said in an interview, referring to his management of the pandemic. The dynamics harken back to an era when Ohio prized middle-of-the-road candidates, making it a bellwether for presidential elections for decades. But that reputation for moderation eroded under Trump, who won the state in the 2016 and 2020 campaigns. The higher-profile race for an open U.S. Senate seat is perhaps more reflective of Ohios rightward shift as candidates have spent months trying to out-Trump one another as they seek his coveted endorsement. So far, the former president has stayed quiet in the governors race, a credit to DeWines ability to walk a fine line of expressing support for Trump while also keeping him at a distance. Despite their different approach to the pandemic, which Trump sought to minimize, there was only one hint of a genuine rift between the two men. That was when DeWine suggested in November 2020 that it was time for Trump to acknowledge that Joe Biden had won the White House. Trumps response was a tweet wondering who would challenge DeWine in this years primary. Will be hotly contested! Trump predicted. Trump announced this week hell be in Ohio for an April 23 rally ahead of the GOP primary. DeWine said on Thursday that hes not sure if hell be able to make it because he already committed to attending a 200th birthday celebration for another ex-president, Ohio native Ulysses S. Grant. Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, who served four terms in Congress, was thought to be DeWines biggest threat, especially if he could win an endorsement from Trump after getting his backing four years ago in a failed U.S. Senate bid. But some recent polls show Renacci splitting the anti-DeWine vote with Joe Blystone, a farmer who jumped in the race early and built a following in rural Ohio. Much of the frustration toward DeWine has bubbled up in Republican-dominated rural counties where mask mandates and school shutdowns were met with resistance. Those areas hold the fewest votes yet carry significant weight because Republicans often pile up big enough margins to negate the strong Democratic turnout in the states big cities. They say in politics people forget things. Down here they havent forgotten, said Dennis Cooper, a member of the Clermont County Republican Party, which overwhelmingly endorsed Renacci over DeWine earlier this year. It wasnt just one thing. It was one thing on top of another that made no sense. Still, DeWine has a huge fundraising advantage and a network of supporters built from a political career spanning more than 40 years. Both are why more prominent Republicans in the state decided against challenging him even as dissatisfaction grew. Ryan Stubenrauch, a former DeWine policy adviser whos now a GOP consultant, thinks the anger is coming from a vocal minority. Theres a whole lot of people mad at a lot of things. The last two years have been really rough on people, he said. I dont know if the party has changed or all of our politics have shifted over the last two years. One thing that hasnt changed, he said, is DeWine. He values life just about over everything, Stubenrauch said. Hes an old-school conservative who just months into his first term as governor signed into law what at the time was one of the most stringent abortion restrictions in the nation. DeWine has leaned on his pro-life stance to explain why that also includes protecting people from COVID-19. He was widely praised early in 2020 for not downplaying the pandemic when he became the first governor to shut down schools statewide. But the mood soured among Republicans who quickly tired of mask mandates and health orders that closed many small businesses but allowed large retailers to remain open. They saw him putting in restrictions that ran counter to what they were hearing from Trump and conservative governors such as Ron DeSantis in Florida and South Dakotas Kristi Noem. A hostile state Legislature dominated by DeWines own party overrode his veto of a bill weakening the governors ability to respond to public health emergencies. Renacci said DeWine prioritized fear over freedom. Some conservatives have vowed never to vote for DeWine again, according to a handful of county GOP chairs, even if that means sitting out in November. The winner of the Republican primary will face the Democratic nominee, either former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley or ex-Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Theyre not going to vote again for someone who has disappointed them and not represented them well, said Shelby County Republican Chairwoman Theresa Kerg. I think people are frustrated and tired of just accepting whoever is given to them. ___ Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. PARIS Films by David Cronenberg, Park Chan-wook and Kelly Reichardt will vie for the coveted Palme dOr at a Cannes Film Festival set to unspool against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Cannes film festival artist director Thierry Fremaux and president Pierre Lescure announced the lineup to this years festival, Cannes 75th, in a press conference Thursday in Paris. After canceling the 2020 event and hosting a slightly scaled down 2021 edition, the French Riviera festival is looking to reclaim its pre-pandemic allure with some 35,000 accredited attendees expected next month. The 18 films announced in Cannes prestigious competition lineup feature new works by several former Palme winners, including Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda (Broker), Swedish social satirist Ruben Ostlund (Triangle of Sadness) and Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Tori and Lokita). Also in competition: Cronenbergs Crimes of the Future, starring Lea Seydoux, Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen; Kelly Reichardts Showing Up, which reunites her with Wendy and Lucy star Michelle Williams; Chan-wooks Korean mystery thriller Decision to Leave; and French filmmaker Claire Denis Stars at Noon with Margaret Qualley. The 75th anniversary of the French Riviera film extravaganza is happening in special circumstances: the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, a world that has changed and will keep changing, Fremaux said. The biggest Hollywood splashes expected at Cannes had already been announced, including a screening of Top Gun: Maverick, which will be accompanied by a tribute to star Tom Cruise. The Top Gun sequel will play out of competition, as will Baz Luhrmanns Elvis Presley biopic Elvis, starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. Organizers will announce the jury at a later date. Cannes international village of flag-waving pavilions annually hosts more than 80 countries from around the world. But organizers earlier said no Russian delegations would be welcome at the this year because of Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. Russian director, Kirill Serebrennikov, who recently fled Russia for Berlin after several years banned from travel, will premiere his latest film, about composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky As usual, most of the directors in the competition are men. Only three of the 18 films competing for the Palme dOr were directed by women. Last year, Julia Ducournau became only the second woman in Cannes history to win the top prize, for her film Titane, the body-horror thriller. The festival will open on May 17 with the premiere of the zombie comedy Final Cut, by The Artist director Michel Hazanvicius. The film had earlier been scheduled to debut in January at the Sundance Film Festival but was pulled when the festival shifted to a virtual edition amid a virus surge. Ethan Coen will debut his first feature without his brother, Joel, in the out-of-competition documentary Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind. Other highlights include George Millers first film since 2015s Mad Max: Fury Road: Three Thousand Years of Longing, a fantasy romance with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton. And Brett Morgan will premiere Moonage Daydream, a David Bowie documentary. As has been the case since 2017, no Netflix films are in competition at Cannes. The streamer and the festival have been an impasse due to the countrys rigid windowing rules. Once a film plays in cinemas in France, it cant stream for 15 months. Earlier this year, though, Netflix signed a three-year agreement with French film guilds to spend a minimum of $45 million financing French and European films to play theatrically in France. The Cannes Film Festival runs May 17-28. LONDON Britain announced a deal with Rwanda on Thursday to send some asylum-seekers thousands of miles to the East African country a plan it said would stop people-smugglers sending desperate migrants on treacherous journeys across the English Channel. U.K. opposition politicians and refugee groups condemned the move as inhumane, unworkable and a waste of public money, and the United Nations said it raised a number of human rights concerns. The plan would see some people who arrive in Britain as stowaways on trucks or in small boats picked up by the U.K. government and flown 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) to Rwanda, apparently for good. Critics accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of using the issue to distract attention from a scandal over government gatherings that breached pandemic lockdown rules. Johnson is resisting calls to resign after being fined by police this week over the parties. Migrants have long used northern France as a launching point to reach Britain, either by hiding on trucks or ferries, or increasingly since the coronavirus pandemic shut down other routes in 2020 in small boats organized by smugglers. More than 28,000 people entered the U.K. in boats last year, up from 8,500 in 2020. Dozens have died, including 27 people in November when a single boat capsized. On Thursday, dozens of men, women and children were picked up by British lifeboats and brought ashore at the Channel port of Dover as Johnson, speaking just a few miles away, outlined the plan. Anyone entering the U.K. illegally may now be relocated to Rwanda, Johnson said in a speech to troops and coast guard members at an airport near Dover. Action, he said, was needed to stop vile people smugglers (who) are abusing the vulnerable and turning the Channel into a watery graveyard. The Rwandan government said the agreement would initially last for five years, and Britain had paid 120 million pounds ($158 million) up front to pay for housing and integrating the migrants. Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Vincent Biruta said the agreement is about ensuring that people are protected, respected, and empowered to further their own ambitions and settle permanently in Rwanda if they choose. He said his country is already home to more than 130,000 refugees from countries including Burundi, Congo, Libya and Pakistan. Johnson denied the plan was lacking in compassion but acknowledged it would inevitably face legal challenges and would not take effect immediately. Rwanda is the most densely populated nation in Africa, and competition for land and resources there fueled decades of ethnic and political tensions that culminated in the 1994 genocide in which more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis, and Hutus who tried to protect them, were killed. Johnson insisted that Rwanda had totally transformed in the last two decades. But human rights groups have repeatedly criticized President Paul Kagames current government as repressive. Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said the claim Rwanda was a safe country is not grounded in reality. Arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture in official and unofficial detention facilities is commonplace, and fair trial standards are flouted in many cases, Mudge said. Britain says relocation decisions will not be based on migrants country of origin but on whether they used illegal or dangerous routes to reach the U.K. from a safe country such as France. Not all such arrivals will be considered suitable to be sent to Rwanda; it was unclear what the criteria for making the decisions would be, though the British government said children would not be sent to the African country. The United Nations human rights office said it had raised its concerns directly with the U.K. authorities. A spokeswoman for the office said the U.K. was shifting its responsibilities and obligations under international human rights and refugee law onto a country which is already taking great asylum responsibilities. Previous policies of sending refugee applicants abroad have been highly controversial. In 2013, Australia began sending asylum-seekers attempting to reach the country by boat to Papua New Guinea and the tiny atoll of Nauru, vowing that none would be allowed to settle in Australia. The policy all but ended the people-smuggling ocean route from Southeast Asia, but was widely criticized as a cruel abrogation of Australias international obligations. Israel sent several thousand people to Rwanda and Uganda under a contentious and secretive voluntary scheme between 2014 and 2017. Few are believed to have remained there, with many trying to reach Europe. Steve Valdez-Symonds, refugee director at Amnesty International U.K., said the British governments shockingly ill-conceived idea will go far further in inflicting suffering while wasting huge amounts of public money. The chief executive of the U.K.-based Refugee Council, Enver Solomon, called it dangerous, cruel and inhumane. Rwandan opposition figure Victoire Ingabire told the AP that her governments decision to take in migrants was questionable, given that the country is also a source of refugees. The British and French governments have worked for years to stop the cross-Channel journeys, without much success, often swapping accusations about who is to blame for the failure. Britains Conservative government has floated myriad proposals, not all of them workable, including building a wave machine in the Channel to drive boats back. Johnson said Thursday that the Royal Navy would take charge of responding to small-boat crossings, but that the idea of pushing vessels back towards France had been rejected as too dangerous. Several earlier proposed locations for the U.K. to send migrants including the remote Ascension Island, Albania and Gibraltar were rejected, at times angrily, by the nations in question. The Rwanda plan faces hurdles both in Britains Parliament and in the courts. Johnsons Conservative government has introduced a tough new immigration bill that would make it more difficult for people who enter the country by unauthorized routes to claim asylum and would allow asylum-seekers to be screened abroad. It has not yet been approved by Parliament, with the House of Lords seeking to dilute some of its most draconian provisions. Labour Party lawmaker Lucy Powell said the Rwanda plan might please some Conservative supporters and grab headlines, but was unworkable, expensive and unethical. I think this is less about dealing with small boats and more about dealing with the prime ministers own sinking boat, Powell told the BBC. ___ Ignatius Ssuuna in Kigali, Rwanda, and Andrew Meldrum in Johannesburg, South Africa, contributed to this story. ___ Follow APs coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration ROME Pope Francis washed the feet of a dozen inmates at a prison near Rome in a Holy Thursday ritual that symbolizes humility and service and highlights his papacys attention to those on societys margins. He arrived in a motorcade that included Italian police cars at the prison in Civitavecchia, a port city, 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Rome. The ritual was closed to the public for security reasons and to protect the privacy of the inmates. But afterwards, the Vatican said the pope performed the foot-washing, following Jesus example, in a sign of love inspired by love aimed at service and humility. The 12 inmates included men and women of various ages and of different nationalities, it said. Symbolizing the number of Jesus apostles, the twelve sat on chairs on a raised platform. The pontiff washed, dried, then kissed the feet of each of the inmates, all who were wearing masks against the spread of COVID-19. Some inmates leaned over to kiss the popes hands in gratitude. In the prison chapel, the pope celebrated a Mass attended by inmates, some prison staff and Italys justice minister, the Vatican said in a statement. The Vatican did not say what accommodations might have been made to enable the pope, who has been hobbled of late by a knee-ligament problem, to perform the foot-washing ceremony. For years, Francis has also suffered from sciatica, a nerve inflammation that can cause back and leg pain. Earlier, during a Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican, Francis advised the 1,800 priests in attendance not to focus on worldly concerns such as power or status but exhorted them to serve, with a clear conscience, the holy and faithful people of God. Francis made no reference to decades of scandals involving Catholic priests who sexually abused children and were often transferred from parish to parish by bishops who tried to avoid embarrassment rather than protect minors. During the Holy Thursday Mass, large urns of oil are blessed for use in ceremonies in churches in the Rome area. When Francis went to bless the oil by breathing into it, an aide helped him rise from his chair and walk toward the silver urn. At the end of the ceremony, Francis descended the steps down from the altar clinging to an aides arm, and even while assisted limped his way out of the basilica. Holy Week, which draws hundreds of thousands of faithful to the Vatican, began with Palm Sunday Mass on April 10 in St. Peters Square and culminates this Sunday at Easter, when the faithful mark the resurrection of Jesus. This year, the Good Friday torch-lit Way of the Cross procession in Rome returns to its traditional venue at the ancient Colosseum after a two-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Vatican has invited a Russian woman and a Ukrainian woman, who work together at a Rome hospital, to carry a cross together during the procession. That has angered some Ukrainians, including the countrys ambassador to the Holy See and the archbishop of Kyiv. Their objections center on whether such a gesture, implying reconciliation, is suitable, given Russias invasion of its neighbor and its ongoing war against the countrys people. The Vatican is still going ahead with the processions lineup of participants, who take turns carrying a lightweight cross during the procession, which is presided over by the pontiff and recalls Jesus death by crucifixion. THE HAGUE, Netherlands Ukraine said Tuesday it is investigating a claim that a poisonous substance was dropped on the besieged city of Mariupol. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said it was possible that phosphorus munitions which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons had been used. Now the question is how to establish the truth amid the fog of war that has descended over a city still under attack from Russian forces. A clear answer is unlikely to emerge any time soon. The global chemical weapons watchdog said Tuesday it is concerned by the recent unconfirmed report of chemical weapons use in Mariupol and is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine are among the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons 193 member states. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning OPCW says that it remains ready to assist any State Party upon its request, in case of use or threat of use of chemical weapons. WHO COULD INVESTIGATE? First in line to investigate in Ukraine is the countrys own law enforcement agencies. There also are teams from other nations investigating allegations particularly around the Ukrainian town of Bucha of war crimes and the International Criminal Court has launched an investigation in Ukraine. The OPCW has, so far, not announced any investigations in Ukraine, although it says on its website that it is monitoring the status of relevant chemical industrial facilities and any threats of use of toxic chemicals as weapons in the country. Marc-Michael Blum, former head of the OPCWs laboratory and now an independent consultant, said the organization wont send a team to Mariupol any time soon to investigate. We have an active war zone where the OPCW would not send a team in because the security of the team cannot be guaranteed, Blum told The Associated Press. HOW ARE SUSPECTED CHEMICAL ATTACKS INVESTIGATED? If a team of experts were able to investigate what was used and by whom, it would seek to build a dossier of evidence based on laboratory tests of samples collected at the scene and from victims. That means taking soil samples and testing them for traces of possible chemical weapons or other munitions. Samples of blood and urine from victims who were exposed to the munition would also be tested. Then investigators would seek to interview witnesses and survivors, to build a picture of what they experienced, and the physicians who treated them. In past investigations, experts have studied gas dispersion models and topographic charts and looked at digital images. The OPCW has experience building such investigations in Syria, where its experts have confirmed the use of chemical weapons on multiple occasions. Damascus denies using chemical weapons. WHAT HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS CASES OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS USE ELSEWHERE? Hundreds of people were killed in gas poisoning attacks in Syria during the countrys civil war. The OPCW faced numerous hurdles and Russian vetoes complicating the establishment of investigation mechanisms. To this day, no one has been held accountable. Two recent cases outside Syria show how a suspected chemical weapon use can be investigated by local authorities the poisoning in 2020 of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny and of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury in 2018. In those cases, authorities in Germany, where Navalny went for treatment, and in the United Kingdom in the case of the Skripals, took and tested biological samples and concluded that they were targeted with a Soviet-era nerve agent known as Novichok. In those cases, the OPCW tested the samples and confirmed the findings by national authorities. Russia denied involvement in both attacks. IF PHOSPHORUS WAS USED IN MARIUPOL, IS IT ILLEGAL? Phosphorus munitions are not considered chemical weapons. Most armies have phosphorus munitions to use for illuminating battlefields or targets or to produce smoke screens. However, if an army deliberately fired a phosphorus munition into an enclosed space in order to expose people to toxic fumes, it could be a breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Blum. Once you start using the properties of white phosphorus, toxic properties, specifically and deliberately then it becomes banned, he said. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF A SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATION IN BESIEGED MARIUPOL? Blum is not optimistic. Given the current situation we have Mariupol, almost impossible to really pin down, and so I have no high hopes for any any kind of investigation, he said. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine The ruins of Manuel Blackmon's home smolder after it was destroyed by the McBride Fire in Riudoso. (Courtesy Manuel Blackmon) The charred remains of a home burned by the McBride Fire in Ruidoso on Thursday, April 14, 2022.(Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) A helicopter fills up its reservoir with water from a pond at the Outlaw Golf Course at Alto Lakes while fighting the McBride Fire in Ruidoso on Thursday.(Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) The remains of a home left after a wildfire spread through the Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Officials say a wildfire has burned about 150 structures, including homes, in the New Mexico town of Ruidoso. (Alexander Meditz via AP) Ruidoso resident Karen Taylor uses her cell phone to photograph a hillside burned by the McBride Fire near the Lincoln County Medical Center on Wednesday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) Michele and Kenny Ryen, along with their 7-month-old Yorkie Poodle Mix Stevie Nikki, lost their home in the Ruidoso McBride Fire. They were evacuated to the Ruidoso Convention Center on Wednesday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) Fire burns along a hillside in the Village of Ruidoso, N.M., on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Officials say a wildfire has burned about 150 structures, including homes, in the New Mexico town of Ruidoso. (Alexander Meditz via AP) Donna Seidow, of Las Cruces, loads her late sister's belongings into her SUV after residents of the Gavilan Canyon Road area were forced to evacuate due to the McBride Fire in Ruidoso on Wednesday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) Flames erupt on a hillside as the McBride Fire rages in Ruidoso on Wednesday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) A plane drops retardant over a hillside as the McBride Fire rages in Ruidoso on Wednesday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) Law enforcement agents on Wednesday block the access to Gavilan Canyon Road, an area burned by the McBride Fire in Ruidoso.Photographed on Wednesday April 13, 2022. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal) Smoke billows from a nearby hillside Wednesday as Ruidoso officials brief the media on the McBride Fire (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal) Prev 1 of 12 Next Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal RUIDOSO Manuel Blackmon sat on the grass on the seventh hole of The Outlaw at Alto Lakes golf course, devastated, tired and uncertain about the future. Not far from the northern reaches of the McBride Fire, Blackmon, a construction worker taking a break from a nearby home, watched as two helicopters took turns using the lake just off the tee box to fill up and carry water to the front of the fire, which has continued to stretch north and east from where it started. Blackmon and his family are among the hundreds of people who lost everything on Tuesday. Their home off Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso isnt far from where the McBride Fire sparked on Tuesday. Blackmon, his mom, his sister, his daughters and occasionally his two nieces lived in the home. All their belongings are gone and the fire also killed their three dogs. He said the family is uncertain about the future because they had stopped paying home insurance during a dispute with their mortgage lender after Blackmons fathers death. We lost everything we had everything in a split second, Blackmon said. My dads medals from the military, all these things that cant be replaced. Fire officials said Thursday that at least 207 homes, plus additional structures, have been destroyed in the McBride Fire, which remains 0% contained. Two homes on McBride Drive had burned to the ground, save for the brick fireplaces. The owners possessions among them microwaves, refrigerators and other items were so charred they were almost indistinguishable. But the homes next door and throughout the rest of the neighborhood were untouched by flames. The fire has also claimed two lives. A couples remains were found Wednesday. Blackmon said he was neighbors with the couple who died. Kerry Gladden, a spokeswoman for the village of Ruidoso, said authorities dont believe anyone else is missing. Roughly 4,500 people who live in and around Ruidoso are currently under an evacuation order. Fire officials said that there are about 9,000 customers in the Ruidoso area still without power. The fire jumped Gavilan Canyon Road Wednesday evening, prompting another round of evacuations and threatening more homes. Gladden said fire crews were able to stop that fire from reaching some of the more populated areas, including several mobile home and RV parks in the area. The fire has grown to 6,012 acres. It started around noon Tuesday near Hull Road and Warrior Drive in Ruidoso, and now stretches northeast to Eagle Creek Canyon Road in Alto, a neighboring community. The destruction from the fire is the worst in the Ruidoso area since the Little Bear Fire in 2012. That fire destroyed 242 homes and 12 structures. It reached a total of 44,330 acres. Early Thursday morning, a Southwest Incident Management Team assumed command of the McBride Fire, as well as the Nogal Canyon Fire that is burning northwest of Ruidoso. Its right within the communities, Dave Bales, who took over as incident commander on Thursday, said of the fires. Weve had a lot of structure loss. Our crews are right at the front line going as direct as possible. The Nogal Canyon Fire has burned 394 acres, and destroyed six homes and eight other structures. That fire was 4% contained and has also led to evacuations. Bales said there are currently about 250 personnel fighting the McBride Fire, but additional crews and resources have been requested and the size of the team is expected to grow in the coming days. He said there are five hot shot crews assigned to the fire, as well as numerous aircraft that are expected to help in the firefight on Thursday. Hermits Peak Fire The wildfire northwest of Las Vegas, which began as a prescribed burn last week, has blazed through more than 7,000 acres and was 10% contained as of Thursday evening. About 300 homes are without power. Storrie Lake State Park is open for free to displaced residents with travel trailers. Big Hole Fire A fire in the Belen bosque has burned about 900 acres and was 60% contained as of Thursday evening. The state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said a downed power line caused the fire. Firefighting efforts have closed off public river access from Belen to Los Lunas. Journal staff writer Theresa Davis contributed to this report. Instagram Celebrity In an Instagram video, the 'Conners' actor also thanks his girlfriend Sharna Burgess, who is currently pregnant with the couple's first child, for taking care of him. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Brian Austin Green is offering an update on his health. The "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum shares with his Instagram followers that he has been "bedridden" as he's suffering from ulcerative colitis. In an Instagram video shared on Wednesday, April 13, Brian explained why he had been absent from social media. "Hey everybody, so I disappeared from Instagram for a while. I had ulcerative colitis for about six, six-and-a-half weeks, which wasn't very fun," he said. "Horrible timing." Later in the clip, the 48-year-old star thanked his girlfriend Sharna Burgess, who is currently pregnant with the couple's first child. "Sharna was amazing - six, seven months pregnant - taking care of my three young kids because I was pretty bedridden for a while," he gushed over the "Dancing with the Stars" pro dancer. "Taking care of me, not complaining, being amazing. I am super thankful to have someone like her in my life." Brian went on to add that he's on the mend. "I'm back now," so "The Conners" actor added. "I'm feeling good. Thank goodness. It was a terrible experience. I'm glad it's over." In the caption, he wrote, "Again, I'm a lucky man. @sharnaburgess I love you." Shanna reacted to her beau's post with a comment that read, "Baby this was beautiful and unexpected. I love you, and I've got you. You and the kids, always. Xx." Prior to dating Shanna, Brian was married to Megan Fox. The pair share sons Noah, Bodhi and Journey together. Instagram Celebrity The 'Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta' alum is accused of being gay in the 'In Da Club' rapper's insensitive social media post which also urges him and Young Buck to 'embrace' their sexualities. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Benzino is standing up for himself. The father of Coi Leray has blasted 50 Cent after he was clowned for "f**king" with LGBTQ community in the "In Da Club" rapper's homophobic social media post. Taking to Instagram Story on Wednesday, April 13, the former star of "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" called out 50 Cent in a post that read, "Keep pushing my buttons boy @50cent." He added, "You not getting anymore Crab Trap hook ups," with a series of laughing emojis. In a following Story, Benzino reposted 50 Cent's homophobic post. Along with it, the 56-year-old TV personality ranted, "Hey f**k you @50cent." In the next post, he continued, "So @50cent wanna clown me for f**king with the trans community? Someone ask him why Power got gay as hell this season." He added, "Yo @50cent I heard you watch all those Drew and Everett scenes back each week." Benzino blasted 50 Cent over his homophobic Instagram post. Benzino's social media rants came after 50 Cent called him and Young Buck out in a homophobic Instagram post. Earlier that day, the 46-year-old rapper wrote alongside a clip in which Benzino talked about his sexual preferences, "Young Buck, Benzino just embrace who you are but don't pat nobody butt when they score a basket. fool. Hahaha, Nah. FOR REAL! PUNK." In the said video, Benzino could be heard admitting that he "[loves] porn." The "Rock the Party" rapper went on to say, "I don't watch trans porn. I don't watch trans porn, but that's just me. You know what I'm sayin'?" In a separate post, 50 Cent added a clip which seemed to be a leaked phone conversation between Benzino and a trans actress Shauna Brooks, who recently claimed that Benzino had a brief relationship with her. In it, Benzino explained why it could "look bad" for him to be seen with a trans woman. "You don't f**king look bad, I do," he said. "You can never look bad. In this world you ain't doing nothing wrong. It would be wrong if I did. Can't you get that through your head? You're not looking bad Shauna. You're looking like a f**king chick. I'm looking wrong 'cause what the f**k are you trying to do f**king with a transgender?" Underneath the footage, 50 Cent penned, "LOL OH MY GOD, THIS GUY IS CRAZY." In a recent interview with VladTV, Benzino believed that someone cannot become a gay without growing up around the community. "When I grew up in Boston... I didn't grow up around people who were gay," he shared, "I rarely seen it." He later questioned what led someone to become gay, "I think the biggest thing is, how does somebody become gay?" As for his feud with Young Buck, 50 Cent has long been convinced that the "Shorty Wanna Ride" spitter is gay. However, during the April 13 episode of "It's Tricky With Raquel Harper" podcast, Young Buck set the record straight that he is a heterosexual man who "[loves] women and [loves] p***y." Instagram Celebrity The 54-year-old Oscar-winning actor's guilty plea arrives nearly three years after he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge after a woman told police he touched her without her consent. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to forcibly touching. He is accused of violating three different women at various Manhattan night spots in 2018 and 2019. According to a report, the 54-year-old star told the judge on Wednesday, April 13 that he "kissed the waitress on her lips" without consent at the Lavo New York nightclub. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office said the plea deal does not call for any jail time. Instead, it requires Gooding to have no new arrests and continue "alcohol and behavior modification treatment" for six more months. If the "Jerry Maguire" star fulfills these terms, he can withdraw his plea. He additionally is allowed to submit a new one for a lesser, second-degree harassment charge. He could face up to a year in jail if he doesn't. Gooding previously pleaded not guilty to this charge and several other misdemeanor counts. His attorney Peter Toumbekis said in a statement that Gooding "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." The judge previously ruled that if the case went to trial, prosecutors could have called two additional women to testify about their allegations that Gooding also violated them. Those women were among 19 other accusers. An assistant district attorney, Coleen Balbert, revealed in court Wednesday that the judge had reversed this ruling. The Oscar-winning actor's guilty plea came nearly three years after he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge after a woman told police he touched her without her consent a few days earlier at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge. A few months later, two more women came forward and accused him of forcibly touching them in 2018 at Tao Downtown and the Lavo New York nightclub, respectively. The case had faced several delays as his lawyers sought to get charges reduced or dismissed. Gooding is also slapped with a lawsuit in which he's accused of raping a woman in New York City in 2013. The actor retained a lawyer and is fighting the allegations after a judge issued a default judgment because Gooding had not responded to the lawsuit. Instagram Celebrity The Blink-182 drummer is accompanied by his reality star fiancee Kourtney Kardashian when getting the new ink at the Mark Mahoney at Shamrock Social Club. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Travis Barker is honoring Taylor Hawkins in a beautiful way. A few weeks after the death of the Foo Fighters drummer, the 46-year-old took to social media to give fans a look at a hawk tattoo dedicated to the late star. The Blink-182 drummer showed off his new ink through some Instagram photos he shared on Wednesday, April 13. In one of the snaps, he could be seen sharing a kiss with his fiancee Kourtney Kardashian during the tattooing process at the Mark Mahoney at Shamrock Social Club. In the last image, Travis included a throwback photo of him and Taylor when they were much younger. He simply captioned the post by writing, "HAWK forever." This was not the first time for Travis to pay tribute to Taylor. Upon learning of the latter's passing, the ex-husband of Shanna Moakler posted a black-and-white photo of his late pal on his Instagram page. "I don't have the words. Sad to write this or to never see you again," he first penned in the accompanying message. "I'll never forget Laguna Beach days when I was a trash man playing in a punk rock band and you were playing with Alanis," the father of two added. "You'd come watch me play in dive bars and be like, 'kid you're a star'. And I thought you were crazy but you gave me so much hope and determination." "Years later we toured together with Blink and Foo's in Australia and I have the best memories of smoking cigarettes in the restroom of flights we were on together and watching your set every night," Travis went on recalling. "To say I'll miss you my friend isn't enough. Till the next time we talk drums and smoke in the boys room Rest In Peace." Taylor, who joined Foo Fighters in 1997, suddenly passed away at the age of 50 while the band was touring in South America. A representative for the band told Rolling Stone that he died when the group was preparing to perform in Bogota, Colombia. He was found dead in his hotel room. According to Taylor's preliminary toxicology results, he had tricyclic antidepressants and other substances in his system when he died. "Preliminary results of the urine toxicology test indicate the presence of 10 different substances: THX (Marijuana), tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and opioids, among others," the Attorney General's Office of Colombia said in a press release shared on Twitter. Instagram Movie In contrary to WB's statement which announces the actress' exit due to 'family matters,' sources say the 'Westworld' star is axed from 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' after a bust-up with the lead actor over the Oscars slap. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Thandiwe Newton has lost her role in "Magic Mike's Last Dance", but seemingly not because of the obvious reason. After Warner Bros. confirmed the actress' exit due to "family matters," sources from the production have begged to differ. According to The Sun, Newton did not voluntarily drop out of the project, but she was fired after an alleged row with Channing Tatum which became "unimaginably vicious." Words are the British actress and the lead actor/producer of the film had a serious bust-up over the Oscars slap. Details of their argument were unclear, but it reportedly escalated to "astonishing" levels to the point that Tatum drove off in a car. One witness told the outlet that the two stars were arguing on set at Paddington West London last week. "Channing Tatum is the producer and number one on set. Thandiwe Newton is the number two star. But 11 days into shooting and it's all over," the alleged crew member told a pal. "They fell out over the debacle at The Oscars. I was on set. I watched her and watched him. They were in and out of the house where we were filming having this confrontation." "It was a tense exchange of words, but suddenly it escalated - Channing got into this car and he disappeared," the source recalled. "After the row he just went, 'I am not working with her anymore.' Him being a producer, it's his movie, so she's off the movie." Following Newton's exit, the source complained, "Everything we've shot for the last 11 days has to be reshot with a new cast member." As to how director Steven Soderbergh handled the issue, the source said, "He didn't take a side. He was trying to calm things down but he's a very quiet man." Prior to her exit, Newton reportedly had been acting like a diva on set. She was reportedly "very demanding" before the row. "Everyone on set found her challenging to work with. She's an absolute diva," the crew member said. "I've watched her have a go at the first assistant director, her costume girl. She's always ranting and raving about something." Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Pictures announced on Wednesday, April 13 that Salma Hayek has been brought in to replace Newton in the undisclosed role. "Thandiwe Newton has made the difficult decision to step away from the production of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' to deal with family matters," a spokesperson for the studio said in a statement. Serving as a sequel to 2015's "Magic Mike XXL", the third movie is set to be released on HBO Max. Screenwriter Reid Carolin said in February of the lead female role, "It's really about a woman stuck at a horrible strip show like a Chippendales and then realizing, 'What the hell am I doing here?' And then Magic Mike comes down from the ceiling. She gets to go down the rabbit hole and asks: What do I really want?" Instagram Celebrity The Thenn Warg depicter on the HBO series was arrested on April 6 after allegedly engaging in 'online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines.' Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Joseph Gatt has broken his silence after news broke that he's arrested for alleged contact with a minor for a sexual offense. In his statement, the "Game of Thrones" actor denied the "horrifying and completely untrue" accusations. On Wednesday, April 13, the 50-year-old actor took to his social media platforms to release a statement that read, "I obviously want to address the absolutely horrifying and complete untrue allegations recently leveled against me." He added, "They are 100% categorically wrong and reckless." "I have confirmed errors and misleading information in today's press release. I am fully cooperating with police and LAPD to get to the bottom of this," Joseph further stated. "I look forward to clearing my good name." In his statement, Joseph thanked those who keep believing in him. "Thank you to all of my friends and supporters who know that this is untrue and understand for legal reasons I cannot comment further on social media," he concluded his post. According to a Los Angeles Police Department press release, Joseph was arrested on April 6 after allegedly engaging in "online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines." The report added, "He was subsequently arrested by detectives for an outstanding felony warrant for California Penal Code 288.3(a) Contact with a Minor for Sexual Offense." LAPD's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, who is investigating the case, said it was an "ongoing investigation" and encouraged anyone with additional information to contact the police. The Grundroth depicter in "Thor" was released the same day on $5,000 bail, per TMZ. Upon learning of Joseph's statement, many social media critics started questioning whether the his claims were true. "If it's untrue, then why did you have an outstanding felony warrant for California Penal Code 288.3(a) Contact with a Minor for Sexual Offense?" one person replied to his post on Twitter. Another said, "This baldheaded pedophile wants us to believe he's innocent," while someone else alleged, "This guy had sex with a dog there's a video online about it. Absolutely foul." WENN/Apega/FayesVision Celebrity It is unveiled that the 'Superfly' actor name-dropped the Canadian rapper when persuading a 16-year-old girl to film an impromptu sex tape at his apartment. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Kaalan Walker allegedly had used Drake's name to manipulate his sexual assault victims. A prosecutor told jurors in a Wednesday, April 13 trial that the "Superfly" star once name-dropped the Canadian rapper when persuading a 16-year-old girl to film an impromptu sex tape at his apartment. The girl was reportedly at Kaalan's place to pose for headshots while his mother was waiting outside. Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Wallace additionally claimed that the actor purportedly told the girl that he could introduce her to Drake if he followed his instruction. The DA said Kaalan separated the teenager from her mom that day in 2017 and began asking about her career aspirations. Since he knew that the girl wanted to be a Victoria's Secret model, Kaalan allegedly told her, "We've got to take more provocative photos. We've got to sexualize you a little bit,' " while convincing her to strip down to her underwear. "He talked about Drake, taking her to a Drake party. What does he tell her? 'Well, you know what? If you want to do all of these things, if you want to be at parties with Drake, if you want to be a Victoria's Secret model, you know what we have to do? We have to film a sex tape,' " Cynthia pointed out. "He's a 22-year-old man telling a 16-year-old girl, 'We have to film a sex tape.' " It was unveiled that Kaalan also used Drake's name with other 10 victims. Cynthia told Rolling Stone, "There's no evidence he had any connection to Drake. It was just a thing that he used to lure the girls in. It was a trap, a ruse, his way of getting these girls." In her testimony, the girl testified that she had resisted "multiple times," but Kalaan "doesn't take no for an answer." Cynthia then added, "He keeps insisting, pushing and persisting, talking over her [until she finally relented]... She said, 'Well, I thought: 'He knows all these people. He's going to help me.' I thought what I was doing was going to help my career.' " Kaalan, who also appeared in Halle Berry's 2017 indie film "Kings", was arrested in 2018 for allegedly sexually assaulting 30 women, including an underage girl. He, however, has pleaded not guilty to 6 counts of rape, 2 counts of unlawful intercourse with a minor, and multiple felonies. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life behind bars. Instagram Celebrity The 'Can't Smile Without You' hitmaker says that being unable to attend the show after waiting for 25 years is 'the cruelest thing' that's ever happened to him. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Barry Manilow has revealed that he has gotten sick with COVID-19. The "Can't Smile Without You" hitmaker said that he is "heartbroken" as he had to skip his "Harmony" musical opening night. On Wednesday, April 13, the 78-year-old musician made use of his Instagram account to share the news. "I am heartbroken to say that I have just tested positive for COVID-19 and won't be able to attend tonight's opening night performance of my new musical, HARMONY," he wrote alongside a portrait of him. "This just might be the cruelest thing that has ever happened to me: 25 years waiting for this show to premiere in New York and I can't attend," Barry admitted. The "Copacabana" crooner went on to say, "Even in the face of this pandemic, we New Yorkers remain the toughest, staunchest people on the planet." He then concluded his post by reminding his fans and followers to "put on a mask and go see a show." Fans were quick to wish him a speedy recovery. "Feel better Mr.Manilow..Praying for a speedy recovery," one fan commented. Another wrote in the comment section, "We love you. Please rest and take care yourself." "Oh Barry, I'm so sorry! Watching the Harmony journey has been inspiring and heart wrenching," someone else chimed in. "I'm so sorry you can't be there tonight but you will certainly be there in spirit. Be well and take good care!" A fourth penned, "Oh Barry, that's just heartbreaking... I'm so sorry to hear this. Rest up and get well soon [red heart emoji] xx." Directed by Warren Carlyle and presented by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at the Edmond J. Safra Hall at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the musical tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. The musical ensemble featured six men who blended sophisticated close harmonies and uproarious stage antics. It took the world by storm between the late 1920s and early 1930s before the Nazi regime began its crackdown on Jewish artists, including several Comedian Harmonists' members. Performances began on March 23 and will run through May 8 after the show's run was initially delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sean Bell ("A Bronx Tale: The Musical"), Danny Kornfeld ("Rent"), Zal Owen ("The Band's Visit"), Eric Peters ("Motown: The Musical"), Blake Roman ("Newsies: The Broadway Musical") and Steven Telsey ("The Book of Mormon") play the harmonists. Meanwhile, actress Jessie Davidson plays Ruth, Ana Hoffman ("Dreamgirls") stars as Josephine Baker, Sierra Boggess ("The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock") as Mary and Chip Zien ("Falsettos, Into the Woods") as elder Rabbi. Instagram Celebrity In a new interview, the former 'Good Morning America' producer talks about her new memoir, 'The Other Side of Yet: Finding Light in the Midst of Darkness', in which she discusses the matter. Apr 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - Michelle Hord got candid about coping up with the death of her 7-year-old daughter Gabrielle at the hand of her then-husband Neil White. During her appearance on E! News' "Daily Pop" on April 13, the former "Good Morning America" producer talked about her new memoir, "The Other Side of Yet: Finding Light in the Midst of Darkness", in which she discussed the matter. In the episode, Hord recalled the tragedy that occurred during her "tumultuous divorce." She shared that back in June 2017 when her ex finally agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, "there was so much friction" between the two that she was living in a rental house. Later on June 6, "I got this call from my nanny with this bloodcurdling scream, and it was clear she was at a crime scene." Hord added, "I went in a little room and shut the door...got on my knees and said 'God, I do not know what I'm walking into, but whatever it is, please just give me the strength to deal with it.' " Her daughter died after being suffocated. Neil was found guilty of the murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Hord said that she didn't mention his name in her book. "I chose not to use his real name in the book," she explained, "because I believe that person no longer exists." "For me, forgiveness is about someone who is seeking forgiveness, which is not the case," Hord shared. "But more importantly, it's about reconciliation, and so my version of making peace has been to reconnect with his mother, Gabrielle's grandmother, who not only lost a grandchild but had her only child do this to her only grandchild." Hord shared that she and Gabrielle's grandmother begun going to church together, something that's been an essential part of her healing process. "I think being tethered-whether it is to a god, the universe, mother nature [or] something bigger than yourself-helps you when you want to float away," she shared. "When this happened, it was clear this was worse than my worst nightmare-who did it, how it happened-and so I felt like there was something in this universe that was trying to take me out," she went on to say. "But the defiant, 'Damnit, I'm not going to let that happen' in me said, 'I shall not be moved. Whatever this is, I am not going to let it beat me. I'm not going to let it win.' " Indias leading neobank for small and medium-sized businesses, FloBiz has recently announced signing up 80dB Communications as its PR & communications partner. 80dB will roll out an integrated communications plan - public relations, industry associations, influencer outreach and social media - with the aim to drive awareness and engagement. Founded by Rahul Raj (CEO), Aditya Naik (CBO) and Rakesh Yadav (CTO) in 2019, FloBiz offers powerful software products and tailored financial services to SMBs to accelerate their growth. Given the exponential growth trajectory and huge appreciation from more than 65 lakh+ businesses, FloBiz found in 80dB a strong communications partner coming in at an opportune time for building its long-term brand identity and positioning. FloBiz is chasing the mission of digitisation by solving the most pressing problems of the Indian SMB sector with the help of technology. The company launched its flagship product, myBillBook, in early 2020, and has enjoyed being one of the highest-rated business apps in India on the Google Play Store. With users across industries in more than 3000 cities, myBillBook has already become synonymous with business growth for SMBs by offering easy-to-use and affordable billing, inventory management and accounting solutions on both mobile and desktop applications. FloBiz has recently forayed into banking services for SMBs with the launch of Smart Collect on myBillBook. We are excited to work alongside 80dB Communications. The team at 80dB is well known for their creative storytelling and innovative approach. With a deep understanding of the fintech space, 80dB is well suited to collaborate with us towards strengthening our presence in the industry, said Rahul Raj, Co-founder and CEO, FloBiz. He further added, As we continue our journey of building a neobank for growing SMBs, our aim is to expand our reach to as many small and medium sized businesses as possible with offerings directed at solving the most critical business challenges. 80dBs strategic go-to-market solutions will play an instrumental role in helping us achieve this. Speaking on the alliance, Abhilasha Padhy, Co-founder, 80dB Communications said, We are delighted to be chosen as the strategic partner of choice by FloBiz, as it looks to embed itself further in the SMB community and amplify its solutions for them. We will be looking to combine traditional media approaches along with digital and social outreach to execute our integrated communications campaigns. Our creative and consultative methodology underpinned by relevant insights has proven to be an important contributor to our clients brand journey. Communication Casa LLP announced its launch as an innovative public relations and communication agency. Manauti Walecha, a long-established and seasoned PR and communication specialist, leads the organisation. An early mover in the industry, Manauti has 15+ years of experience under her belt and proven expertise in the field, spanning 80+ clients. Prior to founding Communication Casa, Manauti has worked as an independent consultant supporting brands across verticals like insurance, banking, hospitality, real estate, lifestyle, education, FMCG, and retail. Manautis previous stints include General Manager-Communication & PR for Franchise India Brands Limited, Asias largest franchise retail company, Public Relations Officer-Corporate Communications for the real estate developer, Supertech Limited along with working at leading PR agencies in Delhi. Manauti Walecha, Founder, Communication Casa, comments, "We wanted to build a PR firm that led the way with transparency, where deliverables are not over-promised and under-delivered, but rather exceed client goals. With Communication Casa, we finally give this long-awaited venture a formal name. The vision is to become the trusted PR partner that brands come to when they need to be visible in the right places at the right time." Communication Casa takes a smarter approach to public relations and marketing communication by constantly thinking from the vantage point of a streamlined, thought-out strategy. With a vision to make brands thrive today, not tomorrow, the team of trained public relations and content professionals, provides a portfolio of services for real estate, HR, education, beauty, advertising & marketing, healthcare, agriculture, start-ups, FMCG, travel & hospitality, insurance, NGOs and non-profit sectors. Communication Casa delivers high value and standard of quality to clients using a spectrum of essential services: Media relations: Using established relationships with influential media professionals that cover the clients market. Reputation Management: Building positive brand recall and, when necessary, utilising effective crisis communication. Client Servicing: Encompassing spokesperson training, PR training, event management, and more to position clients uniquely against their competition. Business-focused communications: Content support, from getting published in top media portals to industry stories designed to move the needle. With the evolving business demands of modern brands and startups, Communication Casa services can be engaged either on a retainer model for integrated and comprehensive PR activities or on a one-time project basis with limited activities. Urban Living Spaces, a development management servicing company has partnered with Radhika Projects, a property developer for the development management (DM) of their upcoming residential projects in Hyderabad. The 252 residential projects under the name IHITA are worth INR 270 crores. The 24-months partnership will begin on April 15, 2022. Urban Living Spaces will provide its Adtech, Proptech, FinTech, and BuildTech solutions to Radhika Projects for the development and management of their future projects. During this partnership period, Urban Living Spaces will also provide real-time industry experience to young working professionals from Radhika Projects. All The approvals for the upcoming residential township by Radhika Projects are put in place with bank loan tie-ups which include SBI and HDFC banks. The projects will be designed in an eco-friendly way by using modern green building concepts. The partnership is going to benefit both the Companies in terms of marketing and Return on Investment. The latest AdTech, Proptech solution is going to help the organizations in lowering the cost of sales, reaching out to the right customers, project profit monitoring, automation of documents, and credit control revenue management. Proptech describes the usage of technology and software to digitize the workplace experience. It offers advanced data and analytics capabilities for real-time feedback and managing assets. Urban Living Spaces will also assist Radhika Projects with various strategies required in the project lifecycle such as branding, marketing, sales, feasibility, fundraising, and CRM for a better customer experience. The execution of projects will be managed by BuildTech using steel formwork technology for better finishing quality, RoI in construction, and quick completion of projects. Talking about the partnership, Naveen Mypala, Founder of Urban Living Spaces said, The Proptech solutions offered to Radhika Projects for development management of their upcoming projects will raise their sales opportunity by 25% and employability by 30%. We are looking forward to providing our 20+ years of industry experience to the young professionals with the process and Tech-based workbench to monitor performance and improve customer experience and training them in this field. The partnership is also going to encourage other developers in leveraging our cost-effective Proptech solutions for the execution of their projects seamlessly. Adding to the same, Sunil Damodar, Founder of Radhika Projects stated, The latest Proptech solution offered by Urban Living Spaces is going to help in building the brand image of the company and elevating the sales process. We are coming up with 252 eco-friendly and sustainable residential flats in Hyderabad, demand for which has increased in recent times. Currently, the Proptech solutions for automated execution of projects are used by top developers of the real estate industry. This partnership will encourage small and medium-sized developers in adopting SPACES Proptech solutions at a lower price, which is around INR 10 lakhs per project for implementation. By integrating multiple tools and service providers on a single platform, Urban Living Spaces aims to help developers to save time and money about INR 2 crores and offer the same platform on a retainer model at INR 5 lakhs project. It will also save developers time and help them focus on core business growth areas and in the execution, this implementation process can be completed in just 2- weeks, which originally takes 6-8 months. Urban Living Spaces will spend the marketing and sales expenses for the mandated projects to achieve the project sales and on-time collection to maintain the cash flow. The company has completed multiple similar partnerships in the past. Note: Many times I have thought about what would have happened to my daughters if they were in hiding in Europe during World War II. I know the answer. They'd have been thrown into the street to die, and the door slammed behind them. I'd have gone with them. Because of their autism, none of my daughters can be quiet. At least not on command and never for a prolonged period of time, except while sleeping. They have an array of stims, scripts, songs, calendar comments, Nick Jr scheduling recitations, vocalizations and more. I call it "joyful noise." It's how we live. LOUD. Volume control is impossible. SHSHSHSH means nothing. Safeminds ran an article about The Brain Foundation's support for Ukraine to help families like mine, and maybe yours. ### The Brain Foundation is Raising Money to Support Ukrainian Families Unable to Flee War Zone Donate Here According to European Disability Forum estimates, there are roughly 260,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities, including autism in Ukraine. Approximately 30,000 of these individuals are in residential care homes. While women and children received priority evacuation from Ukraine at the beginning of the war, individuals with disabilities did not receive that same priority, despite the fact that both Ukraine and Russia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. For many people with autism or with intellectual disabilities, waiting hours in crowded train stations or coping with a packed train filled with hundreds of people cannot be tolerated. These tragic circumstances have left many in this vulnerable population trapped in Ukraine. Tragically, those left behind are now experiencing shortages of food, hygiene products, and medications. Many living in residential care homes no longer have support staff, as most staffers have already evacuated to safer countries. To help with this incredibly desperate situation, The Brain Foundation has made a heartbreaking video depicting one desperate Ukrainian familys current situation. The video was shot in Kyiv and raises awareness of the crisis special needs families are experiencing while spending their days living in bomb shelters and dealing with a completely disrupted routine. However, most importantly, The Brain Foundation is currently collecting funds to be sent to the VGO Coalition, a network of 118 Ukrainian local non-governmental organizations for persons with intellectual disabilities. The coalition represents close to 14,000 Ukrainian families. These funds will be used to obtain food, hygiene supplies, medication, and pay for accessibility supports and personal assistance. The Brain Foundation pledges that 100% of the collected funds will go directly to the VGO Coalition. 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 If you have driven by the Historic Bryant House recently, you undoubtedly have noticed trucks in the driveway. Nearly every day since mid-Janu Beef exports remained strong in February, while pork exports stayed below year-ago levels, according to an analysis from the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The growth in beef value continued in key Asian and Latin American markets, says Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. Rarely have we seen so many outside forces creating headwinds for U.S. meat exports and such uncertainty in the global marketplace, he says. Yet consumer demand for high-quality beef, pork and lamb has proven resilient, and USMEF sees opportunities for further growth in both established and emerging markets. Beef exports in February were up 5% from a year ago, with beef values climbing by 35%. Through the first two months of the year, exports increased 9% to 227,567 mt, while value soared 46% to $1.93 billion. Broad-based growth has become a recurring theme for U.S. beef exports, as international demand has never been higher and global supplies remain tight, Halstrom says. We anticipated a lift from COVID-related food service restrictions being eased in many destinations. While lockdowns in China and Hong Kong are certainly a setback for food service demand, those are the main exceptions as most countries have shifted to more of a living-with-COVID approach. Beef export volume was down in South Korea in February, although value climbed by 17%. Through February, exports to South Korea have already surpassed the $500 million. The USMEF says February exports to Japan were down 5%, but value jumped 21% to just under $200 million. Beef exports also increased to China/Hong Kong, Taiwan, Central and South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Pork exports continued to trend lower in February, despite strong demand from Mexico and Japan. Shipments to China/Hong Kong continued to slip, the USMEF says. February pork exports were 198,539 mt, down 17% from a year ago, while export value fell 14% to $541.3 million. Through February, exports were also down 17% in volume (407,347 mt) and 14% in value ($1.1 billion). U.S. pork exports to Mexico reached new heights in 2021, and this strong momentum continued through February. January-February exports to Mexico climbed 33% to 160,996 mt, with value up 19% to $255.1 million. CropWatch Weekly Update Get the Iowa and Illinois CropWatchers report delivered to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Midwest Messenger Weekly Update Get the latest agriculture news delivered to your inbox from the Midwest Messenger. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The National Pork Board hosted a webinar recently about the Ukraine- Russia war and its impact on livestock markets and the global supply chain. Rupert Claxton, livestock and meat director for Gira, a global consulting firm based in Europe, said the industry was caught off guard somewhat by the war, which has provided challenges for the already strained global supply chain. The world was caught somewhat flat-footed by this, although the signals were there, he said. Higher oil and gas costs lead to higher fertilizer costs, Claxton said, and there are some availability concerns given that some of Europes fertilizer comes from Russia. Claxton said many of those European farmers had bought their fertilizer for 2022 before the war, but the issue could still impact yields as farmers are hesitant to use as much. Were seeing lower application rates, he said. Were going to see lower yields. Going into the year ahead, theres going to be less grain coming out of this growing season, and grain prices will be high. Claxton said he expects Russia and other countries to look to limit their fertilizer exports to protect the domestic supply. Also, he said countries are encouraging more domestic production of food as global disruptions continue, including shipping of exports in the Black Sea region. The world is suddenly acutely aware of food security, he said. Another issue that remains difficult to predict is how much Ukraines crop production will be cut by the war, with estimates ranging from 20% to 80%, depending on how long the war lasts. Claxton says in addition to the fighting itself, fuel and labor shortages will make spring planting challenging. While Ukraine exports only a small amount of ag products to the U.S., losing production from the country will have ripple effects with other countries looking for new places to buy food. As for the impact on the hog supply, Claxton said early in the war both Ukraine and Russia killed more pigs than normal to feed their armies. He says there has been little restocking as cash flow has faltered in Russia with financial sanctions. Also, poultry production has plummeted. Were going to miss the exports from Ukraine for five years, I think, he said. While the war has affected Ukraines production, Claxton says Russias pork producers have struggled with soaring input costs, particularly with the rubles falling value, and a lack of supplies from the U.S. and European Union. Despite the challenges and uncertainties for the food system, Claxton said he reminds people to take the long view theyve dealt with high fuel and feed costs before. Just relax, because if we go back to 2010 or 2012, weve seen the prices before, he said. Weve been through this. Weve seen it in feed prices. Weve seen it in oil prices. Still, Claxton said he expects feed costs to remain high into 2023 and maybe 2024. Joe Kerns, with Partners for Production, spoke about risk management in current markets. He said higher hog prices have helped offset the higher feed costs. Using recent numbers and typical feed rations, Kerns estimated the rise in corn prices since the invasion of Ukraine began have increased costs by about $2 a pig, and rising soybean prices have increased costs by 75 cents a pig. However, he estimated with prices up about $19 a pig during the same time, that still sets up an increased profit margin. Kerns said the focus needs to remain on profit margin, not just costs, and he says hog producers have reason to be optimistic. I think this might be one of the greatest opportunities in pork production, he said. Kerns said the revenue side is crucial for pork producers, and they can use risk management tools like Livestock Risk Protection and Livestock Gross Margin to help protect their revenues. These are fantastic tools for the producers, he said. Theyre not only fantastic right now, theyre going to get better. The programs will have new thresholds and data points this summer, Kerns said. Steve Meyer, also with Partners for Production, wrapped up the webinar by analyzing the latest USDA monthly hogs and pigs report. All categories showed declining or even numbers against expectations, which Meyer said is a bullish development. All the numbers were negative, except for one, and it was (even), he said. That is bullish. Clearly the numbers were lower than what we expected going in. Also of note, Meyer said the breeding stock total was 6.089 million, down about 2% from the same month last year. We still have a declining breeding herd, he said. Meyer also expected pigs saved per litter to show an increase, but instead it merely held even. Pigs saved per litter is at 100%, he said. It had been in growth, but the USDA is finding we didnt really improve that very much. Also, Meyer said the numbers are now beginning to provide good year-to-year comparisons, with the extreme variations from the early months of COVID more than a year in the past. I think we have a pretty good baseline to compare numbers to in this report, he said. Meyer said tighter supplies likely means continued higher prices. Its a great revenue year, he said. Its still a great profit year, but costs are certainly a challenge. AgUpdate Daily Headlines Get the latest agriculture news delivered to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Leasing or buying is often the debate that people have when deciding on their next vehicle to drive. Many in the agricultural community also e Why is it, that after a lifetime of simply adding a few amendments here and there when my garden plants look a little off, Im now turning to science? I must be panicking! Grass has been the very root of our familys survival, Neil Bien said. To have that in our history spurs us to save the grassland and keep Firefighters are battling a wind-driven blaze that has burned at least 150 homes, barns and other structures in a mountain community in drought-stricken New Mexico. The blaze on the northeastern side of Ruidoso was fueled by winds between 50 and 90 mph when it was sparked Tuesday. Close to 4,000 residents were displaced by early evacuations, and village officials announced Wednesday afternoon that residents were being forced to leave a more populated area after the flames jumped a road. Meanwhile, crews in Colorado were fighting two grass fires that forced temporary evacuations. Forecasters issued red flag warnings for a wide swath that included parts of New Mexico, Colorado and Texas as dry conditions continue to plague the region. 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. 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. "We're 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. Gilbert Gottfried, a great and fearless man of comedy, died this week, and it's a major loss. I knew his work -- I first discovered Gilbert Gottfried on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" during the 1990s. Gilbert performed hysterically funny caricatures of Harry Potter, Kim Jong Il, and even Pontius Pilate, during various skits. Words such as 'iconic,' 'distinctive, and 'inimitable' are often used gratuitously in current times. But in Gilberts case, these adjectives were apt. There is nobody who looked or sounded or laughed quite like him. Gilbert began his career at the age of 15 when he dropped out of school to pursue stand-up comedy in New York. By the 1980s, Gilbert was a success: He had a short stint on Saturday Night Live, he did comedy specials for HBO, and he appeared on David Lettermans show. Gilbert's on-stage routine had him squinting, grimacing, contorting, hiding his face, and grabbing the mike like a prop. It seemed like considerable self-torture. Often he would dedicate several minutes to thanking his audience and bowing. This nervous awkwardness caused laughter even before a word was uttered. He frequently made references to stars from the past in uncanny situations such as Bogart at the post office. At times, he did mime impressions. He also invented situations such as breaking the ice after meeting Jackie O at a party by asking: "Do you remember where you were when..." Gilbert also earned the reputation of being a comic's comic -- i.e., he was revered by fellow comics. Gottfried was also known for his appearances on Howard Sterns radio show. Sometimes he did impressions of senile, rambling, Groucho Marx, and at other times he was Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Jerry Seinfeld, or an irate Andrew Dice Clay. It wasnt just his impressions but how Gilbert applied them in his skits. The Lugosi impression was applied to caricatures of the pope, a war correspondent in Iraq, pornographer Al Goldstein, and even Jennifer Aniston on "Friends" in Lugosis voice professing her love for Ross. Occasionally, Gottfried did the Lugosis Dracula monologue from the 1930s in Seinfelds voice. The result was ceaseless mirth often causing Stern to quiet down, allowing an improvising Gilbert to take over. Gilbert relished puncturing the pretensions of showbiz. During an appearance at the Emmys in 1991, Gilbert caused outrage when he went off-script making references to masturbation. Gilbert also appeared on Hollywood Squares and various late-night shows. Gilbert hilariously chewed the scenery during his various film and TV appearances. Gilbert is perhaps the only actor to play both Lincoln and Hitler on celluloid. Gilbert became a pioneer during the Friars Club Roast of Hugh Hefner, held weeks after 9-11. The mood was somber and comedians were treading carefully. Fearless contrarian that Gilbert was, he began with a joke about being nervous about his upcoming flight to Los Angeles with a connection at the Empire State Building. The audience reaction was that of shock, disgust, a prolonged chorus of boos and an individual shrieking too soon. At that juncture, most comedians would have exited the stage. These days they even capitulate before an online mob. But Gilbert was relentless, he promptly launched into his infamous raunchy aristocrat joke. Gilbert went on to improvise his joke using copious expletives and mentions of excrement and bodily fluids. The very audience that was outraged by a 9-11 joke, lapped it with unrestrained jubilation. Fellow comedians on stage almost collapsed with laughter. This laughter that Gilbert caused was a catharsis and the healing that people needed at that juncture. Gilbert's myriad other roast appearances are legendary, his targets were everyone from David Hasselhoff to Pamela Anderson. He was funny, side-splittingly funny. Personally, Gilbert's roasts were among the rare instances for me where my body seemed incapable of handling the overload of laughter. It was almost like being smothered and gasping for breath due to Gilberts comedy with his countenance and delivery. Gilbert was among the first celebrities to be "canceled" before the term came to be commonly known. Following a 2011 tsunami in Japan, Gilbert was the target of a frenzy of social media hate because of a few silly tsunami jokes on Twitter. It cause Gilbert to lose his deal with Aflac, which did 75% of its business with Japan. This was probably the first time a company capitulated before an unruly online mob. Gilbert penned a column defending the rights of comedians to make jokes, thus becoming an unlikely ambassador for freedom of expression. Gilberts last tweet was in support of Chris Rock who was struck in the face at the Oscars for telling a joke. Which is the worst crime? Chris Rock being physically assaulted or Chris Rock telling a joke? pic.twitter.com/ols0kXGAeu Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) March 29, 2022 Gilbert was also the voice of the wisecracking parrot Iago in Disneys Aladdin and various other spin-offs. It spawned a parallel career where he did voices for childrens programs such as Cyberchase and Ninja Turtles. Gilbert remarked that his career walked the line from early morning children's programming to the edges of actual porn. The Amazing Colossal Podcast named after the 50s Sci-Fi picture had Gilbert and his co-host Frank Santopadre interview comedy and showbiz greats, including those from the golden era. It was hilarious, insightful and a treat for cinephiles and pop culture aficionados. The podcast was a huge success running over 300 episodes, the most recent new episode dropped just nine days ago In 2011 Gilbert published his memoir titled Rubber Balls and Liquor and in 2017 appeared in a documentary called "Gilbert." Here Gilbert offered an insight into his childhood, his youth, and his early days doing stand-up. In the documentary, we saw Gilbert the caring father, the loving husband, the kind son, and the devoted brother. Contrary to his public persona, he was kind, sweet, and gentle. We saw the frugal side of Gilbert as he pinched toiletries from hotels and used the bathroom sink to wash his socks instead of using the laundry service. His idiosyncratic voice also made him part of various online bits. One such video had Gilbert recording an audiobook for the erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey and various women cringing with disgust as they hear his rendition. It was done in Gilbert's typical self-effacing style. He even interrupted a press junket with Sandra Bullock resulting in hilarity. Beyond his comedy, Gilbert also dedicated himself to myriad charitable endeavors. He appeared on Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump to support his charity Autism Speaks. Gilbert was never petty or mean, he never was political, he always punched up, he was never ever politically correct and his goal was always laughter. When a master such as Gilbert, who was still in his prime. passes away suddenly, one often wonders what might have been. In Gilbert's case, there would have been more books, appearances, podcasts and so much more laughter. A White House Correspondents' Dinner with President Trump, for example, with Gilbert eviscerating the haughty and entitled luminaries of the media, politics, and showbiz, would have been a joy. Alas, that was not to be. It would be blasphemous to end on a somber note, Gilbert would have preferred a foul-mouthed roast instead of a poignant eulogy. His family put it best in their message announcing Gilberts untimely passing Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilberts honor. Thats how Gilbert should be remembered, a fearless, forthright, and hilarious comic genius who brought boundless joy to everybody he touched. Image: Montclair Film Festival, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0 The standard for free speech these days is basically: if it offends someone it can and should be censored. After all, feelings come first. If it is witty, if it is offensive, if -- god forbid -- it is hateful, it must go! Scrub it from the internet! That is the standard set by the left, set in stone by Big Tech, and consecrated by the Cultural Marxist state. Leftists cannot have it both ways, but they do not understand that, partly because they keep driving out their more gifted members. If you want free speech for the voices of sexual liberation, you must tolerate it for more traditional, sexually temperate voices. If you want free speech for BLM and other pro-black activists, you have to permit speech for dissident rightists too, including white advocates. That is, if you want to be morally and philosophically consistent. The Left wants to have its cake and eat it too. That just does not work long-term. Those terrible, self-serving standards tend to boomerang back on the standard-bearers. A number of pro-LGBTQRSTLNE teachers in one school district in Texas are reportedly upset that they cannot express their support for gay pride in the classroom and on their vehicles. Some are even being pushed out of their jobs on account of their activism. Now they know how righties have felt for decades in America. We have long been terrified that if we speak out our livelihoods will be threatened, we will be publicly harangued and shamed, or worse still, we will be charged with hate crimes. Yet the dominant forces on the political left have consistently celebrated the persecution of actual dissidents. These teachers claim it is unbearably oppressive to not be able to stand up for what they believe in at work. Try walking in the shoes of someone really reviled and opposed by the U.S. power structure. These teachers say they wish to be role models and to teach their students to stand up for what they believe in. But what has the Texas legislature been doing? Are state representatives who restrict overt, overwhelmingly left-wing political activism not standing up for their own beliefs and their own people? These pro-gay teachers are only for you standing up for what you believe in when they approve of and agree with what you believe in. We are told gay and trans teens need the presence of rainbow flags and pride stickers to feel safe. How that makes someone feel safe is beyond me. Stickers do not actually make anyone safe, just as cops do not actually make anyone safe. They may make some people feel safe, but it is basically an illusion, rooted in myth and state propaganda. The governments mindless muscle may be symbols of safety to some, but they are symbols of terror and state criminality to others. And for good reason. Some people find rainbow flags beautiful, others find them loathsome. Such is the nature of all symbolism and expression. Everything is open to interpretation by the listener/viewer. You can feel very strongly that your rainbow flag or pride pin is a symbol of inclusion, but a lot of folks find such symbols noxious, alienating, scandalous, and threatening. Many folks may lack the imagination to understand why that is, but it is. One persons pride is anothers deprecation. The messy culture wars in Texas are a backlash against decades of illiberal abuse by the political left. Conservative legislatures are giving leftists a dose of their own medicine. It is a readily observable reality that the lay of the sociocultural land allows lefties to express themselves whenever, but does not allow righties to do the same. Gay pride is glorious. Straight pride is despicable (and stupid). Black pride is necessary. White pride is hate. The list of double standards is endless. It only ever goes one way. That is why a number of states have passed laws over the last decade preventing school districts from essentially endorsing certain viewpoints on charged issues. Banning Critical Race Theory can be justified on far more grounds than just this one, including the ugly fact that brainwashing young white children to hate themselves is frankly diabolical, if not child abuse, and will invariably have all kinds of negative long-term effects on the psychological well-being of white children. But what these laws really come down to is the political right reacting to a sociopolitical arrangement where only one viewpoint is truly permitted, namely the leftist viewpoint, the one that aligns with the prevailing wokeshevik zeitgeist. The right is fed up with it, and so where it can, it is understandably doing what the left is always all too eager to do, namely silencing its political opponents. Ultimately, you can have speech for all or none, in any place that demands moral consistency. Thus, that is how it tends to go in more sophisticated contexts like the law. In society at large, including the free market, double standards reign. The government context is not society at large, however. The right cannot openly silence the left in the governmental/legal context, as the left does to the right in other contexts, so it has opted for the next best thing, namely bans on fundamentally political and/or ideological educational methods and curricula, in other words, category-wide bans on speech. The impetus behind these laws is a desire to level the playing field and stop the indoctrination. Since the left has nearly all the cultural power in modern America, the right must righteously fight from whatever terrain it still possesses, against a creepy and creeping crypto-bolshevist totalism. People who get punched in the mouth for thinking freely are liable to eventually punch back. If leftists had their way, none of us would have Twitter accounts. Half of us already dont. The Left has no desire to give us any say over our own future, or any influence in our hallowed democracy. After all, the last time they did that, we got "Trumpian fascism." Thomas Paine once wrote, He who would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. The Left has nothing to gripe about. If gay and pro-gay teachers can no longer express themselves on campus, it is their own doing. If you do not respect the voices of your adversaries, your adversaries and the standards you establish for censorship, are liable to come back to haunt you. Censorship is not consistent with a free society. It never has been. Until the Left demonstrates a commitment to the free speech rights of everyone, its own rights to speech will, and perhaps should, remain imperiled. Image: Pixabay President Joe Biden would be making a grave mistake by delisting Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) from the State Departments Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) blacklist. Irans regime is currently hindering nuclear talks that have continued in Vienna among world powers by raising this latest demand, claiming the IRGC is a national army and its terror designation as an FTO is a red line. There is good reason why former president Donald Trump designated the IRGC as an FTO back in 2019 as part of his administrations maximum pressure campaign that deprived Irans regime, the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism, of tens of billions of dollars. Reports indicate Tehran had only $4 billion in foreign currency reserves as a result of Trumps sanctions. The Biden administration, however, has adopted a pro-appeasement approach and been providing concessions to the Iranian regime. As a result, the mullahs in Tehran have been raising more demands, including the IRGCs delisting from the State Departments FTO list. The three criteria necessary to be designated in the FTO list are: The organization must be foreign The organization must engage in terrorist activity The organizations activities must threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security (national defense, foreign relations, or the economic interests) of the United States. The IRGC meets all three criteria and its nature has not changed in 40 years, let alone since the initial 2019 designation. Firstly, the IRGC is a foreign organization as it belongs to the mullahs regime ruling Iran. Secondly, the IRGC has for four decades engaged in terrorist activity that continues to this day. On October 23, 1983, a double bombing in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, left 241 American service members, 58 French military personnel, and six civilians killed, alongside hundreds of others injured. Irans IRGC supported the Lebanese Hezballah in carrying out this bombing. On June 25, 1996, terrorists backed by Irans IRGC bombed a U.S. Air Force barracks in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, killing 19 American airmen and wounding 498 people, mostly civilians. Following the 2003 U.S.-led war in Iraq, Irans IRGC went into full gear to attack and kill American soldiers. Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the IRGC Quds Force who was killed in a U.S. airstrike outside of Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020, was responsible for the deaths of over 600 U.S. soldiers in Iraq, according to the Pentagon. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the Pentagon reported. He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week. In March 2020, Iraqi extremist groups backed by Irans IRGC carried out a rocket attack that killed two Americans and one U.K. citizen at an Iraqi base north of Baghdad. The Iranian proxy group Kata'ib Hezbollah is the only group known to have previously conducted an indirect fire attack of this scale against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq," said former CENTCOM chief Gen. Frank McKenzie at the time. Of course, the list of IRGC terrorist activities is far beyond the capacity of this article. Thirdly, the IRGCs activities threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security of the United States. On March 13, Irans IRGC officially claimed responsibility for launching 12 ballistic missiles from Iranian soil targeting the city of Erbil in northern Iraq. The missiles came down in areas near a new U.S. consulate building, according to Kurdish officials, as reported by Reuters. Iranian state media said the IRGC carried out the attack against Israeli "strategic centers" in Erbil. Israel is the U.S. most important and strategic ally in the Middle East. On March 25, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen -- supported by the IRGC -- launched multiple drone and missile attacks targeting cities in Saudi Arabia. The Aramco oil facilities in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia, came under heavy attacks. The Houthis launch these terrorist attacks with enabling by Iran, which supplies them with missile and UAV components, training, and expertise, reads a statement issued by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. It is a known fact that the IRGC, with its extraterritorial Quds Force, is in charge of arming and guiding Tehrans terrorist militias and proxies checkered across the Middle East and beyond. The United Arab Emirates said on January 31 that their military intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthi militias as the UAE hosted Israeli president Isaac Herzog. It goes without saying that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the government of Iraq are U.S. allies and partners, and the abovementioned IRGC-supported terror attacks threaten U.S. foreign relations and economic interests. The IRGC has proven for four decades now that an FTO designation is in its DNA. It cannot forgo such a characteristic as it would undermine its very purpose. With that said, the Biden administration should not bend the knee before the Iranian regimes demand. And as a rule of thumb, appeasement emboldens dictators and terrorists. The more you cave in, the more they will demand. Image: Neil Hester Nicholas Kristof is an Ivy League and Oxford-educated journalist who spent his entire career at the New York Times, a gig that culminated with having his own, regular op-ed column for twenty years. He's an avowed progressive and, it turns out, an incredible snob. When you read what he has to say about alcoholism, wine, and class, it's the kind of garbage we associate with Marie Antoinette and her (probably apocryphal) statement about peasants who couldn't afford bread: "Let them eat cake!" Kristof grew up on his family's sheep farm and cherry orchard in Oregon although you should think that means he was a working-class kid. Both his parents were professors at Portland State University. He ended up going to Harvard and, after that, to Oxford as a Rhodes scholar. (That was when straight, White men could still get Rhodes scholarships.) As soon as he left Oxford, he went to the New York Times and spent the rest of his working life there, retiring only last year. When it comes to politics, Kristof makes no bones about it: hHe's a progressive. He wouldn't have survived at the Times as long as he did if he hadn't been. He wants a socialized system; believes that Israel is the problem in the Middle East; and, of course, supports all Democrat political candidates. Nevertheless, Kristof has occasionally written interesting things. For example, he's not reflexively hostile to sweatshops in third-world countries. I agree with him because we both understand that they may be the necessary starting point out of poverty for these countries. Years ago, too, long before the internet, Kristof wrote movingly about the terrible crisis of obstetric fistulas in Sub-Saharan Africa, which leave young women leaking urine and fecal matter. In America, it's a simple surgical fix. In Africa, it's devastating social isolation. Since writing that column, Kristof has continued to work to alleviate this problem. So, despite his execrable political views, Kristof seems like a decent human being. It's that decent quality that makes all the more interesting his strange views about alcoholism. As far as Kristof is concerned, people in his class don't have that problem. It's a poor person's thing. Image: Mom wine meme. Origin unknown. In an article published in New York Magazine's Intelligencer, the author describes a walk-through Kristof's vineyard, on the farm on which he grew up, where he grows grapes used for Pinot Noir. Kristof acknowledges the scourge of alcoholism but denies any connection between that and his grapes: "I don't think that most people appreciate that most years, alcohol kills more people than drugs," Kristof told me, though he clarified that he does not believe this is true of the type of alcohol that he makes. He also does not think that profiting off the sale of alcohol and lowering rates of alcohol addiction, two of his stated immediate goals, are in conflict. "You know, I've lost friends to alcoholism, but I haven't lost any to Pinot Noir alcoholism," he said. The article's author apparently suggested that Pinot Noir could be a "gateway" alcohol, but Kristof wasn't buying it: "I take your point that some people start with nice Pinot Noirs and then ," he trailed off. "But I think that is much less common, and those who die, the mortality from alcoholism, it's driven really by working-class Americans, and it's in kind of bulk hard liquor particularly. I don't think that good wine and cider add significantly to the problem." And there is the classism that can only come from decades in the world of the White progressive elite: his kind don't become wine alcoholics. Your kind, with the dirty collars and the hard liquor, are the alcoholics. In fact, alcoholism knows no class boundaries. I certainly knew my share when I was living in the affluent Marin suburbs. Of special note were the upper-class suburban mommies who posted regular "joke" posts on Facebook about wine. After a few years of these posts, I started seeing a new kind of article on the internet: I could tell some pretty awful stories about the wine-aholics and other heavy drinkers in an economic and political corner of the world similar to that which Kristof inhabits. In some ways, you could say Kristof's comments about alcoholism and wine are rather charmingly naive. But I'm not going to say that. He reflects the complete disdain that the affluent progressives driving America's political and social issues have for the bulk of Americans: good, hardworking people with traditional values and, perhaps, a fondness for drinks other than Pinot Noir. Shira Fishbach, a University of Chicago medical student and future OB/GYN, was cited in a recent article in MedPage Today about physicians and medical students who choose to abort their own babies. Fishbach told the web-based medical news service provider of her 2017 abortion. She stated: I felt a connection between my having an abortion and my ability to pursue my own education, to have economic freedom, to live my life the way that I wanted to. It felt like they were literally handing me that gift. Monstrous selfishness and entitlement. A ten-week-old human fetus. Nonetheless, her comments met with praise from Vineet Arora, the dean of medical education at the University of Chicago, whose research on abortion rates among medical professionals was the genesis for the MedPage article. In a Twitter response to Fishbach's pronouncement, Arora wrote, "So courageous and a bright future ahead." Yes, it is "courageous" to refuse to accept responsibility for your own careless actions and instead decide to terminate the life of an innocent baby in your womb. (Or perhaps her actions weren't careless. Perhaps she wanted to get pregnant just so she could feel the wondrous "connection" between aborting her child and living her life the way she damned well wanted to. And receiving "that gift.") Fishbach killed her baby even though she admittedly had a supportive family to help her out had she decided to keep her child. She also tweeted, "Dreams come true I'm going to be an abortion provider!" That's not something we probably would have heard in days of yore, but in today's depraved new world, many on the left champion abortion over motherhood or even birthingpersonhood. Fishbach had previously called abortion "life-saving, life-affirming healthcare" when speaking of the death of the seven-week-old baby in her womb. "Life-saving. Life-affirming." Mind-blowing. This kind of preposterous, repulsive insanity is reminiscent of an op-ed piece written by a late-term abortionist that was the subject of my first ever post on American Thinker. The op-ed, published in The New York Times, was titled "Pregnancy Kills. Abortion Saves Lives." Progressives have now reached a point where they routinely state what is exactly, demonstrably, the opposite of the truth because they know that a substantial portion of the populace is too afraid or brainwashed to challenge them. The examples of this are legion and far too numerous to cite here. For instance, Robert Reich, a University of California at Berkeley professor and former Labor secretary under President Bill Clinton, recently said Elon Musk's plan to bring free speech to Twitter and his preference for an uncontrolled internet is "the dream of every dictator, strongman, demagogue and modern-day robber baron on Earth." The nutty professor stated: "That's Musk's dream. And Trump's. And Putin's." He added, "In reality, that world would be dominated by the richest and most powerful people in the world, who wouldn't be accountable to anyone for facts, truth, science or the common good." The truth is that the world is currently dominated by the richest and most powerful people in the world, who aren't accountable to anyone for facts, truth, science, or the common good. Or common sense, for that matter. This is because of smug elitists like, for example, Robert Reich...and the policies they promulgate, middle-class rubes outside of major urban areas be damned. Free speech, an open internet and social media platforms that aren't wildly biased are anathema to dictators such as Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, et al. Dictators, strongmen, demagogues, and robber barons have always feared free speech. They shut it down. And always try to obtain more control over the flow and dissemination of ideas and thought. Always. Throughout history. Any nation or society that tolerates the obliteration of truth, individuality, or liberty is a nation or society doomed to imminent collapse. Groups trump individuals in America today. Multiculturalism and "intersectionality" rule the day. Our liberty has been stolen from us via "lockdowns," "mandates," punitive taxation, assaults on our First and Second Amendment rights and through the actions of Big Government, Big Tech, Big Labor, Big Business, Big Media, Big Pharma, and Big Education. And the truth? The truth is that, as George Orwell said, "the further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it." Pregnancy does not kill; it is, in fact, the only way any and every life has been brought into the world...since the beginning of time. Abortion does not save lives. By definition, it ends them. It is not a "gift"; it is a form of genocide. Photo credit: drsuparna, CC BY-SA 2.0 license. Hispanic border-county Democrats, such as Rep. Henry Cuellar and a few others, have pleaded with Joe Biden to do something to halt the coming border surge. That's well known in light of Joe Biden's plan to end Title 42 on May 23, a spottily enforced COVID restriction to illegal border-crossers, which has kept at least some migrants out. It's unpopular with voters, given the concierge service Joe Biden is planning to give the lawbreakers with free hotels, free phones, free flights, etc. as Americans struggle with taxes, falling wages, and Bidenflation. For border-district Democrats looking at midterms, a new surge is downright scary because they can see the historically Hispanic blue counties in Texas now turning bright red. That's Tejano Texas. That's Selena country. And now they're watching it go full-blown MAGA as the border swings wide open. It's not just the cactus-country Democrats, however. The panic has spread. Far from just border Democrats, it's all Texas Democrats. Get a load of this one: 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. Et tu, Beto? Even Beto O'Rourke, a fake Hispanic with a ravenous ambition to become the next Texas governor, whose political views have always occupied the crazytown side of the Democrat party, is viewing Biden's open border plan as an electric third rail, and he's actually willing to confront Biden over it. '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.' That's tough stuff, and odd as heck coming from a malleable leftist jellyfish like Beto. He obviously knows that Biden's open border plan, which is expected to bring 17,000 illegal migrants into the U.S. a day, is political poison, and now that he's running for the governor's office in Texas and trailing in the polls, but nevertheless actually wants to win, he's suddenly willing to talk sense. This is very bad news for Joe Biden, who can't even count on the support of the most loyal of the Democrat base anymore as he seeks to open the border. If Beto is willing to confront Biden over this very bad idea, then which Democrat wouldn't? Which Democrats might be next? And how does Biden turn down the heat? No one knows. But what people do actually know is that Beto is causing a ruckus and switching sides. That alone should concentrate Joe Biden's mind as he pops the pin on Title 42. When you've lost Beto... Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. In an important article in Foreign Affairs entitled "The Ukraine Temptation," Stephen Wertheim, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, urges the Biden administration to reject calls to effectively reverse America's strategic pivot to Asia by becoming more involved in the Russia-Ukraine war. Wertheim recognizes that it is China, not Russia, that poses the most immediate threat to U.S. strategic interests. The essence of Wertheim's advice, to paraphrase President Lincoln during the Civil War's Trent Affair, is one Cold War at a time. Wertheim notes that the images of bombed Ukrainian cities that Americans are seeing daily on their television and smartphone screens, as well as the rhetoric of the Biden administration and others about Russian war crimes and civilian deaths, have understandably produced a "wave of anti-Russian sentiment" in the United States. But sentiment should not guide foreign policy; geopolitical interests, security threats, and an appreciation of the need to balance commitments with resources should. Wertheim writes that the Biden administration has increased the number of American troops in Europe to 100,000, despite the fact that our European partners possess the economic and manpower resources to provide for their own common defense against Russia. Wertheim, sounding a bit like former president Donald Trump (though Wertheim would likely recoil from such a comparison), writes that we should turn Europe "into a more unified and determined geopolitical actor." And he notes that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has "generated international dynamics" among European nations that should enable the United States to focus on China and the Indo-Pacific, where we face the greater and more immediate threat to our geopolitical and security interests. Wertheim rightly criticizes those who want the United States to "stop any act of 'autocratic aggression' in eastern Europe or East Asia, and perhaps wherever else 'the international order' might appear to be imperiled." "The call for a cold war against China and Russia," he continues, "would have Americans take on enormous burdens not because specific U.S. interests require it but because U.S. primacy does." There is a sensible touch of John Quincy Adams in these phrases, but the better analogy is with Lincoln during the Civil War. On November 8, 1861, Confederate diplomatic envoys John Slidell and James Mason aboard the British steamer Trent were captured by Union ships in the Bahama Channel. The diplomats were sailing to England and France in an effort to persuade those governments to extend formal recognition to the Confederacy. The two diplomats were imprisoned in Boston. The Union cheered, but the British protested and demanded the release of Slidell and Mason and an apology. Great Britain prepared for war with the United States. Lincoln understood that the United States could not afford to wage war against Great Britain and the Confederacy. He convened a Cabinet meeting and after some discussion made his decision. The diplomats would be released, and the United States would disavow the actions of the Union shipmen who boarded the Trent (but there would be no apology). Lincoln closed the meeting by telling his Cabinet members: "One war at a time." Wertheim supports providing aid to Ukraine, while also urging a negotiated settlement involving sanctions relief to Moscow and a commitment to abjure NATO membership for Ukraine. But his most important recommendation is for the United States to "put the European security order on the path to self-sufficiency." Europe, he correctly notes, "is more than capable of developing military power to balance Russia." And a stronger, more self-sufficient Europe would make it more feasible for the United States to successfully meet China's geopolitical challenge in the Indo-Pacific. And although Wertheim is a globalist who thinks climate change poses the greatest long-term threat to American security, unlike other globalists, he recognizes that America's resources are not limitless. He understands that American global "primacy" is a dangerous and costly mirage. Fighting two cold wars at a time, Wertheim writes, "would impose enormous costs and generate unnecessary risks." Far better to replicate the strategic prudence of Lincoln. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. When Trump endorsed TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz as a Senate candidate in the Pennsylvania Republican primaries, conservatives were very unhappy. Because Oz, although running as a Republican, is anything but a doctrinaire conservative, Trumps endorsement seemed like a great betrayal. However, Ned Ryun, the founder and CEO of American Majority and a solid conservative despite his background as a speechwriter for George W. Bush, argues that Trump had decent reasons for endorsing Oz. Ryuns arguments are certainly worth considering. Like Donald Trump himself before Trump decided to run as a Republican, Oz has hewed to the left on social issues for years. The Victory Girls blog has a good rundown of his anything-but-conservative stances: He did a show recognizing so-called transgenderism as a real thing. He supported Shanghai-style lockdowns for COVID. He supports red flag laws that eat away at the Second Amendment. Hes pro-abortion. Oz also has dual citizenship with Turkey, although hes said hell relinquish that citizenship if hes elected to the Senate. Despite Ozs holding all those decidedly non-conservative views, Trump endorsed Oz: NEW! President Donald J. Trump announces his endorsement of Dr. Oz pic.twitter.com/k6U7UrkmdC Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) April 9, 2022 Conservatives, needless to say, were disappointed, something that the same Victory Girls post details. Ryun, though, says that, as between Oz and Dave McCormick, who is the other Republican running in Pennsylvanias Republican primary, Oz was actually the better choice: There are no credible MAGA candidates in the Pennsylvania Senate race; this isnt a potential Jim DeMint versus Oz situation, so Trump really has two choices: Oz or McCormick. Certainly, one of the factors driving Trumps endorsement was the fact that Oz has been a faithful friend to Trump. In 2016, Oz had Trump on his show and touted Trumps robust physical health and mental well-being. Since then, Oz has consistently refused to be baited into attacking Trump. Image: Trump on the Dr. Oz show, September 2016. YouTube screen grab. Meanwhile, McCormick, a former hedge fund manager at Bridgewater, loved doing business with China. Not only did he live there for more than 12 years, Bridgewater has been managing Chinese state money since 1993, including Beijings sovereign wealth fund. In short, Bridgewater is in bed with the Chinese Communist Party. As late as 2021, McCormick was helping augment Chinas wealth. It's not just China, though, says Ryun: Beyond China, McCormick is your typical open borders, pro-amnesty, Chamber of Commerce type of Republican. Hes also the typical neocon who hasnt seen a war he doesnt like. Even worse, hes bought into the lie of January 6. When asked about it by Bloomberg weeks after the incident, in the context of whether the GOP should jettison Trumpism, McCormick replied, We shouldnt embrace the divisiveness of the last four years of which Trump bears a great responsibility. Evidently, McCormick missed the divisiveness caused by the Russian collusion hoax, Ukrainian quid pro quo, and a host of other nonstop attacks by administrative state actors and corporate propagandists. Throw on top of the crap cake that is McCormick the icing of his new wife, globalist Dina Powell, and youre telling me Trump isnt going to endorse his opponent? Come on. Of course Trump is going to endorse Oz. Ryun acknowledges that Oz will never be a Ted Cruz or Josh Hawley. Still, hell be a pretty good Republican and, if Trump gets back into the White House in 2024, hell support Trump all the way. In other words, according to Ned Ryun, both Pennsylvania Republican senatorial candidates are far from perfect. Trump, intelligently, is refusing to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Hes therefore chosen to endorse a loyal friend who leans left on social issues but is not in bed with China, and who doesnt believe in amnesty or dragging America into foreign wars that dont benefit her. Im not saying you must agree with Ryuns take on the matter. However, its certainly worth considering if you were thinking about turning your back on Trump because he endorsed Mehmet Oz, M.D. A few years ago, a friend from Brazil visited Los Angeles and was appalled at what he saw. He called it a third-world country, an amazing comment since my friend lives in Sao Paulo. He said that L.A. is not what he remembered 25 years ago. It was sad, or so he said. Well, California is in decline, no matter how wonderful the climate is. Just ask the people who live there like Joel Kotkin: Despite the state's myriad advantages, research shows it plagued by economic immobility and inequality, crushing housing and energy costs, and a failing education system. Worse than just a case of progressive policies creating regressive outcomes, it appears California is descending into something resembling modern-day feudalism, with the poor and weak trapped by policies subsidized by taxes paid by the rich and powerful. California may conjure images of Rodeo Drive and Malibu mansions in the public imagination, but today the state suffers the highest cost-adjusted poverty rate in the U.S. The poor and near-poor constitute over one third -- well over 10 million -- of the state's residents according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Los Angeles, by far the state's largest metropolitan area, and once a magnet for middle class aspirations, has one of the highest poverty rates among major U.S. cities. A United Way of California analysis shows that over 30 percent of residents lack sufficient income to cover basic living costs even after accounting for public-assistance programs; this includes half of Latino and 40 percent of black residents. Some two-thirds of noncitizen Latinos live at or below the poverty line. How does such a failed state survive? Well, the rich live in well-protected gated communities and attend a climate change seminar often to feel relevant. The poor, and whatever is left of the middle class, have to survive the crime, high cost of living, and a collapse of law and order. Normally, such a political class would be thrown out of office by angry voters. Incredibly, the Democrats have achieved the winning formula: they win elections while refusing to take care of their constituents. I don't know how they do it, but they do it. So don't expect anyone to record a tune about California dreaming. PS: Click for my videos and podcasts at Canto Talk. Image: Thomas Hawk. There is a campaign underway in the public school system (among other places) one that seeks to ravage childhood innocence through sexualization. For years, these operatives flew under the radar, but now, in the wake of Florida's anti-grooming law, protective parents and rational adults are asleep at the wheel no more. From an article discussing the pedophilic problem in government-run schools: 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. Skye Tooley, a "transgender" and "non-binary" elementary school teacher who refers to herself as a "social justice educator," addresses the parent's rights bill in Florida: Hi, I'm a queer teacher, and I 1000 percent do not support this bill. And yes, I do know what's in it. The bill in itself is just another way to stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community. Kids as young as three and four are actually aware of their gender identity, even if they don't have the language for it[.] ... To say that pre-K through third grade are not ready for such topics is actually internalized homophobia and transphobia. They are very much ready for these topics, and are way more accepting that adults when it comes to discussing these topics. We can talk about gender, gender assumptions, pronouns, all the things. And, it is child-development-appropriate, and age-appropriate. In another video posted to her social media, Skye asserts that it's "embarrassing" for a parent to pick a child's "gender," because the child should be choosing it himself. Skye and others like her exhibit a shameless and intentional effort to defile the minds of innocent children in their custody, all for the sake of pacifying their warped delusions. They are emotional terrorists, allowing themselves to be ruled by "some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens or to the permanent aggregate interests of the community"; for children and communities certainly have the natural right to be protected from these sexual and predatory degenerates. At the altar of sexual deviancy, adults are laying down children as an offering. I'm an old guy, but I still have a pretty good memory. And I'm a former New Yorker. So when I heard about the subway shootings in Brooklyn Tuesday morning, and that the suspect was Black, my first thought was to wonder if Colin Ferguson were out of prison and had reprised his 1993 shooting rampage on the Long Island Railroad, in which he shot 25 people, six of them fatally. Well, it turns out that Colin Ferguson is still in prison. But it's hard to ignore the similarities. Colin Ferguson (via Twitter). Ferguson's attack was as clearly premeditated as was the subway incident. And both attacks were begun while the train was still in motion, approaching the station, so the passengers in both cases were sitting ducks. Both perpetrators had brought enough ammunition to shoot many more passengers. I've yet to see a breakdown by race or ethnicity of the Brooklyn subway victims, but none of the people shot by Ferguson was Black. That could have been a function of no Black people in the railcar. But both Ferguson and the suspect in the Brooklyn shootings (now identified as one Frank R. James) have a well-documented history of animus and threats directed at White people (although some Black politicians have not been exempt from their vitriol). Ferguson had long exhibited signs of mental instability, and not just in taking five showers a day and annoying his neighbors with his midnight chanting; he had an obsession with being a victim of racism and had voiced paranoid fantasies about Blacks rising up and slaying their white oppressors. While majoring in business administration, he had been suspended for interrupting lectures with cries of "Kill all the white people!" It's impossible to ignore the parallels with what we know of suspect Frank R. James's social media posts, steeped in race-based hostility. One big difference between the two cases is that Ferguson was apprehended in the act, thanks to the bravery and mettle of persons on the train. Having expended two 15-round magazines and while inserting a third, Ferguson was rushed, tackled, and disarmed by at least three passengers; other passengers helped restrain him until an off-duty LIRR officer slapped the bracelets on him. It will be interesting to see, if and when Frank R. James is brought to trial, whether his defense will resemble that of Colin Ferguson. While the planning and premeditation (in either case) would seem to contradict an insanity plea, that didn't stop Ferguson from putting his insanity on display, going so far as to claim that "I didn't shoot them; they shot me!" and that some other individual had been the actual perpetrator. And when radical attorneys William Kunstler and Ron Kuby got involved (pro bono) in Ferguson's case, they trotted out the "Black rage" defense (based on a 1968 book by two psychologists), claiming that Ferguson could not be responsible for his actions on the grounds that living in a racist, White supremacist society causes irreparable psychological damage to Black persons, causing them to be mentally unbalanced and to behave abnormally. I remember the late William Kunstler as the lead defense lawyer in the trial of the Chicago Seven (who were charged with conspiring to incite riots during the 1968 Democrat National Convention). He never met an America-hating radical or a terrorist he didn't like, and when I listened to him speak, I thought I could hear him foaming at the mouth with his passion for his clients and their "causes." I'm sure Kunstler was thrilled to lay out the "Black rage" defense for Ferguson and (despite Ferguson ultimately firing his lawyers and defending himself, and being convicted), were he alive today, would jump at the opportunity to represent Frank R. James using a similar defense. But I'm equally sure that there will be other attorneys lining up to offer similar strategies (especially given today's ubiquitous rhetoric about "systemic racism"). Meanwhile, Colin Ferguson will be guaranteed three square meals a day, with climate control, medical and dental care, TV, a gym, and possibly internet access, and maybe even conjugal visits, until 2039 (barring being set free by some radical "prison reform," because nowadays, anything is possible!), and neither he nor the perpetrator of Tuesday's subway shootings (if convicted) ever has to worry about facing the death penalty, no matter how many people they've murdered or attempted to murder, because, in their wisdom, New York State's lawmakers have declared the death penalty unconstitutional. Stu Tarlowe has, since 2010, contributed well over 150 pieces to American Thinker. For some 15 years, he was the personal editor for the late Barry Farber; more recently he was a staff writer for a magazine forecasting political and societal trends, but when he had to be hospitalized for COVID he was replaced. Now recovered, he writes on a variety of topics (political and personal) in his newsletter at https://stutarlowe.substack.com and is seeking another gig as a writer/editor/proofreader. President Trump filed a civil RICO suit against Hillary Clinton and her junta. From Trump's RICO case: "The members of the Enterprise are a group of persons associated together for the common purpose of carrying on an ongoing enterprise; specifically, the Enterprise had a common, unlawful goal of dismantling the Plaintiff's political career and/or impeding his ability to effectively govern through fraudulent, deceptive, and criminal means, including, but not limited to, falsely implicating the Plaintiff, the Trump Campaign, and the Trump Administration as colluding with Russia," the lawsuit states, explaining its RICO case [Full complaint]. The Clinton and Biden Families are criminal enterprises a continuation of the D.C. swamp's business of organized crime activity. Laptop from Hell, written by Miranda Devine (NY Post reporter), tells all and incriminates Uncle Joe. The New York Post's story was canceled and censored as Russian disinformation by the MSM and Big Tech, which affected the 2020 election. Fifty former senior government intelligence officers, including former CIA director John Brennen and DNI Jim Clapper, opined that the laptop information was Russian disinformation. Why? To conceal the criminal actions of federal agencies, including the intelligence agencies in Hillary's soft coup to interfere with the 2016 election, and then to "imped[e] his [Trump's] ability to effectively govern through fraudulent, deceptive, and criminal means" (Trump's complaint; DOJ RICO manuals civil and criminal). Private parties can sue civilly under RICO, but there are limitations. The Trump civil case has issues and could be summarily dismissed. (See this Federalist article.) The FBI and the DOJ should have initiated an investigation and filed a criminal RICO complaint a long time ago against Hillary. Why not? The FBI and the DOJ are complicit by being active participants and covering for the criminal actions of the Clintons and the Bidens a Catch-22. There is the possibility that Trump's suit could break the logjam of foot-dragging and cover-ups. Senators Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley recently addressed the Senate on the cover-ups. The U.S. attorney in Delaware appears to be on a course to indict Hunter Biden that may ensnare President Biden. Senator Johnson had these pertinent questions for President Biden. The MSM are tepidly lying by omission now, some eighteen months later, acknowledging that some of the information from Hunter's hard drives is true but President Biden did nothing wrong. (Be wary, though, of new files discovered by Jack Maxey as possible disinformation.) The midterm elections, with a potential shift in power, may force the appointment of a special prosecutor with a mandate to go far and wide to prosecute the perps. Trump's complaint needs to include the criminal actions of the Biden Family to fix the concerns expressed in the Federalist. The statute of limitations of civil RICO is four years from when the criminal activity is discovered. In some cases, the statute of limitations can be extended from the last overt act or act to cover up or conceal the conspiracies (John Brennan and Jim Clapper and others lying to Congress). These ongoing criminal conspiracies extend back many years to the Obama administration. They started with Fast and Furious, the IRS scandal, the Benghazi incident, and Hillary's pay-to-play scheme violating U.S. espionage laws. The conspiracies continue with the Russian Collusion narrative, the illegal spying on U.S. citizens by the FBI and the CIA, the first impeachment trial of President Trump, and the election fraud of the 2020 election. The second impeachment trial of President Trump (the insurrection that wasn't) fixes the timing issue of the two required RICO predicate offenses. The actors throughout include many of the same members of the Executive Branch and of Congress, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the FBI, the CIA, and other federal agencies. Ron Wright is a retired detective from the Riverside, CA Police Department. He holds a B.A. in political science, CSUF, M. Adm. University of Cal, Riverside. Facebook at Ron T. Cop. (Image source from: Twitter.com/POTUS) Joe Biden announces a Huge Military Aid for Ukraine:- Ukraine is completely shattered because of the invasion by Russia. The nation received a huge support from all the countries of the globe. Despite several requests, Russia continued to attack Ukraine. American President Joe Biden slammed Russia and its President Vladimir Putin in the recent times for attacking lakhs of innocent civilians. Biden today announced a military aid of 800 million USD as a package for Ukraine. The Russian military threatened the command centres in Ukraine's capital Kyiv. The Russian Defence Ministry says that Ukrainian troops are attempting to carry out the sabotage against the Russian forces. Today, I spoke with President Zelenskyy and shared with him that my Administration is authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/i1xlClxnUB President Biden (@POTUS) April 13, 2022 Joe Biden accused Vladimir Putin of genocide yesterday and he called it unacceptable. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported the words of Joe Biden. Germany and France decided not to follow the suit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the decision of French leader Emmanuel Macron is a painful one. The Pentagon told that they are keen to provide Ukraine with the weapons. The US shipment will have armored personal carriers along with heavier equipment and helicopters. Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for an hour told the White House. He asked the forces of Ukraine to defend themselves. (Image source from: Instagram.com/aliaabhatt) Ranbir and Alia's Wedding Celebrations Begin:- Bollywood star actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are dating from the past three years and they are extremely comfortable in their relationship. The duo decided to take their relationship further and they are all set to tie the knot this weekend. The grand wedding celebrations began today in RK House where Ranbir's parents Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh got married. A pooja ceremony was held this afternoon and tight security was imposed around the premises. 200 security personnel will monitor the wedding and the family members, close friends will be present for the wedding. The mehendi function will take place today and Kareena Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor, Karan Johar and Ayan Mukerji are present for the party. The wedding will take place tomorrow there are may speculation. The wedding will take place at 3 AM as per the Punjabi tradition. The entire wedding will be a private affair and will have limited guests, and family members in attendance. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt will take a small break and they will head to South Africa for a short vacation soon. They will soon return back to work after completing their vacation. PLEASE NOTE: ALL ONLINE PURCHASES ARE AUTOMATIC RENEWALS UNLESS YOU EMAIL JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM OR CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 256-235-9253.... Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM *NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY join with a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! AMEX is not accepted through this site. After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* (ANSA) - ROME, APR 14 - The 43-year-old Italian boyfriend of a 27-year-old Romanian born target shooting champion has been placed under investigation in her disappearance in the countryside near her home in the Marche town of Jesi a month ago, police said Wednesday night. Andreea Rabciuc went missing in the area of Montecarotto on March 12. The boyfriend, Simone Gresti, has been placed under investigation in the case but not yet charged of anything. Police have, however, impounded his car, phone, tablet and some clothes. He is under investigation on suspicion of kidnapping Rabciuc, judicial sources said. Gresti was the last person to see Rabciuc along with two other people on the eve of her disappearance. The four spent the evening in a spot at Montecarotto where there is a farmhouse and a caravan, police said. The couple argued furiously during the night, police said, and Rabciuc allegedly stormed off on foot before seven in the morning without her phone which she left with Gresti. The other two persons present that night have been questioned. The farmhouse has also been impounded. Police have been searching the area with sniffer dogs. They have not ruled anything out, saying the young woman may even have had a heart attack as she was walking through the vegetation. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, APR 14 - COVID-19 contagion is slowing falling in Italy, with a drop of 6.5% in the number of new cases in the April 6-12 period with respect to the previous week, the GIMBE independent medical foundation said in its weekly coronavirus monitoring report on Thursday. It said COVID-linked deaths were down 11.4% in the week in question, while intensive-care admissions were down 1.7% and admissions to ordinary hospital wards dropped 0.4%. GIMBE President Nino Cartabellotta said the figures suggest that the pandemic is in a "phase of plateau" in Italy, while stressing that the level of contagion is still high, with around 60,000 new cases a day and around 1.2 million people positive for the virus at the moment. Cartabellotta said it was "indispensable" to avoid crowds forming and to keep using facemasks in enclosed spaces. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, APR 14 - Italian police on Thursday arrested a 38-year-old man of Romanian origin in connection with the suspected death from domestic abuse of his 33-year-old wife in a Roman hospital in January last year. The man has been charged with domestic abuse, grievous bodily harm and abducting a minor after taking their daughter to live with her grandparents in Romania so his wife could devote more time to work, police said. He is accused of "physical, moral and psychological violence" against both mother and daughter. Police have put together records of the woman's hospitalisations over preceding years with injuries she said stemmed from domestic accidents. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, APR 14 - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Thursday that death threats he has received on social media over his stance against the Ukraine war will not stop the government's action against the Russian invasion. Two people have been placed under investigation in connection with death threats against Di Maio, police said Wednesday. Carabinieri police have made home raids on a 46-year-old man in the province of Milan and a 48-year-old in the province of Siracusa in connection with the threats on Telegram. Police said the men, who were described as "lone wolves", "do not belong to any extremist fringe". Di Maio has been targeted for his strong support of the Ukrainian people against the invasion by Moscow. Di Maio's police escort has been beefed up after he received the threats. Telegram chats still feature phrases like "Putin have him killed" posted by profiles bearing the Russian war symbol Z. They also include "Di Maio with a spike in his brain", "they'll do you in", "dirty little worm, hung up by the balls", and "die you bastard". There are several images of coffins and axes with threatening comments against Di Maio accompanied by re-posts of his anti-war statements and newspaper articles. Talking to Rai 1 state TV, the foreign minister said Thursday: "Threats will not stop the action of the government. "We have taken a very strong stance towards the invasion of Ukraine but we are keeping channels open with Moscow and Kyiv. "What I'm more worried about is this denialism (of alleged Russian atrocities) that is circulating in Italy." Di Maio went on: "the whole international community wants peace. There is a very high consensus on sanctions, we are ready to boost them, with around 200 children killed in almost two months of war. We must get Putin to understand things only by taking away his money, only with sanctions". Di Maio said Italy was working with Turkey on peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. He also reiterated that a Europe-wide gas price cap was needed to help reduce reliance on Russian gas. Italy gets 40% of its gas from Russia but this week signed a deal with Algeria to up the 31% it gets from them and is set to negotiate other deals with other African countries, including Congo, Mozambique and Angola. Italy is also looking to get more gas from Libya as well as reaching a new gas deal with Egypt - a plan which sparked protests over Egypt's refusal to help try four Egyptian intelligence officers in the 2016 abduction, torture and murder of 28-year-old Friuli-born Cambridge University doctoral researcher Giulio Regeni. "A European gas price cap is needed to avert speculation," Di Maio told Rai 1. "From the first day of the war we have been working to diversify our supply sources. "We must reach a sufficient supply (alternative to Russia) by winter. "We aren't paying the price of sanctions but the price of war". Di Maio added that Italy had so far taken in some 35,000 Ukrainian children. The rest of the over 90,000 refugees who have fled Ukraine to Italy are mostly women, he said. He added that Rome had evacuated most of the Italians from Ukraine, saying there were 2,000 at the start of the war and now there were only 150. (ANSA). Ukraine: Greece, no more weapons to Kyiv Athens, defence of our territory should not be weakened (ANSA) - BELGRADE, APR 14 - After providing Kyiv with rifles and portable rocket launchers, Greece will not send more military equipment to Ukraine, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said, quoted by the portal Euractiv. "The defence equipment we sent to Ukraine came from our stocks. There is no issue of sending more," Panagiotopoulos said, adding that Greece defence should not be weakened, particularly on islands. According to a survey, 66% of Greeks disagree with sending military equipment to Ukraine, Euractiv reported. (ANSA). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved Eni inks accord with EGAS for Egyptian gas production increase Up to 3 BMC in 2022 with new agreement (ANSAmed) - ROME, APRIL 13 - EGAS chief Magdy Galal and the general director of Eni's Natural Resources Department, Guido Brusco, have signed a framework agreement in Cairo that will make it possible to maximise gas production and LNG exports. The announcement was made Eni in a statement underscoring that this agreement aims to promote Egyptian gas exports towards Europe and especially towards Italy amid a transition towards an economy with low carbon emissions. The agreement, along with one signed for the restarting of a plant for liquefaction in Damietta last year, will provide LNG volumes of up to an overall three billion cubic meters in 2022 for the Eni portfolio of liquefied natural gas headed for Europe and Italy. The parties to the agreement have agreed to valorise Egyptian gas reserves by increasing activities managed jointly and by looking for opportunities to maximise gas production over the short term. Eni will also optimise explorative campaigns in existing blocks and in newly acquired areas in the Nile Delta, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Desert areas. (ANSAmed). Tunisian ministry bans export of some produce To improve domestic supply and stabilise prices (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, APRIL 14 - The Tunisian authorities have decided to prohibit the export of some fruits and vegetables including potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and onions, due to a severe lack of supply at the domestic level and exorbitant price hikes since the beginning of Ramadan. The decision was made by the ministry of trade, ministry communications chief Mohamed Ali Ferchichi told the news agency TAP in noting that the decision had been made towards the end of last week. (ANSAmed). Turkey says normalising relations with Egypt 'vital' FM raises possibility of appointing new ambassadors (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, APRIL 14 - "Relations with Egypt must be improved. The two countries' ties are significant for many regions. Reciprocal reappointment of ambassadors is possible," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday in speaking on NTV. Cavusoglu noted that: "A process has started. Two rounds of meetings have been held at the level of deputy ministers. Now the third round is possible. We may meet with Foreign Minister (Sameh, Ed.) Shoukry and others." Relations between the two countries have been thorny since 2013 , when they worsened following the ousting of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi by then military chief and now president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Both countries withdrew their ambassadors. The two countries have also found themselves on opposite sides in Libya, where Cairo backed former general Khalifa Haftar, known as the "strong man of Cyrenaica" but who Turkey - which has some of its forces on the ground in the country - is against. Starting last year, Turkey has sought to re-establish relations with Egypt and shit down political information programs run by some members of the Egyptian opposition. (ANSAmed). Two Palestinians killed in West Bank clashes with Israel Four since yesterday evening, including 14-year-old protestor (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, APRIL 14 - Two Palestinians were killed on Thursday morning in clashes with the Israeli army near the West Bank city of Jenin, the local health ministry reported. The deaths occurred during an army operation in the area and were in addition to two deaths the previous night in clashes in Huassan near Bethleham and Silwad near Ramallah. One of those killed last night was a 14-year-old protestor. Thursday's incident occurred in the village of Kafr Dan near Jenin. According to initial reports, those killed were names Mustafa Abu al-Rab and Shas Kamamji, the brother of one of the six militants who escaped from the Gilboa jail in Israel months ago only to later be recaptured. Last night in Hussan the 14-year-old Kazi Hamaamra was killed. According to Israeli military radio, he was hit by soldiers as he was throwing rocks and incendiary bottles. Local sources say that he was a Fatah activist. On Thursday a strike was being held in protest in Bethlehem. On Wednesday night another Palestinian - Amir Hamad, 22 - was shot and killed during an army operation that according to military radio was being conducted to thwart an attack that was to be carried out before the Jewish Passover holiday, which will begin on Friday evening. High tension was seen across the entire West Bank on Thursday, according to both Israeli and Palestinian sources. (ANSAmed). Union calls for Tunisian dialogue without preconditions In meeting with EU, 'no to online talks as starting point' (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, APRIL 14 - "We want real, broad participation to conduct true debate with opposing opinions to reach a national agreement that is the result of consensus among Tunisians," said Noureddine Taboubi, secretary-general of the powerful Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), on Wednesday on state TV. He was speaking at the end of a meeting with a delegation from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament during their visit to the North African country. The reference was to "national dialogue" being discussed, which President Kais Saied has announced the starting of with national organisations and that will be based on the results of national consultation but without dialogue "with thieves and coup supporters". UGTT wants the national dialogue to be between Tunisians and without preconditions, Taboubi told journalists, noting that this "should not depend on the outcome of the national consultation, as announced by President Saied", since the importance of this dialogue lies in the exchange of opinions between all parties involved. Taboubi also said that the president must necessarily supervise this dialogue, not excluding the possibility that the union may boycott it if an online consultation were to serve as the starting point. (ANSAmed). Art driving force behind Easter tourism in Venice Hotel occupancy over 80% in historic center (ANSAmed) - VENICE, APRIL 14 - Easter festivities and large events are the driving force behind tourism in Venice. A survey carried out by the STR company found that occupancy rates for large hotels in the historic center of the city was over 80% for the weekend, sliding to 72% in the following 15 days with good prospects for the month of April. The scenario is very different from the one seen in February 2022, when the Confindustria Alberghi observatory noted an occupancy rate of 33.6%. The rebound in relation to the same period in 2021, was significant especially significant in Venice. "In the month of April, Venetian tourism saw a recovery not only in quantity, as shown by the data on reservations for our facilities, but also qualitative. The phenomenon is especially connected to the numerous initiatives planned," said the head of the tourism sector of Confindustria Venezia, Salvatore Pisani. "It is a matter of flows linked to culture and the desire to discover a unique art city like Venice. Look, for example, at Homo Faber, an international event on the valorisation of crafts and handmade goods, underway until May 1. The month of June will be lively with the return of Salone Nautico. Also of note is the upcoming inauguration of the Biennale d'Arte that, despite the conflict underway, will this year include a very large number of events and will attract delegations from around the entire world." On this subject, there has been an increase in airport traffic with flights from Canada (Toronto, Montreal) in the month of April and starting in May flights from the US (New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia) will incentivise the return of American tourists. Venice is considered one of the main art cities popular with tourists. Missing, instead, are tourism flows from East Asia and Russia, given the current conflict. "The trend," Pisani noted, "is positive. We thus trust in the consolidation of the current occupancy levels of hotel facilities, especially in view of the summer period." (ANSAmed). Displaced Ukrainian students settling in Scotland are to be given free tuition and cost-of-living support, subject to parliamentary approval. The Scottish Government proposals offer Ukrainians the opportunity to study on a further or higher education course from 2022/23. Under the plans, the students will not have to pay tuition fees and they will be supported with living costs, providing they have submitted an application to the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family or the Ukraine Extension schemes. The plans aim to provide stability and assurance for Ukrainians who have had to flee their homes because of the Russian invasion. If approved, it means eligible students can access free tuition and living cost support up to 8,100 per year in the form of bursaries and loans. Those entering college will be eligible for bursary grants of up to 4,668 each year. Ukrainian students residing in Scotland who have previously started college or university courses and who have experienced hardship will be eligible to apply for immediate financial assistance through a newly created 1 million International Students Emergency Fund. Jamie Hepburn, higher and further education minister, said: We are determined to do everything we can to give displaced people from Ukraine the warmest welcome possible and we want to ensure students arriving here have the support they need to start or continue higher and further education. Higher Education Minister @jamiehepburn confirms existing Ukrainian students who have previously started courses in Scotland and who are experiencing hardship will be eligible to apply for financial support through a new 1 million emergency fund Morehttps://t.co/nowmhPpLYI pic.twitter.com/geMFN87B0v ScotGov Education (@ScotGovEdu) April 14, 2022 By extending home fee status and living cost support to students arriving from Ukraine, we hope to provide some stability and assurance at this deeply troubling time and ensure those forced to flee their homes can live safely and comfortably in Scotland for as long as they need to. We have also created a new 1 million International Students Emergency Fund. This will help Ukrainian students already in Scotland who find themselves in hardship due to their situation to continue their studies. Education opens doors to opportunities and transforms lives for the better so it is absolutely crucial we remove any financial barriers those displaced by the conflict may face. The regulations are expected to be laid in Parliament in early May and subject to parliamentary approval, they will come into force on August 1, 2022 the first day of the new academic year. Alastair Sim, Universities Scotland director, said: Scotlands university leaders are appalled at the continuing desperate crisis in Ukraine. We are committed to offering the best possible support to students affected by this conflict. We strongly welcome the Scottish Governments decision about fees status and living cost support for Ukrainian students seeking refuge from the war and commencing studies in Scotland in the new academic year. We also welcome the announcement of hardship support for students affected by the conflict who are already studying here, which will complement universities own work to offer practical and pastoral support. (PA) The UK is set to bask in very pleasant spring conditions over the Easter weekend, with temperatures rising to more than 10C above average. Forecasters are predicting the mercury could peak at 22C in some parts on Good Friday, setting a new record for the hottest day of the year so far. Met Office forecaster Richard Miles said although most places will experience fine and dry weather, areas in the North West may experience the occasional shower, making eastern areas the most desirable destination for weather over the weekend. Largely its going to be pleasant until Sunday for most areas across the UK, he said. The Met Office has said Greater London is likely to be the warmest, with highs of 22C (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The warmest weather will probably be on Friday, but it will stay well above average for most of Saturday and Sunday too. The average temperature for this time of year is roughly 12C so it will be around 10C warmer for an April day. The warmest temperature so far this year was 20.8C recorded in London on March 23, meaning the highs predicted for the South East over the weekend would set a new record for 2022. Scotland is expected to be slightly cooler at 15C, while temperatures in Wales are set to reach about 17C. Temperatures will be on the rise across many parts of the UK as we head towards the #Easter weekend Below is what we can expect during the coming days pic.twitter.com/W9Zp2TsUgJ Met Office (@metoffice) April 13, 2022 However, a change is expected on Monday, with cooler and more unsettled weather to come. Neil Armstrong, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: A low-pressure system will affect the north-west of the UK later Sunday, bringing unsettled weather to the North with some strong winds and rain in the North West, which could impact driving conditions for some, but further south it will be drier, especially in the South East. There will be varying amounts of cloud, but temperatures are widely likely to be above average for the time of year, although low cloud might keep temperatures lower in coastal areas. However, where the sun comes out people can expect some very pleasant spring conditions. Irish police investigating the murders of two men in Sligo have charged a man in his 20s. Aidan Moffitt, 42, and Michael Snee, 58, were found dead in their own homes in the town on the west coast earlier this week. The accused is due to appear in Sligo District Court on Thursday afternoon. He was arrested on suspicion of murder after the discovery of Mr Snees body in his apartment in Connaughton Road at around 10.30pm on Tuesday. He was detained in Sligo town at around 1.45am on Wednesday. Mr Moffitts body was discovered in his house in Cartron Heights at around 8.30pm on Monday. Gardai are also investigating a third recent incident in the Sligo area as part of the murder investigations. The accused is due before a district judge at 4.45pm. Ministers were braced for legal challenges over widely criticised plans to forcibly send to Rwanda up to tens of thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in the UK in unauthorised Channel crossings. Boris Johnson insisted his scheme to detain and fly migrants more than 4,000 miles to East Africa at the expense of the taxpayer was not draconian and lacking in compassion. But both the Prime Minister and Priti Patel said on Thursday they were prepared to fight attempts to use the courts to block the plans heavily criticised by refugee charities. They would not detail how much the programme will cost, but the Home Secretary has struck a 120 million economic deal with Rwanda and cash for each removal is expected to follow. Labour accused the Prime Minister of trying to distract from the partygate scandal with the unworkable, unethical and extortionate migration scheme. Charities condemned them as cruel and nasty plans that will fail to address the issue and cause more suffering and chaos, while criticising Rwandas human rights track record. Boris Johnson is shown a Coastguard drone for surveillance and rescue of migrants (Matt Dunham/PA) And protesters wielding signs with the message refugees welcome here gathered outside the Home Office, declaring their intention to fight back against the move. Battling to remain in power after being fined by police for breaching coronavirus laws, Mr Johnson tasked the Navy with ensuring no boat makes it to the UK undetected. Officials expect thousands of migrants who entered by means deemed illegal, such as through the perilous Channel crossings, would be removed to Rwanda in the coming years. Giving a major speech in Kent, Mr Johnson said the agreement is uncapped and Rwanda will have the capacity to resettle tens of thousands of people in the years ahead. (PA Graphics) He said the partnership will be fully compliant with our international legal obligations, while insisting Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world. But nevertheless, we expect this will be challenged in the courts, Mr Johnson added, as he hit out at what he called a formidable army of politically motivated lawyers. He said they have made it their business to thwart removals and frustrate the Government and have caused the UK to be seen as a soft touch for illegal migration by some of our partners. So I know this system will not take effect overnight, Mr Johnson added. Boris Johnson delivers a speech to members of the armed services and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at Lydd airport in Kent (Matt Dunham/PA) I Stephanie Boyce, the president of the Law Society of England and Wales that represents solicitors, warned there are serious questions about whether the plans comply with international law. It is particularly disappointing this week of all weeks the Government is repeating misleading suggestions that legal challenges are politically motivated, she said. If the government wishes to avoid losing court cases, it should act within the law of the land. During a visit to the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Ms Patel was confident that she would be able to fend off legal challenges after coming under pressure to tackle Channel crossings. Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan minister for foreign affairs and international co-operation, Vincent Biruta, sign a migration and economic development partnership (Flora Thompson/PA) People actually said this will never happen and look at the work that has taken place to achieve this, she said. She said that the vast majority of those who arrive in the UK illegally will be detained and considered for relocation to Rwanda but declined to share specific details after it was reported it would only apply to male migrants. The number of people who can be relocated will be unlimited, with the first due to receive formal notifications within weeks, and the first flights expected to take place in the coming months. Meanwhile, fresh arrivals reached the shore in Dover on Thursday, in what officials acknowledged was a busy day for crossings. It is thought the total number of migrants to have arrived on small boats so far this year has passed 5,000. A young child (face pixelated) amongst a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) Mr Johnson accepted the Rwanda deal is not a magic bullet that will solve the crossings alone. But he hopes it will break the business model of the vile people smugglers who risk turning the Channel into a watery graveyard. British Red Cross executive director Zoe Abrams said the humanitarian network was profoundly concerned about the plans to send traumatised people halfway round the world to Rwanda. We are not convinced this drastic measure will deter desperate people from attempting to cross the Channel either. People come here for reasons we can all understand, like wanting to be reunited with loved ones, or because they speak the language. Making it harsher may do little to stop them risking their lives, she said. Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon urged the Government to immediately rethink the cruel and nasty plans, warning they could cost up to 1.4 billion a year. Treating people like human cargo by using the force of military to repel vulnerable people who have already endured extreme human suffering, and expelling them to centres in Rwanda, a country with a questionable record on human rights, is dangerous, cruel and inhumane. The policies will do little to deter desperate people from seeking protection or stop the smugglers but only lead to more human suffering, chaos and at huge expense to the UK, he added. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called the plans unworkable, extortionate and an attempt to distract from Mr Johnson being fined for breaching his own coronavirus laws. Ms Patel insisted the agreement with Rwanda does not hinge on the Nationality and Borders Bill, which is facing opposition in the House of Lords. Asked by the PA news agency, she said: No, no, its not. Its not. So the whole principle of this agreement partnership that we have is not hinged on the Nationality and Borders Bill, let me be clear about that. (PA Graphics) She said the Home Office is prepared for legal challenges, as she accused lawyers of fleecing the British taxpayer. A lot of this is legal aid money that goes into the merry-go-round of claim after claim after claim, she added. But the costs of the Rwandan programme remained uncertain. The Home Office said the taxpayer would pay per person relocated, but would not say how much. As well as chartered flights for removal, it will pay for caseworkers, legal advice, translators, accommodation, food and healthcare for every person relocated. For those who successfully claim asylum in Rwanda, it will fund an integration package to help them put down roots. Mr Johnson pledged 50 million in new funding for boats, aerial surveillance and military personnel to help ensure the measures are a very considerable deterrent to crossings. And he said the individuals who succeed in making it to the UK will be taken not to hotels at vast public expense and instead will be housed in Greek-style detention centres, with the first opening at a former RAF barracks in North Yorkshire shortly. Around 250 to 300 military personnel will be dedicated to police migrants in the English Channel on busy days, it is understood. They will work on ships and aircraft and will include Army personnel, freeing up Border Force staff for processing. Irelands Foreign Minister Simon Coveney is visiting Kyiv on Thursday. Mr Coveney will visit areas in the Ukrainian capital directly affected by the Russian invasion and meet Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and defence minister Oleksii Reznikov. He is the first foreign minister on the UN Security Council to visit Kyiv since the war began. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said: His discussions with the Ukrainian government will focus on how Ireland can continue to provide political, security and humanitarian support to Ukraine, assist Ukraine in its application for EU candidate status, take forward further EU sanctions on Russia and hold Russia to account for its brutal and unjustified invasion. Ireland has provided 20 million euro in humanitarian aid to the country and Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring counties, and 33 million euro in non-lethal assistance for the Ukrainian military through the European Peace Facility. The DFA statement added: Ireland has been at the forefront of putting in place a robust EU sanctions regime and of supporting international mechanisms to hold Russia to account for grave violations of international humanitarian law, including referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court. A Yemeni couple who left their home country amid civil war have told how they have been given a new lease of life in Rwanda. Planning consultant Burhan Almerdas, 37, left the war-torn nation in 2014 along with his dentist wife Sanaa, 39, in search of a better life. The pair tried living in Kenya, Jordan, Malaysia and Chad, but said they came up against difficulties in setting up a home and satisfying immigration requirements. Eventually they settled on Rwanda, where they have been able to launch their business, the Mocha Cafe, in the capital city Kigali. Burhan Almerdas, and his wife Sanaa (Flora Thompson/PA) Mr Almerdas, who praised the welcoming nature of Rwandans and the ease with which they were able to pursue their business plan and seek out opportunities, is now employing several locals who he said are earning monthly wages of between 100-200 US dollars, depending on their skills and experience. Speaking to reporters from his coffee shop on Thursday, he said of Rwanda: They are welcoming, most of the places have been before they look at us like you are from the war countries, we dont trust you so you dont always feel comfortable. But here I feel like if people are willing to work hard and do something, they respect that, they dont look at your nationality, where you came from, they just look at what you want to do actually. Asked his thoughts on the UK governments plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to rebuild their lives, he said: If they want to work hard, if they want to get a chance, they will get it here. On whether he would encourage friends and others seeking to rebuild their lives to move to the country, he said oh yes, there are opportunities, describing it as super clean and super safe with good weather. Out of all the countries we have been, we have a better life here, he added. The pair said it was very easy to obtain a licence to set up their business and arrange visas with immigration, which were granted for two years after an initial temporary period of a few months and have since been renewed for further two years. Mr Almerdas said he would like to return to Yemen to visit family one day but is enjoying his new life in Rwanda so much that he is considering living there indefinitely. Back on royal turf! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid a visit to Queen Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom. Read article A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex, 37, and the Duchess of Sussex, 40, confirmed on Thursday, April 14, that the twosome arrived in England ahead of their joint appearance at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands later in the week, according to royal reporter Omid Scobie. The twosome reportedly dropped by Windsor Castle to spend time with Harrys 95-year-old grandmother. The pairs visit marks the first time that the Suits alum has flown across the pond since she and her husband relocated to Montecito, California, after their royal exit in 2020. The military veteran, for his part, previously returned to his native country to attend his grandfather Prince Philips funeral in April 2021 and to unveil a statue of his late mother, Princess Diana, on the grounds of Kensington Palace in July 2021. Meghan with whom Harry shares son Archie, 2, and daughter Lilibet, 9 months did not accompany him on the trips. Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock; Maureen McLean/Shutterstock Last month, members of the royal family gathered to honor the late Duke of Edinburgh at a Service of Thanksgiving memorial nearly one year after his death at age 99. Harry, for his part, did not attend amid his ongoing security case. He previously applied for judicial review of a Home Office decision, claiming he was unable to personally fund police protection for his family while abroad. Read article Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats, his legal spokesperson said in a January statement. While his role within the Institution has changed, his profile as a member of the royal family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family. Read article The Archewell cofounders who wed in May 2018 announced in January 2020 that they were stepping down as senior members of the British royal family. Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family, the monarch said in a statement at the time. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Buckingham Palace confirmed in February 2021 that the couples departure would be made permanent. (Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy said the e-commerce giant is not close to adding cryptocurrency as a payment option to its retail business, in an interview with CNBC on Thursday. He also said it might be possible to sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on its e-commerce platform and expects NFTs to continue to grow "significantly." NFTs, a type of digital asset that exist on a blockchain, have exploded in popularity in 2021, with NFT artworks selling for millions of dollars. Jassy said cryptocurrencies will become bigger in the longer term, but added he himself does not own any bitcoin. A growing number of companies have started to accept virtual currencies for payment, bringing an asset class shunned by major financial institutions until a few years ago closer to the mainstream. Last year, eBay Inc allowed the sale of NFTs for digital collectibles like trading cards, images or video clips on its platform, the first e-commerce company to tap into the frenzy around NFTs. EBay had also said it was open to the possibility of accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment in the future. (Reporting by Chavi Mehta and Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) Supplies of petrol and diesel at filling stations in some areas of the country are running at around half their usual level as the UKs travel network came under pressure ahead of the Easter getaway, new figures suggest. Petrol stock levels at garages in eastern England averaged 19% as of April 10, with south-east England recording 21% and London 22%, a drop from the pre-pandemic average of 40%. It comes as travellers using airports, train stations and roads were left waiting for hours in long queues on Thursday. (PA Graphics) Delays were seen on motorways, with 27.6 million car journeys expected to take place over the bank holiday weekend. Diesel stocks have also dropped in recent days, averaging 23% at filling stations in eastern England as of April 10, compared with a pre-pandemic level of 48%. In London, diesel stock levels have dropped to 24%, down from 46% pre-pandemic, while in south-east England they have fallen to 26%, down from 47%. The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol stood at 161.8p as of April 11, slightly below the recent record of 165.4p, while diesel was 176.2p, below the recent record of 177.5p. During the fuel shortages at the end of September last year, petrol supplies fell as low as 12% in eastern England and the South East, and 13% in London. The figures have been published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and are based on snapshots of petrol and diesel levels from a sample of around 4,700 filling stations across Britain. While climate activists have been causing some disruption to the fuel industry, the Fuel Retailers Association which represents independently owned forecourts in the UK said the majority are unaffected by the activism. Millions are expected to travel over the weekend (Ian West/PA) RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: Although were expecting the biggest number of Easter getaway trips by car tomorrow around 4.6m its clear some drivers are keen to make an early escape ahead of the bank holiday. As well as the closure of the coastbound M20 for Operation Brock Zero, earlier collisions are causing problems on the south-eastern M25 and roads connecting with it, as well as on the A303 in Wiltshire. From a breakdown perspective, were seeing high demand for our service across northern England, especially around the Lake District, as well as the coastal areas of West Wales. National Highways said there were 90-minute delays near the Dartford Tunnel in Kent due to a broken down lorry and a spillage. There were also 30-minute delays due to the M18 being closed in South Yorkshire. However, National Highways reopened some junctions of the M20 on Thursday evening as it scaled back Operation Brock in light of the reducing threat of disruption to services across the English Channel, with more junctions possibly to reopen overnight. Elsewhere, images on social media showed a large number of people waiting for Tui check-in desks at Manchester Airport, with other customers telling of a 90-minute wait for luggage. A Tui spokesperson said: We can confirm that unfortunately due to staff shortages at Manchester Airport today, some customers are experiencing longer-than-usual queue times at check-in. Please be assured that our teams are working as quickly as they can. One passenger, Lukasz Ceglecki, from Burton upon Trent, said although there were lengthy queues, they were moving relatively quickly. Another, Adam Francis, said on Twitter: Utterly shambolic scenes in terminal 2 at @manairport when a cleaner is the only person to provide any information on why we have no bags after 90 minutes. Even then she doesnt know when we will get them. Manchester Airport said passengers are advised to arrive three hours before their flight and double check their hand luggage. Meanwhile, those at Birmingham Airport told of waiting in hour-long queues for security, despite paying 4-per-person for fast-track services. Joe Clifford, 23, who was flying to Malaga in Spain, told the PA news agency it took him about an hour to get through security due to very long queues. Large queues formed at Birmingham Airport (Joe Clifford/Twitter/PA) Dozens of British Airways and EasyJet flights to and from Heathrow and Gatwick were cancelled. Rail passengers have also been warned of delays as Network Rail carries out 530 engineering projects costing a total of 83 million. This includes the closure of the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes for four days from Good Friday due to upgrades of the existing line and HS2 work. Parts of the railway between Birmingham International station and Coventry will also be closed, as will lines around Crewe station. Those at London St Pancras said there were long queues for services to Europe on Thursday morning. Queues at London St Pancras on Thursday (James Collier/Twitter/PA) One passenger heading for France said he had waited for over an hour due to staff shortages. A West Ham fan heading for his sides Europa League second leg tie against Lyon said there was carnage at the station. Dover-Calais sailings by P&O Ferries are also suspended, with large queues of lorries forming on roads approaching the Port of Dover. A spokesperson for the firm said: We apologise unreservedly to all customers whose scheduled journeys with us between Dover and Calais have been cancelled whilst we are unable to sail. It is only fair and right that we make alternative arrangements for those customers, which include transferring them on to our Hull-Europoort service to Rotterdam, or booking them on to services with Brittany Ferries between Portsmouth and Caen. It said this would come at no extra cost for customers, with mileage expenses reimbursed and a 25% discount on the original fee. A British man fighting for the Ukrainian army has been taken captive by Russian forces, according to reports. Images on Russian television appeared to show Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, being led around in handcuffs with a cut on his forehead. His mother Ang Wood, of Balderton, Nottinghamshire, told the Telegraph she believes the images were legitimate due to a tattoo on her sons arm that said Happy Days. (PA Graphics) She called on the Russian government to treat her son as a prisoner of war in accordance with international rules. Ms Wood told the Telegraph she was in bits, adding: I now hold Vladimir Putin to the terms of the Geneva Convention. Aiden is a serving member of the Ukrainian armed forces and as such is a prisoner of war and must be treated with humanity. It already looks like he has been beaten up. It is time now for the British Government to get involved and help secure Aidens release. It is understood the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is still working to verify the reports of Mr Aslins capture and that its ability to provide consular services in Ukraine is severely limited due to the conflict. But officials expect any detainees to be treated in accordance with international law. The Telegraph reported Mr Aslin enlisted in the Ukrainian army in 2018 and that he had previously fought against the so-called Islamic State in Syria. Footage broadcast in Russia suggested he had been captured following fighting in Mariupol. 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. President Biden declared during a speech in Warsaw last month that Russian President Vladimir Putin shouldn't remain in power. But as the war in Ukraine bogs down, it's unclear if a shifting U.S. response will be enough to avoid a protracted and violent conflict. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) With a war many thought would be over in days bogging down into a protracted conflict, the U.S. and its NATO allies are recalibrating their response, scaling up defense aid for Ukraine as it digs in for a longer fight with Russian forces. But even as President Biden has vowed not to let Russia win, it's not at all clear an enhanced response will help Ukraine win the war or avoid a years-long conflict that is likely to strain the transatlantic alliance, cost billions in additional aid, further disrupt global economic markets and lead to more bloodshed on the front lines. "It's going to be a different kind of war, and there has to be a greater urgency," said Eric Edelman, a former undersecretary of defense. "If Russia isn't successful right away, Ukraine might still hold a strategic advantage in the long term. But that depends on how long they can absorb casualties and maintain a will to fight, and how long the West can keep this up." As part of Washington's continuing efforts to bolster Ukraine's war-fighting capabilities, Biden announced Tuesday a new tranche of $800 million in defense assistance for Kyiv. It includes advanced weapons and ammunition including artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and the transfer of more helicopters to help Ukraine blunt Moscows latest offensive in the eastern Donbas region and the besieged city of Mariupol. The announcement, following an hour-long call between Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, came as the White House is facing pressure to take stronger actions as the war stretches into its eighth week. Although the latest aid package increases the U.S. commitment to what administration officials have conceded could be a years-long conflict, the White House remains wary of greater U.S. involvement that might change the trajectory and length of the war even as Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and characterized the Russian campaign as "genocide." Such presidential rhetoric which went beyond official White House policy raises the stakes for U.S. and NATO involvement, according to Ivo Daalder, the president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. "The president needs to signal that we will do whatever it takes for Ukraine to succeed because you cant call people out for war crimes, let alone genocide, and not do everything possible," said Daalder, who served as U.S. ambassador to NATO in the Obama administration. "The more ratcheted up the rhetoric," he added, "the more incumbent it comes on us to actually fulfill what that means." Since Russia's invasion in February, the White House has tried to strike a balance between backing Ukraine and avoiding direct and potentially escalatory engagement with a nuclear power that could turn a regional war into a global one. Biden has madeclear he will not send American troops to Ukraine or establish a no-fly zone, steps officials say could bring the U.S. into conflict with Moscow. So far, the White House has focused on bolstering the NATO alliance, punishing the Kremlin with sanctions and supplying Ukrainians with weapons and intelligence. The Department of Defense said last week it had delivered thousands of antiarmor and antiaircraft systems, including Stinger and Javelin missiles, laser-guided rocket systems and more than 50 million rounds of ammunition as part of two packages of security assistance the president approved in March. The latest package expands on the $1.7 billion in security assistance the U.S. has provided Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24 and the $2.4 billion in aid since Biden took office. It's unclear if, or how, the West might send more powerful weapons, such as U.S. military jets and Apache helicopters, that it's thus far avoided. The Biden administration has resisted such transfers for logistical reasons the U.S. would not only have to train Ukraine's military how to operate, say, an F-16, but also establish supply lines and infrastructure to maintain such equipment. U.S. officials believe that would take too long to be helpful. Ukrainians, meanwhile, are pleading for Washington to ship them advanced arms as they are urging U.S. officials to consider the geopolitical realities of a protracted fight. "Russia will be here forever as a neighbor of Ukraine," said Daria Kaleniuk, co-founder of Ukraines Anti-Corruption Action Center. "We need to get prepared for a sustainable solution with advanced NATO-style weapons." Kaleniuk and a delegation of Ukrainian civil society advocates and former government officials met with dozens of U.S. lawmakers last week, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and officials from the State Department officials and White House. "There's still some fear about being too provocative to Russia. There's fear of nuclear weapons," she said following her White House meeting. "But deterrence works both ways and Putin uses deterrence." Experts have applauded the White House's efforts to assist Ukraine but say the Biden administration and its allies took too long to act, complicating Ukraine's ability to fend off the invasion. "They were always slow and way too cautious about actually implementing it," said John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. "They repeatedly refused to take steps in fear of provoking Putin." Pressed about whether aid is arriving too late as Russia shifts its focus to an eastern offensive, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday that "we are going to move this as fast as we can," arguing the assistance the U.S. has already sent is playing a role in Ukraine's defense. "We're aware of the clock and we know time is not our friend," Kirby told reporters. Daalder, the former U.S. ambassador to NATO, said the administrations challenge on timing is in whether it can quickly acquire the equipment and weapons that Ukrainians are trained to use. Much of it was manufactured by Russia or in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union (Ukraine was a Soviet republic). "The delay is not really what is the U.S. providing," Daadler said. "It's: How do you get the equipment thats among the former Warsaw Pact countries rapidly to Ukraine and what do you do to backfill those capabilities in order to make sure that NATO is still defended?" Biden last week announced the U.S. repositioned a Patriot missile system to Slovakia, which borders Ukraine, to backfill its transfer of a Soviet-era S-300 defense system to Kyiv to fend off airstrikes. But in March the administration rejected a three-way deal to transfer MiG 29 fighter jets from Poland, a NATO member and regarded as a former Soviet satellite, to Ukraine after deeming it too "high risk." Despite such fissures, NATO has remained mostly unified even if members' interests aren't always aligned. Major gulfs could emerge as the conflict drags on, however. Germany, Europe's largest economy, has waffled on cutting off imports of Russian oil and gas due to recession fears; the country's coalition government is split on whether to send German-made tanks to Kyiv. If far-right candidate and Putin ally Marine Le Pen ousts French President Emmanuel Macron in a run-off election later this month, it would immediately puncture NATO's newfound solidarity. That unity may deepen this summer if Finland and Sweden end decades of neutrality and join the alliance, as is expected. But even if bonds among democratic leaders hold, the threat of Putin in Ukraine and to the rest of Europe could only grow. Constanze Stelzenmuller, a Germany expert at Washington's Brookings Institution, said NATO's response to Putin in Ukraine has been "the most considered, forceful and effective Western response to any crisis that I've seen. But events on the ground may still show that what we're doing is not enough, because Putin is clearly determined to test us. And we may have to change our definition of what we can do." As the grizzly nature of past Russian atrocities is uncovered and as Ukrainian losses mount during what's expected to be heavy fighting in the Donbas, the political pressure for the West to do more is likely to grow. But the cold, hard reality, many experts believe, is that the war quickly becomes a frozen conflict. "Putin is not going to capitulate," said Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, a global risk assessment firm. "The reason why the administration believes this is likely to be a stalemate is that, in some ways, that is the least worst plausible outcome that we are headed towards." Dan Baer, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe during the Obama administration, said that "the scenarios by which it ends tomorrow are not necessarily ones that are satisfactory for the long-term stability of the region or the world." "If it's going to be protracted, what you want is a slower and lower burn so there's less human cost. Because faster could mean could mean Ukrainian defeat," he said. "Of course I don't want it to drag out, but if you take all of the possibilities for a fast [resolution], there are fewer of them that look good for the Ukrainians." "This is a Russian novel and we're in Chapter 3, and the bad news is that there are 57 chapters," he added. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. S. said that her family was so poor they could barely manage to buy food. She eloped with a man from Dhaka, Bangladesh, who promised to take care of her. "How would I know that he had the intention of selling me?" said S., who is now an adult. "My life has so much pain." She was smuggled into India by river and forced to work in a brothel. She escaped with a woman she trusted who sold her to another brothel. She was rescued and taken to Sneha, a girl's shelter in West Bengal, India. (Smita Sharma) Meena finished her daily morning chores and was on her way to school in rural West Bengal, India, when she met a man who professed his love for her. At the next meeting, he persuaded her to elope with him to Delhi with the promise of marriage. A week later, Meena found herself locked in a brothel in Agra. Girls walk home from school in South 24 Parganas. For many girls in rural India, education ends before high school, which often costs money. Although child marriage is illegal, it is still widely practiced. In this region, with high rates of child sex trafficking, families also worry that girls are at risk on their long daily journey to school. (Smita Sharma) Smita Sharma, aphotojournalist, met Meena in 2015, after she was rescued from the brothel by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the police. After speaking to her, she was astonished to learn how Meena was trapped so easily by a man she hardly knew. Smita has been investigating child sex trafficking since she met this young girl. M., 16, shows marks of self-injury on her arm. M. used to be beaten by her alcoholic father. In December 2017, she left her home in South 24 Parganas and took a train to Sealdah Station in Kolkata. At the station, she met three boys who befriended her and then sold her to a brothel at the infamous Sonagachi red-light district. The local police station was tipped off by an informer about an underage girl being held captive, and the team went to the brothel and rescued her after three days. M. currently lives at a shelter for trafficked girls at South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. (Smita Sharma) India has 400 million children below the age of 18, and thousands of children go missing every year. The situation is similar in Bangladesh, which shares a long, porous border with India. The government estimates that 50,000 girls are trafficked to India every year. Like Bangladesh, Nepal is an important source country for the human trafficking business. The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRC) found that in 2018-19 alone, 35,000 Nepali citizens were trafficked. The report also predicts that around 1.5 million Nepalis are currently at risk of being trafficked to India. A West Bengal police boat patrols the Hooghly River in the Sundarbans, a watery area with dense mangrove forests that straddles the southern border between India and Bangladesh. The Indian state of West Bengal shares a long border with Bangladesh that includes many unguarded stretches, where traffickers can smuggle girls into the country. Traffickers often use rivers to avoid detection when smuggling girls into India. (Smita Sharma) A photograph of S., 16, from police files. Shaheen has been missing from her village in West Bengal since 2013. She called her father in 2016, three years after her disappearance, telling him that she was being held as a sex slave by Kashmiri militants at Uri region, and that she had managed to escape and call from a public telephone booth. The police tried to trace her at that location but were unable to find her. Her family still hopes she will return home one day. (Smita Sharma) In her research, Smita also discovered employment agencies that traffic girls into domestic servitude. They charge the employers for a year's labor and pocket the money, leaving the girls to live like slaves. Smita photographed and interviewed more than 50 young survivors of sex trafficking in India and Bangladesh. She has also interviewed traffickers to understand the methods they use to psychologically manipulate vulnerable girls. Her direct intervention also led to the rescue of a 17-year-old girl from the red-light districts of Pune in India in 2018. Sathi was married at 13 and had to endure physical and mental abuse from her alcoholic husband. She gave birth to a son and was later abandoned by her husband. She moved back to her parents' house in Chandannagar, India, where she worked as a nanny in the neighborhood. A few years later, she met a man, fell in love with him, and moved with him to Kolkata, where he sold her into the Kalighat red-light district. Her parents came in search of her, found her at a brothel and asked her to move back home. Sathi refused to go back because of the stigma and shame. Instead, she sent her son away with them. She went into severe depression and months later poured kerosene over herself in an attempt to immolate herself. She suffered burns and spent a month at a hospital. (Smita Sharma) M., who is now 19, was lured from her home in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India, when she was 16 by a man who professed his love for her over the phone. After she met him, he proposed marriage. On a date, he drugged her and took her to Delhi, where he sold her to a brothel. In the brothel, she was beaten, starved and forced to have sex with up to 30 customers a day. During two police raids, the brothel owner hid her. She was rescued on a third raid. (Smita Sharma) Sharma's initiative, called We Cry in Silence, investigates the widespread but underreported issue of trafficking minors for sex and domestic servitude between Bangladesh, Nepal and India. The project unveils the vulnerability of girls and highlights what leads them into the traps of traffickers. The goal is to understand this complex, global issue at the local level, open a dialogue and move people to work towards a solution. Two sisters, Simran and Sakina Khan, collect drinking water from a public well at a village in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. For many girls in rural India, education ends before high school, which often costs money. Boys are given preferential treatment, while girls are expected to do household chores. Poor families are more likely to put money toward the education of boys and wedding expenses for girls. (Smita Sharma) When she was 12, S. left her home in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, with a family acquaintance who promised to find her a job in Dhaka. She was handed over to a man who smuggled her into the Indian state of West Bengal, from where she was taken to a brothel in Mumbai and sold. S. was enslaved for two years before police freed her and sent her to a shelter. Six months later, she met a woman who said she would take S. back to Bangladesh but instead sold her to a brothel in Namkhana, a small town in West Bengal. After being rescued once more, S. has been staying at a shelter waiting for her repatriation. (Smita Sharma) S. and N. at home in Khulna, Bangladesh. At 14, their daughter Sayeda was trafficked to a brothel in Mahishadal by a boy she had met at a dance school. For three years, she was forced to perform sex work at all hours. Sayeda was rescued and sent to a shelter in West Bengal, India. She was preparing to return home to Bangladesh when she died from a liver problem caused by excessive drinking at the brothel. (Smita Sharma) We Cry in Silence, with the testimony of these victims, will be published as a photo book by FotoEvidence and distributed to schools and college libraries in India to create permanent evidence and raise awareness. The book and a 'zine will also be made available to local law enforcement agencies, with the goal of sensitizing them to the dangers young women face and the methods of traffickers. The book will have text in three languages, in Bengali, Hindi and English. If you wish to contribute to this initiative, click here. FotoEvidence Photojournalist Smita Sharma and the cover of her new book "We Cry In Silence.' (FotoEvidence) Smita Sharma is an award-winning photojournalist and visual storyteller based in Delhi, reporting on critical human rights, gender and social issues in her own community as well as in the Global South on assignments for Human Rights Watch, National Geographic Magazine, TIME magazine and other publications. Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in the weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, education advocates are working to ensure Ukraine's displaced children are not forgotten. More than 4.6 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries since the invasion began, according to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. They have primarily fled to Poland, as well as Romania, Hungary, Russia and Moldova, which, like Ukraine, declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Though one of the poorest countries in Europe, Moldova has welcomed the equivalent of 15% of its population in a matter of weeks, with over 415,000 fleeing there from Ukraine, according to the U.N. MORE: How Ukraine's neighboring countries are welcoming refugees Many refugees have moved on to other European countries, though about 100,000 remain in the country currently, according to Education Cannot Wait, the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies. Of those, 50,000 are school-aged children. Only 1,800 of those children are currently enrolled in school in Moldova, the organization said. As Moldova welcomes refugees, the educational needs are "enormous" and its educational capacity is "overstretched" and "strained," Yasmine Sherif, director of Education Cannot Wait, told ABC News. PHOTO: Refugees from Ukraine enter the Republic of Moldova at Palanca-Maiaky-Udobne border crossing point between Moldova and Ukraine, March 30, 2022. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) The needs, she said, include teachers who can not only meet the demand, but also address language barriers -- the official language of Moldova is Romanian, while most people in Ukraine speak Ukrainian. Teachers who are trained to address the mental health needs of the refugees, who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, are another. Sherif, who visited Moldova this week to visit schools and talk with local officials and refugees, recalled meeting a mother who fled from Odessa with her two daughters. "The mother broke down crying, and her daughters seemed also very traumatized from the experience," she said. "On top of her mind is not her own suffering but how she can ensure that her daughters feel safe and that they can continue their schooling." MORE: How humanitarian corridors work to offer lifeline to besieged Ukrainians Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science has coordinated online lessons, though comprehensive remote learning for refugees is also challenging due to damaged infrastructure across Ukraine and impacts on teachers, Sherif said. More than 900 education facilities in Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged during the fighting, according to Education Cannot Wait. The demands on Moldova may only continue to grow, with a second wave of refugees possible as the conflict continues, Sherif said. Education Cannot Wait announced on Wednesday a $1.5 million grant to support the educational response to the refugee crisis in Moldova that will be delivered in partnership with the government of Moldova, which has developed a framework for the schooling of refugees, including those who have applied for asylum. Sherif said the funding could go toward rehabilitating educational facilities and training teachers who speak Ukrainian, including refugees. PHOTO: 8-year-old Amalia, a refugee from Ukraine, studies at a small desk inside the food hall at Costesti resort hotel in Chisinau, Moldova, March 29, 2022. (LightRocket via Getty Images, FILE) Amid the refugee crisis, Theirworld, a global childrens education charity, said it plans to announce additional funding to "support refugee education projects in the coming weeks, harnessing its experiences from other emergencies, and campaigning to ensure donors invest 10% of the humanitarian response funding into education," the organization's president, Justin van Fleet, said in a statement. UNICEF is also working to help refugees "reclaim their learning experience, in a safe and supportive environment, nurturing their resilience against the traumas of war," UNICEF Representative to Moldova Maha Damaj said in a statement. The organization has set up support centers for families along refugee transit routes that provide services, including psychological counseling and support and child-friendly spaces. MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates Disruption to education can have lasting impacts, with girls especially vulnerable to human trafficking, Sherif said. "Education gives you a chance as a girl to be empowered, and for both girls and boys, it offers a very protective environment," she said. It also provides the mental health and social services crucial for children, especially those who are refugees. "Without that, it's very difficult to start anew," Sherif said. Educational needs 'enormous' for Ukrainian refugees who have fled to Moldova originally appeared on abcnews.go.com THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Washington and Kyiv are accusing Russia of genocide in Ukraine, but the ultimate war crime has a strict legal definition and has rarely been proven in court since it was cemented in humanitarian law after the Holocaust. WHAT IS GENOCIDE? The 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as crimes committed "with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such." Three cases so far have met international courts' threshold: the Cambodian Khmer Rouge's slaughter of minority Cham people and Vietnamese in the 1970s, who were among an estimated 1.7 million dead; the 1994 mass killing of Tutsis in Rwanda that left 800,000 dead; and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Bosnia. Criminal acts comprising genocide include killing members of the group, causing them serious bodily or mental harm, creating conditions calculated to destroy them, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children to other groups. WHAT MUST PROSECUTORS DO? To establish genocide, prosecutors must first show that the victims were part of a distinct national, ethnic, racial or religious group. This excludes groups targeted for political beliefs. Genocide is harder to show than other violations of international humanitarian law, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity, because it requires evidence of specific intent. "Genocide is a difficult crime to prove. Parties have to bring a lot to the table," said Melanie O'Brien, president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars. She cited the combined requirement of showing intent, the targeting of a protected group, and crimes like killings or forcibly removing children. The International Criminal Court opened an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine in February. It also has jurisdiction over genocide. Ukrainian prosecutors, already investigating alleged Russian crimes since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, said they have identified thousands of potential war crimes by Russian forces since Feb. 24 and compiled a list of hundreds of suspects. WHO IS ACCUSING RUSSIA? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and President Biden have both accused Russian soldiers of genocide, focusing on evidence of rape, torture and killings in areas around Kyiv recaptured this month by Ukrainian troops. "Yes, I called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian and the evidence is mounting," Biden said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week that the scale of atrocities "doesn't look far short of genocide." Moscow, which called the attack against its smaller neighbour "a special operation" to halt genocide against Russian speakers in Ukraine, says the West has faked evidence to smear its army. The U.S. administration has declared seven situations genocide since the 1990s: Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq, Sudan's Darfur province, Islamic State's killings including against the Yezidi, the crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in China. Exhumation of bodies of civilians from a mass grave in Bucha WHAT CASES ARE HAPPENING NOW? The International Criminal Court previously issued an arrest warrant on charges of genocide against former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, but his trial cannot begin until he is in custody in The Hague. The International Court of Justice also has jurisdiction over the Genocide Convention, the first human rights treaty adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948, stating the international communitys commitment to prevent the atrocities of World War Two from ever happening again. It is hearing two cases: one claiming Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya Muslims, the other brought by Ukraine to argue that Russia is using accusations of genocide as a false pretext for invasion. Such cases generally take years to reach a verdict. PAST CASES The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda convicted dozens of senior officials, all of them Hutus, of genocide against Tutsis. When former Rwandan Mayor Jean-Paul Akayesu was found guilty of the crime in 1998, the court became the first international tribunal to interpret the definition of genocide set forth in the 1948 Genocide Convention. In 2018, a hybrid U.N.-Cambodian tribunal found two leaders of Cambodias Khmer Rouge guilty of genocide following years of debate about whether the "Killing Fields" constituted genocide. The judges ruled that the Khmer Rouge had a policy to target Cham and Vietnamese people to create an atheistic and homogenous society". The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia convicted several key figures of genocide for their roles in the Srebrenica killings during the Balkan wars of the 1990s. They include wartime Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic and Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic. Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic died in custody before his genocide trial concluded. The U.S. Navy hospital ship Mercy arrives at the Port of Los Angeles in March 2020 to serve as a relief valve for hospitals overburdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) A former train engineer at the Port of Los Angeles was sentenced to three years in federal prison for intentionally derailing a locomotive near the U.S. Navy hospital ship Mercy in 2020, prosecutors said. Eduardo Moreno, 46, pleaded guilty in December to committing a terrorist attack and other violence against railroad carriers and mass transportation systems in connection with the incident, which came as the Mercy was docked in L.A. to relieve healthcare systems strained by skyrocketing COVID-19 cases in the early weeks of the pandemic. In addition to his prison sentence, Moreno was ordered to pay over $755,000 in restitution for the damage caused by the derailment, according to the U.S. attorney's office for the Central District of California. On March 31, 2020, Moreno drove the train off the tracks at high speed, crashing through barriers before it came to a stop 250 yards from the Mercy. The ship was not damaged, and no injuries were reported, although the incident caused a diesel fuel leak of approximately 2,000 gallons. A California Highway Patrol officer saw the crash and detained Moreno at the scene. The Mercy had docked in the Port of L.A. a week before the crash. With 1,000 beds, the ship was meant to take patients who did not have COVID-19 to ease the burden of Los Angeles County hospitals that had quickly reached capacity. Moreno told Los Angeles Port Police that he had caused the derailment because he was suspicious of the Mercy and believed it was docked for a "government takeover," not pandemic assistance, the U.S. attorney's office said. Moreno said that he had acted alone and that the act was not premeditated. At the time of the crash, he was an employee of Pacific Harbor Line, which operates in the L.A. and Long Beach port complex. "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," the U.S. attorney's office said. Seven weeks after arriving in Los Angeles, the Mercy left to return to its home port in San Diego, having treated only 77 patients. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Rhiannon McGavin, center, with Aman K. Batra, left, and Jeremy Radin at House of Pies after Radin's reading at Skylight Books. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) This story is part of Lit City, our comprehensive guide to the literary geography of Los Angeles. I don't ever think about L.A. when I'm writing. It just happens to seep in because this is where I'm from, Jeremy Radin told a group of three dozen people at Skylight Books on a Thursday evening. Los Angeles, he said, is the American city of longing. Radin was in conversation with his friend Rhiannon McGavin to celebrate the release of the updated edition of his collection Dear Sal. Reading from it, Radin transported his audience from Los Feliz to another fantastical dimension, capturing L.A.s transient, diasporic spirit. McGavin and Radin are Jewish Angeleno poets, born and raised, both familiar with the densely woven fabric of immigrant neighborhoods that make up their home city. McGavin may joke that shes a rootless cosmopolitan (riffing on an old antisemitic euphemism), but this place has rooted itself in her poetry as well. The two were joined for post-event dessert at the nearby House of Pies by poets Aman K. Batra and Keayva Mitchell, where they meditated on the city from its trees to its traffic, even as its wailing sirens forced weary pauses in the conversation. Rhiannon McGavin reads some of her poetry to a crowd gathered at Skylight Books in March. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles is the frayed edge of the American consciousness and I think that it's very useful as a cipher, McGavin said. Technology industries, media industries, a lot of things either started here or were catalyzed here. Radin said the pandemic had forced him to slow down and look around to contemplate, for example, its vegetation. I think we have the widest variety of trees anywhere in the country, he said. Our climate can support it. So this city is like a huge arboretum. As for the trees, so for the poets, some native and some uprooted from other climes, each with her own relationship to Los Angeles. Batras immigrant background has left her feeling unrooted, she said: I feel so displaced in L.A. and in Long Beach and in Artesia where I am from and in Punjab when I went to go visit my mom's family. Instead, shes found comfort in writing about the fixtures around her home. It's just the kitchen. It's the refrigerators heavy breathing and the apple fritter and the microwave and the orange peel and the trash can. The poets found one another over years of attending the same readings and parties, steadily forging a tightknit circle in a sprawling metropolis. Mitchell, who lives in Long Beach, said she isnt done growing roots. There are so many poets, she said, and I want to know them all. As if to drive the point home, friends strolling along North Vermont after the reading waved to Radin, the honored guest, and he regularly interrupted himself to greet them and recommend places to eat nearby. Talk turned to the traumas of traffic and other aspects of a city coming back to clattering life post-pandemic including, once again, the possibility of pulling up stakes again. Poetry lovers assemble for a book event featuring Rhiannon McGavin and Jeremy Radin at Skylight Books in March. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) McGavin will be moving to Ireland to study poetry in the fall; Mitchell will spend the summer in Spain. And Radin was thinking of how we find home wherever we go. [I am] very wary of an adherence to a place, said Radin. It seems really strange to me, the idea of no matter what this place, what the people of this place decide to do, I go along with it. McGavins love for the city has made her fiercely protective. On the cusp of a new mayoral election season, shes vocal against the elected officials who have made living here difficult. My least favorite part [of L.A. is] the city government, said McGavin. [And] the mayor's real estate billionaires that we have to deal with. When Im dictator, Batra added with a laugh, everyone gets a parking spot. Deng is a queer Taiwanese/Hong Konger American poet and journalist born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Search is on for 103 missing after Philippine storm kills at least 138 Aftermath of tropical storm Megi in Baybay city By Neil Jerome Morales MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippine military and aid workers pledged on Thursday to keep searching for 103 people missing after tropical storm Megi ripped through central areas this week, burying many under landslides and killing at least 138. Megi was the first cyclone this year to hit the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands that sees an average of 20 tropical storms a year. "We are doing retrieval operations and still looking for the missing," Senator Richard Gordon, chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross, told Reuters. Rescue workers were not immediately allowed to go to landslide-hit areas because of rains and unstable soil, Gordon said. "It was deadly because it dumped a lot of rain and it hit the mountains." Of the total casualties, 101 were in Baybay, a mountainous area prone to landslides in Leyte province, where more than 200 people were also injured, the city government said. A landslide killed 31 people in Leyte's Abuyog town. Three died in Cebu and Samar and three people drowned in other provinces, police and the national disaster agency said. "The search, rescue and retrieval operations will continue," a Philippine Army infantry unit in Baybay said on Facebook. Aerial photographs and video from the local government showed collapsed hillsides burying coconut plantations and houses in mud. In one area, rescuers had to use rubber boats to reach a landslide. Megi, which made landfall on Sunday with sustained winds of up to 65 km (40 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph (49 mph), has since dissipated. More than 162,000 residents are sheltering in evacuation centres, government data showed. In December, category 5 typhoon Rai ravaged the central Philippines, with the death toll reaching 405 and nearly 1,400 injured. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, killed 6,300 in 2013. (Reporting by Neil Jerome MoralesEditing by Ed Davies and Nick Macfie) FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2019 photo, Ed Buck appears in Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles. A wealthy California Democratic donor convicted of injecting two men with lethal doses of drugs faces a sentence of life in prison. Ed Buck will learn his fate Thursday, April 14, 2022, in a Los Angeles courtroom where a jury concluded his fetish turned fatal. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LOS ANGELES (AP) Even after two men were found dead in his California apartment, Ed Buck did not stop injecting gay men with walloping doses of methamphetamine. A federal judge on Thursday sentenced him to 30 years in prison in the deaths of Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean. Another man, Dane Brown, was repeatedly injected by Buck but survived and his harrowing account of being revived twice finally led to Bucks arrest in 2019. Buck, 67, a big dollar donor to Democratic, LGBTQ and animal rights causes, appeared in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for providing fatal doses of drugs, operating a drug den and enticing men to travel for prostitution. He was convicted last summer. Judge Christina A. Snyder said the sentencing decision was difficult because she had to balance the good Buck did in his life with the horrific crimes that she called more than just an accident. Prosecutors asked for a life sentence, saying that they couldn't take the risk that Buck might be released and that he has shown he is capable of re-offending. But Buck's defense attorneys sought a decade behind bars below the federal sentencing guidelines saying he was sexually abused as a child and health problems led to his drug addiction. Federal prosecutors said Buck's unrelenting fervor to satisfy a fetish by preying on vulnerable men, often young and Black, is reason enough to keep him behind bars for the rest of his life. Buck's attorneys said any sentence of more than 25 years would essentially mean a life sentence because he is 67. Buck told the judge on Thursday that he had loved the men and said he wished he could have turned back time but insisted he was not responsible. Their deaths were tragic but I did not cause their deaths, Buck said. Buck used his money and privilege to exploit the wealth and power imbalances between himself and his victims, who were unhoused, destitute, and/or struggling with addiction, Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Norell said in a court filing. He spent thousands of dollars on drugs and party and play sessions that destroyed lives and bred insidious addictions. Norell objected to the 30-year sentence, saying anything below 40 years in prison did not account for the severity of Buck's crimes. Defense lawyers asked the judge to be more lenient because Buck was sexually abused as a child and developed his drug addiction as the result of a medical condition. Attorneys Mark Werksman and Elizabeth Little said the judge should go below the 25-year sentence recommended by probation officials that would allow rehabilitation and treatment and would be much preferable to relegating him to death in prison. Probation officials also recommended a $1 million fine, though prosecutors said it should be $400,000 to leave money for lawsuits filed by the families of his survivors. Buck, a wealthy white man who worked as a male model and then made a small fortune selling an Arizona company he rescued from bankruptcy, helped lead a 1987 campaign to recall Republican Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham, who was ultimately convicted in an impeachment trial and kicked out of office. Buck retired at 32 to the city of West Hollywood, known for its large LGBTQ community, where he lived in a rent-controlled apartment and donated over $500,000 to mostly Democratic causes since 2000. His troubles began when Gemmel Moore was found dead in his apartment on July 27, 2017. Buck had flown Moore from Texas that morning for drug use and he was dead by sunset. Moore's mother, LaTisha Nixon, said in a letter to the court that she hoped Buck would get the maximum term for ruining her life and the hurt it has caused her family. Nixon, a certified nursing assistant, said she could not comfort her son the way she has for countless dying people. All I can think about is how my son died naked on a mattress with no love around him, Nixon said. No one to hold his hand or tell him good things. Community members and activists rallied outside Buck's apartment, calling for his arrest, but he remained free. Family members and Jasmyne Cannick, a political strategist, complained that Buck escaped prosecution because of wealth, political ties and race. While he was under investigation in Moore's death, Buck continued to pay men so he could inject them. He texted one man, Timothy Dean, to express his annoyance over the investigation. About 18 months after Moore's death, deputies were called to Buck's apartment on Jan. 7, 2019, to investigate Dean's death. Even after Dean's death, Buck was not arrested. Bucks lack of remorse is aptly captured in one image: As he was hiding out in a hotel, evading arrest for Gemmel Moores death, he was injecting Dane Brown, another young Black man, with back-to-back slams of methamphetamine," Norell said. Brown was homeless and later moved into Buck's apartment, where he was injected with meth most days and often several times a day. He was hospitalized Sept. 4, 2019, after Buck shot him up three times with back-to-back doses. He had five times the meth in his system that Moore and Dean had when they died, prosecutors said. Brown returned less than a week later and felt himself overdosing after Buck injected him three times with meth. Like other victims who testified against Buck at trial last summer, Brown was nearly immobilized. He said Buck wouldn't help him. Brown sat on the couch, resigned to the same fate as Moore and Dean, when he heard his deceased mother cry out to him, Get up, Dane, Norell said. Brown managed to get out of the apartment and made it to a nearby gas station, where he called for help and was taken to a hospital. Republicans in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky passed strict abortion laws this week, the latest in a wave of anti-abortion legislation being enacted across the country. On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill set to go into effect July 1 banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest. The state previously allowed abortion up to 24 weeks into pregnancy. We are here today to protect life, DeSantis said at the bills signing ceremony. We are here today to defend those who cant defend themselves. DeSantis is running for reelection and is seen as a possible GOP presidential candidate in 2024. Florida Democrats blasted his decision to sign the legislation, with U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel calling it a dark day for Florida. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando on Feb. 24. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The personal decision about whether and when to bring a child into this world should be made by the pregnant individual, not their governor, local representative, or Member of Congress, Frankel said in a statement. Its the third bill to become law this week. On Tuesday, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature that made it illegal to perform an abortion in the state except in medical emergencies, threatening those who do so with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. Unless blocked by a court, like similar legislation passed previously in other states, the law will go into effect this summer. "We want to choose life in Oklahoma. We do not want to allow abortions in the state of Oklahoma," Stitt said at a news conference for the bills signing. The following day, Republicans in Kentuckys state Legislature overrode a veto from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and implemented their own restrictions that abortion providers in the state say effectively outlaw the procedure there. The law bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and does not provide exceptions for incest or rape. GOP state Rep. Nancy Tate, one of the bills sponsors, said last month that there was value in bringing to term a pregnancy that resulted from rape, saying she did not want the ultimate punishment of death for the child in the womb that is conceived from a heinous crime. Anti-abortion activists in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 22. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Provisions in the law include making it illegal to mail abortion pills, tightening abortion access for minors and requiring the state to publish the names and addresses of all physicians who perform abortions. The law went into effect immediately and is already facing legal challenges from Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union. Kentuckys Republican attorney general, Daniel Cameron, said in a statement Thursday that his office would be defending the law. The spate of laws come along with the expectation that the U.S. Supreme Court is set to overturn or at least weaken Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, when it rules on a Mississippi abortion ban later this year. With conservatives controlling the court with a 6-3 majority, states have become bolder in passing legislation limiting access to the procedure. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a think tank that supports abortion rights, 26 states are certain or likely to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned as expected. Mistie DelliCarpini-Tolman, state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates in Idaho, told Yahoo News last month that the laws being passed across the nation are the culmination of a decade-long campaign by anti-abortion extremists to secure this conservative majority of the Supreme Court. Idaho Republicans passed their own abortion ban last month, with Gov. Brad Little signing it into law on March 23. The law bans abortion after six weeks before many women know theyre pregnant and would allow the mother, grandparents, siblings, aunts or uncles of either parent to sue medical personnel who provide an abortion up to four years after it takes place. While rapists and perpetrators of incest would not be able to sue, their family members would be. We heard in testimony in the committee; we heard in testimony here today that this will end many abortions in Idaho, said the bills sponsor, Republican state Rep. Steven Harris, after it passed the House. Lets save some babies. Idaho Gov. Brad Little and state officials in Boise on April 5. (Keith Ridler/AP Photo) Little, who is facing a GOP primary challenge from his right, expressed concern about that provision but signed the bill anyway. The bill is modeled on a Texas law passed last year that took effect in September and allows any private citizen to sue any other private citizen who aids in providing an abortion. While the Idaho bill is being challenged in the courts, legal attempts to overturn it have failed at both the state and federal levels. The Idaho Supreme Court temporarily blocked the ban from going into effect last week as it sought briefs from both sides before making its final decision. The White House has been critical of the measures. Make no mistake: The actions today in Oklahoma are a part of a 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, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday. According to a February Yahoo News/YouGov poll, only 29% of Americans said Roe v. Wade should be overturned, while 51% said it should be upheld. Fifty-five percent of respondents said abortion is a constitutional right that women in all states should have some access to, versus 29% who said it's something individual states should be able to outlaw. Democratic-controlled states are passing countermeasures to the new restrictions. In Oregon, a neighbor of Idaho, funding has been set aside for those traveling from out of state for the procedure. And in Maryland, the Democratic state Legislature overrode a veto from Republican Gov. Larry Hogan on a bill expanding access and requiring most insurance companies to cover the cost of abortions. A number of states, including Washington, have enacted laws prohibiting legal action against those seeking or providing an abortion. LONDON Russian officials said their flagship Black Sea vessel sank in what Ukrainian officials claimed was a missile strike against the warship Moskva. Defense Ministry officials in Moscow said on Thursday that the Moskva, a warship leading the countrys naval assault against Ukraine, sank while being towed to port during a storm. Moscow initially said a "fire" set off some of its weapons and that ammunition exploded on board" as a result. Officials said the crew, believed to include around 500 sailors, were safely evacuated from the burning ship. The ministry said the fire is now under investigation. However, the governor of Odesa claimed the damage was a result of a Ukrainian missile strike on Wednesday. The Russian navy's guided missile cruiser Moskva sails into the port of Sevastopol, Crimea. (Alexey Pavlishak/Reuters) "It has been confirmed that the missile cruiser Moskva today went exactly where it was sent by our border guards on Snake Island! the governor, Maksym Marchenko, said in a post on Telegram. Neptune missiles protecting the Black Sea have caused significant damage to this Russian ship. The Neptune is a Ukrainian-made anti-ship weapon that came into operation just last year, and its design is based on the Soviet Kh-35 cruise missile. The launchers are mounted on trucks and can hit targets up to roughly 175 miles away, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Neither Russia's nor Ukraines claims have been independently verified. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said early Thursday that the U.S. cannot confirm Ukraine's claims of hitting the ship but did say it was a big blow to Russia. A satellite image shows the Moskva in Port Sevastopol in Crimea. (Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies via AP) Alessio Patalano, a professor of war and strategy at King's College London, told CNN that losing the flagship vessel would be a "massive blow" for Russian forces. "Ships operate away from public attention, and their activities are rarely the subject of news, he said. But they are large floating pieces of national territory, and when you lose one, a flagship no less, the political and symbolic message in addition to the military loss stands out precisely because of it. Two Ukrainian sources confirmed to Sky News that the 13,780-ton warship had been hit by missiles launched by Ukraine. "She is on fire," one of the sources said of the warship. "The level of damage is being clarified. She is about 25 nautical miles from Snake Island." A satellite image shows an overview of Snake Island and Russian Ropucha ship. (Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters) The Moskva is the ship that tried to attack Snake Island in February on the day Russia invaded Ukraine. The warship approached the island in the Black Sea and ordered 13 Ukrainian soldiers to surrender. However, the Ukrainian soldiers told the Moskva to go f*** yourself. After the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the soldiers died heroically but did not give up. It was later reported by the countrys navy that they had been captured alive by Russia. According to the Ukrainian Parliament, the soldiers were later released in a prisoner swap. Ukrainian service member Roman Gribov, who was captured by Russian troops on Snake Island on Feb. 24 and swapped for Russian POWs, receives an award from military official Ihor Taburets in Cherkasy, Ukraine. (Press service of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration/Handout via Reuters) The warship has led the naval assault on Ukraine, making it an important military target. Moskva has been a naval power in the Black Sea since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. It carries a number of anti-submarine and mine-torpedo weapons and holds over a dozen Vulkan anti-ship missiles. If the Moskva is lost, it will be the second Russian warship to be destroyed by the Ukrainian military. On March 25, officials from Ukraine said they had struck a landing ship, named by Ukrainian forces as the Saratov, at the port of Berdyansk the day before. Videos from social media showed fires raging and smoke billowing from the docks, which had been occupied by Russian forces. _____ How are Ukrainian forces taking out so many Russian tanks? Use this embed to learn about some of the weapons systems the U.S. is sending to the Ukrainian army. By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Elon Musk's takeover bid for Twitter has prompted speculation that he would restore Donald Trump's account if he succeeds in purchasing the social-media platform. But the former U.S. president says he "probably" would not go back. In an interview with Sirius XM's Americano Media on Wednesday, before Musk's announcement, Trump said he "probably wouldn't have any interest" in returning to the platform, where he had almost 90 million followers. "You know, Twitter has become very boring. They've gotten rid of a lot of their good voices ... a lot of their conservative voices," Trump said. Musk, the Tesla CEO and billionaire entrepreneur, said he hopes to take Twitter private with the intent of making it a platform for free speech. Trump was permanently suspended by Twitter following the assault on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021. The platform cited the risk of "further incitement of violence." The attack on Congress followed a speech by Trump in which he reiterated false claims that his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden was because of widespread fraud, an assertion rejected by multiple courts and state election officials. Twitter's decision was criticized by Trump's Republican Party and others as an attempt to stifle conservative voices and an attack on free speech. Trump has since launched his own social media platform, Truth Social, which has been plagued by technical issues and long waiting times to sign up. In the interview, Trump said he would wait until after the U.S congressional elections in November to announce whether he will run for another presidential term. But, he said, "I think a lot of people are going to be very happy," about his decision. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Ross Colvin and Daniel Wallis) Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Sanya, S China's Hainan Xinhua) 09:02, April 14, 2022 Aerial photo taken on March 30, 2022 shows a seed innovation research center at the Yazhou Bay science and technology city in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua) A researcher conducts experiments at the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 24, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) A researcher conducts experiments at the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 23, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) Villagers plant soybeans at the Nanfan experiment base in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 25, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) A researcher conducts experiments at the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 24, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) A student walks into a teaching building at the Yazhou Bay science and technology city in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 24, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) Researchers have a discussion in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 24, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) Aerial photo taken on April 1, 2022 shows the Nanfan seed breeding base in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Villagers plant soybeans at the Nanfan experiment base in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 25, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) Aerial photo taken on March 23, 2022 shows the Yazhou Bay science and technology city in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua) Photo taken on April 10, 2022 shows plant seedlings at the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Aerial photo taken on Nov. 24, 2021 shows the Nanfan seed breeding project in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) Photo taken on April 10, 2022 shows the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) A researcher conducts rice hybridization experiments at the Nanfan seed breeding base in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 1, 2022. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) A graduate student (L) guides a farmer to plant soybeans at the Nanfan experiment base in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 25, 2021. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) A researcher conducts rice hybridization experiments at the Nanfan seed breeding base in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 1, 2022. The Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, which opened in May last year, has gathered over 800 research staff to work toward seed industry innovation in Hainan in collaboration with 19 member institutions. The laboratory is situated in the Nanfan breeding base in Hainan, which is dubbed the "silicon valley" of China's seed industry. Thousands of scientists from across the country visit the base each year to undertake seed breeding, thanks to its unique light and heat resources. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Migrants arrive into the Port of Dover onboard a Border Force vessel after being rescued while crossing the English Channel, in Dover By Alistair Smout and Clement Uwiringiyimana DUNGENESS, England/KIGALI (Reuters) -Britain could send tens of thousands of asylum seekers to Rwanda to be resettled, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday, setting out a tougher approach to break people-smuggling networks and stem the flow of migrants across the Channel. Concerns over immigration were a big factor in the 2016 Brexit vote, and Johnson has been under pressure to deliver on his promise to "take back control" of Britain's borders. But his plan drew swift criticism from opponents of his Conservative Party and from charities. "We must ensure that the only route to asylum in the UK is a safe and legal one," Johnson said in a speech in Kent, southeast England, where thousands of migrants in small boats landed on Channel beaches last year. "Those who try to jump the queue or abuse our systems will find no automatic path to set them up in our country, but rather be swiftly and humanely removed to a safe third country or their country of origin." Anyone who has arrived in Britain illegally since Jan. 1 could now be relocated to Rwanda, in East Africa, which would disrupt the business model of people-smuggling gangs, the prime minister said. "The deal we have done is uncapped and Rwanda will have the capacity to resettle tens of thousands of people in the years ahead," he said. 'UNETHICAL' The plan drew strong criticism from opposition parties, with interior minister Priti Patel's Labour Party counterpart, Yvette Cooper, saying it was costly, "unworkable and unethical". Concerns were also raised about Rwanda's human rights record, which the British government itself noted last year. Johnson said Rwanda was "one of the safest countries in the world", adding however that the risk of ending up in the country would prove a "considerable deterrent" over time. Human Rights Watch said Rwanda did not respect some of the most fundamental human rights. "Refugees have been abused in Rwanda and the government has, at times, kidnapped Rwandan refugees outside the country to bring them home to face trial and ill-treatment," said Lewis Mudge, HRW's Central Africa director. Patel signed the partnership agreement in Kigali on Thursday, and she presented it at a joint news conference with Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta. Biruta said Rwanda's recent history had given it "a deep connection to the plight of those seeking safety and opportunity in a new land". Rwanda has already accepted almost 130,000 refugees from numerous countries, including Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Afghanistan and Libya, he added. The migrants will be housed temporarily in facilities, generally hostels or hotels, in Kigali while their asylum claims are looked into, Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told Reuters. "Once their claims are determined they will be facilitated to integrate into the community," she said. Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire said the country was hospitable but it should first solve its internal problems. Johnson said the plan would face legal challenges, but said the partnership was "fully compliant" with international legal obligations. The British government would contribute an initial 120 million pounds ($158 million). RICKETY BOATS A minister in Johnson's government said the plan was focused on single young men. "This is about male economic migrants in the main," Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart told Sky News. "There is a different set of issues with women and children." Opposition lawmakers said Johnson was trying to distract from the renewed calls on him to resign after being fined by police on Tuesday for attending a gathering for his birthday in June 2020 when social mixing was all but banned under COVID-19 rules his government had introduced. Last year, more than 28,000 migrants and refugees made the crossing from mainland Europe to Britain. The arrival of migrants on rickety boats has been a source of tension between France and Britain, especially after 27 migrants drowned when their dinghy deflated in November. "Around 600 came across the Channel yesterday. In just a few weeks this could again reach a thousand a day," Johnson said. The new approach will see the Royal Navy take over operational command from Border Force in the Channel, he said, and Greek-style accommodation centres would open in Britain. The head of a refugee advocacy group said the plan violated the principle of granting asylum seekers a fair hearing on British soil. "I think it's rather extraordinary that the government is obsessing with control instead of focusing on competence and compassion," Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, told BBC radio. ($1 = 0.7617 pounds) (Writing by Paul Sandle, Kylie MacLellan and Michael Holden; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle, Catherine Evans, Tomasz Janowski and Gareth Jones) Yahoo News explains. See the latest. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent out another desperate plea on Wednesday to Western countries for more weapons and supplies to repel Russian forces and stop their war crimes. Zelensky has repeatedly asked NATO to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine in a bid to stop the brutal bombardment from Kremlin-led forces. Although the international alliance has denied Zelenskys request, Ukraines allies have sent billions of dollars in munitions and military assistance. But what has each country promised to deliver, and what has already been sent? Ukrainian soldiers use a launcher with U.S. Javelin missiles during military exercises in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on Dec. 23, 2021. (Ukrainian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) What did the U.S. send? On Wednesday, President Biden authorized an $800 million military aid package for Ukraine. The shipment includes a wide range of weapons to help Kyiv fight against Russias military the second strongest in the world. The newly announced assistance has the following: 11 Mi-17 helicopters 18 155 mm howitzers and 40,000 artillery rounds 10 AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radars Two AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel air surveillance radars 300 Switchblade tactical unmanned aerial systems, otherwise known as armed drones 500 Javelin antitank missiles and thousands of other anti-armor systems 200 M113 armored personnel carriers 100 armored Humvees Unmanned coastal defense vessels Equipment to protect from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear contaminants Medical equipment 30,000 sets of body armor and helmets Over 2,000 optics and laser rangefinders C-4 explosives and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing M18A1 Claymore antipersonnel munition configured to be consistent with the Ottawa Convention Polish Mi-17 helicopters during Dragon-17 exercises at a military range near Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, in 2017. (Agencja Gazeta/Cezary Aszkielowicz via Reuters) American soldiers will also be directly training Ukrainian troops on how to use the more advanced weaponry such as the surveillance radar and the counter-artillery radar. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby has said training may be done by U.S. soldiers in Europe. On Wednesday, the Defense Department said the U.S. has now committed $3.2 billion in security assistance to help Ukraine since Biden took office, with $2.6 billion committed since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. Airmen and civilians from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron palletize ammunition, weapons and other equipment for Ukraine at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Jan. 21. (Mauricio Campino/U.S. Air Force via AP) "The Administration is working around the clock to fulfill Ukraine's priority security assistance requests, delivering weapons from U.S. stocks when they are available, and facilitating the delivery of weapons by allies and partners when their systems better suit Ukraine's needs," a Defense Department memo stated earlier this month. The document also gave specific counts of the weapons that have been sent to Ukraine. This includes: Over 1,400 Stinger antiaircraft systems Over 5,000 Javelin anti-armor systems Over 7,000 other anti-armor systems Hundreds of Switchblade drones Over 7,000 small arms Over 50 million rounds of ammunition 45,000 sets of body armor and helmets Laser-guided rocket systems Puma unmanned aerial systems, otherwise known as hand-launched lightweight drones Four counter-artillery and counter-unmanned aerial system tracking radars Four counter-mortar radar systems Armored Humvees Night vision devices, thermal imagery systems and optics Tactical secure communications systems Commercial satellite imagery services Explosive ordnance disposal protective gear Medical supplies, including first aid kits Along with the Pentagon, U.S. civilians have been donating munitions to the Ukrainian defense. One Florida-based company, KelTec, shipped more than $200,000 worth of rifles after a client in Odesa, Ukraine, was no longer in contact. In Colorado, more than 25 state law agencies donated nearly 840 sets of body armor and more than 1,000 helmets. Adrian Kellgren, director of industrial production of KelTec, with pallets containing rifles being shipped to Ukraine, at the company's manufacturing facility in Cocoa, Fla., on. March 17. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP) What about the U.K.? Last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the U.K. would send weapons worth $132 million to Ukraine. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed to Sky News that the country would send Mastiff armored vehicles to assist the Ukrainian defense. A U.K. soldier with a Mastiff armored vehicle during exercises in Salisbury, England, ahead of a deployment to Mali in October 2020. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) We will be sending armored vehicles, protective armored vehicles such as Mastiff to make sure that Ukraine has that support, he said. Its very important that we do what we can to help Ukraine, and where they ask us for equipment, if weve got it or we can help other people provide it, well do that. Since January, Britain has sent: More than 4,000 NLAWs, or next-generation light antitank weapons Small number of Javelin missiles Starstreak anti-air missiles 3,000 sets of body armor 2,000 helmets 4,000 boots Thousands of ear defenders and sleeping mats What have other countries sent to Ukraine? According to Politico, more than 25 nations in total have helped to buy and send weapons to Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion. Germany sent 1,000 antitank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles, while the Czech Republic confirmed to Reuters that it had successfully delivered multiple rocket launchers, howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks. Defense sources told Reuters that five T-72 tanks and five BVP-1, or BMP-1, infantry fighting vehicles were already spotted in Ukraine, though that was from the first shipments of equipment. A Ukrainian service member drives a captured Russian T-72 tank in the village of Lukianivka, Ukraine, on March 27. (Serhii Nuzhnenko/Reuters) Sweden Foreign Minister Ann Linde tweeted in February that Sweden would send 5,000 anti-tank weapons, 5,000 helmets, 5,000 body shields and 135,000 field rations. Finland, which along with Sweden has remained neutral, made the historic decision to supply weapons to Ukraine. Finland said it would send 150,000 rounds of ammunition, 1,500 rocket launchers, 2,500 assault rifles and 70,000 servings of field rations. Belgium, Portugal and Denmark sent a mixture of automatic rifles, antitank weapons, night-vision goggles and G3 rifles. Slovakia dispatched S-300 air defense systems from its own arsenal, while Estonia confirmed the shipment of nine D-30 122 mm towed howitzers, as well as hundreds of shells. By March 2, Spain had already sent 20 tons of medical and military supplies to Kyiv and confirmed it would send 700,000 munitions, 1,370 grenade launchers and light automatic weapons. An S-300 air defense missile system launches a missile at the International Army Games near Astrakhan, Russia, in 2017. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters) From Turkey, Ukraine received dozens of Turkish-made weapons called Bayraktar TB2 drones. The first shipments of these $2 million drones arrived in Ukraine in 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported. Ukraines air force confirmed in the first week of the war that two strikes made against Russian targets were from the drones. In a post on Facebook, the chief of Ukraines air force, Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, called the weapons life-giving. The drones can stay in midair for 24 hours and can reach an altitude of 25,000 feet. Ukrainian servicemen with a Bayraktar TB2 UCAV at the Kulbakyne aerodrome in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, in June 2021. (Yulii Zozulia/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison committed $70 million to Ukraine in missiles and ammunition in early March. The overwhelming majority of that [$70 million] will be in the lethal category, Morrison said. We are talking missiles, ammunition, we are talking supporting them in their defense of their own homeland in Ukraine. It is unknown what exact weapons were on the list to be given to Ukraine. _____ How are Ukrainian forces taking out so many Russian tanks? Use this embed to learn about some of the weapons systems the U.S. is sending to the Ukrainian army. Rwanda to take asylum seekers from UK for processing under Government plans The Government will announce multimillion-pound plans for asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats to be flown for processing to Rwanda. Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to sign a deal with the East African nation during a visit on Thursday, with people seeking sanctuary in the UK to be sent more than 4,000 miles. Some of those who make the perilous crossing of the Channel, as well as by other means deemed illegal by the Government, would be sent to Rwanda while their claims are assessed offshore. Home Secretary Priti Patel is met by delegates as she arrives in Rwanda (Flora Thompson/PA) An initial 120 million is expected to be given to the Rwandan government under a trial scheme, which is being criticised by refugee charities as a cruel and nasty decision that will fail to address the issue and lead to more human suffering and chaos. Asylum seekers who remain in the UK while their claims are considered could be housed in stricter reception centres under the plans. The first will reportedly open in the village of Linton-on-Ouse, in North Yorkshire. News of the scheme quickly drew derision from the Opposition as well as refugee advocates, including the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, who told the BBC it would not work. I really worry that this is not the right way to treat asylum seekers. We have an international duty under the Refugee Convention to look after asylum seekers well. They are big issues. Theyve got to tackled and I dont think this is the way to do it, he said. I remain to be convinced that its going to be deterrent in any way. Labour accused Boris Johnson of trying to distract from being fined for breaching coronavirus laws with unworkable, unethical and extortionate plans. Human rights campaigners have described the Governments plan as barbaric, cowardly shockingly ill-conceived. Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UKs refugee and migrant rights director, said that the African nation had a dismal human rights record. In a statement to the PA news agency, Mr Valdez-Symonds said: Sending people to another country let alone one with such a dismal human rights record for asylum processing is the very height of irresponsibility and shows how far removed from humanity and reality the Government now is on asylum issues. A group of people are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) The Government is already wrecking our asylum system at huge cost to the taxpayer while causing terrible anxiety to the people stuck in the backlogs it has created. But this shockingly ill-conceived idea will go far further in inflicting suffering while wasting huge amounts of public money. Another refugee advocacy group issued a withering assessment of the scheme, calling it a grubby cash-for-people plan that was cowardly and barbaric. The chief executive of Refugee Action Tim Naor Hilton accused the Government of offshoring its responsibilities onto Europes former colonies instead of doing our fair share to help some of the most vulnerable people on the planet. He added that the UK should have learnt from Australias horrific experiment of sending refugees thousands of miles away to camps where they experienced rampant abuse as well as rape, murder and suicide. This grubby cash-for-people plan would be a cowardly, barbaric and inhumane way to treat people fleeing persecution and war, Mr Naor Hilton said. Ministers seem too keen to ignore the reality that most people who cross the Channel in flimsy boats are refugees from countries where persecution and war are rife and who just want to live in safety. Detention Action said that the men sent to Rwanda would likely face indefinite detention under a government notorious for violent persecution of dissent. The advocacy group added: At the same time, the UK currently gives asylum to Rwandan refugees fleeing political persecution. In Kigali, Rwanda, ahead of a significant moment for the New Plan for Immigration. Prime Minister @BorisJohnson will set out the full detail tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HxbZlFv9g2 Priti Patel (@pritipatel) April 13, 2022 The Prime Minister is set to argue in a speech on Thursday that action is needed to combat the vile people smugglers turning the ocean into a watery graveyard. Ms Patel is then expected to set out further details of a migration and economic development partnership with Rwanda, during a visit to the capital of Kigali. It is thought the asylum seekers will be encouraged to relocate and rebuild their lives in Rwanda, rather than the UK, with more information on how the arrangement will work anticipated in the coming days. Mr Johnson will say that the number of people making the perilous crossing of the Channel could reach 1,000 a day within weeks, after around 600 arrived on Wednesday. I accept that these people whether 600 or one thousand are in search of a better life; the opportunities that the United Kingdom provides and the hope of a fresh start, he is expected to say. But it is these hopes these dreams that have been exploited. These vile people smugglers are abusing the vulnerable and turning the Channel into a watery graveyard, with men, women and children drowning in unseaworthy boats and suffocating in refrigerated lorries. Mr Johnson will argue that the long-term plan for asylum in this country will be world-leading and will settle thousands of people every year through safe routes. While not anticipated to be an easy task or without challenges, officials and ministers are said to believe the plan will allow the UK to better support those fleeing oppression, persecution and tyranny through safe and legal routes while also controlling the border. But British Red Cross executive director Zoe Abrams said the humanitarian network was profoundly concerned about the plans to send traumatised people halfway round the world to Rwanda. The financial and human cost will be considerable; evidence from where offshoring has been implemented elsewhere shows it leads to profound human suffering, plus the bill that taxpayers will be asked to foot is likely to be huge, she added. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, urged the Government to immediately rethink its plans. We are appalled by the Governments cruel and nasty decision to send those seeking sanctuary in our country to Rwanda, he said. Offshoring the UKs 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 at a huge expense of an estimated 1.4 billion a year. But the Home Office questioned the figure, with a source saying it was ludicrous to suggest costs would be more than the current system. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the Governments plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing is unworkable, unethical and extortionate. The expected deal with Rwanda comes after other locations touted including Ascension Island, Albania and Gibraltar were rejected, at times angrily by the nations suggested. Peers could mount fresh resistance to the measure, having already inflicted a series of defeats to the Governments Nationality and Borders Bill. The legislation is currently in a tussle between the Commons and the Lords after peers defeated ministers, including with a demand that offshore asylum claims should be subject to approval by both Houses of Parliament. Marysville, CA (95901) Today Lots of sunshine. High 76F. Winds W 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. YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to deliver a speech in parliament today after lawmakers will finish the debates on the governments 2021 report. 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 14, ARMENPRESS. Commemoration events will be held in France on April 24 the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, at the initiative of the Armenian community, Co-Chair of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France, member of the ARF Bureau, Murad Papazian, said in an interview to Armenpress. He said that the traditional commemoration event will take place near the Komitas monument, attended by representatives of the government, the parliament and the Paris city authorities. The second round of the French presidential election is scheduled on April 24. Emmanuel Macron will participate in the second round, therefore, he could not be present on that day. He will probably make another step several days before April 24. We expect that in addition to the meeting with us, President Macron will also commemorate the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Murad Papazian said. The speeches will focus on Turkeys denialist policy. Murad Papazian said the issue of the security of Armenia and Artsakh is also on the agenda. The speeches will be followed by a march. The Hayordi Youth Union informed that a torchlight march and a candlelight vigil commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as well as those fallen at the 2020 Artsakh War, will take place in Strasbourg on April 23, at 19:15. Another event commemorating the victims of the Genocide is also scheduled on April 24, at 19:00. YEREVAN, 14 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 14 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.92 drams to 471.51 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.73 drams to 514.18 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.12 drams to 5.79 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 4.93 drams to 619.14 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 183.04 drams to 29966.34 drams. Silver price up by 8.89 drams to 388.69 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams. China has extended a $1.3 billion syndicated loan and a $1.5 billion-yuan denominated swap, while negotiations are ongoing for more loans MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: India is willing to commit up to another $2 billion in financial assistance to Sri Lanka while also supporting the island nation with food and fuel, five sources told Reuters, as New Delhi tries to regain ground lost to China in recent years. Sri Lanka, hit by its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948 and on the brink of its first debt default, has been asking friendly nations including India and China for credit lines, food and energy. The Asian giants have already committed billions of dollars in financial support. "We are definitely looking to help them out and are willing to offer more swap lines and loans," said an Indian source aware of various discussions with Sri Lanka. A senior government source in New Delhi said Sri Lanka's warning on Tuesday of defaulting on debt payments was a worry, but that "we can still give them up to $2 billion in swaps and support". Another source familiar with Sri Lanka's thinking said it was seeking India's help to roll over some $2 billion in dues, such as those owed to the South Asia-focussed Asian Clearing Union. The source said the response had been positive from India. All the sources had direct knowledge of the matter or had been briefed on it, but they declined to be named as the discussions were private. India's government and its central bank, as well as Sri Lanka's foreign and finance ministries, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. India has so far committed $1.9 billion to Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and currency swaps. Sri Lanka has also sought another $500 million credit line for fuel. China has extended a $1.3 billion syndicated loan and a $1.5 billion-yuan denominated swap, while negotiations are ongoing for more loans and credit lines. One of the sources said New Delhi was keen for its southern neighbour to cut its reliance on China. Sri Lanka has an outstanding debt of about $3.5 billion with China - or 10.8% of the island's total - and Beijing has also built ports and roads in the country. "We want them to reduce their debt levels from China and we want to become stronger partners," said the source. CUTTING TIES India has also sent ships with sugar, rice and wheat - items of which it has a surplus, unlike China - to Sri Lanka ahead of the country's Sinhala and Tamil New Year on Thursday. Four of the sources said though New Delhi had not formally made cutting Sri Lanka's reliance on Beijing a condition for offering help, it had been able to make the Sri Lankans realise that it was in a better position to support them than China. Sri Lanka is due to formally start loan negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on Monday, and one of the Indian sources said that would be critical in New Delhi agreeing to more aid for the country. Sri Lanka's central bank said on Tuesday it had become "challenging and impossible" to repay external debt, as it tries to use its dwindling foreign exchange reserves to import essentials like fuel. Street protests have gone on for more than a month against shortages of fuel, food, power and medicine. As many as 53 houses and shops built in 'violation of the law' have so far been demolished in Khargone BJP Yuva Morcha members burn an effigy of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh over his tweet on Khargone violence, in Jabalpur. (PTI Photo) Bhopal: Curfew remained in force in the communal violence-hit Khargone town of Madhya Pradesh for the fourth day Wednesday, even as a crackdown on rioters by the police continued there. Some incidents of arson were reported in Khargone late on Tuesday despite the imposition of curfew. State home minister Narottam Mishra said: Curfew remained in force in Khargone on Wednesday. A decision on the relaxation of curfew will be taken by the local administration after reviewing the situation. Mr Mishra said the drive to bulldoze the illegal buildings of the accused in the incident that began on Monday continued for the fourth day on Wednesday. The minister said the state was put on alert after Sundays communal violence in Khargone. Sources said three illegal buildings of miscreants allegedly involved in stone-pelting on the Ram Navami procession on Sunday in the city were bulldozed on Wednesday. As many as 53 houses and shops built in violation of the law have so far been demolished in the city. Meanwhile, at least a dozen people were rounded up in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday in the district headquarters of Khargone, the police said. The arrests were made over the communal violence in the city on Sunday triggered by stone-pelting by miscreants on a Ram Navami procession. As many as 111 people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident, the police said. We have identified around 200 people involved in Sundays communal violence. As many as 111 miscreants have so far been arrested and the rest will be nabbed soon, a senior district police officer, who sought anonymity, said. In another development, local Congress MLA Ravi Joshi said 17 families have been rendered homeless due to the violence. Last year, an extensive drive was conducted against officials reporting late for work in govt offices and the latecomers were reprimanded 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. by Vladimir Rozanskij The long-standing issue has dragged on since the dissolution of the USSR. Of 970 km of the border, only 519 are fixed. In the last eight meetings, the two sides have managed to settle only 81 km. The Kyrgyz reopen the border with Kazakhstan, closed to contain Covid-19. Moscow (AsiaNews) - A series of meetings have begun between Tajiki and Kyrgyz topographers in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, in order to solve once and for all the long-standing issue of border demarcation between the two countries. According to official communiques, the meeting takes place "in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding", and a protocol has been drawn up on the conditions to be met, without divulging other details. The Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that the next meeting will be held in Kyrgyzstan. The chairman of the Dusanbe Committee for Land Administration and Geodesy, Orif Khodzazod, said that "in order to succeed in completing the previous protocol of May 1, 2021, both sides will need to meet many more times." In the last eight meetings, the two sides have managed to settle only 81 kilometers of the border in a rather piecemeal fashion, going back to earlier documents from the early Soviet period of 1924-1929 and the Joint Commission of 1989, as the Moscow Empire was dissolving. The border between the two countries stretches 970 kilometers, of which only 519 kilometers are officially fixed. The other areas, which include water resources and grazing areas, are still disputed, and in recent years there have been frequent armed clashes and skirmishes of all kinds between border guards and local inhabitants. The most significant armed conflict took place at the end of April last year: 19 Tajiks lost their lives, with 87 wounded; the Kyrgyz had 36 dead and 154 wounded. Dozens of homes have been completely or partially destroyed, and relations between the two countries have remained in a state of strong mutual hostility. Two years ago, Kyrgyzstan had also blocked the borders with Kazakhstan, not because of conflict, but because of the coronavirus. Since April 11 the borders have been reopened to pedestrians, but not to cars, and there are very long queues of freight trucks at the only crossing point of Ak-Zol. The opening allowed the reunion of many mixed Kazakh-Kyrgyz families living near the border. In the past two years they had to fly to Almaty and then travel back hundreds of kilometers by bus to meet, which was a huge waste of time and money. Before the pandemic, about 1,500 cars and 10,000 people passed through Ak-Zol every day, which became 2,500 and 35,000 during the tourist season; all stores and stores in the border area were closed during the pandemic. Now other important crossings such as Caldovar, Ken-Bulun and Tokmok have been reopened, and although rail connections have not yet resumed, life is beginning to resume on Kyrgyzstan's borders. by Melani Manel Perera Traditional New Year celebrations involve ritual meals early in the morning, but long lines are needed to get increasingly expensive basic items. Grassroots movements are demanding the government quit. Colombo (AsiaNews) Due to the countrys economic crisis, Sri Lankas New Year, which falls today, will be different this year. Called Aluth Avurudda in Sinhala and Puthandu in Tamil, New Year Day is a statutory holiday. Everyone in the country celebrates wearing light golden clothes and turn towards the east. The rituals include milk rice mixed with curd as well as sweetmeats with undu flour at specific propitious times of the morning. However, this time most people have been unable to mark the coming of the new year because of shortages of basic items like flour, milk and gas. People are forced to stand in long queues for hours, sometimes days. We cannot use the wood stove, so I stood in line for two days to get a gas bottle to cook for the New Year, said Chandraletha Somaweera, a Buddhist woman in Colombo, speaking to AsiaNews. We don't want to celebrate this year. Our political leaders promised us prosperity and this is their gift, noted Shelton Fernando, a tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) driver from the Ja-Ela area. To have a days worth of fuel to work I have to stand in line for three. What new year can this be for us?" Indrani Victor, a Tamil Catholic pottery vendor usually sells out for New Year's celebrations. This year, she told AsiaNews, she sold only seven pots. Usually three of us work; this year it's just me. Other merchants are in the same situation. According to some vendors in the city of Kandana, People have no money, they eat one meal a day, and there is nothing for children because milk powder is very expensive. In their view, Politicians have completely ruined our peaceful lives and are still trying to keep power. Since last Sunday, a crowd has stood in protest across from the office of the Presidential Secretariat in the capital. Young and old, men and women, regardless of ethnicity, religion or social class, people are calling on the government to quit, including the president and prime minister. Young people have rejected Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's call for talks. No discussion. Step Down! they said. You are trying to engage with the wrong group this time. Seen as a favourite to replace Premier Li Keqiang, Li Qiang, communist boss in Shanghai and Xi Jinpings ally, is under attack for his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. If the health crisis spreads, turmoil might follow with serious economic repercussions. A weakened Xi will have to give room to factions that oppose him. Beijing (AsiaNews) In Shanghai the COVID-19 pandemic will have political repercussions that will impact the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), scheduled for next fall. Until the metropolis of 26 million was hit by a major outbreak, the position of Chinese President Xi Jinping seemed unassailable, but now it seems weakening. Along with the victory against extreme poverty, Xi would like to claim victory over COVID-19, which he hastily announced in mid-2020. Perhaps now hell have to review his approach since the coronavirus cannot be defeated by rhetoric, and its persistence threatens his (controversial) achievements in the fight against poverty. COVID-19s first major political victim is Shanghais communist party secretary Li Qiang, a Xi ally touted as Premier Li Keqiang's probable successor. The coronavirus outbreak in the country's commercial and financial capital seemingly irked Xi, causing the automatic fall from grace of his now former protege. As Nikkei Asia notes, Li Qiang's demotion was visible when Deputy Premier Sun Chunlan was sent to Shanghai with Xi's marching orders to relieve local leaders of their duties. Sun is in charge of the national anti-COVID-19 campaign, but within the CPC hierarchy she is equal to Li Qiang, since both are members of the Politburo. Shanghai, which accounts for 95 per cent of new cases, is set remain in lockdown until the end of April. However, various observers note that the draconian approach to eradicating the coronavirus could trigger a humanitarian crisis in the city. Already local authorities are struggling to hand out food to the population. The first videos of protest against Xi's zero COVID policy have appeared on social media, while many experts view this strategy as too inflexible and impractical against the Omicron variant. Chinese leaders fear that the outbreak in Shanghai could occur in other parts of the country, especially in rural areas, where the vaccination rate among senior citizens is lower and health services are often inadequate. The economic impact must also be considered, since the lockdown affects production, logistics and consumption. According to Nomura, cited by the Financial Review, the 23 Chinese cities that are in total or partial lockdown represent 13.6 per cent of the countrys population and 22 per cent of its gross domestic product. The combination of severe restrictions on people and economic problems could spark protests never seen before since the Tiananmen movement of 1989, a scenario that terrifies Xi. The combination would be explosive and undermine his leadership, or at least weaken it, forcing him to hand over key government and party positions to people from other factions. Most analysts believe that the choice of the new premier will indicate Xis level of influence after the Congress. With Li Qiang out and Xi weakened, Hu Chunhua could be the next premier. A deputy premier and politburo member, he rose through the ranks of the Communist Youth League, and is member of a powerful party faction linked to former President Hu Jintao and Premier Li Keqiang, which has been marginalised by Xi in recent years. Eventually Xi and his adversaries within the party might find a compromise candidate like Wang Yang, president of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a body that sanctions decisions taken by the party. Wang is not linked to any particular faction or specific leader; thus, he might be judged on the basis of his work. The results of the fight against pandemic will weigh heavily on Xi's political future. Only more tragic news from the Ukraine war might have a greater impact on the post-20th Congress balance of power in China. "RED LANTERNS" IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE. by Guido Alberto Casanova Yoon visited North Gyeongsang Province this week to mend fences with local conservatives. The Park administration ended in 2016-17 amid a corruption scandal. The former president was released from prison in December. Elections for the mayor of Daegu are set for June. Milan (AsiaNews) With less than a month to go before Yoon Suk-yeol takes office as the next president of South Korea, the transition committee has already made public the names of the first ministers of the new cabinet. Among South Koreas conservatives, there is also some movement, as evinced by President-elect Yoons recent visit (11-12) April) to North Gyeongsang (Gyeongsang-buk) Province and Daegu Metropolitan City, traditional conservative strongholds, as well as his meeting with former President Park Geun-hye. Yoon travelled to the countrys southeast to thank local voters for their support in the presidential election, since he won 73 per cent and 75 per cent of the vote respectively in the aforementioned province and city. For Yoon another goal was to bury the hatchet within the conservative camp, in particular, in Daegu, which is linked to former President Park Geun-hye, who represented the area in South Koreas National Assembly (parliament) for well over a decade before her election as president. Her presidency (2013-2017) ended in impeachment, conviction on corruption charges, and a 22-year sentence. The prosecution in her case was led by Yoon as chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The two met for the first time on Tuesday, but, understandably, relations between Yoon and Park are not easy. In fact, last year, when he ran in the primaries to become the candidate for the conservative People Power Party, he hardly won over any Park supporters. However, in Daegu voters did place their trust in Yoon when it came time to pick a president, so the president-elect decided to pay a visit to Park who was pardoned last December and released. The meeting with Park was brief but significant for at least three reasons. The first is that Yoon expressed his sadness on a human level for what happened to the former president, telling reporters that he told Park he always felt sad in his heart. In addition to this, Yoon plans adopt some of her policies so that she can regain her honour, said Kwon Young-se, an official on Yoon's transition team. Finally, Yoon said he wants to learn from Park's father, the former dictator President Park Chung-hee, founder of South Koreas modern conservatism. By visiting Park, Yoon is trying to rebuild a party not yet fully recovered from the shock of 2016-2017. The meeting was aimed at rebuilding a relationship of trust between some of the old guard and a new generation of conservatives who have climbed to the top of party thanks to Yoon and his rapid political rise as an outsider. For Yoon, the first test will be upcoming local elections in June, with the Daegu mayoralty race a key ground to see if he can unite the right. The three were found guilty under Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran. Their charge sheet includes engaging in propaganda and education of deviant beliefs contrary to the Holy Sharia as well as connections with foreign leaders. The judge who presided over this case came under pressure to deliver what one activist calls an arbitrary sentence. Tehran (AsiaNews) Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, a city in Gilan province on the Caspian Sea, convicted three Iranian Christian converts from Islam for engaging in propaganda and education of deviant beliefs contrary to the Holy Sharia as well as for connections with foreign leaders. All three were sentenced to five years in prison. They also have to pay a fine of 18 million tomans (around US$ 7,500). According to the Article 18, Ahmad Sarparast, Morteza Mashoodkari and Ayoob Poor-Rezazadeh were arrested in September 2021 and indicted under Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran. Their trial began on 25 January and their sentence handed down last Saturday, 10 April. Iman Soleimani, a lawyer representing the three Christians, reports that the verdict is based only on information provided by the Guardians of the Revolution (Pasdaran). In his view, there is no legal basis for the conviction. Their only crime was meeting to pray and worship as Christians. However, a religious assembly cannot be considered an action against the state. The first question asked by the judge during the trial related to the religion of the accused. This turned the hearing into a form of inquisition whereby the presiding judge played the role of public prosecutor rather than an independent third party called to rule on the matter. In fact, the judge explicitly referred to the religion of the accused as a motive for their conviction. All three are appealing the verdict, and for the sake of justice, all three have turned down an offer of lenience sentence reduced by a quarter and better treatment in prison if they agree to remain quiet. The three men are the second group of Christians convicted under Article 500 after the Penal Code was amended last year to further restrict freedom of religion for non-Muslims. The defence attorney stressed that the judge came under pressure, which prompted him to impose the maximum sentence against the Christians. On Twitter, Soleimani writes: Unfortunately, in political and security cases, the judges are under a lot of pressure from the arresting agents, and some independent judges have openly stated this in the presence of lawyers and defendants, and complained about this situation and the fact that they can also face charges themselves if they do not comply. For Article 18s advocacy director Mansour Borji, The verdict in this case is typical of arbitrary sentences, stating only that the individuals were convicted because they had remained persistent in their beliefs. What is more, the conviction is also based only on the reports of interrogators nothing more and is therefore entirely devoid of any legal justification. The proceedings in this case also clearly debunk Iranian officials claims, repeated constantly to international media, that the judiciary is independent. by Louis Raphael Sako* In his Easter message, the Chaldean Primate underlines the "dangerous moment" that could lead to a world conflict. An invitation to political and religious leaders to use "diplomatic means" to avert further escalation. Christians flock to celebrate the liturgies, from the plain of Nineveh to Baghdad. Baghdad (AsiaNews) - The world is in the midst of a "dangerous moment" that could lead to a "devastating world war" with "heavy repercussions" on the entire "political process". The Easter moment thus becomes an opportunity to invite "all believers" Christians, Jews and Muslims (who celebrate Ramadan at this time) to look at "the tragedy in Ukraine and in the countries of the Middle East," to their "humiliation" in order to find new ways of peace, writes the Chaldean Primate, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, in his message to priests and faithful of the community in Iraq and around the world, on the occasion of Easter. In the letter, the cardinal invites "presidents, religious authorities and the whole of society" to use "diplomatic means" and not conflict to "solve problems" and stop "the production of lethal weapons." For Iraqi Christians it will be a Holy Week of rebirth, after the dark years of war, emigration, violence perpetrated by the Islamic State (IS, formerly Isis) and the closures imposed in the previous two years for the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a first moment of communal celebration on Palm Sunday, with packed services and crowds of thousands as had not been seen for some time. Both in Baghdad and in the plain of Nineveh, where there is a slow but steady return of families that once fled because of the jihadists. A testament to a Christianity that is still alive in the region. "Every believer in God, and Christians in particular, must reject - observes Card. Sako - the logic based on 'war-death', because it clashes with the logic of love, peace and life." Below, the message of the Chaldean Patriarch: Easter celebration this year reminds us, more than any other time, of Gods love for mankind, His closeness and His vast mercy to all, through the resurrection of Christ, which is an affirmation for brighter future and salvation of humanity, as long as it proceeds according to His teaching. His resurrection comes to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace) Luke 1/ 79). Jesus resurrection is a consolation and a hope for us. Moreover, it is a deposit for the resurrection of all those who believe in Him. Ultimately His Gospel is a message of hope, reminding us of important things in our lives. The passion of Christ is a new birth, a glorious resurrection. and an establishment of a new congregation (Church). Resurrection is an invitation to enter into a new era, and a new covenant, in which we love each other sincerely, and cooperate enthusiastically with impartiality, to be always present next to each other, following the example of Jesus disciples whose love brought them together when He was risen and shared what they owned freely. I wonder why the Christian spiritual values disappeared in most of our societies. What have we done with the teaching of Christ, who called us to love everyone, including our enemies? What have we done with the values of fraternity, peace, stability, respect and the common good? It is a shame that our spirituality is getting poor. Why did our societies, especially the Western ones abandoned Christian Values? The Church must work hard to restore these values so that our world may enjoy peace, security, justice in a spirit of love. The Church should reflect the light of the Gospel on the current affairs that shape the life of our societies. Otherwise, it will remain idle - Out of order. Believers of all religions should communicate with every human being, regardless of his religion, sect or nationality, to reach an understanding and fraternal cooperation, fulfilling Christs statement you are all brothers which has been reflected in Pope Francis message We are all brothers, encouraging us to build a new world and a new civilization that defends human fraternity, human dignity and mutual respect. Every believer in God, and Christians in particular, must reject the logic of war-death because it crosses with the logic of love, peace and life. Presidents, religious authorities and the whole society should work hard to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, to resolve problems through diplomatic means rather than fighting. Enough wars, casualties, grief, destruction, migration, poverty and diseases. There should be an end for the production of lethal weapons here and there. Isnt natural that such evil act creates guilt conscience that disturbs world's political officials? since every honest person would have reject this hell. We are going through the dangerous moment that may lead to a devastating world war (God forbid), and will have serious impact on the entire political process. Therefore, I invite all believers, Christians and Muslims (as they are currently fasting Ramadan) and Jews as well to look at the tragedy in Ukraine and Middle East countries, their humiliation, and the harsh dismantling of its beautiful mosaic. Finally, and regarding Iraq, our beloved country: the political forces must assume national responsibility in adopting the language of dialogue and mutual understanding, which is the only way to get out of the troubling political blockage in order to form a national government capable of real reform as soon as possible, because our Citizens are getting extremely tired and exhausted. Hoping that the light emanating from Jesus tomb, enlightens our minds and spirits, so we may rise with Jesus Christ, and let our human senses enjoy once in our life time freedom, solidarity and fraternity. Wishing you all a blessed Easter and peace on earth. * Cardinal Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Share This: Florida is revoking the titles of almost 400 cars imported from Japan on the gray market, which the state said were registered fraudulently. A letter circulating on social media from the Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence said the cars' titles are being revoked after an investigation uncovered numerous examples of cars being logged with authorities using documentation that incorrectly stated they complied with legal requirements. All vehicles identified in this investigation that have obtained fraudulent Florida titles will be ineligible for titling in Florida, regardless of any corrective measures taken, the letter said. Thats bad news for the owners, but it gets worse for any of them thinking they can just sell their rides out of state to get out of a sticky fix and recover some cash. Furthermore, the United States Department of Homeland Security has notified the Florida Highway Patrol that all vehicles in this investigation that have had a Florida title canceled/revoked have been placed on a contraband list and would be ineligible for a title/registration in any state, the letter continued. The letter finished by suggesting affected owners could export their cars from the country, keep them in non-operative condition or surrender the vehicles to the nearest Port of Entry, where they will be seized as contraband. The investigation identified several auto businesses, including Soho Alliance LLC, Soho Imports LLC, and J-Spec Garage LLC, that were engaged in fraudulently applying for vehicle titles in Florida between 2014 and 2020. Michael Satterfield from The Gentleman Racer dug into... An interpretation of the X Concept presented last year, the Genesis X Speedium does not preview a production car per se, but the brands upcoming design language as they inevitably head towards an all-electric future, with six such models in their lineup by the end of the decade.Its creation was led by Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke , who described it as an open-door moment in Genesis journey towards our future EV design. The official added that this isnt a show car, but a look into our design processes, as we explore ideas for the next wave of EVs, one that incorporates Genesis DNA.Instantly recognizable as a Genesis, the new X Speedium, which is basically a Shooting Brake, features a closed-off interpretation of the crest grille, made up of the double LED strips spanning across its face. It has a longer roofline, with a double bubble approach, compared to the 2021 X Concept, a spoiler that incorporates the third brake light and identical LED taillights. The diffuser is a bit more aggressive here, and the car rides on different wheels.Genesis was coy on details, as they didnt say anything else about the show car, yet in addition to pulling the wraps off of it, they have also announced that they will start accepting reservations for the GV60 . Interested parties can enroll in Priority One, a program designed to curate a personalized purchase experience, the Korean luxury brand said, with a $500 deposit that is refundable. The program will be available at launch in California, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut for a limited time.At the same time, they have also confirmed plans to assemble the electric GV70 in the United States, at the Montgomery facility, in Alabama. Production is expected to commence in December. PHEV EV kWh Currently available only with the 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder lump in conjunction with a six-speed automatic or nine-speed automatic, the crossover boasts 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet (233 Nm).The Jeep Renegade , by comparison, has dropped the 2.4-liter engine for the 2022 model year. The 1.3-liter GSE is standard across the board, with 177 ponies and 210 pound-feet (285 Nm) developed earlier in the rev range. Autoblog.com believes the four-cylinder turbo is the most obvious candidate for the Compass. More frugal than the Tigershark, this lump is also available as a plug-in hybrid in the Renegade and Compass for the European market. The Alfa Romeo Tonale can also be had as aThe brands first electric utility vehicle will be presented next year. According to chief executive officer Christian Meunier, the 4x4 specialist also intends to have a full-electric vehicle in every segment by 2025.Its a very ambitious target, no doubt about it. Even though Jeep has previously failed to keep its promises, now its different. For starters, the peeps at Groupe PSA are much obliged to support Jeep withknow-how and a truckload of money. Secondly, both CAFE and Euro standards are more draconic than ever before. If the Stellantis group doesnt adapt in a timely fashion, huge fines will be issued, eating into their R&D coffer.At the present moment, the only electrified Jeeps in the United States are the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. Both of them feature a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine dubbed Hurricane, two electric motors, and a 17.3-battery. Those motors come in the guise of a moto- generator up front and another one mounted at the front of the eight-speed transmission case. Only the latter provides zero-emission propulsion. DOHC HVAC A U.S. model based on the amber reflectors on the sides of the fender, the silver-painted fastback is gifted with larger air ducts and a more aggressive front grille to boot. The hood appears to feature a black-finished scoop.The mirror caps and wheels are black as well. Right behind the driver-side front wheel, on the fenders, youll also see a badge that indicates the displacement of the Coyote powerplant. Based on the 4.6- and 5.4-liter Modular engines, the Coyote is rockingheads and four valves per cylinder to compete against the larger Chevrolet small blocks and HEMIs.Introduced in the 2011 model year Mustang GT, of course, the Coyote originally made 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet (523 Nm). Improved to 460 ponies and 420 pound-feet (542 Nm) for the 2018 refresh of the S550, the 5.0-liter V8 has been downrated to 450 horsepower and 410 pound-feet (556 Nm) for the 2022 model year. Emission regulations are to blameConfirmed with V8 oomph in January 2022 when Ford Performance teased the Mustang GT3 racing car, the next-generation Mustang will be available with both manual and automatic transmission. Unfortunately for prospective customers, theres no information currently available on the fate of the Voodoo V8, Predator V8, and Shelby GT500s dual-clutch tranny.As were sitting here, waiting for the Ford Motor Company to acknowledge that the cat is out of the bag, its also important to highlight whats in the offing in terms of interior design . Based on recent spy photos of a fully camouflaged prototype, the S650 will receive a flat-bottom steering wheel, digital controls for thesystem, a digital instrument cluster, and the latest SYNC operating systems with over-the-air software updates. AMG Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, known as Bennifer, just got engaged over the weekend, as JLo revealed in her newsletter. But their relationship was already going strong since they got back together last April after almost a two-decade break.And the two have been house hunting for a while. First, they were in escrow for a mega-mansion worth $65 million , but the deal fell through without any further details.Yesterday, we also reported that Bennifer checked out Spelling Manor , the largest Los Angeles mansion, which is even bigger than the White House. The mansion is way more expensive than the previous, with an asking price of $165 million.So, its only understandable that house-hunting can take a toll on you. Paparazzi caught up with the famous couple as they were trying to get to a Starbucks drive-thru in Bens Mercedes-S 63. But, given the paparazzi surrounding them, the actor must have taken his eyes off the road ahead and failed to turn properly. So, one of the rear wheels got stuck on a Starbucks sign. A pap helped him out, and he managed to reverse and get into the lane.The vehicle comes with an AMG 4.0-liter V8 Biturbo engine, mated to a nine-speed automatic (9G-TRONIC) transmission, which sends 604 hp (612 ps) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque to all wheels.With figures like these, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 can hit 62 mph (100 kph) from a standstill in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph (249 kph).Not too long ago, the actor drove JLo in his Tesla S Plaid , and it looks like the Jenny From the Block doesnt have a preference when it comes to Bens cars. This tiny house has an adaptable layout that makes it suitable for a variety of applications, like the aforementioned ones. It is made in Kentucky by a company called Boxvana, which describes itself as a builder of sustainable shelters for the 21st century. It makes modular structures and homes and has several models to offer.What makes this manufacturer stand out is its special construction material called LitePan, an advanced composite that is lighter than wood, concrete, and steel. This low weight makes it quicker and easier to transport and assemble. Boxvana boasts of being the exclusive provider of LitePan technology in America.In addition to being lightweight, the LitePan is also a strong material, one that is hurricane-proof, earthquake-proof, and fire-resistant. Moreover, it is also eco-friendly and reusable.Back to our Canary, it is a tiny home on the go, offering just 160 sq ft (14.8 sq m) of space plus an additional 60 sq ft (5.5 sq m) as a storage loft. It comes with one bed, and one bath, its energy-efficient and takes only one day to be installed.There are plenty of customizations available for the Canary and extra features you can opt for such as a radiant heated floor (priced at $1,200), solar panels ($1,800), an integrated smart audio system ($4,500), smart lighting and climate control ($3,000).The version you see in most of the images and in the video below this article is a custom-made Canary that comes with a living room wired for solar panels, a fully-equipped kitchen with a three-burner gas stove with oven, a stainless-steel sink, and plenty of cabinets and drawers for storage. Theres also a full-size fridge that runs on 12V and storage for a 50-gallon freshwater tank with a 12V pump.The full-size bed of the Canary is located upstairs and theres also a bathroom downstairs, which includes a composting toilet, an exhaust fan, a full stand-up shower, vanity, and storage space.Boxvanas Canary tiny home starts at $65,000, although the version in the video is priced at $92,500. The demand for convertibles also improved, as no less than 9,980 GTOs born in 1968 rolled off the assembly line with a removable roof. Still, there were also almost 78,000 units built as hardtops, like the model shown here.The base engine was obviously the most popular choice, as it ended up being installed on close to 72,800 GTOs. It was the same 400 as before, but thanks to additional optimizations, including new combustion chambers, the base V8 was capable of producing no less than 350 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque.However, the GTO could also be ordered with several optional and more powerful 400 versions, including the famous Ram Air 400, which was rated at 366 horsepower. Nevertheless, this V8 ended up becoming quite a rare species, as it was installed on just 246 GTOs in 1968.The model that we have here is a factory 4-speed car thats been sitting under a big pile of random things waiting for the owner to complete the restoration process. eBay seller bearcatcutter6w7u says the GTO is a work-in-progress, as some fixes have already been made. The car comes with new front fenders and some other tweaks, though it goes without saying the restoration is far from over.A 400 is also powering this GTO, but we know nothing about it. The owner claims they have no idea if it runs or not because they planned to rebuild it anyway, so youll have to inspect it in person to figure out its condition.Theres no doubt this GTO will end up finding a new home when the auction comes to an end, but for now, the reserve is yet to be met despite a top bid of $3,000. The car is parked in Ohio should anyone be interested in seeing it in person. kW EV As we mentioned in our previous article about the Austrian brand, the name Deus means God in Latin and Portuguese. Just like the Almighty, Deus has mysterious ways when it comes to its only son, the Vayanne electric hypercar.Far from being conceived by a single human being, Deus had to hire Italdesign and Williams Advanced Engineering for it to manifest in this world. And what a manifestation that promises to be: a car with over 2,200 hp (1,640), more than 2,000 Nm (1,475 pound-feet), a top speed above 400 kph (248 mph), and a 0-to-100-kph (0-to-62-mph) acceleration time under 1.99 seconds.Curiously, Italdesign was in charge of spreading the word (and pictures) of the car around. It seems Deus wants the design studio to carry the crosses of prototyping, industrialization, and production of the Vayanne . The prototype presented at the New York Auto Show was made at Italdesigns Moncalieri plant, and all 99 units for customers will also be produced at the Italian facility.With Vayannes design, Deus wants to reinforce timelessness and infinity so that no one will call its name in vain. You can see the front grille, and the rear lights suggest the infinity loop. We just hope that does not apply to the price. Regarding timelessness, it is too early to say the Vayanne will not eventually be called a dated car.Theres no information on how many motors it will have (we are betting on four, one for each wheel), how big the battery pack will be, how much range thiswill deliver especially traveling at 400 kph or how much it will cost. All we know so far is that Deus will allow customers to enter the reign of the Vayanne only by 2025.Deus will not demand a leap of faith at this point. Thats why it hired two names with enough credibility for clients to know deliveries should happen when Italdesign and Williams Advanced Engineering say they will.However, the devil will tempt us to ask what Deus intends to achieve with an electric hypercar for 99 millionaires it contracted someone else to manufacture. So far, that is a complete mystery. God only knows or should we say Deus ? You got the point. Pictured at the Fiorano test circuit, the 296 GT3 was developed in conjunction with Oreca. With factory drivers Alessandro Pier Guidi and Andrea Bertolini behind the wheel, the twin-turbocharged racecar doesnt fail to impress in the twisties and from an aural standpoint. Of course, it also produces more downforce than the 296 GTB, which is capable of lapping the Italian circuit in one minute and 21 seconds if equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package.Output figures arent public at the present moment, and the 296 GT3 will be subject to Balance of Performance as well. On the other hand, we do know that the 488 GT3 belts out roughly 600 ponies and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) from its twin-turbo V8 shared with the 488 GTB. Ferrari didnt develop the F8 Tributo into a racecar, instead preferring to refine the 488 GT3.Internally referred to as the F163, the first-ever V6 developed by Ferrari for road-going applications delivers 654 horsepower at 8,000 revolutions per minute. Located between the force-fed engine and dual-clutch transmission, the electric motor cranks it up to 819 horsepower. Torque is estimated at 546 pound-feet (740 Nm), which is pretty darn impressive. Even more so if you remember that the dry weight estimate is 1,470 kilograms (3,241 pounds).Praised for all the right reasons, the mid-engine berlinetta will soon be joined by a convertible sibling. We still dont know if its going to be called 296 GTS or 296 Spider , but we do know that it will premiere next week. Residents shop for vegetables at a supermarket in Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 11, 2022. (Photo by Wu Dejun/Xinhua) BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China will make all-out efforts to ensure spring farming and agricultural production supplies amid the domestic resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday. Agricultural departments at all levels have been advancing spring farming and ensuring agricultural supplies, and the output of vegetables as well as meat, eggs and milk has increased and is sufficient to meet consumer demand, according to a meeting held by the ministry on Tuesday. The meeting called for more efforts to prevent and control pests and diseases in spring farming, while ensuring the supply of agricultural machinery parts and the smooth transportation of farm produce. Coordination between departments should also be strengthened and differentiated pandemic prevention and control measures should be implemented. Sir Lewis Hamilton has described Ayrton Senna as "his greatest inspiration in Formula 1," and his admiration has not gone unnoticed in Brazil. A bill proposal has been submitted to the lower chamber of the Brazilian parliament, and it will require governmental approval before it happens.Even without the honorary citizenship title, Lewis Hamilton has tweeted a screenshot of an article on the topic from a Brazilian outlet, and he stated that he'd be honored. Lewis even added a heart emoji to underline his love for the South American country.The bill was proposed by a politician named Andre Figueiredo after last year's Brazilian GP . At the time, it was reported that the audience chanted both Hamilton's name and Senna's, which should be considered a great honor for any racing driver.Despite being a proposal since 2021, it has still not had its place in line for the vote of the elected officials in Brazil. The motivation for the proposal speaks of Ayrton Senna, his importance as an icon to the Brazilian people, along with Lewis Hamilton, who has honored the country by carrying their flag on the podium, waving it from his racing car as he took a victory lap, and for his choice of helmet livery.If this bill moves forward, Lewis might be in an interesting position that few athletes have managed to achieve. In a way, it would make sense to offer this honorary title to the British F1 driver, as he already is involved in numerous humanitarian causes, and you would expect him to get even more involved in Brazil once he is awarded honorary citizenship. The Lilium German startup claims to have developed the first aircraft that can be called an eVTOL jet. Two years ago, it completed the first step of the type certification process required by EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency). The Establishment of the Certification Program is the second step, which Lilium is currently working on.During this phase, the eVTOL manufacturer and the Agency are supposed to jointly define the means of demonstrating the aircrafts compliance with each of the requirements established during the first step. As part of that, Lilium has submitted its Means of Compliance proposals to EASA. This step officially takes it much closer to the full certification. The final step before obtaining type certification will be the compliance demonstration.At the same time, the company launched a full test campaign for the Phoenix 2 fifth-generation technology demonstrator. These advanced trials, set to take place in Spain, will include transition flights and high-speed flights. Plus, an additional demonstrator aircraft , the Phoenix 3, will also be used at the testing facility in Spain starting this summer.The future Lilium eVTOL jet boasts 36 propellers placed on its front and rear. The manufacturers in-house technology called the Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT) is supposed to make maneuvering this jet both easy and efficient through thrust vector control in all flight phases. It also comes with a flexible configuration that allows it to be used either as a private eVTOL jet with six seats or as a cargo aircraft.Lilium hasnt yet revealed too many details regarding the performance of what it claims to be a revolutionary aircraft, but we know that it can hit 300 kph (186 mph) and that it promises a range of 300 km (186 miles). EV Speaking of the former Freemont, California now Austin, Texas-based automaker slash clean energy company, we recently caught wind of at least one Plaid example that got CGI-dressed in an outrageous slammed widebody attire ahead of the rendering-to-reality build that will also grace SEMA Show 2022. And we loved its crimson looks because we are suckers for red EVs... among other things.So, it was only natural for Musa Rio Tjahjono, the virtual artist better known as musartwork on social media, who is always ready to defy conventions and slam allexpectations around to catch our attention with his crimson take on a rivaling battery-powered sedan matter. The Head Designer at West Coast Customs slash pixel master socialite seems to have a knack for motorsport-inspired Taycan makeovers.Thus, after a recent alternate universe, Ken Block virtually took home a Porsche Taycan Audi RS to hoon daily instead of an e-tron GT, now it is time to meet yet another feisty Taycan conversion. Just as wishful thinking as the other one, the Porsche EV got dressed in crimson attire, this time around, and followed the JDM-style and motorsport-inspired precepts to the virtual letter.And it did so completely, with a slammed attitude, a glossy black and red GT aerodynamic kit, as well as JDM-flavored VIP Modular wheels featuring a subtle deep-dish gray contrast just to make things obvious that there's a lot more we can do with electric cars. Now, if only Porsche ditched the confusing Turbo S monikers and allowed aftermarket people to fiddle with the EV powertrain to come up with an appropriate 1,000-plus-hp Plaid response. EV The mystery sport utility vehicle has been confirmed by three people in the know with various levels of electrification. Scheduled to go on sale in the summer of 2023, the Crown will be initially offered with hybrid and plug-in powertrains. The cited publication understands that the hybrid will be sold in the United States while the plug-in hybrid is exclusively JDM.Fast forward to early 2024, and thats when the all-electric variant is due, according to Reuters . The Japanese automaker hasnt finalized export plans for the zero-emission powertrain. Looking at the bigger picture, does Toyota afford to keep the Crownaway from the American market? In a nutshell, not quite. Especially not when EV sales are surging, and CAFE standards favor a greater mix of cleaner vehicles in the carmakers lineup.Toyota is also expected to overhaul the Crown sedan, but its not clear if the company will bring this fellow stateside. Glancing over sedan sales in the U.S. of A. pretty much seals the sedans fate in this part of the world.Introduced as the 1955 Toyopet Crown, the luxurious four-door sedan was updated slowly but steadily over the course of almost seven decades. The latest redesign came in 2018 with the S220, the internal designation for the 15th generation. Based on the GA-L platform of the Mirai, Lexus LS , and LC, the Crown can be had with three engines: a 2.0L turbo, a 2.5L hybrid, as well as the 3.5-liter V6 hybrid shared with the LS 500h and LC 500h. Thats exactly what happened at the beginning of the week at the fifth largest airport in Spain, Alicante. It was there where a car, apparently with a mind of its own, decided to go after a Boeing 737, in an ill-fated bid to pass under it.The car in question is a Renault Clio , belonging to Groundforce. Thats a company that specializes in handling, cargo and equipment services at airports in the country. The 737 in question is a Ryanair bird, getting ready to fly at the time of the incident to Manchester, UK.According to Air Live , the driver of the Clio pulled up next to the airplane and forgot to engage the parking brake. The hatchback quickly started rolling on its own towards the Boeing.Lacking mere inches of space to completely clear the aircraft, the car propped itself against the fuselage, causing quite the commotion among airport staff. As per the source, there were no passengers on board the airplane at the time of the incident.Apparently, the mishap also caused minor exterior damage, but that didnt stop those responsible from taking the aircraft in for a thorough evaluation. It eventually took off for its destination, but 90 minutes behind schedule. On the other hand, airport representatives said the incident has had no impact on flight operations.Last time when we heard of a car hitting an airplane was about a year ago, when reports of a Volkswagen Touran crashing into a MiG 29 fighter jet started coming out of Kyiv, Ukraine. SUV A couple of months ago, we covered the fact that Sydney Sweeney worked on rebuilding her Ford Bronco herself. The actress, whom you might know from Euphoria, The White Lotus, or Sharp Objects, might show her versatility on the small screen, but shes more than that. And shes actually a petrolhead.For her, it all started when she purchased an original 1969 Ford Bronco. She began working on it and created a TikTok account in February 2021 that followed her progress.According to all the details shared on her account, she was very hands-on in the rebuild of her classic. She worked alongside her best friends dad, Rod Emory, who is a vintage car enthusiast. She explained to GQ Magazine that she changed over the transmission, and I fixed up the front and rear axle from drum brakes to disc brakes. I made it power steering. Everything to make it a safe everyday drive but still look classic.She also replaced the suspension, giving the car a bit of a lift, and repainted it. She deemed it drivable on January 14, 2022, and she was now ready to show it off.And show it off she did, at the New York Auto Parts Show at the Classic Car Club of Manhattan, sponsored by eBay Motors, as you can see attached below. The actress posed with the cherry-red ride, wearing a denim jumpsuit with her name tag on it, and not very suitable footwear, with black heels."Since buying my Ford Bronco last February, I've done everything from rebuilding the transmission, to wire brushing out rust," said Sydney Sweeney. "It's really important to me to preserve the integrity of the original Ford build, so when I need a rare part like a unique transmission adaptor that is next-to-impossible to come by eBay Motors is always my first stop."As she finished up her Ford Bronco, her upcoming project will be her baby-blue Ford Mustang, which she calls Britney. Sydney Sweeney added that she hopes to rebuild a vintage Porsche in the future. AWD kWh WLTP VinFast said it will offer two subscription plans: Flexible or Fixed. The Flexible Plan will charge $35 for the VF 8 and $44 for the VF 9 if owners do not travel more than 310 miles (500 kilometers) per month. If they eventually exceed that limit (which most will), they will have to pay $0.11 per mile for the VF 8 and $0.15 for the VF9.Depending on how much you drive per month, it may be worth it, especially considering the prices for the Fixed Plan. VinFast said it costs $110 for the VF 8 and $160 for the VF 9, with unlimited mileage.A simple calculation shows people driving less than 992 mi (1,597 km) per month should get the Flexible plan with the VF 8. That corresponds to the 310 mi they can go for $35 and the additional 682 miles the $75 difference to the $110 of the Fixed Plan allows them to clock.With the VF 9, the $44 Flexible Plan is worth it for those running less than 1,083 mi (1,743 km) per month. The $116 difference from the $160 Fixed Plan monthly fee pays for 773 mi (1,244 km) more at $0.15 per mile. However, it is here that things start to get complicated.VinFast said it will charge $40,700 for the Eco VF 8 with a 260-mile battery pack and $41,000 for the one that offers 292 mi of range. The Eco VF 8 is less powerful (348 hp) and less equipped than the VF 8 Plus (402 hp), but both are. For the record, the VF 8 is 4.75 meters (187 inches) long, 1.90 m (74.8 in) wide, 1.66 m (65.4 in) tall, and has a 2.95 m (116 in) wheelbase. Prices for the fancier derivative are $47,700 and $48,000.VinFast did not disclose how big the battery packs are for the American market. If they are similar to the ones to be sold in Europe, they will be respectively 82and 87.7 kWh. Predictably, the VF 8 Plus presents a lower range in both cases: 248 mi with the first battery pack and 277 mi with the bigger one.The VF 9 has much more significant energy storage components. Its entry-level battery pack is a 92-kWh unit, while the bigger one holds 123 kWh. The Eco VF 9 with the 92-kWh battery pack will cost $55,500 or $56,000 with the 123-kWh unit, which is a surprisingly low price difference for such a capacity disparity.With the VF 9 Plus, the price rises to $60,500 with the smaller battery pack and $61,000 for the bigger one. The VF 9 is 5.12 m (201.6 in) long, 2 m (78.4 m) wide, 1.72 m (67.8 in) tall, and has a 3.15 m (124 in) wheelbase.The weird part is that youd expect VinFast to disclose how much cheaper the VF 8 got with the battery pack subscription after announcing it. That was not the case. We know how much the cars will cost and how much VinFast will charge for the subscription but not how much people will manage to pay for the vehicles with the subscriptions help.The subscription impact will be different from model to model. It would make no sense for people buying a VF 8 with an 82-kWh battery pack subscription to save as much as a VF 9 with a 123-kWh component. VinFast did not disclose its strategy. But it gets a little worse.The company said it separated the price of the battery pack from that of the vehicle to take on all the risks related to the vehicle's battery and ensures a reasonable price for its products. VinFast adds that this will provide customers with peace of mind about the battery's quality during use. The Vietnamese automaker said it will replace them should they drop below 70% of capacity.Thats all very reassuring until you learn that this seemingly core strategy from VinFast is temporary. It will only support 100% of the battery pack cost until the end of 2023. After that, it will cut the subscription to 50% of the battery packs price. What if the battery pack loses more than 70% of its capacity while this contract is active? Will VinFast only replace 50% of the battery pack? It makes no sense. The subscription is only a way to attract customers to an unknown brand, just like Tesla did with free supercharging for life for its first clients.In Europe, VinFast calls the subscription idea a progressive battery leasing. The Flexible Plan will cover 500 km per month. Unfortunately, the automaker did not disclose prices for it, only some of the values for the VF 8 and VF 9.The Eco VF 8 will start at 43,450 ($46,956) at the current exchange rate) in France with the 87.7-kWh battery pack. The company did not reveal its prices with the 82-kWh unit nor how much the VF Plus will cost. It just said it will have a 471-km (293-mi) range under thecycle. In the VF 9s case, VinFast said its Eco derivative will cost 58,650 ($63,383) with the 123-kWh battery pack, with a range of up to 594 km (369 mi) under the WLTP cycle. Enthusiasts still get hyped about it, and some owners keep pushing theirs to the max every now and then, which isnt the brightest thing to do, considering that it was basically built in a shed, and it doesnt feature the modern safety gear that were used to.Thus, there is no margin for error, as the Dodge Viper could bite your head off if you're not careful. In this instance, it ended up feasting on a pole, subsequent to its driver losing control of the wheel while racing a third-generation Acura Integra on public streets, somewhere in the United States.Shared on Instagram by voided_visuals one day ago, the video was shot earlier this week, presumably, and shows the two cars engaging in some straight-line fun. Well, fun is definitely not the word that were looking for, because there was nothing fun about the Viper losing traction, narrowly missing the Integra, and crashing head-first into a pole.The impact was so brutal that it left extremely deep marks on the face of the American muscle car . The low-quality footage, and filming angle prevent us from trying to spot some of the damages, beyond the ruined hood, and bumper. Nonetheless, if we were to take a wild guess, wed assume that the vehicle is a write-off.Hopefully, the driver walked away without any serious injuries, which is more than we can say about their ego, though there is no way of knowing for sure. The video ends shortly after the Viper came to a full stop, and if you are aware of any other clips and/or pictures showing the aftermath, then feel free to share them with us in the comments area down below. In the case of Android devices, the rollout of such capabilities was happening at a rather slow pace, with Samsung unsurprisingly one of the companies involved in the whole thing.Last year when the South Koreans launched the Galaxy S21, the so-called Digital Car Key was by far one of the highlights. With the help of NFC chips and the Ultra-Wideband support, a Galaxy S21 was supposed to unlock the doors of a Genesis GV60 without the need for traditional car keys.Obviously, this was big news, but on the other hand, the very limited support made Digital Car Key support also irrelevant.This week, the worlds number one phone maker expanded the feature to more car models, though the whole thing once again comes with a huge catch.First and foremost, you need a new-generation Samsung device, such as the companys latest foldables, the Galaxy S21 and S22, and the Note20 Ultra.Then, you must own one of the supported cars. In addition to the Genesis GV60 and G90, Digital Car Key now works on other models, too, including several 2022 BMWs and select Kia cars, such as the new Niro.And last but not least, you must be living in South Korea because, for some reason, Samsung doesnt allow the Digital Car Key to be used in a different region.At this point, its still not clear if Samsung plans to bring this highly anticipated feature to more users worldwide, but theres no doubt the international rollout should be a priority for the company. After all, South Korea isnt Samsungs only market, and Digital Car Key support is something that would come in handy to many other Samsung customers across the world. MOSCOW, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Thursday said the flagship of its Black Sea fleet, the Moskva missile cruiser, was badly damaged in a blast, Tass news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying. "A fire onboard the Moskva missile cruiser caused a blast of the broadside munitions. The ship received serious damage. The crew was evacuated," the ministry said in a statement. Tass did not elaborate on the cause of the fire, but said investigation is underway, citing the statement. Russian state media blamed the blaze for an accidental ammunition explosion. The ministry's confirmation of the blast came hours after multiple Ukrainian government officials claimed that anti-ship guided missiles, hidden in or around the coast of Odessa, scored two hits on Moskva. The 12,500-tonne cruiser, the most essential ship in Russia's Black Sea fleet, was officially commissioned in 1983 and armed with 16 anti-ship "Vulkan" cruise missiles. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Clear. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low 51F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Any attempt to incorporate Artsakh into Azerbaijan would lead to bloodshed and the destruction of Artsakh, said Davit Babayan, the Karabakh foreign minister. And after the destruction of Artsakh there would be no Republic of Armenia. Pashinian said on Thursday that the international community is pressing Armenia to lower a bit the bar on the question of Nagorno-Karabakhs status and recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity. He signaled Yerevans intention to make such concessions to Baku, fuelling more opposition allegations that he has agreed to Azerbaijani control over Karabakh. Babayan said Pashinians remarks caused a wave of discontent in Karabakh. He said he believes that they are also unacceptable to most residents of Armenia as well as the worldwide Armenian Diaspora. We have no bars anymore, we have only red lines drawn by blood, added the Karabakh official. Our red line is that we will not be part of Azerbaijan. This is out of the question. Pashinian, he went on, is wrong to claim that the whole international community is against us. Even if the whole international community is against us we will still fight till the end, said Babayan. The Karabakh parliament debated the implications of Pashinians statement at an emergency session held later on Thursday. In a resolution adopted by it unanimously, it demanded that the Armenian authorities abandon their current disastrous position. No government has a right to lower the negotiating bar for a status acceptable to Artsakh and the internationally recognized right to self-determination under the pretext of peace, reads the resolution. Arayik Harutiunian, the Karabakh president, discussed the matter with with local politicians and civil society members during separate meetings held in Stepanakert on Wednesday. He stressed that the Karabakh Armenians will not give up their right to self-determination. Meanwhile, Pashinian defended and reaffirmed his stance when he again addressed the Armenian parliament on Thursday. What Ive been saying is all about not surrendering Karabakh If we follow a difference path we will surrender Karabakh, the Armenian prime minister told lawmakers. I have the impression that there are people who dream about seeing the population leave Karabakh as soon as possible, he said. No, what we are saying is that the people of Karabakh must not leave Karabakh, the people of Karabakh must live in Karabakh, the people of Karabakh must have rights, freedoms and a status. Pashinian again declined to specify what that status should be. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly ruled out granting Karabakh any status of autonomy, let alone recognizing its de facto secession from Azerbaijan. Aliyev maintains that Baku put an end to the Karabakh conflict with its victory in the 2020 war. Pashinian and Aliyev met in Brussels on April 6 for talks on an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty hosted by Charles Michel, the European Unions top official. Aliyev said after the talks that Armenia is renouncing territorial claims to his country. Tune into "The Tony Lee Show" on KNZR 1560 AM/97.7 FM this Sunday from 6 to 7 a.m. for an interview with Spavento. To stay up on the latest from the Arts Council of Kern, sign up for its newsletter directly at linktr.ee/artscouncilofkern or by visiting the ACK Instagram page ( @artscouncilofkern ). Art Walk will return For those missing the Art Walk, held downtown during First Friday, Spavento has good news. "It will resume sometime this summer," she said. Like with other plans, the Arts Council sought community input on what they would like to see at the event, which has been on hiatus since the pandemic began. Spavento said many existing vendors asked for better access to electricity and others requested more bathrooms adjacent to the event. Those requests could mean the walk may move from its previous location around 19th and Eye streets, but Spavento assures that it will remain downtown. "There's a lot of excitement around showing something downtown, and the feedback is overwhelming 'keep it downtown.'" There's still time to weigh in on the future of the art walk. Visit linktr.ee/artscouncilofkern to access the survey. Freezing temperatures late last month have damaged an undetermined share of Kern's almond crop, though the county appears to have dodged the w RAMALLAH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A third Palestinian young man was killed by Israeli soldiers on Wednesday during clashes in the town of Sliwad northeast of the West Bank city of Ramallah, said the Palestinian Ministry of Health and eyewitnesses. Israeli soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Omar Ellian and wounded six others during clashes in the town, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the injured were taken to the hospital in Ramallah for medical treatment. The Israeli forces did not immediately comment on the incident. Earlier on Wednesday, the health ministry said that two Palestinians -- a 34-year-old lawyer and a 14-year-old boy -- were killed in two separate incidents in the West Bank. Tension between Israel and the Palestinians has been flaring in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past three weeks, mainly during the Muslims' fasting month of Ramadan. The health ministry said that 38 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, including women and children, since January. Blums project will support doctoral students and faculty in their efforts to develop legal scholarship for publication in internationally recognized journals. Blum plans to spend the 2023 spring semester at TSUL, a public institution and a leading Uzbek legal research center located in Uzbekistans capital. A former Soviet republic in Central Asia, Uzbekistan declared its state sovereignty in 1990 and its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. A member of the BC Law faculty since 1985, Blum served as a visiting professor at TSUL during the 2019 spring semester, conducting faculty development workshops on interactive teaching and academic legal research, as well as a seminar for students on advocacy writing. In December 2019, she led a workshop on interactive teaching methods for the Academy of the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A year later, she conducted a virtual faculty workshop on promoting student engagement in remote learning for the Tashkent-based University of World Economy and Diplomacy, a public institution focused on Uzbekistans foreign policy development. This Fulbright award is an opportunity to strengthen the ongoing connection between BC and TSUL, said Blum. I look forward to returning to Tashkent to re-engage in person with TSUL faculty and students, and to bringing back to my BC Law students the insights I gain from my Fulbright experience. In his invitation to Blum, TSUL Deputy Rector Islambek Rustambekov wrote, Your many years of academic experience in the field of legal research and writing, your positive reputation at TSUL, and your demonstrated interest in legal education in Uzbekistan will contribute to the success of this project. TSUL will gain a great deal from your primary project as well as from your other activities during your semester-long academic visit. In congratulating Blum, Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board Chair Paul Winfree wrote the grant award was a reflection of your leadership and contribution to society. International consultancies and Fulbright support are familiar territory for the Columbia Law School graduate, who specializes in international legal education. Blum made 10 working visits from 2009 to 2018 to Bosnia and Herzegovina (a republic of the former Yugoslavia), where she conducted multiple training programs for judges on judicial writing and case-based reasoning. In 2013, she spent several weeks at the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Law leading faculty workshops, lecturing on legal advocacy, and consulting on computer-assisted legal research, all underwritten by the Fulbright Specialist Program, a project-based exchange designed to share expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, and build capacity at the host institutions. I am grateful to BC Law School for making possible my work in international legal education, and especially to Professors David Wirth, Judith McMorrow, and Mary Ann Chirba for their generous advice and support in this area over many years, said Blum. I would also like to acknowledge Phillip Weiner J.D. 80, who as an international judge in the War Crimes Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave me my first opportunity to teach judges abroad, and Mjusa Sever, founder of the Slovenia-based NGO Regional Dialogue, who introduced me to Uzbekistan. Phil Gloudemans | University Communications | April 2022 Bluefield, WV (24701) Today A few showers early becoming a steady rain for the afternoon. High 56F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Tumbleweeds drift along the Rio Grande as sand bars within its banks widen. Smoke from distant wildfires and dust kicked up by intense spring winds fill the valley, exacerbating the feeling of distress that is beginning to weigh on residents. One of North Americas longest rivers, the Rio Grande is another example of a waterway in the western U.S. thats tapped out. From the Pacific Northwest to the Colorado River Basin, irrigation districts already are warning farmers to expect less this year despite growing demands fueled by ever-drying conditions. Climate experts say March marked the third straight month of below-average precipitation across the U.S. and areas of record dryness are expanding in the West. On Thursday, federal water managers shared their annual operating plan for the Rio Grande, a major water source for millions of people and thousands of square miles of farmland in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. They believe they can keep the river flowing, but it will depend on the weather. Ed Kandl, a hydrologist with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said warmer temperatures will affect supplies, but relief could come if summer monsoons develop. We'll just have to see what happens, he said. Mark Garcia, who farms about 400 acres (160 hectares) with his family in Valencia County, just south of Albuquerque, ran the numbers. He has a degree in mathematics and taught calculus for years before retiring and turning to the farm full time. He found his family would be compensated for not irrigating about half of its acreage this year, and more water would be left in the river to help New Mexico work off a debt that has been growing as the state falls short of its obligations to deliver water to neighboring Texas. Logically, it was almost like a no-brainer, Garcia said of opting into the fallowing program. The risk analysis was, I had to take it, I had to do it. I didnt want to, though." Sitting in his backhoe in one of his fields, Garcia began to get emotional. He said he grew up watching his dad farm the land. I was born into this, he said. The hard thing for me is I feel like I dont want the government to pay for me not to work. I have an issue with that. The state of New Mexico and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District are hoping more farmers can make that tough choice at least long enough to help managers address the pending water debt. The district oversees irrigation for more than 140 square miles (260 square kilometers) of farmland along a 175-mile (280-kilometer) stretch of the Rio Grande Valley to the north and south of Albuquerque. Even it acknowledges the program is a temporary solution. Casey Ish, a water resources specialist with the district, said over 200 irrigators have enrolled, and officials are targeting fields that are less productive or need to be rested. For us, this is just one tool and one way the district is trying to help the state manage the states compact debt, but we certainly dont anticipate pulling a third or half the district into a fallowing program year over year, Ish said. Thats not sustainable from a price point or an ag point." Thursday's virtual meeting included estimates of how much the Bureau of Reclamation will have to work with this season based on spring runoff predictions and current reservoir levels. Officials said it's possible the Rio Grande, as it passes through the heart of Albuquerque, could start drying in late August or early September. With below-average snow cover and reservoirs in some places reaching critically low levels, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted in its most recent monthly climate report that concerns are mounting that the western drought will intensify. On the Colorado River, the U.S. Interior Department recently proposed holding back water in Lake Powell to maintain Glen Canyon Dams ability to generate electricity amid what it said were the driest conditions in the region in more than 1,200 years. The potential impacts to lower basin states that could see their water supplies reduced California, Nevada and Arizona arent yet known. But the conundrum speaks to the wide-ranging functions of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam, and the need to quickly pivot to confront climate change. In the Pacific Northwest, experts are predicting one of the driest summers on record, noting that nearly 71% of the region made up of Oregon, Washington and Idaho is in drought and nearly one-quarter is already experiencing extreme drought. An irrigation district that supplies more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers on the California-Oregon border announced earlier this week that they would get a fraction of their normal water allocation this year due to drought. Its the third consecutive year that severe drought has impacted farmers, fish and tribes in a region where theres not enough water to satisfy competing demands. Irrigation districts that supply water to farmers along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and along the Pecos in the east also are promising short seasons. Just north of the New Mexico-Colorado border, farmers in the San Luis Valley turned on their spigots April 1, drawing on their share of the Rio Grande. Water managers in New Mexico immediately saw the gauges drop, meaning less water ultimately will make its way to central New Mexico. The Jasper ISD just made it easier to recruit teachers, and it didnt cost taxpayers anything. In fact, the bold move by Jasper trustees could save tax dollars. Jasper is going where no school district has gone before (at least not in a long time). It will shift to a four-day week for the next school year. And its very popular. In a teacher poll in advance of this move (another good idea) a whopping 84% of them approved of the idea. In most districts, Im not sure you could get 84% of the employees to agree on almost anything, much less a change as significant as this. But its not that hard to see why teachers or any employee would prefer a four-day workweek over the five-day grind. For an extra hour or so of work on those four days, you get an entire day off. That three-day weekend would more than compensate for the slightly extra time you put in Monday through Thursday (or whatever four-day schedule is chosen). In fact, the four-day workweek could be the next big thing in American labor. Working from home a pandemic product has already profoundly changed the way people earn a paycheck. Millions of workers discovered that its so much better to avoid the commute, packed lunch and dress clothes of a stint in the office for the convenience of a laptop in the spare bedroom. If you need a computer and a cell phone to do your job as many people do you can do that from home just as easily as from your Dilbert-like cubicle. If youre an introvert, or have a long commute or need to check on the dog and kids often at home, staying put is a much better deal. This concept barely existed before the pandemic, but it has taken root in our working culture. Many workers vow to never set foot in an office again, and they can probably keep that pledge especially in times like this, when employees are hard to come by and bosses will do a lot of things to keep them they wouldnt have considered before. The four-day week could be the next evolution of the shift to more worker empowerment. Its not new, and many nurses even work three 12-hour shifts. But the four-day workweek is still more of an experiment in some places. When a school district like Jasper takes the plunge, you know that more employers are thinking about it. Granted, the four-day week will be a tough fit for some businesses or school districts. Many companies still need to have people in the office to meet clients or customers five days a week or six. Almost every retail store, restaurant or bar has to be open that much to make a profit. And some schools will be reluctant to shift to four days because that creates a child-care problem for many parents. When their school-age children are in class five days a week, that matches up well with the Monday-through-Friday schedule that many parents follow at their jobs. But when their children dont have to go to school on a Friday (or again, whatever day is chosen), many parents suddenly have to find a sitter for their small children for that day. And child care is already a big expense for working parents. But in Jasper, at least, this wasnt a big barrier. The same poll revealed that 64% of parents wanted the four-day schedule. Thats a clear majority, but also far less than the 84% of teachers who wanted a three-day weekend. If this change works, it will be because parents want it to. The four-day week or working from home isnt for every employer, or employee for that matter. But the pandemic changed the worker-boss relationship forever, and experiments like this will be tried more often. Employers cant just dismiss these requests from their workers with, Because I say so. More and more of their employees are answering back, Because I want to. That power-sharing dynamic has changed dramatically since March of 2020. Indeed, that month and that year could go down in history as the last normal year in American labor. The next chapter of this story is still being written, and its happening in places like Jasper, Texas. TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com 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. WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) A man suspected of fatally shooting two brothers outside a Massachusetts bar in December after one of the victims knocked on the business's window was held without bail at his arraignment Wednesday. Christopher Burns, 37, was arraigned on charges including two counts of murder in connection with the shooting outside the Worcester bar in the early morning hours of Dec. 8. Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf. If the Texas Education Agency wants K-3 teachers to complete a special course called Reading Academies, thats fine. But theres one key requirement that has been left out of this mandate: pay. Most of these teachers are highly displeased that they are being required to complete this course in their own time without pay. If it were an hour or two, maybe they would let it slide. But this course requires teachers to devote anywhere from 60 to 120 hours to complete it. Needless to say, that is a lot of hours. Even the least commitment is more than a 40-hour work week. And the maximum range 120 hours equals three full weeks of standard work. This is just unfair for teachers or any kind of employee. A fundamental principle of American labor is or should be that people do not have to work off the clock for their jobs, whether weekends or nights or vacations. An employees free time should be just that time for them to do the many other things in their life they want to pursue. State officials should understand this, especially for a profession that is struggling to keep experienced employees and attract new ones. If anyone in the TEA thinks this mandate will promote that goal, they get an F in common sense. Gov. Greg Abbott just announced the formation of a special task force to study how Texas can attract more teachers in coming years. Heres one tip for the task force to mull over: Dont require things like this. And this is not some wild theory. K-3 teachers across Texas are making it very clear that this mandate is not being well-received. I dont want to do it, said Christina Guerra, a special education teacher in the Rio Grande Valley. I refuse to, and if they fire me, they fire me. Tina Haass, a math and science teacher in the Fort Bend Independent School District, said she has been spending her weekends working way through the course. During the week, after a long day of school, she doesnt have the motivation or energy to get on a computer and move through the courses many sections. Some districts are offering stipends for this course if they can afford it, and thats good for them. But what about the many other districts that cant afford it? The TEA and the Legislature should have set aside state funds for something like this. The TEA said nearly 90,000 educators have either started or completed the course as of March 9, and it must be completed by 2023. The state and individual districts cant always pay teachers what they want or change the nature of their demanding jobs. But this is one of those unforced errors that Texas should be able to avoid to recruit and retain teachers. Going forward, state officials make sure this doesnt happen to any other category of teacher. If they want them to complete a special course, give them plenty of time and make sure theyre paid for it. If they can manage basic practices like this, school boards will have fewer teacher vacancies to fill each summer. Bedford, PA (15522) Today Rain. High 49F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low around 40F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Bedford, PA (15522) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. High 49F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low around 40F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons The Last Supper refers to the last meal Jesus ate with His disciples before His betrayal and arrest. The Last Supper is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-30). It is not recorded in the Book of John. The meal is the last time Jesus spends with His disciples and He tells them what is to happen. The Last Supper was more than Jesus last meal; it was a Passover meal as well. Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, followed by Good Friday, on which the Crucifixion of Jesus is commemorated. One of the important moments of the Last Supper is Jesus command to remember what He was about to do on behalf of all mankind; shed His blood on the cross thereby paying the debt of our sins (Luke 22:19). In most depictions, Jesus and His 12 disciples drink wine and bread all hallmarks of a Passover celebration. The books of Mark, Matthew and Luke all describe the Last Supper as a Passover Seder. Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples in the traditional Seder that were prescribed in His time by the sages. This was the order which He employed in the Last supper. Paul gives us the liturgical order for recognizing Jesus sacrificial death in the Passover celebration. The Bible tells us: For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords death until He comes.' The Lord s Supper occurred in a Passover Seder. Communion represents the final Passover. In addition to predicting His suffering and death for our salvation (Luke 22:15-16), Jesus also used the Last Supper to give the Passover new meaning, institute the New Covenant, establish an ordinance for the church, and foretell Peters denial of Him (Luke 22:34) and Judas Iscariots betrayal (Matthew 26:21-24). The Last Supper brought the Old Testament observance of the Passover feast to its fulfillment. The first of Gods seven annual festivals is the Passover (Leviticus 23:5). This falls in early spring in the Holy Land. The celebration of the Passover is in remembrance of the time in Israels history when the Lord moved through Egypt destroying the firstborn of all animals and people. This is described in great detail in the Old Testament in Exodus 11 and 12. The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years. God commissioned Moses to lead the Israelites out slavery and out of Egypt but Pharaoh refused to let them leave. Though Pharaoh told his servants that he would release them, He never followed through on His promises and God took action. The plagues were Gods judgment in action on Egypt as a result of Pharaohs refusal to release the children of Israel, Gods people. The Passover references the final of the ten plagues God placed upon Egypt as a way to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country and their enslavement. The final plague was death of the first born, the most horrific of the ten. The Bible tells us at around midnight one night, all the firstborn children of the Egyptians began to die, including the first child of Pharaoh, which was the highest position in Egyptian society, and the first child of the maidservants, which was the lowest occupation in Egyptian society. The Israelites were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb that was without blemish, and smear it on the doorposts of their home. When the Lord saw the blood, He would pass over that house. This foreshadows the coming of Jesus, the spotless lamb of God whose blood would cover our sins for those who believe in Him. Gods judgment passed over believers who honored His command. Since that night, Jews have celebrated Passover in remembrance of Gods grace to them it commemorated the time when God speared them from the plague of physical death and brought them out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 11:1-13:16). During the Last Supper with His apostles, Jesus took two symbols associated with Passover and infused them with fresh meaning as a way to remember His sacrifice, which saves us from spiritual death and delivers us from spiritual bondage: After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:17-20). The words He used during the Last Supper about the unleavened bread and the cup echo what He had said after He fed the 5,000: I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirstyI am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the worldWhoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink (John 6:35; 51; 54-55). Salvation comes through Christ and the sacrifice of His physical body on the cross. The Last Supper was rooted in the Old Covenant even as it heralded the New. It was a very significant event and proclaimed a turning point in Gods plan for the world. In comparing the crucifixion of Jesus to the feast of the Passover, we can see the redemptive nature. As symbolized by the original Passover sacrifice in the Old Testament, Christs death atones for the sins of His people; His blood saves us from slavery and rescues us from death and through His death we find new life. TEHRAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The information stored on surveillance cameras installed in Iran's nuclear sites will not be submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before the restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal, the official IRNA news agency quoted an Iranian official on Thursday as saying. "The agency has no access to the data in the memory of the installed cameras and the relevant information will be stored with Iran and will not be provided to the agency" until Iran returns to the implementation of the nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said Mohammad Reza Ghaebi, head of Iran's permanent mission to international organizations in Vienna. The Iranian envoy also clarified the recent reports run by Western media, which said Iran has opened up a new nuclear facility in Natanz, central Iran, and pointed out that Iran only transferred the facilities in a plant in Karaj to the Natanz plant. Ghaebi said the transfer was carried out on April 4, and it was caused by a "sabotage act" in June 2021, making the Karaj plant no longer safe to run. The Iranian side informed the UN nuclear watchdog about its plan on the same day of the transfer, the Iranian official said. In 2015, Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers, including the United States. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump 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 between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties to revive the deal. Indonesia President Joko Jokowi Widodo is seen on a screen delivering his speech during the G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting at the Jakarta Convention Center, Feb. 17, 2022. Updated at 8:12 a.m. ET on 2022-04-15 Indonesia, which serves as president of the G-20 group of leading economies this year, announced Thursday that it has invited all members, including Russia, to attend the groups meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs in Washington next week. The announcement came a week after the United States threatened to boycott G-20 meetings if Russian representatives attend, in protest over Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Every member country has the right to attend, said an Indonesian finance ministry official in Jakarta, who declined to be identified because of the issues sensitivity. A total of 42 delegation heads will be attending in person, and the rest will do so virtually, the official told BenarNews on Thursday. It is not clear how many will attend virtually. The gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors is scheduled for April 20 on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov had confirmed that he would attend the meeting virtually, the Reuters news agency reported, quoting Wempi Saputra, an assistant to the Indonesian finance minister. In addition, Indonesia is considering proposals to invite Ukraine to the Washington meeting to discuss Russias actions in Ukraine. Indonesia is scheduled to host a G-20 meeting of finance ministers in July and a leaders summit in November, both in Bali. Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the United States would boycott G-20 meetings if representatives from Russia were present. U.S. President Joe Biden had asked that Russia be removed from the G-20, and Ive made clear to my colleagues in Indonesia that we will not be participating in a number of meetings if the Russians are there, Yellen said. Biden in March called on Indonesia to allow Ukraine to attend the summit if Russia was invited. Indonesia is considering inviting a Ukrainian delegation to the November leaders summit, said Teuku Faizasyah, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This issue is still being consulted with various groups, various constituents of foreign policy in the country, so that it will be more comprehensive when Indonesia finally makes the decision (on whether to invite Ukraine), he said during a virtual media briefing. Previously, Faizasyah said that Indonesia was consulting other G-20 members to elicit their views on the issue. Of course, we also listen to the views raised by several world leaders, he told reporters on Thursday. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi plans to tour several European countries, including Germany and Italy, to discuss the Ukraine issue. Travel dates have not been set. Its more about how to navigate the G-20 response regarding the Ukraine issue, including the economic impact that the whole world is currently experiencing, Achmad Rizal Purnama, a foreign ministry official, said Thursday. The United States and other Western countries want Russia to be removed from the G-20 because of the invasion and the ensuing conflict that has resulted in more than 4 million Ukrainians fleeing the country. The allies also have asked Indonesia to not invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Bali summit. Indonesia had sent invitations to all member countries to attend the G-20 November summit, including Russia, another foreign ministry official, Dian Triansyah Djani, said last month. Ukraine, which is not a G-20 member, previously urged Indonesia to include discussions on the invasion during the summit. Jakartas stance was that the G-20 summit should focus on global economic issues, a foreign ministry spokesman said at the time. On March 2, Indonesia voted for a U.N. resolution that condemned Russias military strike on Ukraine. However, Jakarta has not directly criticized Moscow or used the word invasion since then. Putin invited On Thursday, Lyudmila Vorobieva, Russian ambassador to Indonesia, said Putin intended to attend the G-20 leaders summit, although the plan is subject to change. President Jokowis invitation [to Putin] has been sent, Vorobieva said regarding the November summit, as reported by Liputan6.com news site. As an ambassador, I really hope that our president will visit Indonesia and attend the G-20 summit, she said. We appreciate the position of the Indonesian government, which is steadfast in focusing on the economic agenda. Along with Indonesia, the G-20 comprises South Africa, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Britain, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, France, Russia, Turkey, and the European Union. The G-20 finance meetings in July are to be attended by delegates from Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Congo, Rwanda, Fiji, Antigua and Barbuda, and Cambodia. CORRECTION: An earlier version gave wrong information about the date for the meeting of G-20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs in Washington. An Indonesian Naval cadet uses binoculars as he monitors the signal from the KRI Diponegoro-365 during a joint exercise on guarding Indonesias borders, in the North Natuna Sea, Riau islands, Oct. 1, 2021. A new decree signed by Indonesias president outlines and regulates strategic policies for defense and regional security in the Natuna Islands, a maritime region in the southern reaches of the South China Sea near where Jakarta and Beijing had a standoff late last year. The decree, which President Joko Jokowi Widodo signed in March but was recently made public, also regulates policies for tourism and fisheries in and around the Natunas, a chain that is part of the Riau Archipelago. According to a copy of the decree seen by BenarNews, measures to be taken in the defense and security zone include revamping infrastructure and facilities to support sovereignty and secure state boundaries. The decree also calls for building security posts and developing a surveillance system. The document was posted on Cabinet Secretariats website. Under the decree, the Natunas marine zones in the South China Sea are divided into different designations, including defense and security. The defense and security zones lie on the west side of the Natunas and on the east side that borders the Malaysian section of Borneo. According to a local analyst, efforts to address overlapping jurisdictions among agencies tasked with securing waters should accompany the zoning plan. Whats happening now is these agencies are competing among themselves, Khairul Fahmi, a researcher on maritime and defense affairs at the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS), told BenarNews. He was referring to the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), the Marine and Air Police Unit, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. In September 2021, Jokowi said he would allocate 12.2 trillion rupiah ($850 million) over five years to improve security around the Natunas. Some of the funds were earmarked for the purchase of drones. And in November 2020, the Navy said it planned move Fleet Command I headquarters to the Natunas from Jakarta to strengthen Indonesias sovereignty in the waters and to Indonesian territorial interests amid incursions in national waters by Chinese and Vietnamese fishing boats. The transfer of the Naval Fleet I is in view of the current strategic environment, especially in the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, that requires special supervision, Navy chief Adm. Yudo Margono said, according to the VIVA.co.id news site. Fishing concerns Fahmi said the government also wants to turn the Natunas into something similar to Hawaii or Guam, a U.S. island territory in the Western Pacific, adding that Indonesian officials are seeking to build a world-class marine tourism site. Such a project, he warned, could further marginalize the regions traditional fishing industry. The challenge for the government after the issuance of the presidential regulation is how to empower small local fishermen so they can still go to sea and catch fish, Fahmi said. In the zoning plan, fishing areas are on the north side of the Natunas and territory bordering Indonesias 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). A local fisherman, Wandarman, said he and others had not been able to reach the territory bordering the EEZ because their boats were too small. Incursions by foreigners with large fishing boats especially from Vietnam have worsened their plight, he said. What we need most is a marine patrol that guards the waters so that foreign fishermen dont enter, he told BenarNews. Competing claims Jokowi had previously announced efforts to strengthen security around the islands over concerns in Jakarta about diplomatic standoffs with Beijing over South China Sea territories. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Taiwan and ASEAN member-states Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ as well. Last year, Beijing told Jakarta to stop drilling for oil and gas near the Natuna Islands inside Indonesias EEZ because the block is within the nine-dash line China uses to demarcate its expansive claims. In addition, the Chinas coast guard has been active across the South China Sea, including in waters off the Natunas. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the Prime Ministers official residence, in Tokyo, April 8, 2022. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is planning a visit to Southeast Asia later this month to counter Chinas growing assertiveness in the region, according to news reports and a government official. Kyodo, a Japanese news agency, said Kishidas trip would take place during the so-called Golden Week holidays and include stops in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. The report cited unnamed diplomatic sources. Golden Week 2022 runs from April 29 to May 5. It starts with Showa Day and ends on Childrens Day, with a five-day consecutive holiday from May 15. Kyodo also reported that Kishida may consider a visit to Europe during the holiday period. A previously proposed meeting between ministers of defense and foreign affairs from Japan and India in mid- to late-April may therefore have been postponed because foreign ministers usually accompany the prime minister on his foreign trips. Radio Free Asia (RFA), with which BenarNews is affiliated, has approached the Japanese Foreign Ministry for confirmation. In Jakarta on Thursday, Teuku Faizasyah, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed to BenarNews that Kishida would visit Indonesia at the end of April. He said the exact date would be announced later. Kyodo reported that in Southeast Asia, the Japanese prime minister is expected to underscore cooperation toward realizing the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific amid China's rise. Thailand and Indonesia are this years chairs of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) and the Group of 20, respectively. Vietnam, meanwhile, shares interest with Japan in safeguarding maritime security in the South China Sea, where China holds expansive claims and has been militarizing reclaimed islands. A file photo shows Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel on the destroyers JS Suzutsuki (left) and JS Inazuma after they docked as part of an Indo-Pacific tour at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Sept. 18, 2018. [Reuters] Free and open Indo-Pacific China is the principal geopolitical threat, be it for India, Japan or Southeast Asian countries, said Pratnashree Basu, associate fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian think-tank. Pooling resources and strengthening capacities is therefore an ongoing process for almost all countries in the Indo-Pacific in order to be in positions of stronger pushback in the face of China's aggression, she said. Last year, Japan joined a growing list of countries that are challenging Chinas maritime claims in the South China Sea. Tokyo sent a diplomatic note to the United Nations rejecting Chinas baseline claims and denouncing what it described as efforts to limit the freedom of navigation and overflight. Japan is not a South China Sea claimant, but Tokyo has deepened security ties with several Southeast Asia nations with claims or interests there. The Japanese Navy and Coastguard have conducted joint exercises with Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Japan prioritizes maintaining stability and a rules-based approach to governing the South China Sea as its sea lanes are critical arteries for the Japanese economy, according to Stephen Nagy, a senior associate professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies at the International Christian University in Tokyo. Tokyo has also been playing an important role in supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. Leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, including Japan, the U.S., Australia and India are meeting in person later in May in Tokyo for a summit. The Quad is widely seen as countering Chinas weight in the region. Kishida visited India and Cambodia in March, his first bilateral trips since taking office in October 2021. Cambodia is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Tria Dianti in Jakarta contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday urged Japan to face up to history on the issue of "comfort women" in World War II. Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the appeal at a Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence. Nadia Murad, an Iraqi female winner of Noble Prize from the Iraqi Yazidi minority in Baghdad, briefed the council on Wednesday. As a survivor of sexual violence by the Islamic State terrorist group, she has been seeking accountability and justice for over seven years for Yazidi survivors of Iraq like her. "In East Asia, there is also a group of victims of sexual violence in conflict, who have been living with nightmare memories, but have not been able to get justice even till their deaths," he said. "This group is the 'comfort women' forcibly drafted by the Japanese army during World War II." During that period, hundreds of thousands of women and girls from China, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia and other countries and regions were forcibly conscripted by Japanese militarists as sex slaves and experienced horrific sexual violence, both mentally and physically, he noted. However, for decades, some forces in Japan have stubbornly adhered to misconceptions and attempted to deny and whitewash its history of aggression. As recent as last month, some of the textbooks approved by the Japanese government once again blurred historical facts through the play of words, attempting to downplay and evade the historical guilt of forced recruitment of "comfort women," he said. "We solemnly urge Japan to face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, handle issues left over from history, such as the forced drafting of 'comfort women,' in a responsible manner, bring justice to the victims and survivors, and be accountable to the people of the invaded countries, so as not to further lose trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community," said Dai. Serbia confirms procurement of Chinese FK-3 air defense missile system: media By Liu Xuanzun (Global Times) 09:12, April 14, 2022 Soldiers assigned to a surface-to-air missile brigade of the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command operate a crane to hoist and load an air-defense missile onto a launching platform during a recent maneuver. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yuan Hai and Xiang Kun) Serbia has procured the Chinese FK-3 air defense missile system, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reportedly confirmed on Wednesday, after reports emerged on Saturday that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force was delivering the air defense equipment via Y-20 large transport aircraft. As the export version of the PLA's HQ-22, the FK-3 can significantly enhance Serbia's national defense capabilities, at a time when NATO is dividing the world and could complicate the security situation around Serbia, Chinese analysts said on Wednesday. Serbia procured the Chinese FK-3 air defense missile system transparently, complying with laws and regulations, and it followed procedures, Vucic said, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Wednesday. Vucic was accused by other politicians of "arming the country by the hands of competitors of Europe and NATO." Serbia has found its own path based on the will of its people, and the Serbian people are proud of themselves for protecting their own country by themselves rather than letting NATO do it in their names, Vucic was quoted in the CCTV report as saying. The CCTV report came after foreign reports said a large number of the PLA Air Force's Y-20 cargo planeswere spotted in Serbia on Saturday, and speculation claimed that the FK-3 air defense missile system was being delivered to the Serbian military. The FK-3 is an all-weather, medium-to-long range surface-to-air defense missile system that can carry out missions in complex electromagnetic environments. It can intercept targets including fixed-wing aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, tactical air-to-ground missiles and helicopters, according to promotional materials distributed at previous defense exhibitions. As a medium-altitude air defense weapon comparable to the US' Patriot air defense missile, the FK-3 missile system can serve as a powerful deterrent against aircraft including fighter jets and bombers that are on missions like defense penetration, precision strikes and bombing, Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Wednesday. It will play a very important role for Serbia at a time when the security situation in Europe is changing, Wang said. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine goes on, many countries are gravitating toward or away from the West, and the US-led NATO is the one that is dividing the world, he said. Serbia has been a victim of air raids, so it is natural that the country invests in its air defense capabilities, analysts said. In 1999, NATO launched a 78-day bombing of Yugoslavia, causing thousands of casualties including three Chinese citizens, and displacing hundreds of thousands. As an air defense system, the FK-3 is defensive in nature, and it will not harm regional peace and stability, experts said. In order to carry out an annually scheduled cooperation project between China and Serbia, China recently sent transport aircraft of the PLA Air Force to Serbia to deliver normal military goods, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular press conference on Monday, when a reporter asked him to confirm if China recently delivered the HQ-22 air defense system to Serbia, and if the move was related to the current situation in Ukraine. This project is not targeted at any third party, nor is it related to the current situation, Zhao said, noting that media should not interpret it too much. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Two staff members of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) have been fired, and a third disciplined for sexual misconduct, said a UN spokesman on Thursday. A video, first published in June 2020 by Inner City Press, went viral on social media. The video shows a woman in a red dress straddling a man in the back seat of a clearly marked UN vehicle in a busy street in Tel Aviv, Israel. "Following the completion of the investigation, a disciplinary process was conducted and the three staff members have now been informed of the outcome. Two of them have been separated from the organization and the third has received an appropriate disciplinary measure," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Dujarric did not provide further details, saying "a lot of these internal processes are confidential." "However, our colleagues at UNTSO are continuing to raise awareness among its personnel of their obligations under the UN Code of Conduct, and we remain firm in holding UN personnel accountable for any acts of misconduct," he said. Bennington, VT (05201) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 55F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 39F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. The man charged in this weeks Brooklyn subway attack has been ordered held without bail, with prosecutors saying he terrified the entire city. The Planning Boards proposed zoning bylaw opens up all conserved and open spaces of five acres or more to public recreational, research and educational use by right, which would include Berkshire Natural Resources Council, MassAudubon, Richmond Land Trust and other preserves or open spaces held by landowners. UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for de-escalation in the occupied West Bank, said his spokesman. The secretary-general is following closely the deteriorating security situation and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, which in the past two days alone claimed the lives of at least six Palestinians, including a 14-year-old boy, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman. Guterres reiterated that the Israeli security forces must exercise maximum restraint and should only use lethal force as a last resort when it is strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. All use of force leading to killing or injury must be swiftly and thoroughly investigated, said the spokesman. "The secretary-general calls on the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to work toward preserving calm and avoiding a further escalation, (especially) during these high holy days," he told a daily press briefing. 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. Managing editor for innovation Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service. Berkshire DA asks agencies to accelerate probe of fatal shooting of Miguel Estrella by Pittsfield police Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington said Tuesday she has asked that the ongoing 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. The Berkshire district attorney this week publicly asked the agencies investigating Miguel Estrellas death to accelerate that probe. Those agencies are mostly overseen by the District Attorneys Office, so the DAs public statement appears less like a step forward for a critical fact-finding mission and more like an effort to manage an anxious publics expectations. After Mr. Estrellas fatal shooting by a Pittsfield Police officer, we called for a thorough investigation to be made public as swiftly as reasonably possible to bring some crucial transparency to this tragic incident that has rocked an entire city. District Attorney Andrea Harringtons statement says she recognizes this urgent need for details. On behalf of a community on edge, we ask: When can we expect these urgently needed details? The DAs statement on the ongoing investigation only makes one chronological reference not to let the public know approximately when important information might be made available but to say that these types of investigations take four to six months while committing to significantly reducing that timeframe. Its not clear where that four-to-six-month average comes from, although it worryingly suggests that, even if the DAs Office technically meets this commitment, public availability of this investigations key findings might still be a few months or more away. That shouldnt be the case, and other high-profile police shootings suggest that even great controversy need not preclude a relatively quick gathering and assessment of the facts. Derek Chauvin was indicted less than a week after the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota. And even in cases without consistent eyewitness accounts and clear video evidence, key evidence is often made publicly available in significantly less time than four to six months. To be sure, these sorts of investigations are complex and require great care, and we understand that the DAs Office wants to get it right while many concerned eyes watch. Still, there is much daylight between rushing it and making an entire city wait on its hands for several months. Even more so than the average case, the entire community has a massive stake in the answers to the questions that continue to linger with the tragedy of Mr. Estrellas death. Pittsfield Police say Mr. Estrella approached officers while holding a knife. What kind of knife and what size? How quickly and in what manner did Mr. Estrella approach police? How far away was he when police fired the fatal shot? What were the interactions between Mr. Estrella and police, and specifically what verbal orders were police giving him? The DAs statement said that state police have already gathered plenty of evidence, including surveillance video. If that surveillance video sheds some objective light on the fatal encounter, when will that be released? This is an ongoing investigation, and conducting it thoroughly and properly means that everything cant always be made publicly available immediately. While we understand that, we also urge the DAs Office to not simply hide behind pronouncing that this is an ongoing investigation as a reason to not provide any information, as this district attorney has done far too often. The answers to at least some of the aforementioned questions can be furnished without compromising the probe, which could be the difference between giving the community at least some clarity and letting confusion reign. As we wrote previously, we urge everyone to do whatever they can to turn the temperature down in a sad and trying moment for Pittsfield and the greater Berkshire community. But lingering uncertainty only stands to turn the temperature up, which means authorities ought to get these answers and other critical info out to the public as quickly as they reasonably can. For that public on edge and those lingering questions, the DAs Office should provide a reasonable approximation as to when not how long other investigations might typically take, but when the public can expect to share in some illunimating truth in the aftermath of tragedy. ADDIS ABABA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has repatriated more than 7,000 nationals from Saudi Arabia in recent days, an Ethiopian official said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists, Dina Mufti, Spokesman, Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said the Ethiopian government is conducting thrice weekly flights to repatriate nationals from the middle eastern country. Mufti further said the process to repatriate Ethiopian nationals will be further stepped up in the coming days. The MoFA Spokesperson also said there are an estimated 750,000 Ethiopians living in Saudi Arabia currently, out of which 450,000 have reportedly entered the middle eastern country illegally. In March, Ethiopia established a national committee to repatriate hundreds of thousands of nationals currently residing in Saudi Arabia. In recent months, the East African country has stepped up efforts to return home its citizens stranded in various foreign countries, mainly Saudi Arabia, as part of the government's newly unveiled "citizen-centered diplomacy." It is estimated that tens of thousands of Ethiopians are trafficked to Saudi Arabia as well as various other countries annually, where they are mainly engaged in the informal economy. Spearfish, SD (57783) Today Windy with showers developing this afternoon. High 73F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 44F. NW winds shifting to SSW at 10 to 15 mph. BOISE - Attorney General Lawrence Wasden issued a statement on Wednesday in response to a claim from an Idaho advocacy group regarding the Office of the Attorney Generals defense of SB 1309. The heartbeat law was passed by the Idaho Legislature and signed into law by Governor Brad Little before being challenged in court by Planned Parenthood. Idaho Family Policy Center President Blaine Conzatti made a claim in a web post and email sent to the organizations subscribers Monday. In the email, Conzatti writes the Idaho Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the new law on April 8 because the Idaho Attorney General cut a deal with Planned Parenthood, in which both parties agreed to let the court temporarily block the law in exchange for slowing down court proceedings. Wasden says that claim is false. Conzatti has since apologized to the office for the false representation. Mr. Conzattis apology for his false claim came during a meeting in which my attorneys discussed with him his intentions of having his organization join our defense of the bill through an amicus brief. This was a good faith effort on my part to work with an outside organization that shares a legal interest in this case similar to that of the states. Neither I, nor any representative of my office, made a deal with Planned Parenthood. Any suggestion to the contrary is categorically false. As the Attorney General, my statutorily-mandated role as the states chief legal officer includes defense of state laws when theyre challenged in court. Upon the filing of the suit, my office began a vigorous defense of the new law. That defense continues today. The Tesas-style abortion bill was signed into law on March 23 and was set to take effect on April 22. Planned Parenthood challenged the legislation in the Idaho Supreme Court on March 30. At the same time, it also filed a motion to speed up the cases timeline. The Supreme Court granted Planned Parenthoods request to expedite the cases briefing schedule less than a day after it was filed. In doing so, the court set a schedule that required the state to file its response to the lawsuit in just two weeks. In response to the condensed timeline, the Office of the Attorney General filed a motion asking the Supreme Court to reconsider, and laid out arguments for why expediting such a complex case with multiple constitutional issues was not appropriate. The states arguments included a discussion of other tools the courts have to address the need for urgency in a case without a rush to judgment that could damage the Attorney Generals ability to defend state law in the future. In its response to the states motion to reconsider, Planned Parenthood misrepresented that the state had suggested the court issue a stay. The misrepresentation was carried over into the courts order staying the law. Wasden's office says Planned Parenthoods misrepresentation and the similar language used by the court in its order likely prompted Conzattis email. However, upon being made aware of the facts of the matter, neither he, nor his organization, have fully corrected the false narrative. COTTONWOOD - On Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at approximately 3:24 p.m., the Idaho State Police were called to assist the Idaho County Sheriff's Office with a crash involving a school bus full of children and a gray Jeep Cherokee at the intersection of Cottonwood Butte Rd and Greencreek Road near Cottonwood. According to the Idaho County Sheriff's Office, there were no reported injuries to any children on the school bus. Police say the passenger of the Jeep Cherokee was transported to a local medical center for injuries. Members of the Idaho County Sheriff's Office, Idaho State Police, Cottonwood Ambulance, and Cottonwood Fire Department all responded to the scene. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact the ICSO at (208)983-1100. It will not be a happy Easter for the Biden family. If Hunter flies to Delaware from Malibu, the conversation most likely will be tense. That's because Hunter is this close to being indicted by the Justice Department and/or the IRS. If Jill Biden actually shopped for Easter dinner, she has to be shaken by food prices. Almost everything is more expensive than it was under Donald Trump. The Biden people claim Putin is responsible, but the only people who believe that work for The View. Wait. Juan Williams may also believe. But according to the polls, the vast majority of Americans now realize Joe Biden is a disaster as President, and George Stephanopoulos will not be able to save him. Tonight on the No Spin News, we'll discuss the one person who could save Old Joe: Jesus. The airline industry is blatantly irresponsible. Mass chaos and cancellations are taking place all over the country. Bill has had enough of the mistreatment of passengers. Check out the latest in his battle against JetBlue and the industry. Let us know how the airlines have treated you. Click here. Watch as Bill continues to expose the collapse of air travel and the incompetence of transportation boss Pete Buttigieg. Bill spoke with passenger rights advocate Paul Hudson about how Americans can fight back against the increasingly-lousy airlines. On Monday's No Spin News Bill angrily related his personal travel nightmare, in the process bringing the hammer down on JetBlue and the entire industry. Navitas Life Sciences brings to you 6 latest trends that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies need to look out for this year Healthcare Acceleration The past couple of years saw a massive change in the way clinical trials were run and in the need for improved healthcare. Technology-led innovation has seen an exponential uptake, with McKinsey estimating that between $350 billion to $410 billion in Annual value can be created by utilizing such innovation to provide individual care. Clinical trial protocols have been quick to imbibe these innovations with oximeters, e-Consent forms, and tablets used for data collection. According to Global Data, a dramatic 93% increase in the uptake of decentralized clinical trials is expected in 2022, when compared with numbers in 2020. Apart from COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, 2022 will witness clinical trials that study the use of monoclonal antibodies, CRISPR-based gene therapy, and even oncolytic viruses for multiple conditions including cancer. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease as well respiratory diseases are among the conditions that are expected to be most studied in 2022. Clinical Research The most critical factor that will drive the future of clinical trials is investments in state-of-the-art technology platforms, that bring to dominance decentralized trials and hybrid trials. Global Data has reported a likely 28% increase in decentralized clinical trials when compared to numbers in 2021, highlighting the significance of established yet agile partners in the ever-evolving clinical trial industry. The industry will see biopharma companies accelerating the consumption of diverse data sets to further define and segment patients as they address unmet patient needs. Biopharma companies and CROs will also advance capabilities to support cell and gene therapy trials and scale infrastructure and capabilities to support the same. Decentralized Clinical Research, Direct-to-Patient Service These are some of the important factors for direct-to-patient service eConsent modules with disease area sensitivities in mind. Clinical monitors working in conjunction with data management, ensures data integrity and regulatory compliance through remote monitoring, risk-based monitoring, and riskbased data management and quality management Patient-centric eConsent, ePRO and patient-facing reporting to promote patient engagement and patient self-management, and modernize the patient experience. Generics Development The pandemic brought in a lot of changes including the need for dynamic clinical trial designs that allow greater flexibility, thereby engaging more patients and accelerating clinical trials. 2022 will also see a greater focus on pharmacogenomics and the use of patient data from wearable devices, paving the way for personalized healthcare. Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance 2022 is set to be thrilling for regulatory and pharmacovigilance processes, with a focus on enhancing processes with technological innovations like AI, ML, and RPA. There will be an increased need to step up technologies with a risk of becoming obsolete otherwise. Service providers who are agile and swift in moving towards such advancements will forge better partnerships and drive growth for the next few years. The regulatory affairs outsourcing market from 2021-2026 is expected to grow by 4.63 Billion USD, reflecting exciting times for the BPO market. The conduct of clinical trials in Europe will also see a significant change with the Clinical Trials Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 536/2014) expected to come into effect from 31st January 2022. According to this regulation, a Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) will now ensure supervision and assessment of clinical trials in Europe. Industry Networks There will be a significant surge in the use of technology in clinical trials. Mobile technology and wearables for remote monitoring, 5 G and blockchain enabled virtual trial platforms for secure digital data collection and processing are just a few examples of high-impact solutions. These solutions would deliver superior outcomes in terms of feasibility, patient adherence/engagement, cost savings, and time to market. Mark Corbett has taken up the role of managing director at Goodleaf Wellness, and will work to help further accelerate the growth strategy of the premium cannabis wellness company. Mark Corbett, Goodleaf Wellness MD. Source: Supplied Goodleaf CBD Kit. Source: Supplied Mark, congrats on your appointment! What excites you most about joining Goodleaf Wellness? Whats at the top of your to-do list in your new role? Goodleaf Relief Roller. Source: Supplied How do you believe your time at Canopy Growth Africa and Union Swiss prepared you for your new position as Goodleaf MD? As a vertically integrated cannabis company in South Africa, Goodleaf is operating in an exciting space with major emerging market growth potential. What would you say are the most notable opportunities, but also challenges, facing the business at this point? Goodleaf Snack Bars. Source: Supplied How would Goodleaf like to see policies and regulations around cannabis change in South Africa? Anything in particular you're currently reading, watching or listening to for work inspiration? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What impact do you hope to make in your industry? Could you leave us with some valuable career advice? Based in Cape Town and a father of three boys, Corbett brings with him over 20 years of professional experience, having spearheaded a number of innovative brands and expanded businesses internationally.Prior to joining Goodleaf, he was the deputy MD of Canopy Growth Africa, a position that immersed Corbett in the business of cannabis. Before that, he occupied the role of regional director of Asia for Union Swiss, the owner and distributor of popular skincare brand Bio-Oil.It was Corbett's decades of hands-on operating experience coupled with a consistent track record of transforming enterprises and delivering business objectives, that confirmed him as the best fit for MD of Goodleaf Wellness. This new role marks a welcome return for Corbett to consumer packaged goods, with Goodleaf's consumer product offering including CBD oils, skincare topicals, sparkling flavoured water, natural vapes and powder sachets.The company's R650m merger with Lesotho-based Highlands Investments (formerly Canopy Growth Africa) transformed it into the largest vertically-integrated cannabis operation in Africa. And today, Goodleaf Wellness is able to combine high-quality, low-cost cannabis cultivation and production with world-class brand and distribution across South Africa and Europe.With the industrialisation and commercialisation of cannabis ramping up, we chatted to Corbett about taking up a position at one of the premier companies in this space, and what lies ahead for him and the Goodleaf Wellness brand.I was super excited about joining Goodleaf for two reasons really. Firstly, because Ive always had massive respect for the Goodleaf brand and what its achieved in the wellness space; and then secondly, because it brings me full circle back into consumer brands where I cut my teeth for 12 years at Bio-Oil.To date, I have been focused on bringing structure into the SA business to enable it to scale to the size we anticipate. This will also then enable me to focus my energy on our UK rollout later this year.The experience at Bio-Oil (Union Swiss) was invaluable as it taught me how to roll out a dominant consumer brand in the SA market and to replicate that across an outsourced global model. Bio-Oil is now available in over 120 countries.My time at Canopy Growth introduced me to the cannabis space and taught me all I needed to know about the plant and its value in the wellness ecosystem. I truly believe that plant-based medicine will play an increasingly important role in our daily lives as we transition from a pharma-led wellness paradigm to a much more holistic natural view on health and wellness.Goodleaf is very well poised to take advantage of a rapidly growing local wellness and functional category we see huge potential to grow all parts of our consumer product range over the next three years. We are particularly excited about our medical cannabis brand, Altitude, which will really allow us to leverage our cultivation strength in Lesotho to deliver high quality, affordable, sun-grown organic products into the global medical and wellness markets.The greatest challenges facing our business are regulatory uncertainty and the lack of speed with which governments and regulatory bodies are opening up and enabling a commercial wellness and medical cannabis category.We would wholeheartedly support a well-regulated commercial industry in South Africa.The government has already indicated its support for the cannabis industry and now the various government departments need to work together to develop and implement a regulatory framework that enables a well-regulated commercial industry to flourish.I love a good biography and Im currently reading, the Jeff Bezos story. I find it fascinating how Amazon has become such a powerhouse across the globe and there are so many learnings there for new businesses. I am also watching the series called, about the rise and fall of WeWork. Some scary examples of what not to do when building a businessI love the outdoors and spend as much time there as possible. I used to be an avid trail runner but am now transitioning to open water swimming as my knees are finding the running tougher each year. I'm also starting fly fishing, which I plan to spend much more of my time perfecting :)Goodleaf is able to make a significant impact in our industry through: Creating employment opportunities across the value chain, Educating consumers, medical professionals and regulators on the benefits of cannabis, and Working with government and regulators to develop and implement an inclusive commercial cannabis industry.My career has taught me the importance of resilience and perseverance. Working in startups can be tough with new obstacles thrown in your path every day. You just need to constantly work at overcoming these challenges if it were easy, then everyone would be doing it.I find great satisfaction in working in nascent industries and knowing that there isnt a well-trodden path to follow and that we need to forge our own way. NAIROBI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Education ministers from the Commonwealth are due to meet in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi later this month to discuss pressing education challenges as the world is recovering from the negative impacts of the pandemic, organizers said on Thursday. Incoming Chair of the Education Ministerial Action Group (EMAG) and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Education, George Magoha said the COVID-19 pandemic brought education systems across the world to a near standstill. "Low-income countries were especially hit hard. With the future of our children and young people on the line, we need to work together to build back better and refocus on investing in inclusive and equitable quality education," Magoha said in a statement issued in Nairobi. He said the 54-member Commonwealth must build resilient education systems that can address emerging issues and withstand future crises as part of measures to minimize and protect learning from disruption. Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said the impact of the pandemic on young people has been especially distressing with millions of students seeing their education disrupted. Scotland said the Secretariat will continue working with member countries, stakeholders, and partners, as part of its commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 and strengthening education systems and policies across the Commonwealth. The April 27-28 high-level conference, themed rethinking education for innovation, growth and sustainability post-COVID-19, will bring together ministers, senior government officials, educators, development partners, civil society, and policymakers to share knowledge and good practices in education as the world recovers from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers said participants will also identify areas of action and explore innovative approaches that can be adopted by member countries to develop sustainable and resilient education systems. Thats with the unveiling of a TVC to drive awareness and sales of breakfast cereal Bokomo Weet-Bix , following on from shopper work MullenLowe initiated in 2021 around the notion that simple is good.Weet-Bix Its Complicated highlights just how busy, over-stimulated and demanding modern-day life has become, particularly with technology and devices playing an ever-increasingly bigger role in our lives.Its been said that we make up to 35,000 decisions a day, and its exhausting, says Sarah Dexter, CEO MullenLowe SA. That exhaustion has been exacerbated by external stresses such as the pandemic and political instability. So, we went back to the very intrinsics of the brand and used the fact that Weet-Bix consists of four simple ingredients as a counter to all the stress. Its such an obvious choice if youre looking for something tasty and simple for breakfast. Weet-Bix has endured for decades, because its simple, reliable and a really great breakfast!The TVC cleverly touches on the belief that we all possibly hanker after lives that are simpler, with fewer choices, and it boldly makes the assertion that more is not always better. In fact, it suggests that simplifying life actually gives us more, touching on aspects such as family and friendships.As the 45-second TVC suggests, were trapped up in a system that says having more of everything is better. Maybe its time to uncomplicate things.Thats when the piece brings in Bokomo Weet-Bix, with the pay-off line, because simple is good.The film was directed by Kevin Fitzgerald of 7 Films, whose vision was to create a piece of work that visually represented the crazy overwhelm we feel in modern-day life.This film is about two halves, the complete chaos of our modern world, everything we chase and we know is not good for us, and the life that is so accessible that we love when we are in it, says Kirk Gainsford, Chief Creative Officer, MullenLowe SA. Kevin brought it to life beautifully, and it had to be beautifully done, because nobody wants to watch chaos. Everything was created in camera and the editing is fast-paced, with a moment of light relief, then back to the anxiety of our always-on lives, until we hear a breath of relief and we see a morning with friends in the garden. It's something so simple, but we all love it. It leaves you feeling relaxed, because nobody really likes to be reminded about the anxiety of contemporary living.MullenLowe has a long-standing history with Weet-Bix, having represented and worked with the brand for 10 years, and Gainsford believes this campaign has given MullenLowe the opportunity to produce a piece of work that has the ability to leverage the simplicity of the Weet-Bix brand and really make people think about whats important to them.Its amazing to me that it took lockdown and everything that is going on in the world for us to remember what joy there is in a simple life, he says. I think we are all going to realise soon enough how important the simple life is. Moving at speed towards 4IR, spurred on by climate change and the net-zero imperative, has brought immense challenges. However, with these challenges we are also seeing industry players becoming more innovative, embracing artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technologies, using digital twins, and ultimately integrating data to operate more efficiently. Digital thinking realises ingenuity If anything, the last two years have demonstrated that those companies that are adopting a digital mind are set to succeed.For one, operational resilience, values-led leadership and data-centric operating models have created new avenues for growth. Subsequently, manufacturing and industrial teams across the world have adjusted to different ways of operating.Providing more than just resilience, a digital approach helps to overcome logistical disruption and supports generational shifts in the workforce.Second, industry-specific AI enables companies to work more efficiently. Pattern recognition from digital twins combined with AI and decision support connects systems so people can work in new ways.The lessons learned in those early days of the pandemic have set new efficiency standards that are now being deployed throughout our global network.With many organisations operating hybrid networks, we are seeing an increased moved towards sharing data securely throughout the industrial ecosystem.According to analyst group Gartner, cloud-based data-sharing is key to integrating working teams and driving the decision-making required to cut carbon emissions, increase profitability, and ensure agility. For example, Aker Carbon Capture is using Aveva cloud-based software to design facilities capturing carbon dioxide from industrial operations.By adopting a digital mindset built on continuous innovation, industries can use data-centric intelligence to become more agile and profitable. This digital foundation, enhanced with AI and scaled in the cloud, gives us the confidence to succeed both in todays changing world and for tomorrows sustainable future. Cape Town Have you always dreamt of working in magazines? Is it your goal to see your name in print? Highbury Media is looking for a creative, dynamic and detail-oriented... ISLAMABAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The deputy speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, or the lower house of the parliament, on Thursday formally accepted the resignations of members of the house from former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, said a parliament official. Assistant Director of the Deputy Speaker Office of the National Assembly Tanveer Hussain Malik told Xinhua that Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri had accepted the resignations of 123 members from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and also issued a notification in this regard. Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the PTI Khan appreciated the 123 members of his party for resigning from the lower house in protest of the change of his government through a no-confidence motion. The PTI members including Khan submitted their resignations to the office of the deputy speaker on Monday, a day after a majority of the house voted in the favor of the no-confidence motion. Former Foreign Minister and Vice Chairman of the PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the lower house on Monday that they could not sit along with an alliance that was formed under a conspiracy from the United States against Khan's government, demanding that the country should go for fresh general elections. The PTI has been the single largest party with 155 members in the 342-member house, but a no-confidence motion was brought after over 20 members deserted the PTI under what Khan called "a foreign conspiracy." ISLAMABAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan army said on Thursday that national security is directly linked to democracy and political stability in the country as it drives everything including the economy. "It is the duty of everyone to strengthen democracy and the strength of our democracy is our national institutions. Be it the country's Parliament, the Supreme Court or the armed forces ... Pakistan's sustenance relies on democracy, and to strengthen it is everyone's duty," Major General Babar Iftikhar, director general of the army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations said. "There will never be another martial law in Pakistan as democracy is the only way forward for the country," Iftikhar told a press conference in Rawalpindi. Answering a query about former Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement about providing military bases to the United States, Iftikhar said no such demand had been made on any level. "However, the army would have the same stance of 'absolutely not' as the former prime minister had in case the military bases were asked for," he added. Speaking about the country's security situation, he said the armed forces continued playing their role in creating an enabling environment for Pakistan by rendering countless sacrifices. "During the first three months of 2022, a total of 97 soldiers lost their lives in various operations carried out across the country. Meanwhile, 128 terrorists were killed and 270 have been arrested during the operations against them," the military official said, adding that the war against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated. Commenting on the security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Iftikhar said CPEC is important for Pakistan's development and the Pakistan army is the security guarantor of CPEC projects. "CPEC is a great manifestation of the trusted friendship between Pakistan and China," he said, adding that the pace of CPEC projects is being accelerated, and no hostile foreign country would be allowed to disrupt the mega project of great economic value. Launched in 2013, CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation. We recently discussed the gathering of Democratic politicians and media figures at the University of Chicago to discuss how to better shape news, combat disinformation, and reeducate those with conservative views. The political and media elite shared ideas on how to expand censorship and control what people read or viewed in the news. The same figures are now alarmed that Elon Musk could gain greater influence over Twitter and, perish the thought, restore free speech protections to the site. The latest is former labor secretary under President Clinton, Robert Reich, who wrote a perfectly Orwellian column in the Guardian titled Elon Musks vision for the internet is dangerous nonsense. However, the column offers an insight into the anti-free speech mentality that has taken hold of the Democratic party and the mainstream media. Musk is an advocate for free speech on the Internet. Like some of us, he is an Internet originalist. That makes him an existential threat for those who have long used disinformation as an excuse to silence dissenting views in the media and on social media. Twitter has gone from denial of seeking to shape speech on the Internet to embracing that function. After the old Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was criticized for his massive censorship efforts, Twitter replaced him with CEO Parag Agrawal who has expressed chilling anti-free speech sentiments. In an interview with Technology Review editor-in-chief Gideon Lichfield, he was asked how Twitter would balance its efforts to combat misinformation with wanting to protect free speech as a core value and to respect the First Amendment. Agrawal responded; Our role is not to be bound by the First Amendment, but our role is to serve a healthy public conversation and our moves are reflective of things that we believe lead to a healthier public conversation. The kinds of things that we do about this is, focus less on thinking about free speech, but thinking about how the times have changed. One of the changes today that we see is speech is easy on the internet. Most people can speak. Where our role is particularly emphasized is who can be heard. The scarce commodity today is attention. Theres a lot of content out there. A lot of tweets out there, not all of it gets attention, some subset of it gets attention. He added that Twitter would be moving towards how we recommend content and how we direct peoples attention is leading to a healthy public conversation that is most participatory. Reich lays that agenda bare in his column while condemning free speech advocates as petty tyrants oppressing people through freedom. Reich explains that it is not about freedom but tyranny. More free speech means less freedom. It is the type of argument commonly used in China and other authoritarian nationsand an increasing number of American academics and writers. Indeed, his column is reminiscent of the professors who have called for the adoption of the Chinese model for censoring views on the Internet. In an article published in The Atlantic by Harvard law professor Jack Goldsmith and University of Arizona law professor Andrew Keane Woods called for Chinese-style censorship of the internet, stating that in the great debate of the past two decades about freedom versus control of the network, China was largely right and the United States was largely wrong. Reich tells people not to be lured by freedom of speech: Musk says he wants to free the internet. But what he really aims to do is make it even less accountable than it is now. What Reich refers to as accountability is being accountable to those like himself who can filter out views and writings that are deemed harmful for readers. Reich then goes full Orwellian: Musk advocates free speech but in reality its just about power. Power compelled Musk to buy $2.64bn of Twitter stock, making him the largest individual shareholder. Reich insists that censorship of views like former President Donald Trump are necessary to protect American democracy. Get it? Less freedom is more freedom. The column gets increasingly bizarre as Reich cites the fact that Musk has continued to express banned thoughts as proof that he is a menace: Billionaires like Musk have shown time and again they consider themselves above the law. And to a large extent, they are. Musk has enough wealth that legal penalties are no more than slaps on his wrist, and enough power to control one of the most important ways the public now receives news. Think about it: after years of posting tweets that skirt the law, Musk was given a seat on Twitters board (and is probably now negotiating for even more clout). Reich then delivers his terrifying warning: Thats Musks dream. And Trumps. And Putins. And the dream of every dictator, strongman, demagogue and modern-day robber baron on Earth. For the rest of us, it would be a brave new nightmare. That nightmare, of course, is free speech. It is a nightmare that people like Reich and those at the Disinformation conference will lose control over media and social media. Imagine a site where people are largely free to express themselves without supervision or approval. What a nightmare. [Warning foul language and full irony] Just a few weeks after Microsoft revealed that President Joe Bidens Department of Justice (DOJ) has been secretly spying on investigative reporting outlet Project Veritas, Apple and Google have revealed that they were also subject to secret surveillance orders that required them to hand over information from the professional and private accounts of Project Veritas and its security detail. Apple and Google received nine secret subpoenas and warrants from the DOJ between November 2020 and March 2021. These secret subpoenas and warrants required these tech companies to hand over information about Project Veritas and its security detail. The DOJ also compelled Apple and Google not to disclose that they were secretly providing this private information to the government. Google provided highly sensitive personal information on several Project Veritas employees to the DOJ including their payment information, browsing history, and device media access control (MAC) address (which can be used to identify devices and track their activity). Two of the DOJs subpoenas demanded highly sensitive personal information on two Google accounts, one of which was connected to a separate non-Google email address. These subpoenas demanded the account holders: Names Addresses Primary and alternate telephone numbers Primary and alternate email addresses Social security numbers Records of session times and durations Records of any internet protocol (IP) addresses used by the subscriber at the beginning, end, and at any time during these sessions (which can be used to monitor a subscribers location and their web browsing activity) Browser and operating system information Device media access control (MAC) address Means and source of payment for services (including any credit card or bank account numbers) Account notes and logs, including any customer-service communications or other correspondence with the subscriber Length of service (including start date) and types of service utilized Investigative files or user complaints concerning the subscriber You can see the subpoena for the account connected to a Gmail address here. You can see the subpoena for the account connected to the non-Google email address here. One of the DOJs warrants demanded sweeping surveillance of the targets account for more than a year by ordering Google to hand over: All of the accounts email content (including emails sent, received, and stored in draft form) from January 1, 2020 till January 14, 2021 All address book and contact information from January 1, 2020 till January 14, 2021 All subscriber and payment information (including name, username, address, telephone number, alternate email addresses, registration IP address, account creation date, account status, length of service, types of services utilized, means and source of payment, and payment history) from January 1, 2020 till January 14, 2021 All transactional records associated with the account (including any IP logs or other records of session times and durations) from January 1, 2020 till January 14, 2021 All correspondence with the subscriber and others associated with the account (including complaints, inquiries, or other contacts with support services) and records of actions taken from January 1, 2020 till January 14, 2021 You can see this warrant here. Another two of the DOJs subpoenas demanded any header information reflecting the names, usernames, or IP addresses of any sender or recipient to specific email addresses. One subpoena demanded this information for a period of more than 11 months (January 1, 2020 till December 11, 2020) on a Gmail address and the other subpoena demanded the information for a period of almost three months (September 1, 2020 till November 24, 2020) on a non-Google email address You can see the January 1, 2020 till December 11, 2020 subpoena here. You can see the September 1, 2020 till November 24, 2020 subpoena here. Project Veritas didnt reveal the information the DOJ demanded from Apple but did share copies of the emails it had received from Apple. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta (R) and UK Home Secretary Priti Patel attend a partnership signing ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 14, 2022. Rwanda has agreed to host migrants to be relocated from the United Kingdom, under the Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership initiative, the government here announced Thursday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua) KIGALI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has agreed to host migrants to be relocated from the United Kingdom, under the Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership initiative, the government here announced Thursday. In a statement, Rwanda's Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta and UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said the partnership will address the urgent humanitarian crisis by tackling its roots. Under the program, migrants will be integrated into communities across the East African country, where they will be entitled to full protection under Rwandan law, equal access to employment, and enrolment in healthcare and social care services, according to the statement. Also, the UK's upfront investment of 120 million pounds will fund opportunities for Rwandans and migrants, including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education, it said. "There is a global responsibility to prioritize the safety and well-being of migrants, and Rwanda welcomes this partnership with the United Kingdom to host asylum seekers and migrants, and offer them legal pathways to residence. This is about ensuring that people are protected, respected, and empowered to further their own ambitions and settle permanently in Rwanda if they choose," Biruta said. Rwanda, with its "open policy," in 2019 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Refugee Agency, and the African Union to set up an emergency transit mechanism for refugees and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya. Under the agreement, a total of 824 evacuees were received in the first seven batches, according to the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management. Among them, 565 were resettled to third countries, the ministry said last month. The plan by the UK to relocate asylum seekers to Africa came amid criticism from some British opposition politicians and refugee groups who have condemned it as inhumane and ill-conceived. Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta (R) shakes hands with UK Home Secretary Priti Patel at a partnership signing ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 14, 2022. Rwanda has agreed to host migrants to be relocated from the United Kingdom, under the Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership initiative, the government here announced Thursday. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua) BERLIN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of business insolvency filings in Germany increased by 27 percent month-on-month in March, according to preliminary figures published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday. Since May 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic-related special regulations and financial support for companies have no longer applied. As a result of these regulations, insolvency filings in Germany had previously decreased despite the coronavirus crisis, at times even considerably, according to Destatis. Expecting insolvencies to increase further, Destatis noted that the preliminary number of regular insolvency proceedings filed provided "early indications of the future development of corporate insolvencies." According to the Bankruptcy Update published by the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle (IWH), the number of bankruptcies of private and public limited companies in Germany rose to 775 in March -- a ten percent increase over the February and an almost 30 percent increase over the January figure. Although the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not yet reflected in the latest figures, the crisis-related increase in energy prices is expected to "weigh heavily" on industry, the IWH noted. The German government has already approved an aid package for companies particularly affected by rising energy prices. "We will cushion hardship and prevent structural breaks," said Minister of Finance Christian Lindner when presenting the measures last week. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. by Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Amid the worst U.S. crime wave in decades, Democrats and Republicans are still at odds over the cause of unchecked violence in cities nationwide -- and what to do about it. New York City on Tuesday saw one of the most horrific shootings in decades when a gunman opened fire into commuters at a crowded subway station, leaving at least 29 people shot or otherwise injured. Actually, New York and a lot of other cities around the United States have been experiencing "a pretty significant increase in shootings and homicides," a trend that started in the spring of 2020, according to Christopher Herrmann, assistant professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, specializing in crime analysis. Though the year of 2021 was the worst year of gun violence in the country in nearly 30 years, partisan gridlock has doomed effective reforms and legislation action on gun control, which are necessary for preventing mass shootings and saving lives. DIVISIVE GUN POLICY Democrats have called for regulation and legislation as part of efforts to confront rising gun violence. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, has fought for a decade for more gun control laws, ever since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, in which a gunman opened fire in a building full of children, killing over two dozen people. Murphy is leading a large group of Democratic lawmakers to pressure U.S. President Joe Biden to take action on firearms. "It's time for more urgency from the administration as the gun violence epidemic gets worse by the day," Murphy said in an interview with Politico, just days before the New York City shooting. The White House is increasingly vocal about curbing gun violence, which analysts said is a bid to enact meaningful legislation before the midterm elections, while Republicans have tried to pin the blame on what they call progressive policies. Those include measures to defund the police, which were put into place in many cities shortly after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man killed by a white police officer. GOP lawmakers also blame no-bail laws that put criminals back on the street right after they've been arrested. Jim Chris -- not his real name, as he's not cleared to speak to media -- a police officer in the state of Pennsylvania, told Xinhua that defund-the-police movements have "made these violent (criminals) bold." "There's no question about it -- the defund police movement is a disaster for public safety," TV personality and Republican Strategist Ford O'Connell told Xinhua. "It puts people's lives at risk. And the very people they say it's meant to benefit are the ones that are actually harmed the most." Biden has opposed calls to "defund the police" since the movement began to build support in 2020. He reiterated his stance in his recent State of the Union address, declaring, "We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police. The answer is to fund the police." When asked whether they want the police to spend more, the same or less time in their area, 61 percent of African Americans want the police presence to remain the same, as 67 percent of all U.S. adults prefer the status quo, including 71 percent of White Americans, according to a Gallup poll. O'Connell noted there has been big money behind campaigns of several progressive district attorneys in cities nationwide. Many such district attorneys, from San Francisco to New York City, Philadelphia and Northern Virginia, have come under fire from critics who claim they have no interest in doing their job of prosecuting criminals. Rather, they want to completely revamp the criminal justice system -- the job of Congress, not prosecutors, Republicans said. MEASURES TAKEN Meanwhile, the White House has enacted several measures to curb so-called "ghost guns," weapons that are not marked with serial numbers, making them impossible to trace back to shooters. "These guns are weapons of choice for many criminals," Biden said from the White House on Monday. "We're going to do everything we can to deprive them of that choice and when we find them, put them in jail for a long, long time." "This is an absolutely necessary reform, that essentially brings U.S. regulations back into line with the fast-evolving state of small arms in America. It will help police and the courts do their jobs," Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the center for international and security studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua. The new policy on "ghost guns" has nevertheless drawn the ire of gun rights advocates and some Republicans who called it "an attack on the Second Amendment" that gives Americans the right to bear arms. The National Rifle Association, a U.S.-based gun rights lobbying group, responded that it believes this "ban" on "ghost guns" will not affect violent criminals. "These violent crime sprees will continue unabated until they are arrested/prosecuted/punished," it noted in a statement. The problem is not "ghost guns," said David Webb, host of Fox News' Reality Check, accusing Biden of being reluctant to add pressure on mayors and prosecutors to fight crimes. Only two years ago, the owner of Dinamic Cuts hair salon, Diane Madden, was operating her business completely through word of mouth she didnt even have a phone. When she started working with the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Diane McCarthy, an SBDC advisor and her angel, changed the way her business operated. The SBDC is a nonprofit organization that offers small businesses workshops and one-on-one sessions, both free of charge. They provide a wide range of services, from how to create a marketing campaign to how to balance the books. The SBDC has seven advisers with diverse backgrounds in the business world, including owning their own companies and working within marketing and sales. They meet with small businesses one on one to help address their varying needs and try to hire people with a wide array of experience so they can meet those needs. The Shenandoah Valleys SBDC is only one of 27 SBDC offices in Virginia. The Valleys office has been open since 1989 and is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as supported by JMU, GMU and a number of local cities. SBDC also offers assistance in industries such as cybersecurity, retail and restaurant service. As an introduction, individuals entering business can take the Start Smart workshop, which covers the basics of business. Once theyve taken the workshop, these business leaders can sign up for one-on-one sessions with an adviser. Joyce Krech, director of Shenandoah Valleys SBDC, said that in the one-on-one session, businesses discuss what they want to do and how they want to go about it. During this time, the SBDC will address those concerns, offering new perspectives and strategies. This is such a supportive community, this is such a caring and giving valley, Krech said. Josh, Brendan and Eric Mitri are brothers and co-owners of Rocktown Games, which opens this Saturday. Their company is the successor of Monster Games, a game store that used to be in the same location. Were so connected to the Harrisonburg community that we decided to take up the mantle when they decided to close, Josh said. For the most part, they dont come from business backgrounds. Josh has sold fireworks for five years in the parking lot of Monster Games and describes himself as business-minded. Josh does environmental conservation work, Brendan was a software developer and Eric was a utility locator. Sign up for the Madison Business Review Email Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Were also big nerds and they say you should work with what you love so this was kind of a golden opportunity, said Brendan. The brothers say the SBDC helped them with paperwork because theyd never started a brick-and-mortar business before. The community needs a local game store, instead of just GameStop, Josh said. Meanwhile, Dinamic Cuts was also helped by the SBDC. Madden started out by going door to door with a hair dryer but now has been in business for 29 years. She cuts and styles hair, does weaves, extensions and fold-out braids, helps with hair loss, makes custom-made wigs and applies color and relaxers. Throughout those years, Madden had never gotten customers through anything but word-of-mouth no phone, no webpage and no social media. When Madden came to the SBDC, they helped her set up a website and a Facebook page. She also got a phone. Madden estimated the SBDCs help grew her business by about 75%. As a result of this growth, she said, people have wanted to come work for her and shes reached many more customers. She now has an automated appointment system on both her website and on Facebook. Madden said the SBDC is also helping her create videos on hair loss, one of the areas she specializes in. Its been a journey but its been good, Madden said. [McCarthy] has helped me so much. Currently, Krech said SBDC is offering a workshop next month that helps businesses keep employees once they have found them something Krech said is related to recent unemployment rates. She said the center gets a lot of questions on how to get employees since the start of the labor shortage. +2 Furloughed: city unemployment rates drop, but issues persist Compared to the state average, Harrisonburg's unemployment rates have preformed better. But this isn't to say that things have been uncomplicated. The SBDC also offers other workshops including Success through e-Commerce, Trademark Basics, and Grow Your Business with Digital Marketing. Harrisonburg, VA (22807) Today Cloudy skies with periods of light rain this afternoon. High near 50F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low around 40F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. George Kaiser, whose parents fled Nazi Germany for the Oklahoma oil patch, was already a billionaire before Russia invaded Ukraine and threw the global energy market into turmoil. Still, a well-timed initial public offering of his Excelerate Energy has added $US1.5 billion ($2 billion) to his fortune and boosted his net worth to $US9.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Shares of the Texas-based Excelerate closed trading at $US26.85 in New York, up 12 per cent from their offering price and valuing the liquefied natural gas company at $US2.84 billion. George Kaisers Excelerate energy had an impressive first day on the markets. Weve been focused on providing energy to markets for a long time, chief executive officer Steven Kobos said Wednesday in an interview. We feel were at a great point in time after nearly 20 years. The Biden administration last month said it planned to export 15 billion cubic metres of gas to Europe this year to help countries slash Russian imports, but getting the fuel across the Atlantic Ocean is no small feat. I just try to have fun with what I have, he says breezily. Especially with this material. To give up our professional life, the relationship between actors and directors, the stupidity that is involved in all of this, the impostors, who is more important than the other, that was really fun. But at the end of the movie, its not only talking about actors and directors, I think. Its talking about human beings. Penelope Cruzs Lola is known for driving her actors to breaking point; in the fictional films first table read, she makes Felix repeat his opening line seven times. How many ways can you say Good evening? But thats just the beginning: intent on driving her actors to emotional extremes, she threatens to drop rocks on them, then insists they destroy all their previous awards. And yes, her character was based on people she knew, both inside and outside the movie business. From left, Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz and Oscar Martinez in Official Competition. Credit:Madman Films Its like a collage of all these people whose names I would never say! she says, smiling. Some of them I actually like very much, but I have seen them do strange things. I dont think there is any director who does them all; that behaviour would not be allowed, especially nowadays. But put them together and you have a monster. Although there may still be monsters out there, she suggests, it can be hidden. Especially to you, the ways actors and directors present themselves in a press conference can be very deceiving. She laughs. Tricks of the mind! Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas in Official Competition. Credit:Madman Films Her greatest sticking point with her character, she says, was something else entirely: Lolas declaration that nobody seriously creative should have children, because they get in the way. I found that really hard to say. Its so different from what I believe and my own experience, she says. She has two children, aged 11 and eight, with actor Javier Bardem. She will wait until they are a little older, then direct for real. Since I was a teenager I have been talking about it. I am prepping a documentary that I will direct and it will take me probably two or three years. This is something I have wanted to do for years. Loading Official Competition came about when she and Banderas approached the directors, after seeing The Distinguished Citizen, to ask if they would like to work with them. Of course they would, says Duprat. And then we asked ourselves, what can we do with them? Our starting point, which we made clear, was that we wanted a set with a lot of fun. Which is not that common! Usually when you shoot a film there are a lot of interruptions; you do a take, you watch it, you do reverse angles. Instead, they made every shot a master-shot so they kept their spontaneity. You can see the results in the performances, adds Cohn. And you can obtain that only with a certain kind of actor, people who share this kind of irony and humour that is in the film, which was clear from the very beginning. People who could laugh at themselves, in other words which is rare enough, whether people are celebrities or not. The Spanish Film Festival is in Sydney, April 19-May 15, and Melbourne, April 21- May 15. spanishfilmfestival.com Other festival highlights IMMERSION Alfredo Castro in Immersion. The great Alfredo Castro anchors this clever thriller from first-time director Nicolas Postiglione, filmed on a small boat on a swampy lake in south-central Chile, a real-life flashpoint for supposed terrorist acts by increasingly militant Mapuche land rights campaigners. Father Ricardo is out sailing with his daughters Tere and Claudia when they hear three indigenous lads on another boat yelling as their craft sinks. Instead of going to their aid, Ricardo revs the engine and heads in the opposite direction. Sharp editing and crackling dialogue help to establish a parallel between the already fraying familys generational conflict and broader social schisms based on race and class. Immersion deservedly won a special jury prize in the well-regarded Tallinn film festival in November. AMA Tamara Casellas and Leire Marin Vara in Ama. A Dardenne-esque slice of social realism that is further proof, after Carla Simon won Berlins Golden Bear with the splendid Alcarras, that young women directors are moving to the forefront of Spanish cinema. Julia de Paz Solvas account of a day in the life of a single mother is set in a beach resort, where the prevailing carefree holiday vibe is at poignant odds with Pepas precarious existence on the economic margins. By day, Pepa (Tamara Casellas) has a wisp of a job handing out discount nightclub tickets to tourists on the beach. At night, she returns to said club to get wasted, leaving her six-year-old daughter Leila (Leire Marin Vara) to be looked after by her resentful flatmate. When the flatmate duly kicks her out, feckless Pepa wanders the picturesque streets with Leila in tow, increasingly desperate. Its a crushing story with no heroes, but Casellas vivacious performance makes it breathe; the title means love which is, in the end, its abiding motif. LANGUAGE LESSONS Nathalie Morales in Language Lessons. COVID filmmaking at its inventive, insouciant best. Indie icon Mark Duplass and sitcom director/actor Natalie Morales filmed this two-hander over five days on Zoom, with cutaways to Duplass real-life (former) house adding a plush sense of place. Duplass plays Adam, a wealthy slacker whose partner presents him with the gift of weekly online Spanish lessons clearly not a gift he wants then suddenly dies. Consumed by bereavement, Adam finds a small and unexpected oasis of cheer in his weekly logins with smiling Costa Rican teacher Carina who, as she gradually admits, has troubles of her own. Largely improvised, their exchanges are funny, perceptive and, most strikingly, treat their growing friendship with the seriousness usually reserved on screen for romance. MAIXABEL Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo in Maixabel. Maixabel Lasa was widowed in 2000 when her husband Juan Maria Jauregui, a progressive former politician from the Basque region of Spain, was killed by three gunmen from ETA, the terrorist wing of the Basque independence movement. Eleven years later, she has agreed to meet two of her husbands murderers under a short-lived state program for reconciliation. Iciar Bollains fictionalised account of this brave and harrowing encounter, which opened the San Sebastian Film Festival last year, matches powerful writing with performances of humbling intensity and integrity from veteran Blanca Portillo as Maixabel and Luis Tosar as Ibon Etxezarreta, the second of the two murderers she meets. There are many gaps in the narrative, not least some explanation of ETAs significance, but quibbles fall away in the scenes where these two extraordinary actors explore and confront hatred, grief and guilt. If you see only one film at the festival, make it this one. A rush of tenants to regional Victoria has pushed up house rents in popular country and coastal towns almost three times as fast as Melbourne, new data shows. Rent in regional Victoria rose 9.1 per cent to a median $420 a week since March last year, Domains latest rent report showed. In Melbourne, median rent rose 3.4 per cent to a record $450 per week. Rent in some regional areas is as high or even higher than Melbourne, after two years interrupted by lockdowns and remote work that prompted a rush to the country and coast. Surf Coast Shire median rent flew to $630 per week, up 14.5 per cent over the past 12 months, while Geelongs house rents are $450 per week, the same as Melbournes, up 9.8 per cent or $40. Latest News 24 lenders raise interest rates Read the full list here Clients seek advice on interest rate rise City brokers field many enquiries A former Sydney mortgage broker has been sentenced at the Downing Centre Local Court for making a false statement to ASIC. Shiwei (Darren) He was sentenced and released on April 12 without proceeding to conviction after entering into a $5,000 recognisance to be of good behaviour for two years. He is a director of N V I Lending Pty Ltd, trading as General Mortgage. In February 2019, He stated in a credit license annual compliance certificate lodged with ASIC that none of the fit and proper people under his Australian credit license, including himself, had their accreditation suspended or cancelled by a lender or their membership with an aggregator terminated. He knew this statement was false as his accreditation with the Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB and Westpac had been suspended or cancelled between 2016 and 2018. He also knew his introducer agreement with the Beagle Finance aggregator service, trading as Loankit, had been terminated in 2018. He pleaded guilty to the offence on February 07. Magistrate Barko considered multiple factors when handing down his sentence including Hes guilty plea and prospect for rehabilitation. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions prosecuted the matter after a referral from ASIC. Australian credit licence holders are required to annually lodge an Australian credit licence compliance certificate with ASIC, in accordance with their credit licence obligations. The owner of the marijuana farm said he was growing the plants for industrial purposes. (Photo: Image by Stay Regular from Pixabay ) Spain's Civil Guard and officers in northern Spain's Navarre reported Wednesday that they had destroyed the biggest illicit cannabis farm. The farm, which spans 67 hectares and has about 415,000 plants, was uncovered between the villages of Artajona and Olite in Navarre and is valued at up to 100 million euros. The plantation was stretched across 11 fields totaling 67 hectares, according to a statement from the Guardia Civil. The owner of the plantation stated that it was growing marijuana for industrial applications. However, authorities grew suspicious when they discovered that the plants' intended destination was Switzerland and Italy, in which this type of crop can be utilized to produce cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical that is rapidly being utilized to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other medical conditions. In the raid, three individuals were apprehended for running a big storehouse in Artajona that was installed with a ventilator and thermal management system to dry the crops. Police officials stopped a truck carrying 23,000 dried marijuana plants on its way to Italy, and 13,000 plants were discovered inside the facility. This equates to 50,740 kg of cannabis. According to the Civil Guard and police, all of these plants, as well as the plants that were still growing on the plantation, had been destroyed and had a worth of roughly 30 million euros when manufactured into CBD. If mass production of more than 400,000 cannabis plants may operate quietly for several years, it is due to its seeming legality, says El Mundo. In Spain, cannabis is not legalized, but its usage and, notably, manufacture are carefully regulated. Production is permitted as long as it is for private, industrial, or medicinal uses. Additionally, CBD is illegal in Spain, despite its usage in medicinal treatments. Similarly, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is produced from cannabis plants and is the principal component of the narcotic marijuana, is also banned in the country. To be able to manufacture without fear, the culture officer of the plantation said that he was cultivating marijuana for "industrial purposes." However, the investments made, as well as the ultimate destination of this culture, alerted police officials, who launched a probe in 2021 into this cannabis farm with dubious legality. For good reason, cannabis plants were already planned to be sent to nations such as Switzerland or Italy which are capable of manufacturing it into cannabidiol and other derivatives. Japanese automotive (auto) major is trying to recover lost ground through the launch of new products and entering new segments in India. The company on Thursday launched a hybrid version of the popular sedan City as it attempts to make its mark in its transition to clean fuel. India is a very important market for us. We have a very strong brand image here and I want to carry that forward, said Takuya Tsumura, new president and chief executive officer at Cars India, who took charge on April 1. As part of further organisational restructuring, the company has elevated Kunal Behl to vice-president- marketing and sales, from operating head-sales and network development. Tsumura has experience in the India market, having served here from 1997 to 2000. Globally, last June announced plans to invest $40 billion to develop electric vehicles (EVs) over the next decade. The company will launch 30 EVs by 2030 and produce 2 million vehicles annually. However, Tsumura said that the first phase of the clean mobility journey for Honda in India will be through hybrids. We need to observe the reaction from the market and competitors, and plan the future, he said, adding that fuel efficiency for the hybrid variant is better by 40-45 per cent. I think with fuel prices at a record high, this is a good time to launch the model, he said. While automakers like Tata Motors are bullish about transition to EV, Japanese automakers have been somewhat sceptical. They feel there are hurdles in infrastructure, affordability, and range to make EVs profitable in India. Honda is importing a few components for the hybrid system from Japan. But the commitment of the brand towards India is high. For Indian customers, it is a more practical solution than having a pure electric car. Its a very practical solution for Indian mass-segment customers, said Behl. The vehicle has two self-charging highly efficient motors. The new City hybrid will be powered by Hondas intelligent multi-mode drive (or i-MMD) hybrid technology the system is a combination of an internal combustion petrol engine and two electric motors. While Honda had previously tried introducing a hybrid product in India more than 12 years ago, the Civic hybrid was an instant market failure at an asking price of Rs 21.5 lakh (ex-showroom) as it was being imported as a completely built unit. It had launched the Accord hybrid in 2016, but had to discontinue for the same reasons. This is locally manufactured. It makes a huge difference in terms of price for the end-consumer, said Behl. Honda in 2020 went for cost rationalisation and consolidated its manufacturing operations at a single plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan. It discontinued production at its older Greater Noida plant from December 2020 and also discontinued the Civic and the CR-V in India. One big challenge Honda faces in India is the absence in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment, which is the fastest-growing category. Tsumura said he recognises the challenge and is planning to plug the lacunae. Honda is developing an India-focused SUV in 2023. The rise in the popularity of utility vehicles is a global phenomenon. We dont have that line-up of SUVs in India. Thats why we are planning to launch an SUV model next year, he added. In a first such move, public sector lender (BoI) has taken Kishore Biyani-led Ltd (FRL) to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for initiating resolution proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Mumbai-based BoI--the lead bank in the consortium of lenders to Future Retailhas moved in an attempt towards debt resolution. The total exposure of banks is estimated at around Rs 17,000 crore. While BoI's loan exposure to is Rs 1,441.62 crore, others in the lenders consortium include Axis Bank, Andhra Bank, State Bank of India, Corporation Bank, IDBI Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Vijaya Bank. BoI has suggested that the insolvency tribunal appoint Vijay Kumar V Iyer as the interim professional of the company. As part of the Rs 24,713 crore deal announced by the in August 2020, FRL is to sell 19 operating in retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing segments to Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL). Referring to the latest move by BoI, bankers said theres an option to consider liquidation action in future if resolution efforts fail. The consortium decided that the lead lender would file an application under IBC. According to filings on the BSE, BoI has served an advance intimation of filing an application under Section 7 of the IBC 2016 against the company. This is for default on non-payment of monies due in terms of the framework agreement entered into between the two parties. We have received a copy of the petition and are in the process of taking legal advice, FRL said. The application is expected to come up before the Mumbai bench of . No date has been notified for the same. Lenders are also looking to approach the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) to secure lenders interest and protect value of assets. Banks are already treating exposure to FRL as a non-performing asset and have begun making provisions for the same. Earlier this month, Bank of Indias counsel said in the Supreme Court that it would like to withdraw its intervention application. The three-judge bench permitted the banks application to be withdrawn. BoI's counsel had informed the court that it was looking at other options. In February, Future Retail had sought two weeks from the Supreme Court to hammer out a solution with lenders on the issue of clearing dues and avoid being tagged a non-performing asset (NPA). The counsel to the lenders had suggested an open bid between Amazon and RIL to settle the dispute and ensure recovery for banks. Several companies, including FRL, had entered into agreements with their respective lenders in terms of the RBI circular dated August 6, 2020, in which a resolution framework for Covid-related stress was announced. will conduct meetings of their respective shareholders and creditors between April 20 and 23 to seek their approval for the Rs 24,713-crore deal. The deal is contested by Amazon and is under litigation at various forums, including the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court and Singapore International Arbitration Center. Earlier this week, Amazon warned FRL against holding meetings of its shareholders and creditors to approve the sale of its retail assets to Reliance Retail. RTHK: Russia reports blast crippling Black Sea flagship 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. Russia's defence ministry said a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser caused ammunition to blow up. It did not say what had 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. The Moskva is the second major ship known to have suffered serious damage since the start of the war. Last month Ukraine said it had destroyed a landing support ship, the Orsk, on the smaller Sea of Azov. Russia's navy has launched cruise missiles into Ukraine in recent weeks and its operations in the Black Sea are crucial to supporting land operations in south and east Ukraine. Ukraine said Russia was ramping up efforts in the areas as it tried to seize full control of the besieged port of Mariupol. Russia said 1,026 soldiers from Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade, including 162 officers, had surrendered in Mariupol and that the city was fully under its control. Capturing its Azovstal industrial district, where the marines have been holed up, would give Russia 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," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a Wednesday night video address. The United States said on Wednesday it would send an extra $800 million worth of military hardware to Ukraine including artillery, armoured personnel carriers and helicopters. France and Germany also pledged more. Russia will view US and Nato vehicles transporting weapons on Ukrainian territory as legitimate military targets, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russias TASS news agency. 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. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2022-04-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chinese premier congratulates new Pakistani prime minister Xinhua) 09:32, April 14, 2022 Photo released by Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID) shows Shahbaz Sharif (R) taking the oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan during a ceremony held at the President House in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan on April 11, 2022. (PID/Handout via Xinhua) 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. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) April 14, 2022 After almost 60 years of dressing up like an astronaut, Barbie has launched into space for real. Two of the iconic fashion dolls are now on board the International Space Station (ISS), where they are part of "Mission DreamStar," an outreach project to inspire girls to consider careers in aerospace and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. As revealed by Mattel on Thursday (April 14), the dolls have been in Earth orbit since February as part of a collaboration between the toy company and the ISS U.S. National Laboratory. "Barbie has a long history with space exploration, having introduced an astronaut doll in 1965 before humans even stepped foot on the moon, so the idea of Barbie going to space has been top of mind for a while!" Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel, said in an interview with collectSPACE. "With the launch of our Space Discovery line at Target, this year presented the perfect opportunity to create this milestone moment and finally send Barbie to space and the ISS." As featured in a newly-released special episode of the brand's "You Can Be Anything" web video series, the two diverse Barbie dolls have been filmed floating inside the space station's multi-windowed Cupola backdropped by Earth below. They have also accompanied NASA astronaut Kayla Barron, a member of the station's Expedition 67 crew, while she explained some of the research conducted on the orbiting laboratory, including the Veggie plant growth facility and Astrobee free-floating robots. "Every single day we do cool science and engineering research here," said Barron in the video, which also features NASA astronaut Raja Chari. "Have you ever dreamed of what it would it be like to go to outer space? I know I have!" says an animated version of Barbie in the episode. Mission DreamStar: Let's Go To SPACE! Click to enlarge video in new window. (Mattel) The pair of dolls sent into space are modeled after the astronauts and cosmonauts who live on the station. Each is dressed in the same one-piece outfit loosely based on the Sokol pressure garments worn by crew members who launch and land on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. "Barbie's shimmery spacesuit, helmet and gloves incorporate nods from real life spacesuits seen on the ISS, with signature pink accents," said McKnight. "We're excited that kids will be able to play with Space Discovery dolls just like the ones in orbit to make their doll play even more imaginative." Over the past 57 years, Barbie's space wear has varied from fashion-forward to miniature replicas of the real thing. The first astronaut outfit, "Barbie Miss Astronaut" released in 1965, was inspired by the silverly suits worn by the Mercury astronauts. Twenty years later, Barbie modeled a bright pink and silver spacesuit "with sparkly skirt and tights." Since 2019, Mattel has honored real-life astronauts with Barbie dolls bearing their likeness. Part of the brand's Inspiring Women series, Barbie dolls have been styled after first American woman in space Sally Ride and Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina. Another Barbie resembling European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti is set to launch to the space station with her real-life counterpart later this month. "While separate from Mission DreamStar, we look forward to Samantha's flight and continuing to celebrate STEM," McKnight told collectSPACE. "Samantha Cristoforetti's doll continues to fuel Barbie's history with space and the brand's commitment to encourage girls to become the next generation of astronauts, engineers and space scientists." The Barbie dolls now in space are expected to return to Earth this summer, when they will be sent to the Smithsonian to go on display at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in northern Virginia. The Space Discovery line, now for sale exclusively at Target, includes Barbie dolls identical dolls to those launched to the station, as well as dolls of Barbie's friends dressed in spacey outfits and related playsets. "The Barbie purpose has always been to remind girls that they can be anything. By offering an inside look at the ISS through real life astronauts, Barbie is proud to encourage kids to consider careers in aerospace and STEM," said McKnight. has received an investment proposal of Rs 817 crore for setting up data centres across the state. Data management firm VueNow, which is planning the investment, will develop a four-tier of 100 racks with Patna as the master hub. Four other centers will come up in Dharbhanga, Bhagalpur, Purnea and Buxar in the first phase, said an official statement. The investment proposal was discussed at a meeting chaired by Information Technology Minister Jibesh Kumar on Wednesday. "We are looking forward to finalisation of the proposal. After proper evaluation of the proposal, it will be sent to the Chief Minister's Office for final approval," Kumar said. "The state government will provide all support to investors as our aim is to make the next IT hub of the eastern region," he said. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the IT Department and officials of VueNow, including its Managing Director VC Roy. The firm has already started working on similar projects in West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh. (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.) said on Thursday that a Real Assets-led consortium, including Mubadala Investment Company, would invest Rs 4,000 crore for a 10.53% stake in the company's renewable energy unit. This translates to a base equity valuation of Rs 34,000 crore for Renewables, the company said in a stock exchange filing. The first round of investment is expected to be completed by June and the rest by the end of 2022. The final shareholding will range from 9.76% to 11.43% on final conversion. The BLK SPV will invest Rs 4,000 crore in two equal tranches of Rs 2,000 crore each: Tranche 1 through equity and Tranche 2 through convertible securities, after 6 months. The investment is expected to fund Renewable Energy's aggressive growth plans in the rooftop and electric vehicle charging space in India. Tata Power Renewables is targeting a portfolio of over 20 gigawatts (GW) of renewables assets over the next five years, from 4.9 GW currently, Tata Power said in a regulatory filing. This newly created platform will consist of five distinct businesses delivering long-term, customer oriented solutions. It will house all renewable energy businesses of Tata Power including those in: Utility Scale Solar, Wind & Hybrid Generation assets; Solar Cell & Module Manufacturing; Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracting; Rooftop Solar infrastructure; Solar Pumps and Electric Vehicle Charging infrastructure. The broad-based portfolio of assets ensures diversified yet stable revenue sources including 25-year fixed-price PPAs for grid connected utility scale projects. Tata Power Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy in India. Its vertically integrated operations currently have approximately 4.9 GW of renewable energy assets. "The proposed investment is expected to fund Tata Power Renewables aggressive growth plans. Over the next five years, Tata Power Renewables aims to achieve a portfolio of over 20 GW of renewables assets and a market leading position in the rooftop and electric vehicle charging space across India," said Tata Power. Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Power Company Limited commented: Tata Power Renewables is an industry leader with a broad and deep portfolio of next-generation renewables businesses well placed to scale up rapidly based on its strong and consistent performance over the years. I am delighted to welcome Real Assets & Mubadala to join us to take the renewables business to the next level of growth. The collaboration will support us to pursue exciting opportunities that lie ahead in the coming decades. Anne Valentine Andrews, BlackRocks Global Head of Real Assets, said: We are pleased to invest alongside Tata Power in this well diversified and vertically integrated renewables business. With one of the largest portfolios of solar and wind assets in the country and a very experienced management team, Tata Power Renewables is at the forefront of Indias ambition to secure greater energy stability for its citizens while positioning its economy for a low carbon future. Indias success in transitioning its energy economy will be crucial to the worlds ability to meet its climate goals. Public sector lender has moved to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking initiation of insolvency proceedings against Ltd and a moratorium over the assets of the Kishore Biyani-led debt-ridden firm. Besides, (BOI), the lead banker of a consortium of banks that lent money to Ltd (FRL), also suggested the insolvency tribunal appoint Vijay Kumar V Iyer as the interim professional of the company. Meanwhile FRL, in a regulatory filing, said it has been served and received a copy of the petition and is in the "process of taking legal advice". In its petition, BOI has said the Future group company has already issued intimation "admitting the default under the payment obligations" of Rs 3,494.56 crore on December 31, 2021, and Rs 5,322.32 crore on March 31, 2022, to its lenders. "Under the Framework Agreement, the corporate debtor (FRL) was under an obligation to repay certain amounts to the financial creditors and other lenders, however, the corporate debtor defaulted in making these payments," said BOI in its petition copy filed on Wednesday before the Mumbai bench of . On January 31, 2022, as per the RBI circular, loans given to FRL had already been "downgraded to NPA" in the books of the financial creditors with effect from November 30, 2020. BOI requested the to "admit the present application and pass an order for initiating Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP)" against FRL. The lenders have also suggested the name of Vijay Kumar V Iyer as an interim professional for the company. BOI has also requested to "declare a moratorium" against the company in terms of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Earlier, in the day, confirming the development FRL in a regulatory filing said: "BoI has served an advance intimation of filing an application under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 against the company for default on non-payment of monies due in terms of the Framework Agreement entered into between the company and BoI." Like other Future Group firms, FRL has also entered into a One-Time Restructuring (OTR) scheme with their respective lenders in terms of the RBI circular dated August 6, 2020, in which a resolution framework for COVID-related stress was announced. According to BOI, FRL in a meeting with its lenders on February 4, 2022, admitted that the "events of default continue to subsist." BOI's total loan exposure for FRL is Rs 1,441.62 crore and the rest by the other banks of the consortium, which include - Axis Bank, Andhra Bank, State Bank of India, Corporation Bank, IDBI Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Vijaya Bank. FRL is part of the Rs 24,713 crore deal announced by Future Group in August 2020, under which it is to sell 19 operating in retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing segments to Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL). All 19 would be consolidated into one entity -- Future Enterprises Ltd -- and then transferred to RRVL under the proposed deal. Future Group will be conducting meetings of their respective shareholders and creditors between April 20-23, 2022 to seek their approval for the Rs 24,713 crore deal. The deal is contested by Amazon and is under litigation at various forums, including the Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court and the Singapore International Arbitration Center. Earlier this week, Amazon warned FRL against holding meetings of its shareholders and creditors to approve the sale of its retail assets to Reliance Retail. In a 16-page letter to Kishore Biyani and other promoters on April 12, the US e-commerce giant said such meetings are illegal and would not only breach 2019 agreements when Amazon made investments into FRL's promoter firm but also violate a Singapore arbitral tribunal's injunction on the sale of retail assets to Reliance. After the deal was stuck in a series of litigations and arbitrations, the long-stop date for the Scheme has already been extended by six months to 30th September 2022 by Reliance, FRL had informed last week. This is the third extension of the timeline by Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), the retail arm of Reliance Industries, for completing its Rs 24,713 crore deal with the Future group. Earlier in February, Reliance Retail had taken over the operations of at least 350 stores of and has offered jobs to its employees after the Kishore Biyani-led group failed to make lease payments to landlords. (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 pharma industry captains feel the domestic branded generic formulations market can grow at 10-12 per cent annually for the next few years. Speaking at a conference, Cadila Healthcare Chairman Pankaj Patel said the market can grow when there is overall growth, and the GDP grows, because most of the spend is still out of the pocket. He feels that the market can clock 10-12 per cent growth over the next few years. Dilip Shanghvi, managing director of Sun Pharmaeuticals, said the industry growth will be few percentage points more than the GDP growth. As life expectancy increases, the sales of the pharma industry also grow, as most of the chronic medication sales happen after people turn 40-45 year-old. Holcim Ltd., the worlds biggest cement maker, is considering a potential sale of businesses in India including Ltd., according to people familiar with the matter. The Swiss giant is gauging interest in its controlling stake in Ambuja, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Holcim controls 63.1% of Ambuja, which has a market value of about $9.6 billion. Deliberations are in the early stages and may not lead to a transaction, the people said. Shares of Ambuja have gained more than 20% this month, partially fueled by market speculation about a potential merger. A representative for Holcim declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Ambuja couldnt immediately be reached for comment outside regular business hours in Mumbai. Holcim has been selling off non-core assets to reduce debt and diversify through acquisitions. It divested its Brazilian unit for $1 billion in September and is also planning to sell its business in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the company agreed to buy Malarkey Roofing Products in December and Firestone Building Products in early 2021, as Chief Executive Officer Jan Jenisch adds new construction businesses outside of traditional cement. Founded in 1983, Ambuja has a cement capacity of 31 million metric tons, and has six integrated manufacturing plants and eight cement grinding units in India, its website shows. Its subsidiaries include ACC Ltd., which is also publicly traded. PSU major Oil India, which suffered a cyberattack disrupting its operations in Assam, has received a ransom demand of USD 75,00,000 (over Rs 57 crore) from the perpetrator, officials said on Wednesday. A case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, 2000, after the company lodged a complaint with the police. The public sector undertaking OIL and the government exchequer have incurred a huge financial loss due to the cyberattack - ransomware, as the business through the IT system has been seriously affected, OIL Manager (Security) Sachin Kumar said in the police complaint. The cyberattack took place on April 10 at OIL's one of the workstations of the Geological and Reservoir department, but it was intimated by the IT department on Tuesday, he said. "After their preliminary investigation, it came to their notice that OIL's network, server and clients' PCs are facing network outage. "Further, it also came to their notice that cyberattacker has demanded USD 75,00,000 as a ransom through a note from the infected PC," Kumar said. The server, network and other related services of the company are affected, he added. A senior Assam Police official in Dibrugarh district said they registered a case under the various sections of the IPC and IT Act, and started an investigation into the matter. OIL Spokesperson Tridiv Hazarika told PTI from its field headquarters in Duliajan that the company is working on repairing the system in phases and "it will take time". "Our online systems are down and we are working offline. The drilling and production work has been unaffected. The data are being saved offline now and it will be uploaded later when the IT system will run again," he said. A senior official of the OIL's pipeline headquarters at Narengi in Guwahati told PTI that they have shut down their entire network, although their system has not suffered any attack as of now. "Our work is badly affected as we are fully dependent on the internet network. Our IT engineers are constantly monitoring the situation and they are fully prepared to thwart any cyberattack," the official said on condition of anonymity. (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.) Ltd, the operator of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal, may look at setting up a fourth facility in the country to meet the rising energy demand in Asia's third-largest economy, its CEO A K Singh said. operates a 17.5 million tonnes a year import facility at Dahej in Gujarat and another 5 million tonnes facility at Kochi in Kerala. It is looking to set up a floating import terminal at Gopalpur in Odisha in the next 3 years at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore. "We believe gas demand will continue to grow and we will need avenues to meet such requirement," he told PTI in an interview. With limited domestic production, gas demand will have to be met through imports. "We could possibly look at setting up a fourth LNG import and regassification terminal," he said without giving details. "These are preliminary thoughts and we will come back to you once plans are firmed up." Natural gas consumption will have to rise to over 500 million standard cubic meters per day from the current 165 mmscmd to achieve the government's goal of raising the share of natural gas in the country's primary energy basket to 15 per cent by 2030 from the current 6.7 per cent. With domestic production of gas barely meeting half of the current consumption, import of gas in the form of LNG will have to grow. According to Shell, India would need 35 to 40 million tonnes of additional LNG imports between 2020 to 2040. (1 million tonnes of LNG is equal to 3.60 mmscmd). Besides Petronet's terminals, India currently has an operational import facility at Hazira and Mundra in Gujarat, Dabhol in Maharashtra and Ennore in Tamil Nadu (all 5 million tonnes per annum capacity each). Singh said plans to make a foray into the petrochemical business by investing Rs 12,500 crore in a Propane Dehydrogenation Plant at Dahej to convert imported feedstock into propylene. "We plan to build a jetty at Dahej for import of ethane and propane. While propane will be used as feedstock for our petrochemical plant, ethane will be for sale to petrochemical plants of other such as that of OPAL," he said. This jetty will cost Rs 1,650 crore and will take three years to build. Petronet will invest Rs 600 crore in raising the capacity of the Dahej LNG import terminal to 22.5 million tonnes per annum from the current 17.5 million tonnes, Rs 1,245 crore in building an additional storage tank and bays for truck loading of LNG. The Dahej import terminal is the largest in the world and the port will host the third jetty that besides propane and ethane, will also be used for LNG imports, he said. Petronet will set up a 4 million tonne a year floating storage & regasification (FSRU)-based LNG import facility off the Gopalpur port that later will be turned into a land-based terminal with a higher 5 million tonne capacity, with scope for raising it in future, he said. The company had some years back planned to set up a terminal at Gangavaram in Andhra Pradesh for the import of supercooled gas in ships. The company management stopped pursuing that terminal in 2015-16 on grounds that there isn't enough demand to justify a 5 million tonne a year import facility. Gangavaram would have been the first terminal on the east coast. Soon after that, Adani Group began work to set up a 5 million tonne a year import terminal at Dhamra port in Odisha. Petronet now sees that there is demand for gas in the eastern region and despite the Dhamra LNG terminal, it is now looking for a facility at Gopalpur. Petrochemicals, made using crude and natural gas as feedstock, form raw material for plastics, packaging material, and personal care products. In terms of volume, the petrochemical market in India stood at 42.50 million tonnes and is estimated to reach 49.62 million tonnes by 2025, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.14 per cent between FY 2021 and FY 2025. Using ethane, plastics and detergents can be made; while propane can give plastic. Petronet is 50 per cent owned by state-owned refiners Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL), gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd and oil and gas producer ONGC. The four sit on the board of the company, which is headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. (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.) Billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Ltd. is weighing a possible bid for Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.s international drugstore unit, according to people familiar with the matter. Reliance is in the early stages of exploring the feasibility of an offer for the Boots chain, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. Ambani, one of Indias richest men, is in the midst of pivoting his traditionally refining-focused conglomerate toward businesses that will better help him tap Indias billion-plus consumers. Hes also been chasing deals in Europe, including in the telecoms sector. Boots could be valued at as much as 7 billion pounds ($9.1 billion) in a sale, Bloomberg reported previously. Deliberations are ongoing and theres no certainty Reliance will decide to pursue an approach for Boots, according to the people. A representative for Walgreens declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Reliance couldnt immediately be reached for comment outside regular business hours in Mumbai. Shares of Walgreens, which also owns Duane Reade and Mexicos Benavides, were up 1.8% at 1:38 p.m., valuing the Deerfield, Illinois-based business at almost $39 billion. Walgreens kicked off the sale of Boots earlier this year. Its drawn interest from private equity firms including Apollo Global Management Inc. and TDR Capital. It also attracted Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners, who teamed up and were considered early favorites before abandoning their pursuit. Walgreens is considering a potential initial public offering of Boots, which runs a chain of roughly 2,200 stores in the U.K. that includes brands such as No7 Beauty Company, if buyout interest is muted, Bloomberg reported previously. The US-based company is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks and may decide to keep a minority stake in Boots in any transaction, the people said. Boots also has smaller operations in Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands and Thailand, as well as an optician business and a suite of private-label beauty and personal-care brands that could be included in a sale. Zydus Lifesciences (formerly known as Cadila Healthcare) three-dose Covid vaccine ZyCoV-D has received the subject expert committee (SEC) approval for a two-dose regimen, according to sources close to the development. The pharmaceutical company, however, declined to comment on the matter. Approval for the two-dose regimen may boost the offtake of the vaccine not yet available in the private market. supplies its three-dose deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine ZyCoV-D to the Centre at Rs 265 per dose and the needle-free applicator device at Rs 93 per dose. It had an order for 10 million doses from the Centre. The vaccine is not available in the private market. Meanwhile, sources also indicated that Zydus was planning to do clinical trials to check its vaccine performance as a third precautionary shot after a two-dose regimen of either the Covaxin or Covishield. This will require studies to check the results of mixing the vaccines. ZyCoV-D will be tested as the third dose, said a source in the know. Zydus had indicated last year that it was seeking the drug regulators nod for a two-dose regimen for ZyCoV-D which has shown 66.6 per cent efficacy in the interim analysis of Phase 3 clinical trials, and can be stored at 25 degrees Celsius for three months. The company had claimed that no moderate case of Covid was observed in the vaccine arm after administration of the third dose, suggesting 100 per cent efficacy for moderate disease. No severe cases or deaths due to Covid occurred in the vaccine arm after administration of the second dose of the vaccine, it had said. Last July, Zydus had submitted the immunogenicity data from a two-dose regimen (using 3 milligram doses) trial to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). Sharvil Patel, MD, Zydus Cadila, had said the data showed equivalent immunogenicity with that of the three-dose regimen. Eventually, more data has been submitted to the DCGI, and the two-dose regimen data has been reviewed from time to time. Conventional active vaccines are made from a weakened form of the infectious agent. DNA plasmid vaccine is a relatively new approach, where a strand of DNA containing the genes for the antigens is injected. The body then learns to develop an immune response against the antigen. When the actual pathogen attacks, the body is able to generate the specific antibodies against it. DNA vaccines, Zydus has claimed, have been shown to stimulate sustained immune responses. Zydus has invested Rs 400-500 crore in developing the ZyCoV-D so far, which includes setting up of manufacturing plants. The Tata groups power unit on Thursday said it was raising Rs 4,000 crore (or $525 million) from a consortium of investors, including BlackRock and Mubadala, to scale up its renewable energy business. The investor group will get a 10.53 per cent stake in Renewable Energy for the money injected by way of equity and compulsorily convertible instruments, said. The company has entered into a binding agreement with the Blackrock-led consortium to invest in the subsidiary at a base valuation of Rs 34,000 crore ($ 4.5 billion). The objective, it said, was to create a comprehensive energy platform. The collaboration will support us to pursue exciting opportunities that lie ahead in the coming decades, said Praveer Sinha, chief executive officer and managing director, . The capital infusion would be done in two rounds, the company said in a conference call, with the first round to be completed by June 2022 and the other by the end of the year. The investors final shareholding would range from 9.76 per cent to 11.43 per cent upon conversion, valuing the company between Rs 35,000 and Rs 41,000 crore, according to analysts. The newly created energy platform would have five distinct verticals: Utility scale solar, wind and hybrid generation assets; solar cell and module manufacturing; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracting; rooftop solar infrastructure; and solar pumps and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Tata Power, the countrys largest integrated power company, has earlier said it intends to phase out coal-based capacity and expand its clean and green capacity to 80 per cent by FY30. The renewable energy space has seen heightened activity in recent years, as energy in India and the world look to tap the sector amid the shift from fossil fuel-based energy sources to clean energy. While the Tata-Power-BlackRock deal ranks among the top 10 transactions in the sector, the largest deal so far is that of Adani Greens acquisition of SB Energy India, owned by Softbank and Bharti Enterprises, in 2021 for nearly Rs 26,000 crore ($3.5 billion). ReNew Power had snapped up Ostro Energy for Rs 10,800 crore ($1.6 billion) in 2018 as it sought to consolidate its presence in the sector. Tata Power said its broad-based portfolio of energy assets would ensure diversified yet stable revenue sources, including 25-year fixed-price power purchase agreements (PPAs), for grid-connected utility scale projects. The company's renewable energy unit currently has around 4.9 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy assets, which it proposes to take to over 20 GW in the next five years. The company is also looking to become a key player in the rooftop and electric vehicle charging space in the next few years. Technology and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) firms are driving office space demand with contribution of 51 per cent to the total leasing in the segment during January-March period of this calendar year across eight major cities, property consultant CBRE said in a report on Thursday. In its latest report 'CBRE India Office Figures Q1 2022', CBRE South Asia Pvt Ltd said that the office sector in India continued to witness a robust recovery in Q1 2022 as leasing activity grew by 97 per cent year-on-year to touch 11.4 million square feet. "Technology corporates drove leasing with a share of about 34 per cent, followed by BFSI firms (17 per cent), flexible space operators (13 per cent), engineering & manufacturing (12 per cent) and research, consulting & analytics firms (11 per cent)," CBRE said. Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi-NCR dominated absorption during the quarter, accounting for almost two-thirds of the transaction activity. "With the government's evolving COVID-19 protocols and the recovery in in 2021, we expect the positive momentum to further strengthen in 2022," said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO - India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa. "We continue to witness a pick up in long-term decision-making by occupiers, aided by return-to-work strategies, thereby accelerating project completions," he added. Ram Chandnani, Managing Director, Advisory & Transactions Services, CBRE India, expected that the increase in leasing activity would bring a new focus on large-sized and high-quality buildings by developers to differentiate their assets and attract occupiers. On new trends, CBRE said that renewals, renegotiations and addition of flexibility options are likely to be the focus of occupiers in the short term. "We expect to see clearer evidence emerging in any corporates' intended shift towards hybrid working policies, with several occupiers planning to implement policies allowing office-based working with the option of working remotely," the report said. With an increased focus on wellness, user experience and sustainability, occupiers are expected to demand more sophisticated and tech-enhanced real estate offerings. Environmental and sustainability issues such as carbon emissions, use of sustainable materials, energy efficiency and wellness enhancements are likely to become ever more important to occupiers and owners of office buildings, the consultant said. As per the data, the in Delhi-NCR grew by 87 per cent to 1.9 million square feet during the January-March period of 2022. Mumbai saw a leasing of 0.8 million square feet, up 70 per cent from the year-ago period. in Bengaluru rose 43 per cent to 3.5 million square feet, while Chennai saw a multi-fold rise in absorption to 2.3 million square feet. Hyderabad witnessed 75 per per rise in leasing of office space to 1.4 million square feet. Pune saw a sharp rise in leasing to 1.1 million square feet. Office leasing in Kolkata grew 84 per cent to 0.2 million square feet. Ahmedabad saw 170 per cent growth year-on-year in office leasing at 0.2 million square feet in the January-March quarter. (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.) launches $43-bn hostile takeover of Twitter has made a best and final offer to buy Inc., saying the company has extraordinary potential and he will unlock it. The worlds richest man will pay $54.20 per share in cash, representing a 54% premium over the Jan 28. closing price and a value of about $43 billion. Twitter's shares jumped 12% in premarket trading. Read more. Holcim considering potential sale of India's $9.6 bn Ambuja Cements Holcim Ltd., the worlds biggest cement maker, is considering a potential sale of businesses in India including Ambuja Cements Ltd., according to people familiar with the matter. The Swiss giant is gauging interest in its controlling stake in Ambuja, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Holcim controls 63.1% of Ambuja, which has a market value of about $9.6 billion. Read more. Reliance Industries studying possible bid for Walgreens' Boots chain Billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd. is weighing a possible bid for Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.s international drugstore unit, according to people familiar with the matter. Reliance is in the early stages of exploring the feasibility of an offer for the Boots chain, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. Read more. Mahindra & Mahindra hikes vehicle prices by 2.5% as commodity prices surge Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday said it has increased prices of its entire model range by 2.5 per cent with immediate effect. This will result in an increase of Rs 10,000 to Rs 63,000 on the ex-showroom prices across the range, depending upon the model and the variant, the home-grown auto major said in a statement. Read more. Four Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in district of on Thursday, while three army personnel lost their lives as their vehicle met with an accident on way to the site of the gunfight, officials said. On receiving information about the presence of terrorists at Badigam in the Zainapora area of Shopian, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation, a police official said. During the search operation, the terrorists fired upon the forces which led to an encounter, he said. In the exchange of fire, four militants were killed, the official said. The official identified the slain terrorists as Aaqib Farooq Thoker and Waseem Ahmed Thoker -- both residents of Heffkhuri in Zainapora -- and Farooq Ahmad Bhat and Shoqeen Ahmad Mir of Sugan. Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Kashmir Vijay Kumar said the slain ultras belonged to the LeT. "LeT #terrorists neutralised in today's #encounter were active in & adjacent areas of Pulwama. They were involved in 6 #terror crimes including attacks on outside labourers. Hunt for their associates like Aijaz of Pulwama is on & they will be neutralised soon, the IGP said on Twitter. Meanwhile, three army personnel were killed and five others injured when their vehicle met with an accident while on way to the encounter site, Srinagar-based Defence PRO Col Emron Musavi said. "Owing to the wet road conditions, the driver seemingly lost control over the vehicle and it skidded off the road. The eight injured soldiers were shifted to District Hospital Shopian, where two among them were declared dead. One soldier had received minor injuries and was discharged from District Hospital. The five other injured soldiers were evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, where the third soldier also succumbed to his injuries. Four soldiers are presently at the 92 Base Hospital and are being treated," Col Musavi said. Citing police records, officials said the slain terrorists were part of groups involved in several terror crime cases, including attacks on police and security forces and civilian atrocities. Aaqib Farooq Thoker was involved in the snatching of a 12 bore rifle from Bank guard Abdul Hamid Wani, posted at Murran. He was also involved in attacks on civilians in Nowpora and Yadar. The IGP congratulated the joint forces for conducting successful anti-terrorist operation without any collateral damage. (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 at a chemical plant in Eluru district that killed six people and injured 12 others late on Wednesday night has raised fresh questions over industrial safety in Andhra Pradesh The huge fire in the pharmaceutical intermediate manufacturing unit of Porus Laboratories at Akkireddygudem was apparently caused by leakage of some chemical solvents. Some of the survivors alleged that adequate safety precautions were not taken resulting in the disaster. According to them, the officials concerned acted with negligence and did not follow the set procedure. After the accident, local people also staged a protest, demanding shifting of the chemical plant. They alleged that the plant is causing pollution in the surrounding villages. Authorities have ordered a probe into the fire and announced that the industry will remain shut till completion of the probe. District Collector Prasanna Venkatesh promised that action will be taken if the company was found negligent. However, trade union leaders and observers say that the authorities have not learnt a lesson from a series of industrial accidents in the state during the last two years. A trade union leader said like in the past nothing would come out from this probe. Violation of safety norms was identified as the cause in most of the industrial accidents in the past but no follow-up action was taken. Trade unions have been demanding effective implementation of laws concerning safety and health of workers. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) unit though negligence on part of companies was found the cause of accidents, corrective measures were not taken. The state has seen a series of industrial disasters in recent years. The port city of Visakhapatnam, the main industrial hub of Andhra Pradesh, accounted for most of the disasters. In February this year, one person was killed and four workers were injured in a blast in the Hetero Drugs plant near Nakkapalli in Visakhapatnam district. After this accident, activist and former IAS officer E.A.S. Sarma recently slammed the authorities for allowing the unit to continue. He wrote to Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma that both om the point of view of safety, as well as pollution, the Hetero Drugs unit near Nakkapalli presents a standing example of how the state government has shamefully allowed it to endanger the workers' lives and imperil the health of the people. He recalled that in the past, there were two major accidents at the unit, one in 2012-13 and another in 2016, in which 5 workers had lost their lives. In the latest accident that took place on the night of February 23, one person had lost his life and another four grievously injured. "Everytime there is an accident, the State Industrial Directorates dealing with factory and boiler safety, come up with their post-mortem accident investigation reports to mislead the people and forget about them within days, till the next accident takes place. The police too register FIRs but no one knows how and why the cases are closed, once public memory fades. The district administration too washes its hands off the accidents, as they lack any vision on tightening industrial safety in the district. Taking into account the series of accidents that took place at Hetero Drugs, Pharma city and other areas in the district, their total number has exceeded 40 and the lives lost has exceeded 40 to 50," he said. In May last year, a major fire broke out at one of the crude processing units of the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) in Visakhapatnam. Luckily, there were no casualties. The same month, a massive fire broke out at the Venkat Narayan Active Ingredients Pvt Ltd (VNAI)'s bulk drug chemical unit in Nellore. Four factory workers died in the accident. In March last year, two workers were killed and four others sustained severe injuries when two boilers exploded in a chemical factory in East Godavari district. The incident happened in Tyche Chemical Industries located on the suburbs of Kakinada. On May 7, 2020, twelve persons died and over 580 were hospitalized due to styrene gas leak from LG Polymers in Visakhapatnam. One the worst industrial accidents in the city had raised many questions on the safety of people living around the industrial units. A month later, two persons died and four injured due to leak of hydrogen sulphide at Sainor Life Science at Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) and on July 14, one employee had died and one was injured in Visakha Solvents in JNPC due. According to trade union leaders, 56 industrial accidents took place at JNPC at Parawada during last 10 years, claiming 37 lives. On June 28, 2020, ammonia gas leak at SPY Agro Industries in Nandyal in Kurnool district killed one person while three others were injured. Eleven workers were killed when a crane collapsed at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in August. This was the fourth industrial accident to hit Vizag in four months. (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.) Congress leader on Thursday paid tributes to on his birth anniversary and said he gave India its strongest pillar of strength the Constitution. A key architect of India's Constitution, Ambedkar is regarded as an icon, especially by Dalits, for his relentless work for social reforms and empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of society. "On the occasion of his 131st birth anniversary, my tributes to Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar, who gave India its strongest pillar of strength - our sacred Constitution," Gandhi said in a tweet. On its official Twitter handle, the Congress said Babasaheb Ambedkar remains a champion of equality, human rights and social justice. "His life and actions have been a source of inspiration for crores all over the world. On his birth anniversary, we celebrate the legacy of the man who gave India her Constitution," the party said. Ambedkar was born in 1891 and was India's first law minister. He was given Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 1990. (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 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," 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 to call on all countries to sequence at least 5 per cent of their Covid-19 samples in order to keep track of the mutations. According to 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. --IANS int/khz/ (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.) In view of the uptick in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, the Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will hold a meeting on April 20 to discuss measures to prevent the spread of in the city, officials said on Thursday. on Wednesday reported 299 COVID-19 cases, a jump of 118 per cent in two days. The positivity rate stood at 2.49 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department. The city had recorded 137 cases on Monday, the data showed. "The Disaster Management Authority's meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday next week under the chairmanship of the Lt Governor. It will discuss the prevailing Covid situation, including the recent rise in the number of cases," a senior Delhi government official said. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Delhi government is keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation and there is no need to panic since hospitalisations are low. His deputy Manish Sisodia said the government will soon issue guidelines for schools in view of the slight rise in COVID-19 cases. There have been reports of some schoolchildren testing positive for COVID-19 in Delhi and the National Capital Region. The positivity rate in Delhi has jumped from 0.5 per cent to 2.70 per cent in a week. Doctors have said it is "not a panic situation" as the daily case count is still low, even as they cautioned against lowering guard. No fresh fatality due to COVID-19 was recorded on Wednesday. Earlier this month, the DDMA decided to withdraw the fine on not wearing face masks in public places. In February, the DDMA lifted all restrictions in the wake of the significant improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the city. The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Delhi had touched the record high of 28,867 on January 13 this year during the third wave of the pandemic. The city had recorded a positivity rate of 30.6 per cent on January 14, the highest during the third wave of the pandemic which was largely driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the . (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Punjab chief minister was questioned by the ED for over six hours in a money laundering investigation linked to sand mining in the state, officials said on Thursday. The federal agency recorded the statement of the 59-year-old Congress leader under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and he left the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) zonal office in Jalandhar late on Wednesday night. Channi tweeted to say he was "summoned by the ED yesterday regarding the mining case". "I attended and replied to the queries put by them to the best of my knowledge. A challan in this case has already been presented by ED in the Hon'ble court. The authorities have not asked me to come again," he posted on the social media platform. Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh alias Honey was arrested in this case by the agency days before the February 20 Punjab Assembly polls. A charge sheet was filed against him and others before a special PMLA court in Jalandhar on March 31. Honey, currently lodged in judicial custody, has recently applied for bail. According to sources, the agency questioned Channi, who had earlier skipped a few summons, about his links with Honey and others and about certain visits his nephew made to the chief minister's office. He was also questioned about the allegations of certain transfer and posting of officials in the state as part of the illegal sand mining operations, the sources said. Without naming anyone, former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted, "My fight was for Punjab and not for sand. Those who ran the land, sand and liquor mafia let down Punjab for selfish vested interests by looting the exchequer. It is either Punjab or the mafia in the present financial scenario! The fight continues." Channi resigned as the Punjab chief minister after the counting of votes on March 10 as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept the state polls. The Congress leader also lost the electoral battle from both the Assembly seats he contested -- Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur. The ED action in the case began on January 18 after it conducted raids against Honey and others and seized about Rs 7.9 crore cash from his premises and about Rs 2 crore cash from a person linked to him, identified as Sandeep Kumar. The agency had said that it recorded statements of Kudratdeep Singh, Honey, his father Santokh Singh and Sandeep Kumar during the searches and it was "established" that the seized Rs 10 crore "belonged to Bhupinder Singh". "Further, Bhupinder Singh accepted that he received the seized cash in lieu of facilitation in sand mining operations and transfer/postings of officials," the ED had claimed in a statement. It had said Honey had appeared before it for questioning before his arrest and tendered his statement, wherein he stated that he is involved in the mining-related activities but took an evasive approach when confronted with incriminating data. Honey, Kudratdeep Singh and Sandeep Kumar are stated to be the directors of a company, called Providers Overseas Consultants Pvt Ltd, which was raided by the ED in January. The was filed by the ED in November last year after taking cognisance of a Punjab Police (Rahon police station, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) FIR of 2018 that pressed charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Mines and Minerals (Regulation of Development) Act, 1957 to probe allegations of illegal sand mining. In this police FIR, the ED said, it was mentioned that a team comprising officials of mining department, civil administration and police conducted a surprise check in March 2018 based on a complaint received at the Rahon police station regarding illegal sand mining. "Consequently, it was found that several mines were being excavated by various machines and mining was being carried out beyond the designated area," he said. "Accordingly, several tippers/trucks, porcelain machines, JCB machines, etc., were captured and seized by the investigating team. The seized tipper or trucks were also found to be overloaded with sand," the ED said quoting the police FIR. The seized weighment slips having office stamps had not been issued by the office concerned and were forged. Subsequently, the mining operation at Malikpur mining site, allocated to Kudratdeep Singh, and the approval of weighment slips were stopped by the team, it said. According to the FIR, the ED said, apart from Malikpur, illegal mining activities were also carried out at Burjtahl Das, Barsal, Lalewal, Mandala and Khosa. (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 US Food and Drug Administration has put on hold the phase 2/3 clinical trials of Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, in USA. According to a press release by Ocugen Inc , Bharat Biotech's partner for US and Canada for Covaxin, the FDA's decision was based on the US firm's decision to voluntarily implement a temporary pause in dosing participants of the jab, following the World Health Organisation's observations on Covaxin manufacturing plants in India. This is a result of the company's decision to voluntarily implement a temporary pause in dosing participants of OCU-002 while it evaluates statements made by the World Health Organization following their inspection of International Limited's (BBIL) manufacturing facility, Ocugen said on April 12. had earlier suspended the supply of Covaxin through US procurement agencies, after its inspectors identified GMP (good manufacturing practice) deficiencies in the Bharat Biotech's manufacturing plants. Sources had said the city-based firm however, said it had not supplied the Covid vaccine to any UN agency and no impact of the suspension would be felt. OCU-002 is Ocugen's Phase 3 immuno-bridging study of Covaxin. The company said it will work with the FDA to address any questions. The FDA, in February, lifted its clinical hold on Ocugen's Investigational New Drug application (IND) to evaluate the Covaxin. After inspection, had said it is temporarily slowing down production of Covaxin across its manufacturing units for facility optimisation as it has already completed its supply obligations to procurement agencies and foresees decrease in demand. The company further said after the recent post Emergency Use Listing (EUL) inspection, it is working on further improvements and upgrades to ensure that the production of Covaxin continues to meet ever increasing global regulatory requirements. (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 high exothermic reaction in an uncontrolled reaction temperature could have caused the explosion in a three kilo litre capacity reactor in Porus Laboratories, killing six workers and leaving 12 more injured, the Board has prima facie established. Following this, the ordered immediate closure of the bulk drug manufacturing unit, located at Akkireddigudem village in the new Eluru district of . Chairman A K Parida issued an order to this effect on Thursday night. Officials of the Board inspected the Porus Laboratories unit on Thursday and detected several lapses, including non-compliance of safety procedures. The uncontrolled reaction temperature might have led to pressurise the reactor and could be the root cause for the explosion in the Block-D of Unit-4, followed by fire. The mishap occurred during the first stage of chemical reaction that was being carried out at a temperature range of 150-180 degree centigrade, a report by the noted. The Porus management did not give any information on the accident to the Board, it said. Contaminated fire hydrant water was partly let out into the premises outside the unit. It is estimated that about 50 tonnes of hazardous waste of reaction mass fell on the ground and 40 kilo litres of water used for fire hydrant system got contaminated. Part of it found its way outside (the unit), the PCB report said. Based on the report, PCB Chairman directed the Central Power Distribution Company authorities to disconnect power supply to Porus. Parida issued the closure order in accordance with the provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act for non-compliance of consent conditions and further causing pollution in the surrounding areas to safeguard public health and environment. (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 (IAF) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for technology development and finding indigenous solutions towards the sustenance of various weapon systems. The joint partnership between IAF and IIT Madras aims to accelerate IAF's indigenisation efforts for achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. "Under the ambit of MoU, IAF has identified key focus areas involving technology development and finding indigenous solutions towards the sustenance of various weapon systems. IIT Madras will provide consultancy duly supported by research for feasibility studies and prototype development," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. IIT Madras in partnership with IAF will significantly contribute in indigenisation efforts by Base Repair Depots (BRDs) of Maintenance Command IAF, towards enhancing sustenance capability, obsolescence management and achieving 'Self Reliance'. The MoU was signed by Air Commodore S Bahuja, Command Engineering Officer (Systems), Headquarters Maintenance Command, IAF and Professor HSN Murthy, Head of Department Aerospace Engineering IIT Madras, at Air Force Station, Tughlakabad, Delhi. (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.) and on Thursday emphasised the need for greater bilateral maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and agreed to improve connectivity between Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Aceh province. The two sides held extensive discussions on boosting bilateral cooperation at the seventh round of foreign office consultations in Jakarta. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two sides exchanged views on recent regional and global developments, and cooperation within the G20, ASEAN framework, the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a 10-nation grouping comprising Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. "The two delegations emphasised the need for greater maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and their continued commitment to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership," the MEA said in a statement. "They reviewed their overall bilateral relationship, covering political exchanges, defence and security cooperation, trade and economic matters, and consular issues," it said. The MEA said the talks were held in a "friendly and cordial" atmosphere. "The two sides agreed to improve connectivity between Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Aceh province, as well as to enhance people to people exchange, and cultural cooperation," it said. The Indonesian province of Aceh is located at the tip of Sumatra, with Banda Aceh being its capital and largest city. The meeting was co-chaired by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East) in the MEA, and Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director General for the Asia Pacific and Africa division at Indonesia's Foreign Ministry. (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.) Indonesian authorities have granted a blanket license to most Indian food testing labs for three years, ending an imbroglio over import of agriculture produce from the South Asian nation. The Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (IAQA) said the agriculture ministry has issued a decree for registering labs in Indiaa document valid for three years starting April 13 and that can be renewed further. Indian consignments already bound for can be accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued on March 24 or earlier. Indian agriculture imports halted last late March after Indonesian authorities barred the approval given to certification agencies based in India. These agencies or labs issued certificates that are mandatory for exporting agriculture products to and had their license valid till March 25. Sources said sent all required documents, including intricate data for the last three years, through its embassy in the last week of February for the renewal of the licenses. Indonesian authorities, however, issued an order on March 23, canceling all licences given to India-based certification agencies and calling for fresh applications. This also impacted shipments in transit carrying agriculture products like rice and sugar from India. India then launched a diplomatic offensive to end the imbroglio. Indias ambassador to Indonesia, in the last couple of weeks, has called on the Director General of the Agriculture Quarantine Agency (IAAQ). In India, top officials from the Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the ministry of commerce met officials in the Indonesian embassy. Indonesia imported around $692 million of APEDA certified agriculture products from India as of 2020-21 that included rice, groundnut, wheat, onion, dairy and poultry products. Dairy and Poultry products have been kept out of this certification ban for now. On imports, India is one of the biggest buyers of palm oil from Indonesia and imports almost 30 percent of the monthly requirement of crude and refined palm oil from that country. Live news updates: Russia said the crew of its Moskva warship were evacuated on Thursday after an explosion of ammunition aboard that said was caused by a missile strike, and a US defence official said the stricken vessel was still trying to put out a fire. The warship, Russia's Black Sea fleet flagship, is still believed to be afloat and the United States is under the assumption that it is heading to Sevastopol, the senior US official said. "Our assessment is that she still appears to be battling a fire on board," the official added. Russia's defence ministry said the fire on the Soviet-era missile cruiser had been contained but left the ship badly damaged. It did not acknowledge the ship, which had more than 500 sailors aboard, had been attacked and said the cause of the fire was under investigation, Reuters reported. Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram (LSR) college cancelled an invitation to BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan following opposition from a section of the students. The SC-ST cell of LSR had released a poster announcing a session on the topic "Ambedkar Beyond Constitution" with Paswan to commemorate the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) unit of the college approached the representatives of the SC-ST cell, demanding that the event be called off. The Left-affiliated SFI alleged that the BJP is "against the interests of the marginalised communities". In a statement, Paswan said he was invited by the SC-ST cell of LSR to speak on "Ambedkar Beyond Constitution" on Thursday. "Can the subaltern speak? Not at one of the premier institutions of country, Lady Sriram College, University of Delhi.... I prepared my presentation on the contributions of Babasaheb Ambedkar beyond the drafting of Constitution, his role as en economist, diplomat and an educationist. "I was informed...that the event has been cancelled at the behest of my political affiliation and my role as National Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party," he said in the statement posted on Facebook and Twitter. Noting that debate and discussion is the essence of democracy, the BJP leader said at a time when the country is celebrating 75 years of its independence, "one thing that we ought to learn from the makers of our Constitution is their ability to listen, absorb and respect other viewpoints". "On what account was my voice stifled?" he asked. "My ideas or my identity, regardless of that this is a great to the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar. An institution can't be an Eco chamber. As a teaching faculty this saddens me even more when students close their horizon (sic)!" Paswan said. The SFI welcomed the decision of the SC-ST cell to cancel the invitation to Paswan. "We view the decision to call off the event by SC-ST cell in a positive light. However, we expect student bodies to remember where their commitment lies in the future as well," it said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Thursday recorded two new cases and no pandemic-related deaths, a health official said here. This was the lowest daily rise in infections recorded since the start of 2022, he added. The COVID-19 case tally in the state reached 10,41,224, while death toll remained unchanged at 10,734. The case positivity rate (infections found per 100 tests) stood at 0.02 per cent. The recovery count increased by seven to touch 10,30,448, leaving the state with 42 active cases, the official informed. With 8,713 samples examined during the day, the number of tests in MP went up to 2,89,71,702. A total of 11,68,98,172 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far in the state, including 4,484 on Thursday. figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 10,41,224, new cases 2, death toll 10,734, recoveries 10,30,448, active cases 42, number of tests so far 2,89,71,702. (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 ruling and its allies on Thursday boycotted the 'At Home Reception' organised by Governor R N Ravi here protesting over the pendency of an Assembly bill seeking exemption for from the ambit of NEET, with the former observing the participation by it would amount to hurting the overall sentiments of the people. industries minister Thangam Thennarasu and Health Minister Ma Subramanian earlier met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan over the status of the second Assembly bill seeking exemption for the state from the ambit of the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) on the "directions of Chief Minister" M K Stalin and also conveyed to Ravi the decision to boycott the event. Subsequently, Chief Minister M K Stalin, who was also slated to attend the inauguration of a statue of national poet Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiar at the Raj Bhavan, the ruling DMK's allies and top officials of the state government did not participate in the event on Thursday which saw the opposition AIADMK and the BJP in attendance. Thennarasu said that while the Governor had to give his approval to the bill, he informed them it was still under his consideration. "The Assembly functions according to democratic ethos. And a unanimous resolution for the second time was adopted and its still stuck at the Raj Bhavan. So in this situation, it would not be proper for us to participate in the feast", he said. The 'At Home Reception' was organised coinciding with the Tamil New Year day today. Participation in the event by the chief minister and other people's representatives would amount to "belittling the dignity of the century-old Assembly and hurting the overall sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu", the Minister said. Later in the day, Ravi unveiled the life size statue of Bharathiar which has been presented by city-based Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He also inaugurated the main lawn which was renovated in the premises of Raj Bhavan. The Governor on the occasion presented the certificates and cash prizes to winners of an essay competition organised by the Raj Bhavan. Senior AIADMK leaders and ex-ministers S P Velumani, Thalavai Sundaram and C Vijaya Bhaskar, Tamil Maanila Congress leader G K Vasan, BJP Tamil Nadu unit president K Annamalai and party MLA Vanathi Srinivasan were among those present on the occasion. is a sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu, with many medical aspirants, including S Anitha of Ariyalur, allegedly committing suicide for either unable to crack the entrance test or over apprehension of low scores. All parties except BJP in the state favour exemption for Tamil Nadu citing students' interest, especially those from rural areas. The death of a Dalit girl Anitha in 2017 by suicide prompted an outrage in the state and calls for abolition of have only gained steam ever since, even as the previous AIADMK government also adopted an Assembly resolution seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from the ambit of NEET. Abolition of NEET is a poll promise of the DMK, which sailed to power in May 2021. The Assembly had in September 2021 adopted a bill against NEET but the Governor had returned it in February this year, saying it was against the interests of rural students. Soon after that the piloted another Assembly resolution seeking NEET exemption for the state and sent it to the Governor after the House adopted it. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister on Thursday inaugurated the 'Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya' during the celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in the capital, as a tribute to every prime minister in the country since independence, irrespective of their ideology or tenure in office. Addressing the gathering, Modi said every prime minister of the country has contributed immensely in the fulfilment of the goals of constitutional democracy. "To remember them is to know about the journey of independent India," he said. "Coming from a remote countryside, from a very poor family, coming from a farmer's family, reaching the post of prime minister, this strengthens the faith in the great traditions of Indian democracy," Modi added. Asserting that India is the mother of democracy, he said the great feature of India's democracy is that it has been continuously changing with the passage of time. The museum is aimed at sensitising and inspiring the younger generation about the leadership, and achievements of Indian prime ministers. The museum will be open to the public with tickets of Rs 100 and Rs 110. The PM also bought the first ticket to the museum before its inauguration. #WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister buys the first ticket at 'Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya' as he visits the museum dedicated to the country's Prime Ministers since Independence (Source: PMO) pic.twitter.com/yhPeJGR8md ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2022 According to the Prime Minister's Office, the museum tells the story of India after its independence through the lives and contributions of its prime ministers. The PMO said the museum has been guided by Modi's vision to honour the contribution of all the prime ministers of India towards nation-building. Starting from freedom struggle, and the making of the Constitution, the museum goes on to tell the story of how Prime Ministers navigated the nation through various challenges and ensured the progress of the country. THE BUILDING The design of the Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya or PM Museum is inspired by the story of rising India, shaped and moulded by its leaders. It is a blend of the old and the new and includes the erstwhile Nehru Museum building, designated as Block I. The building has been completely updated, technologically advanced display of the life and contribution of India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. A number of gifts received by him from all over the world but not exhibited so far have also been put on the display in the renovated Block I. Inside Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya | Photo: Twitter ( @sanghaviharsh) Defence Minister on Wednesday (local time) paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi's statue and also laid a wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery in Honolulu, . Taking to Twitter, Singh said, "Paid tributes to Pujya Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi) at his statue in Honolulu, ." He also laid a wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in . "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh laying wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii," Office of Defence Minister tweeted. Singh on Tuesday (local time) reached Hawaii for a brief visit to the Headquarters of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). 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. The annual Malabar series of exercises between India, US , Australia, and Japan is also coordinated by USINDOPACOM. 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. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian cities' air pollution was even higher than the WHO set standards and worse than most cities even on the days pollution was at its lowest Amid outcry over high fuel prices, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said the Union government has been appealing to states to cut VAT on petrol and diesel for giving relief to consumers. Puri was on a day-long visit to Mahasamund, designated as 'aspirational district' under a Central scheme, in Chhattisgarh to take stock of various government schemes as part of the nationwide "samajik nyay pakhwada" (social justice fortnight) celebrations called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked by reporters about the rising prices of petrol and diesel, the minister said, Our effort is to keep the prices under control, therefore the Centre slashed excise duty on petrol and diesel last year and asked the state government to do the same. "In Chhattisgarh, VAT on petrol and diesel is 24 percent and if it is reduced to 10 percent, the prices will automatically fall When the consumption is rising, even 10 percent (VAT) is too much, he added. All BJP-ruled states have reduced VAT on petrol and diesel, Puri pointed out. He also informed that he visited a Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Patewa village earlier in the day, and was happy to see the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The minister also visited Mahasamund Medical College from where he went to the district panchayat office and chaired a meeting with officials to review the works being done under the aspirational district programme. Mahasamund collector Nilesh Kumar Kshirsagar gave a detailed presentation on various schemes in the meeting. Youth Congress workers tried to show black flags to the convoy of the Union minister to protest against rise in the prices of petroleum products, but were stopped by police. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel termed Puri's visit as political and slammed the Centre for "stopping" the special fund given to naxal-hit districts of Bastar region. The Central government has not been giving any additional funds to aspirational districts. Even the special fund of Rs 50 crore which was being given annually to naxal-affected districts of Bastar region till 2021 has been stopped. These districts are also aspirational districts. On Wednesday I have asked Union home minister Amit Shah to resume this special assistance, the CM told reporters in Raipur. It's good that he (union minister) has come but I think he has come to do politics, Baghel added. The Union government launched the Transformation of Aspirational Districts' initiative in January 2018. A total of 117 Aspirational districts have been identified by . (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister on Thursday paid tributes to on his 131st birth anniversary, saying it is a day to "reiterate our commitment to fulfilling his dreams". In a tweet, he said Ambedkar has made indelible contributions to India's progress. Tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti. He has made indelible contributions to Indias progress. This is a day to reiterate our commitment to fulfil his dreams for our nation. pic.twitter.com/mLTgmJ8tNi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2022 Today, on Ambedkar Jayanti, paid tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/V5EIIObRwh (@narendramodi) April 14, 2022 President also paid tributes to on the occasion and said that he being the architect of the Constitution, laid the foundation of modern India. "Humble tribute to Babasaheb on Ambedkar Jayanti! A strong advocate of social justice, Babasaheb laid the foundation of modern India as the architect of the Constitution. Let us do our part in building an inclusive society, following his ideals of 'Indian first, Indian later and Indian last'," said Kovind. Congress President paying tributes said BR Ambedkar gave India its strongest pillar of strength - our sacred Constitution. On the occasion of his 131st birth anniversary, my tributes to Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar, who gave India its strongest pillar of strength - our sacred Constitution. #AmbedkarJayanti pic.twitter.com/4fVbwKvp8w (@RahulGandhi) April 14, 2022 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also paid homage, saying Ambedkar's relentless efforts in ensuring a just and equal society will continue to inspire. On its official Twitter handle, the Congress said Babasaheb Ambedkar remains a champion of equality, human rights and social justice. "His life and actions have been a source of inspiration for crores all over the world. On his birth anniversary, we celebrate the legacy of the man who gave India her Constitution," the party said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also paid respects and said Ambedkar's life and works continue to inspire to work tirelessly for the good of all and to uphold the cardinal principles of our Constitution. My sincere tributes to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. May his life and works continue to inspire us to work tirelessly for the good of all and to uphold the cardinal principles of our Constitution. Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 14, 2022 A key architect of India's Constitution, Ambedkar is regarded as an icon, especially by Dalits, for his relentless work for social reforms and empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of society. Ambedkar was born in 1891 and was India's first law minister. He was given Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 1990. on Thursday paid tributes to B R Ambedkar, the key architect of India's Constitution, on his birth anniversary, saying he was the voice of the socially oppressed and dedicated his life to the uplift of the marginalised sections of society. Born in Maharashtra in a Dalit family in 1891, Ambedkar was a jurist and economist who played an important role in India's freedom movement. Ambedkar championed the cause of the Dalit community which faced deep-rooted discrimination. He was also India's first law minister. "My humble tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary today. Babasaheb was a multi-faceted genius a legal luminary, visionary statesman, outstanding constitutional expert, brilliant parliamentarian & social reformer," the Secretariat tweeted, quoting Naidu. "He (Ambedkar) was the voice of the socially oppressed and dedicated his life to the upliftment of the marginalised sections of society. His iconic life and noble thoughts continue to guide the nation," Naidu said. The also greeted people on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. "One of the most illustrious spiritual gurus of ancient India, Bhagwan Mahavir epitomised the virtues of truth, compassion and non-violence," he said. Through his teachings and austere lifestyle, he inspired the people to be merciful and lead a moral and principled life, Naidu said. "Let us remember the life and words of Mahavir Swami and commit ourselves to building a peaceful, harmonious and just society," the vice president said. He also greeted people on the occasion of Baisakhi, Puthandu, Vaisakhadi, Bohag Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vishu and Odia New Year. "Traditionally associated with the harvest season, these festivals celebrate the vitality and abundance of nature. They represent the richness and the diversity of Indian culture and are a true reflection of our civilisational values of harmonious coexistence with nature and all living things," Naidu said. "May these festivals bring peace, prosperity and happiness in our lives," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Wednesday urged people and civil society organizations to join the campaign to eradicate and called for intensified efforts for early detection of cases, equitable access to appropriate treatment and integrated 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 Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas in New Delhi. The annual award was instituted by Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation. Lauding the efforts of the recipients, Naidu said that both Dr Bhushan Kumar and Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust have been working diligently to raise awareness about leprosy and in providing care to those afflicted with it. They have also been striving to remove the stigma associated with it, Naidu said, adding that their efforts are truly praiseworthy. He said that there should be social mobilization in support of this noble cause. He also wanted Gram Sabha to include leprosy eradication in their programmes Acknowledging India's steady fight against leprosy, Shri Naidu said that India successfully accomplished levels of leprosy eradication defined as less than one case per ten thousand populations. Expressing his concern over the fact that India is reporting the highest number of leprosy cases in the world, Naidu stated that India accounts for (51 per cent) of the new cases detected globally (2020-2021). "The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) has been at the forefront of the battle against leprosy and has been trying to ensure total eradication," said Naidu. Recalling the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi towards eliminating social ostracism suffered by people afflicted by leprosy, the said, "Mahatma Gandhiji's compassion for patients of leprosy stands out as a towering example of exemplary kindness towards fellow human beings. Gandhiji 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. Leprosy is also known as Hansen's disease and is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium Leprae. It mainly affects the skin, nerves, eyes, and respiratory system. The disease is completely curable if diagnosed early, late presentations are associated with complications. If left untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes. (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.) Delhi Chief Minister Thursday said his government is keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation in the city, and will bring in a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for schools if need arises. He said hospitalisation related to has not increased and "there is no need to panic". The chief minister's comments came a day after Delhi reported 299 new COVID-19 cases, a jump of 118 per cent in two days. The positivity rate stood at 2.49 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department. "We are keeping an eye on the situation," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event. "If need be, we will bring in a SOP for Delhi schools for Covid." The Covid positivity rate in Delhi has jumped from 0.5 per cent to 2.70 per cent in a week, even as doctors on Tuesday said it was "not a panic situation" as the daily cases count was still low. They doctors have, however, cautioned against dropping the guard. (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.) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Prices of CNG in the national capital on Thursday were hiked by Rs 2.50 per kg and that of piped cooking by Rs 4.25 per unit to record levels on the back of surge in raw material cost. CNG in the national capital territory of Delhi now costs Rs 71.61 per kg, up from Rs 69.11 per kg, according to the information posted on the website of Indraprastha Ltd (IGL) -- the firm which retails CNG and piped cooking in the national capital and adjoining cities. This is the third price hike this month and the 11th since March 7. In all, the CNG price has risen by Rs 15.6 per kg in less than six weeks. This includes a Rs 7.50 per kg hike in this month alone. In the last one year, prices have increased by Rs 28.21 per kg or 60 per cent, according to data compiled by PTI. Alongside, the rates of gas piped to household kitchens, called piped natural gas (PNG), were hiked by Rs 4.25 per cubic meters to cost Rs 45.86 per scm. City gas distributors have been periodically raising prices since October last year when domestic as well as international gas prices started to climb as economies world over recovered from the pandemic-induced slowdown. Prices rose by Rs 8.74 per kg in the last three months of 2021, and from January there was a steady increase of about 50 paise a kg almost every week. The rates have gone up after the government more than doubled the price of natural gas to USD 6.1 per million British thermal unit from April 1. Natural gas when compressed becomes CNG for use as fuel in automobiles. The same gas is piped to household kitchens and industries for cooking and other purposes. On Wednesday, Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) raised Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) price by Rs 5 per kg to Rs 72 per kg in Mumbai. It also raised PNG price by Rs 4.50 to Rs 45.50 per scm. Prices vary from city to city depending on the incidence of local taxes such as VAT. The increase in follows a Rs 10 per litre hike in petrol and diesel prices in 16 days and a Rs 50 per cylinder raise in the LPG rates. A record 137-day hiatus in petrol and diesel price revision ended on March 22. On the same day, the price of a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder was increased to Rs 949.50 in the national capital. In some places, the LPG price has touched Rs 1,000 per cylinder. Petrol and diesel prices have been on a freeze for the last eight days. The last price revision took place on April 6. According to IGL, CNG will now cost Rs 74.61 per kg in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad and Rs 79.94 per kg in Gurugram, the cities adjoining Delhi. PNG in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad will now cost Rs 45.96 per scm and Rs 44.06 in Gurugram. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government approved Thursday financial aid to 61 companies, including seven foreign ones, for its textiles production linked incentive (PLI) scheme. These companies plan investment of Rs 19,077 crore. Part one of the scheme plans a minimum investment of Rs 300 crore and has 13 companies including Shahi Exports, Paragon Apparel, and Trident. Part two has a minimum investment of Rs 100 crore and it has 48 companies, including Arvind Ltd, Suchi Industries, and SVP Global Textiles. Seven foreign companies--US-based Autoliv and Kimberly Clark, Israels Avgol, South Koreas Evertop Textile & Apparel Complex, Germanys Rane TRW Steering Systems, Sri Lankas Teejay and Japans Toray International--have committed investments to the tune of Rs 1,904 crore during the gestation period and total investment of Rs 3,559 crore. A total of 67 applications were received for the out of which 15 applications were under Part-1 and 52 applications were under Part-2. UP Singh, Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles, said on Thursday total investment expected from the applicants is Rs 19,077 crore. The projected turnover is Rs. 184,917 crore over a period of five years, with proposed direct employment of 240,134. Singh said that it was necessary to make a mark in manmade fibres (MMF) as well, if India wants to achieve the textile export target of $100 billion by 2030. It was on September 8 last year that the Union Cabinet had approved the scheme with a budgetary outlay of Rs 10,683 crore. The scheme was designed to boost Indias production and trade of man-made fibre (MMF), garments, and technical textiles. For part 1 of the scheme, the minimum turnover required incentive is Rs.600 crore; and Part-2, Rs 200 crore. Arvind Limited, which is largely into natural fibres, also has a technical textiles business under its Advanced Materials Division (AMD). That division formed roughly 12 per cent of its revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2021. The company did not comment about its plans. On the other hand, SVP Global Textiles Limited, which is into compact cotton yarn manufacturing, had applied for setting up a technical textiles unit under the for a capex of Rs 100 crore. "We realized that we were only in the yarn segment and needed to be in the complete textiles value chain. However, instead of going for normal garmenting, we are setting up a technical textiles unit at our existing plant where we plan to manufacture protective, mobile and medical textiles initially. The new unit is expected to garner an additional revenue of Rs 175 crore per annum and we expect to grow by 25 per cent year-on-year," said Maj Gen (Dr) OP Gulia, SM, VSM (retd), chief executive officer of SVP Global Textiles Limited. The company plans to commission the plant in the next 12-15 months with a capacity of around 4375 metric tonnes per annum. The scheme announcement for the textiles sector comes a day after the centre removed the import duty of cotton. Cotton at present attracts 5 per cent Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and 5 per cent Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC). The decision to waive customs duty is seen as a move to lower domestic prices. Elaborating on the potential of technical textiles, Singh said that sectors such as geotextiles need much more encouragement to improve use, demand and penetration and intensive research and development activities. Come the 2022-23 academic year, government schools in will shift to outcome-oriented that brings about positive behavioural changes and transforms students into global citizens through development of social and collaborative skills. 'Child is not the reason for his or her low performance' will be the mantra for the teachers and the headmasters to follow to achieve the set objectives in tune with the National Policy-2020. "Teachers and headmasters should be aware of it and take responsibility for the performance of students. The State Council of Research and Training (SCERT) has been entrusted with the task of maintaining academic standards and ensuring all students attain the learning outcomes relative to their class and age," School Education Commissioner S Suresh Kumar has said. Focused implementation of the NEP-2020 by revising and revamping every aspect of education, including regulation and governance, and aligning it with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Quality Education) would be the top priority of the government, Suresh Kumar told PTI. As a major step towards achieving the set goals, infrastructure in government schools was being completely refurbished with new classrooms and digital learning aids, besides clean toilets, playgrounds, art sessions, etc. Career counselling for students from class VIII onwards, duly involving teachers and parents, would be another path-breaking initiative aimed at nurturing talent in the right direction. "We are creating a conducive learning environment in all schools under the Mana Badi: Nadu-Nedu programme. It's now time to ensure adequate learning outcomes among the children through effective classroom transactions," the School Education Commissioner noted. Suresh Kumar, who as district Collector in Medak and Guntur, contributed to the enhancement of standards in government-run schools, is now seeking to take the process to the next level across the state. He has addressed the headmasters of schools, and also the mandal and regional level educational officers, on the reform agenda beginning with an innovative and flexible lesson plan for each class and subject. "Any reform in school education can be successfully implemented at the field level only by the teachers as they are the direct facilitators who interact with the children and impart them knowledge," Suresh Kumar pointed out. Accordingly, every teacher has been asked to prepare innovative and flexible lesson plans of their subjects in tune with the standards of the students and the best practices. Updated information on each subject apart, current affairs would also be part of the lesson plan. "Not just academics, emphasis will also be on co-curricular and extra-curricular activities so that teaching and learning become holistic. Remedial learning will be another key aspect wherein individual dissimilarities among students will be addressed so as to help them build on their knowledge," the Commissioner said. The SCERT, which is the Academic Authority for School Education under the RTE Act, will develop an academic monitoring mechanism and issue guidance and support to all the field-level functionaries. It will monitor the learning outcomes and assess the students' standards, according to Suresh Kumar. (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 Australian government has imposed targeted financial sanctions against 14 Russian-state-owned enterprises while calling upon Russia to withdraw its military forces immediately from Ukraine. As per an official statement, the list includes defence-related entities such as transportation company Kamaz, and shipping companies SEVMASH and United Shipbuilding Corporation. "Sanctions extend to electronic component company Ruselectronics, which is responsible for the production of around 80 per cent of all Russian electronics components. They also target Russian Railways, which is one of the world's largest transportation companies and one of the largest single contributors to Russia's GDP," read the statement. The Australian government has said that targeting of Russia's state-owned enterprises is aimed at undermining their capacity to boost the Russian economy. Reiterating its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Australian government said that preventing dealings with these important sources of revenue for the Russian Government, they are increasing the pressure on Russia and undercutting its ability to continue funding war. 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. (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 man accused of opening fire on a crowded train in Brooklyn was ordered held without bail as prosecutors told a judge Thursday he terrified all of . Frank James, 62, spoke only to answer yes to standard questions during the brief proceeding in a federal court in Brooklyn. He was arrested in on Wednesday, a day after authorities say he unleashed smoke bombs and dozens of bullets in a train full of morning commuters, shooting 10 people. He's charged with a federal terrorism offense that applies to attacks on mass transit systems authorities say there's currently no evidence linking him to terror organizations. The defendant terrifyingly opened fire on passengers on a crowded train, interrupting their morning commute in a way the city hasn't seen in more than 20 years," Assistant US attorney Sara K Winik said. "The defendant's attack was premeditated, was carefully planned, and it caused terror among the victims and our entire city. The victims, who range in age from 16 to 60, are all expected to survive. In court papers, prosecutors called the shooting calculated, saying that James wore a hard hat and construction worker-style jacket as a disguise and then shed them after the gunfire to avoid recognition. Prosecutors suggested James had the means to carry out more more attacks, noting that he had ammunition and other gun-related items in a Philadelphia storage unit. His lawyer, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, agreed to his being held without bail, at least for now. His attorneys could seek bail later on. At the request of James' lawyers, Magistrate Roanne Mann said she would ask the federal Bureau of Prisons to provide James with psychiatric attention, as well as magnesium tablets for leg cramps, at the federal lockup in Brooklyn where he's being held. James didn't respond to shouted questions from reporters Wednesday as he was led from a police precinct into a car headed for a federal detention center. Authorities say a trove of evidence connects James to the attack. His bank card, his cell phone and a key to a van he had rented were found at the shooting scene. Officers also found the handgun they said was used in the shooting; tracing records show James purchased the gun from a licensed gun dealer in Ohio in 2011. Investigators were examining many hours of videos that James posted on social media, including one a day before the attack, in which he delivered profanity-laced diatribes about racism, society's treatment of Black people, homelessness and violence. He also talked about his history of psychiatric treatment, and he complained about how New York's mayor is dealing with homeless people on subways and with gun violence. He also talked about shooting people, prosecutors noted in court papers. James was born and raised in but had moved to Milwaukee. He'd recently left Wisconsin and had briefly lived in Philadelphia. (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 Ukrainian Finance Ministry said it had signed a USD 398 million loan agreement with the Canadian government amid the Russian military operation. "Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko has signed a loan agreement with the Canadian government on providing Ukraine with a loan of 500 million Canadian dollars [$398 million] on favorable terms. The term of the loan amounts to 10 years," the ministry said in a statement on its Twitter page on late Wednesday. Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine on February 24 to support the people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The Western countries have strongly condemned the Russian military operation in Ukraine calling it an invasion and imposed harsh sanctions on Moscow. (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.) commended Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's remarks on the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying that Beijing was ready to work with Islamabad to continue pursuing high-quality development of the corridor, Express Tribune reported. Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Wednesday told his regular briefing that wanted to build into a model and a demonstration project of Belt and Road (BRI) cooperation -- the flagship initiative of President Xi Jinping. "We noted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's remarks on the and we highly commend that," Zhao said. " stands ready ... to continue to pursue the high quality development of the economic corridor and build it into a model and demonstration project for high quality BRI cooperation," he said. In his maiden speech in the National Assembly after winning election on Monday, Prime Minister had said that his government would speed up the construction of CPEC, the major project of the BRI. Shehbaz had previously spoken highly of the several times, calling it an ambitious blueprint to transform Pakistan into a major emerging economy so that the less-developed parts of the country could enjoy the dividends of development. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The World Bank (WB) has warned that and are the highest on account of external debt repayment ratio to exports and remittances in the South Asian region, The News reported. The World Bank also improved Pakistan's GDP growth prospects up to 4.3 per cent from the earlier projection of 3.4 for the current fiscal year and 4 per cent for the next fiscal year 2022-23. "Indicators of ability to pay, such as the ratio of public external debt service to exports and remittances, is the highest in and . The situation is especially worrisome in Sri Lanka, where heightened fiscal and external risks led to a series of sovereign credit rating downgrades, preventing market-based refinancing," the World Bank's report titled 'The South Asia Economic Focus, Reshaping Norms: A New Way Forward' stated which was launched on Wednesday. Hans Timmer, World Bank's Chief Economist for South Asia, in an online briefing told reporters that would have to curtail its yawning budget deficit and current account deficit for achieving consolidation of the . Pakistan's debt repayment capacity is not vulnerable but medium to long-term, Islamabad would have to narrow down its twin deficits, Hans Timmer added, The News reported. While some countries experience a solid rebound in GDP growth, Afghanistan faces a humanitarian crisis, Pakistan a political crisis, and a balance-of-payments crisis. While high-skilled workers retained jobs during the pandemic, or found new opportunities, only some unskilled migrant workers have returned to jobs in the cities. Moreover, men have been able to find new job opportunities more quickly than women. "Energy subsidies as a percent of GDP are the highest in Pakistan, which means that the price increase in markets potentially poses a tough fiscal challenge," the World Bank report added. --IAS san/dpb (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 arrived here following his visit to Washington DC and will meet Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti received Jaishankar on Wednesday evening on his arrival here. Tirumurti tweeted that Jaishankar will be meeting UN Secretary General @antonioguterres during his visit. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were in Washington DC for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with their US counterparts Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. From DC, Singh travelled to Hawaii for a visit to the headquarters of United States Indo-Pacific Command. He will also be visiting the headquarters of the US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces during his brief stay in Hawaii. (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.) In an ironic turn of events, the provisions of Pakistan's constitution that the former premier sought to use against his opponents might be his undoing by becoming the reason for possible charges of treason against him, said a media report. Notably, with a clutch of petitions filed before various courts citing the provisions of the constitution that Khan tried to use against his opponents during his last fortnight in power, he may face renewed charges of treason and a possible trial, reported Islam Khabar. Though Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah rejected one of these petitions as "frivolous", the danger still looms on Khan with the decision on other petitions still pending in the courts. After failing at his attempts to block the no-confidence motion upon realization of falling short of the majority, Khan declared the launch of a "freedom struggle" in the National Assembly within hours of being voted out of power on April 10. Further, the Supreme Court had to repeatedly intervene in the process of the no-trust motion, by taking note of the rejection of the motion in the National Assembly and summoning all parties for a four-day hearing. Moreover, dismissing serious concern from the government's legal wing, Khan sent the Foreign Office diplomatic letter to Chief Justice of Umar Ata Bandial, claiming that a foreign country sent a threatening message through Pakistan's envoy, reported the media outlet. The relevant provisions of the constitution based on which the petitions have been filed against Khan include Article 5(1) under which "loyalty to the state and obedience to the constitution and law" is an inviolable obligation of every citizen. Another article included in the petitions -- Article 6 -- states that any person who abrogates or attempts to abrogate the constitution by use of force shall be guilty of high treason, adding that an act of treason cannot be validated by any court including the Supreme Court. Thus, a possible trial against Khan may implicate all those who participated in blocking the parliamentary vote, a legitimate exercise under the Constitution. These cohorts include President Arif Alvi, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar, Deputy Speaker Qasim Shah Suri and two former ministers -- Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Fawad Chaudhary. However, besides the parliamentary processes, the principal thrust behind the move is from the army that has not taken well to Khan's attempts of implicating. Further, Khan's persistence in a "foreign conspiracy" to implicate the US has also displeased the army. While also being dragged into the public and political discord, the army has also not taken kindly to persisting with his "foreign conspiracy" charge that implicates the United States, the country's biggest benefactor, muddling diplomatic ties, and also casting aspersions on the new government. At the political level also, the issue will be highlighted after the word has come from self-exiled PML (N) supremo Nawaz Sharif charging with "high treason" and calling for his trial, reported the media outlet. The final thrust may come from the army as the statement issued by the army 'huddle' at the 79th Formation Commanders' meeting held on April 12 took note of the "propaganda campaign," and attempt to "divide institution and society," thus hinting at its angry mood. (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.) will further ease its Covid-19 restrictions from May 1, Health Minister Thanos Plevris has said. 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 on Wednesday. From May 1, students and teachers will no longer be obliged to take a Covid-19 test prior to entering classrooms, Xinhua news agency reported. In the same period, all venues will be allowed to operate at 100 per cent 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) 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 September 1 depending on the evolution of the pandemic," he added. Following the advice of experts, the government decided to keep the face mask mandate in place for indoor public places until May 31, he said. With the summer tourism season approaching, the government will also decide soon whether travellers entering will continue to be obliged to present vaccination certificates, Plevris said. (1 euro=$1.08) (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.) Amid growing defence collaborations between and France, the 20th edition of Joint Staff talks between the two countries took place during April 12-13 with a focus on strengthening bilateral defence engagement. The Ministry of Defence in an official statement said that the 20th edition of the India- Joint Staff talks was held in Paris on April 12-13, 2022. Discussions focused on new initiatives under the ambit of existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanisms and strengthening ongoing defence engagements. The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Chief of Integrated Staff and Air Vice Marshal B Manikantan and Head of Bilateral Cooperation South/Staff HQ Brigadier General Eric Peltier. The Ministry stated that the meeting took place in a friendly, warm and cordial atmosphere. The India- Joint Staff talks is a forum established to enhance defence cooperation between both nations through regular talks at the strategic and operational levels. In a telephonic conversation held in January 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed on keeping in touch and enhancing all-around strategic cooperation between and France, including in the areas of defence. is fast growing as India's partner in defence cooperation. (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.) Israel's new laser missile defense system has successfully intercepted mortars, rockets and anti-tank missiles in recent tests, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Thursday. The Israeli-made laser system, designed to complement a series of aerial defense systems such as the costly Iron Dome deployed by Israel, will be operational as soon as possible, Gantz said. The goal is to deploy the laser systems around Israel's borders over the next decade, Gantz added. The tests took place last month in the Negev Desert. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in February that would begin using the system within a year, sending a message to archenemy Iran. Gantz said the laser system would be part of "an efficient, inexpensive, and innovative protection umbrella. has already developed or deployed a series of systems meant to intercept everything from long-range missiles to rockets launched from just a few kilometers (miles) away. It has also outfitted its tanks with a missile-defense system. Little is known about the laser system's effectiveness, but it is expected to be deployed on land, in the air and at sea. The announcement came near the anniversary of the 11-day Israel-Gaza war, in which Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group fired more than 4,000 rockets toward . Israel said its Iron Dome defense system has been a great success, with a 90% interception rate against incoming rocket fire. But officials say the system is expensive to deploy, and the new laser defense will be much more cost-effective. The Defense Ministry released a short video showing what it said were successful interceptions of rockets, mortars and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The video, which was highly edited and includes music, appeared to show a laser beam coming out of a ground station, hitting the targets and smashing them into small pieces. Thursday's announcement came as talks on restoring Iran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers have stalled. Israel opposes the deal, saying it does not do enough to curb Iran's nuclear programme or its military activities across the region, and Israeli officials have said they will unilaterally do what's necessary to protect 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.) For many of Shanghais 25 million residents, the citys strict Covid lockdown has made procuring food and daily necessities a struggle money cant resolve. Theyre resorting instead to bartering, trading neighbours ice cream for vegetables or wine for cake. The availability of many goods in has been strained by clogged logistics into the city and the lack of couriers to deliver supplies to locals barred from leaving their homes. The citys sweeping restrictions on movement, aimed at stymieing the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant, are now entering their third week. With shortages widespread, bartering has become an important avenue for many locals. Kevin Lin, a 26-year-old barber, turned to trading with neighbours after he and his three roommates began running low on food. I bought a whole lot of tissue paper before the lockdown. I would like to swap a few packs for food, ideally instant noodles, Lin posted in a WeChat group chat with living in his apartment building on Saturday. Within five minutes, three different neighbours had responded, offering flavours of noodle ranging from braised beef to spicy Sichuan. Deals such as this are almost always struck over social media, primarily Tencents WeChat app. Once agreed upon, one person will place their side of the trade outside their door to be picked up by the other person, wholl leave behind what theyve agreed to barter. Among foods that have been especially sought after during the lockdown are fresh fruits and vegetables, which have been difficult to buy from online grocers due to supply disruptions and surging demand. Other goods in high demand include diapers and baby formula. Amanda Wu, a Shanghai-based investment manager with a 12-month-old baby, recently traded three cannisters of infant formula shed purchased before the lockdown to a neighbour for vegetables and yogurt. She asked if we need vegetables and yogurt as she just managed to grab a lot via some bulk purchases and online platform orders, Wu said. I was so excited to hear that after failing to grab any fresh food in the last two days. She later sent another two cannisters of formula to another mom in exchange for cooking oil, rice and pork. One thing people will rarely accept for necessities, however, is cash. Indeed, many residents say theyd rather give goods to someone for free than take money, which is not very useful in their current circumstances. Money itself has somehow fallen in value, said Stefanie Ge, who owns a small content creation firm in and says shes traded everything from ham and beer to fruit and desserts. Good relationships and contacts on the other hand are more important than ever. That was a sentiment shared by Sharon Cai, an accountant in her 40s living in Shanghais Pudong district. Cai said that bartering with other in her building she recently traded homemade bread for carrots and garlic had given her a sense of community. Covid has brought so many ridiculous experiences, she said, but at least theres been one happy thing. Its made me feel like a neighbour. Tough covid curbs will bring victory: Xi President Xi Jinping has said that must stick to its strict dynamic Covid clearance policy while the global pandemic remains very serious, promising those enduring lockdowns that persistence will win out in the end. China's zero-Covid policy has put millions of people into lockdown. We must persist putting people above all, life above all ... We must adhere to scientific precision, to dynamic zero-Covid, Xi said during a visit to the southern island of Hainan on Wednesday. Reuters Chinas central bank vows to use policy tools, including RRR The Peoples Bank of will use its policy toolbox flexibly as it aims to ensure sufficient liquidity in the economy, a senior central bank official said, adding hundreds of billions of yuan will be earmarked for two new structural lending programmes. Bloomberg The United Kingdom will not stop oil and gas production in the country despite ongoing large-scale protests by environmental activists, 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 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 for obstructing businesses, according to the police. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President will hold a meeting on Thursday on the situation in the oil and gas sector, with the main report to be made by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, in charge of the issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Western countries in response to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine have introduced a number of anti-Russian sanctions. Some of them directly or indirectly affected the Russian oil and gas sector. The United States announced an embargo on imports of Russian energy resources (with the exception of uranium). Next, the UK announced that by the end of 2022 it would stop importing oil and oil products from . Poland also wants to stop buying oil from by the end of the year. However, the European Union has so far refrained from a collective ban on oil and gas imports from Russia, realizing its dependence. Nevertheless, periodic statements about the possible refusal by the EU to use Russian oil and gas create a general negative background for their exports. The same effect was provoked by the embargo of the US, which is not even a significant market for the Russian Federation. As a result, many buyers, fearing potential sanctions and reputational risks, independently decide to refrain from buying Russian energy resources. (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 report that Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) have informally asked to join the AUKUS partnership is not accurate, spokesperson Jen Psaki said. "The reporting is inaccurate," Psaki said during a press briefing on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun reported that the AUKUS parties informally invited to join the alliance to help develop hypersonic weapons, which is one of the pact's initiatives. The AUKUS member states are interested in close partnership with Japan, as the high technological potential of the country in cyberspace, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence can be used in the development of hypersonic weapons and tools of electronic warfare. The Japanese officials are reportedly divided on the proposal, some lawmakers support strengthening the alliance involving the United States amid the growing military power of China while others doubt the feasibility of the idea since already cooperates with each of the three countries, the Sankei Shimbun reported. Last September, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom announced the new trilateral defense partnership, which forced Canberra to give up on a $66 billion contract with France to develop 12 state-of-the-art conventionally powered Barracuda-class attack submarines, after the AUKUS alliance promised to enhance Australia's fleet with nuclear-powered submarines from the United States. Japan welcomed the creation of the defense alliance and supported the decision of the AUKUS partners to develop hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities that was announced earlier in April. (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.) Russia, contesting elections to four UN committees, lost all of them, including one to Ukraine, a verdict being seen as Moscow's isolation on the global stage. Elections were held in the United Nations Economic and Social Council on Wednesday to fill various vacancies in subsidiary and related bodies. was contesting elections to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations, UN Women Executive Board, UNICEF Executive Board and Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. competed in 4 elections to @UN committees today. It lost in all of them. The UN membership is isolating and stands with Ukraine, the United Kingdom Mission to the UN tweeted. The European Union Delegation at the United Nations in New York said that results of today's #ECOSOC elections show that Russia's aggression has disqualified them from serving in key bodies of the UN. We congratulate those newly elected members of the #ECOSOC subsidiary bodies who commit to the values of the UN, it said. UK diplomat James Roscoe tweeted Humiliation for @RussiaUN & further isolation at @UN today. They lost 4 elections to key UN bodies. A rejection of @mfa_russia war in Ukraine and sign of its growing pariah status. Ukrainians are paying highest price for illegal war but damage to Russia isn't limited to its army. In the Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations, Russia lost after having got only 15 votes out of 54 ballots, 16 votes out of 54 in the UN Women Executive Board polls, 17 votes out of 54 in the UNICEF Executive Board and 18 votes out of 52 ballots cast in election to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where it was defeated by Ukraine, which got 34 votes. India was elected to four bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council. India gets elected to 4 @UN ECOSOC Bodies: Commission for Social Development, Committee on NGOs, Commission on Science & Technology for Development and Ambassador Preeti Saran gets re-elected to Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, India's Permanent Mission to the UN tweeted Wednesday. For the Commission for Social Development, Austria, Bangladesh, Burundi, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, India, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine were elected by acclamation for a four-year term of office beginning at the first meeting of the commission's 62nd session in 2023 and expiring at the close of the commission's sixty-fifth session in 2027. For the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Algeria, Belize, Botswana, China, Colombia, Cuba, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Hungary, Latvia, Oman, Romania, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United States of America, and Uzbekistan were elected by acclamation for a four-year term of office beginning on January 1, 2023. For the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, Algeria, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Eritrea, India, Israel, Liberia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Zimbabwe elected by acclamation for a four-year term of office beginning on January 1 2023. Armenia and Georgia were elected by secret ballot. Aslan Abashidze of the Russian Federation, Ludovic Hennebel of Belgium, Joo-Young Lee of the Republic of Korea, Santiago Manuel Fiorio Vaesken of Paraguay, Karla Vanessa Lemus de Vsquez of El Salvador, Julieta Rossi of Argentina, and Preeti Saran of India were elected by acclamation for the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for a four-year term of office beginning on January 1, 2023. However, the United Kingdom dissociated from the consensus acclamation of Russia's Abashidze to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. He said members in this Committee should have a recognized competence in human rights, adding that Russia's aggression against Ukraine impacts the rights of its citizens. Similarly, the United States also dissociated from Abashidze's election, noting that Abashidze has defended the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which it said is inconsistent with the right to self-determination of all people. The representatives of France and Canada, also speaking for New Zealand, expressed similar reservations, stressing that members of the Board must have a high moral standing, according to a UN press release. In response, Russia said that elections to the subsidiary bodies of the Economic and Social Council must be conducted in accordance with the standard rights and procedures. Any State entitled to take part in the meetings of the Council has the right to be elected, he added, rejecting all politicized attacks against his country, the UN press release added. In December 2018, Saran, a senior Indian diplomat had been elected unopposed to the Asia Pacific seat on the UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). Saran's first four-year term began on January 1, 2019. She had joined the Indian Foreign Service in August 1982. She has served in Indian missions at Moscow, Dhaka, Cairo, Geneva, Toronto and Vietnam and was the Consul General of India in Toronto and the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam. (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.) has added 398 members of the United States Congress to its list, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. "In response to another 'wave' of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the administration of [US President] Joe Biden on March 24 of this year against 328 lawmakers of the State Duma ... which ... constitutes almost its entire composition, 'mirror' sanctions are introduced against 398 members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress," the ministry said in a statement, according to Russian media. The ministry added that plans to expand its list in the near future. The development comes after US President Joe Biden approved USD 800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, amid the Ukraine war. Apart from that Russia also imposed sanctions against 87 members of the Senate of Canada. "In response to the decision of the Canadian authorities .. on the inclusion of the entire composition of the Russian Federation Council ... in the 'black list' of persons subject to sanctions restrictions, including a ban on entry into the country, countermeasures are introduced on the basis of reciprocity against the current senators of the Canadian parliament," the ministry said yesterday. Moscow has also expelled a senior Czech diplomat in a tit-for-tat response to Prague, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry mentioned that 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. On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. (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.) One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies warned NATO on Thursday that if Sweden and Finland joined the U.S.-led military alliance then would deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles in an exclave in the heart of Europe. Finland, which shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia, and Sweden are considering joining the NATO alliance. Finland will decide in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said that should Sweden and Finland join NATO then would have to strengthen its land, naval and air forces in the Baltic Sea. Medvedev also explicitly raised the nuclear threat by saying that there could be no more talk of a "nuclear free" Baltic - where has its Kaliningrad exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. "There can be no more talk of any nuclear free status for the Baltic - the balance must be restored," said Medvedev, who was Russian president from 2008 to 2012. Medvedev said he hoped Finland and Sweden would see sense. If not, he said, they would have to live with nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles close to home. Russia has the world's biggest arsenal of nuclear warheads and along with China and the United States is one of the global leaders in hypersonic missile technology. Lithuania said Russia's threats were nothing new and that Moscow had deployed nuclear weapons to Kaliningrad long before the war in Ukraine. NATO did not immediately respond to Russia's warning. Still, the possible accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO - founded in 1949 to provide Western security against the Soviet Union - would be one of the biggest strategic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917 and fought two wars against it during World War Two during which it lost some territory. On Thursday, Finland announced a military exercise in Western Finland with the participation of Britain, the United States, Latvia and Estonia. Sweden has not fought a war for 200 years. Foreign policy has focused on supporting democracy and nuclear disarmament. KALININGRAD Kaliningrad, formerly the port of Koenigsberg, capital of East Prussia, lies less than 1,400 km from London and Paris and 500 km from Berlin. Russia said in 2018 it had deployed Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad, which was captured by the Red Army in April 1945 and ceded to the Soviet Union at the Potsdam conference. The Iskander, known as SS-26 Stone by NATO, is a short-range tactical ballistic missile system that can carry nuclear warheads. Its official range is 500 km but some Western military sources suspect it may be much greater. "No sane person wants higher prices and higher taxes, increased tensions along borders, Iskanders, hypersonics and ships with nuclear weapons literally at arm's length from their own home," Medvedev said. "Let's hope that the common sense of our northern neighbours will win." While Putin is Russia's paramount leader, Medvedev's comments reflect Kremlin thinking and he is a senior member of the security council - one of Putin's main chambers for decision making on strategic issues. Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said Russia had deployed nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad even before the war. "Nuclear weapons have always been kept in Kaliningrad ... the community, the countries in the region, are perfectly aware of this," Anusauskas was quoted as saying by BNS. "They use it as a threat." Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, displaced millions and raised fears of a wider confrontation between Russia and the United States - by far the world's two biggest nuclear powers. Putin says the "special military operation" in Ukraine is necessary because the United States was using Ukraine to threaten Russia and Moscow had to defend against the persecution of Russian-speaking people. Ukraine says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab and that Putin's claims of genocide are nonsense. U.S. President Joe Biden says Putin is a war criminal and a dictator. Putin says the conflict in Ukraine as part of a much broader confrontation with the United States which he says is trying to enforce its hegemony even as its dominance over the order declines. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) needs between $3 billion to $4 billion this year to pull itself out of an unprecedented economic crisis, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said as Pakistans new government was said to have selected Miftah Ismail as the new finance chief ahead of crucial talks with the Monetary Fund. The island nation is looking at making a decent case before the Monetary Fund to help preserve the economy, Sabry said in an interview to Bloomberg Television. He said talks were scheduled to begin in Washington on April 18 and he expected emergency relief funds a week later, if things go well. Our appeal to them is to release it as soon as possible, Sabry said. He indicated some funds the nation is seeking will come from other lenders and governments besides the IMF, but didnt provide a breakdown. Sabry, along with newly appointed central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, is a key member of President Gotabaya Rajapaksas team for bailout talks with the . Sabry also sought to reassure investors of the nations intent to repay loans. What we have very categorically stated, across the board, is that we will honor our debt,he said. The commitment is there, the desire is there, but we dont immediately have the funds to disburse. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who took charge on Monday may name Ismail, who is a former finance minister, along with the rest of the cabinet within 24 hours, said sources. The government, formed through an alliance of multiple political parties, is still in discussions to distribute portfolios, said the people. Ismail will be among the officials responsible for negotiating with the to resume a programme that went into jeopardy after former Prime Minister Imran Khan unexpectedly decreased energy prices, despite an agreement with the lender for the opposite. Pakistan plans to work with the to stabilise the economy, Ismail had told Bloomberg News on April 12. Amid the unprecedented economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a group of protestors at the Galle Face area, which they have renamed "Gota Go Gama", rejected the offer of talks extended by Prime Minister while pressing for the resignation of the ruling dispensation. While rejecting the offer of talks, the protestors stuck to their two specific demands that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must resign and all Rajapaksa family members must leave the government, Daily Mirror reported. PM Rajapaksa on Wednesday had offered to hold talks with the protesters. Prime Minister's office earlier had confirmed that if the protesting youth are ready to meet him, the Prime Minister is ready to discuss the ongoing crisis situation in the country, Daily Mirror reported. However, protestors wrote to PM Rajapaksa, saying they were not ready to meet him unless President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns and all Rajapaksa members leave the government. The letter which was released on social media platforms by some activists said they will continue the "GotaGoGama" protest until their main two demands are met, according to Daily Mirror. The island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people in the island nation, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation. Sri Lanka's economy has been in a free-fall since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the crash of the tourism sector. is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has affected its capacity to import food and fuel. The shortage of essential goods forced to seek assistance from friendly countries. The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (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.) Contrary to its claim that the will not allow Afghanistan or the weapons to be used for terrorism, the group has been reportedly accused of smuggling weapons to Pakistan, which eventually may be used in cross-border skirmishes against India. " has been insisting that there are proper security checks to prevent any weapons smuggling because they are an improved . But the weapons market is thriving and the weapons that are being smuggled into will eventually be used in cross-border skirmishes against India and make their way into India," according to a Canada-based think tank, Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) said. But before that will have to pay a huge price if it does not control illicit arms trafficking. Ultimately it is going to suffer first when the separatist and terrorist organisations operating from its land get a hand on these weapons on a large scale, it warned. In August 2021, the US left much of the military equipment and weapons at the disposal of the Afghan forces which eventually fell into the hands of the Taliban. After capturing Kabul, Taliban not only took political control of Afghanistan but had also gained control of all the US-made weapons and military equipment that were left behind by the fleeing Afghan forces. The US-made arms and military accessories are openly traded in shops by Afghan gun dealers. The traffickers are collecting the weapons from the abandoned Afghan army bases, and procuring them from the Afghan government soldiers and Taliban fighters. These weapons are then mostly sold in weapons markets or arms bazaar in tribal areas of the Afghan- border, it added. The arms smugglers in Pakistan's borders are having a field day. The weapons from Afghanistan are smuggled into Pakistan in trucks carrying fruits and vegetables. The main points of entry through which the arms are smuggled are Torkham border crossing Torkham (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Chaman (Baluchistan), Ghulam Khan (North Waziristan) and Nawa Pass (Bajaur), it said. Meanwhile, Afghanistan is the prime source of opium supply to the world drug markets and Pakistan is the transport hub with drug networks operating from the country using its drug routes to reach markets, according to an article in Islam Khabar. The article said the geographical location of Pakistan makes it one of the prominent drug transit points along the Southern route. It said Pakistan is also depending on the narcotic trade for sponsoring terror in India. Pakistan shares 2400 kilometres of border with Afghanistan, which is largely porous. And this has served a transit corridor for drug traffickers. Forty per cent of Afghan drugs transit Pakistan before they reach the markets. Tonnes of opiates and meth are trafficked from Afghanistan to the Torkham border crossing, Ghulam Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, from where they are sent to Lahore and Faisalabad, reassembled into huge consignments, the article said. Then they are transported to Karachi and Gwadar, and fishing vessels in Makran coast are used for drugs transport to the South Asian markets. Balochistan has also been an important drug transit route in Pakistan. Islam Khabar said around 60 alternative drug routes are working through the Balochistan province alone, with major areas being Chaman, Noshki, Chagaghi, Dalbandeen, Panjgor, Turbat, Gawadar and Jeewani. (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.) British Prime Minister has refused to resign after being fined for breaking his government's pandemic lockdown rules, saying he would instead redouble his efforts to strengthen the economy and combat Russian aggression in Ukraine. London police fined Johnson and other people Tuesday for attending a birthday party thrown for the prime minister at his Downing Street offices on June 19, 2020. The penalty made Johnson the first British prime minister ever found to have broken the law while in office. Gatherings of more than two people were banned in Britain at the time of the birthday party to curb the spread of COVID-19. I understand the anger that many will feel that I, myself, fell short when it came to observing the very rules which the government I lead had introduced to protect the public. And I accept in all sincerity that people had the right to expect better, Johnson said late Tuesday. And now I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people. The fine followed a police investigation and months of questions about lockdown-breaking parties at government offices, which Johnson had tried to bat away by saying there were no parties and that he believed no rules were broken. Opposition lawmakers demanded Johnson's resignation, arguing the fines given to him and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak were evidence of criminality at the heart of government. The opposition argued that the Downing Street gathering demonstrated that Johnson and his supporters believed the rules don't apply to them. On Wednesday, a Conservative member of the House of Lords resigned from his role as justice minister, criticizing repeated rule-breaking and breaches of criminal law in Downing Street." It is not just a question of what happened in Downing Street, or your own conduct, David Wolfson wrote in a letter to Johnson. It is also, and perhaps more so, the official response to what took place." While the partygate scandal poses a threat to Johnson's government, the world has changed tremendously since the first reports of the parties surfaced late last year. Johnson has been a leading figure in marshaling opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Britain is facing its worst cost-of-living crisis since the 1950s. His supporters are already arguing that whatever the prime minister may have done wrong, now is not time for a leadership contest. That his Treasury chief also received an undermining fine helps Johnson, since Sunak had been seen as the leading Conservative candidate to succeed Johnson. But Johnson still faces the possibility of additional fines. He is reported to have attended three other gatherings that the Metropolitan Police Service is still investigating. He will also have to answer questions about whether he knowingly misled Parliament with his previous statements about the parties, said Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government in London. Governments have to realize that they can't just make laws and then skirt around them and rationalize themselves that it's all OK because they're very important people working at the center of government, Rutter 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.) has foiled a massive cyber attack on its power grid that was the handiwork of Russia-backed hackers. Ukrainian officials said they stopped an attack on an energy facility with the help of researchers from cybersecurity firm ESET and Microsoft, reports The Record. "They discovered a new variant of Industroyer, an infamous piece of malware that was used by the Sandworm APT group in 2016 to cut power in Ukraine," the report said. According to the Computer Emergency Response Team of (or CERT-UA), the hackers used 'Industroyer' to target "several infrastructural elements" including high-voltage electrical substations, computers at the facility, network equipment and server equipment running Linux operating systems. "The group planned to shut down computers that controlled substations and infrastructure belonging to a particular power company," the government agency added. This attempted attack involved a wide variety of malware. " is once again at the centre of cyberattacks targeting their critical infrastructure. This new Industroyer campaign follows multiple waves of wipers that have been targeting various sectors in Ukraine," ESET said in a statement. Ukraine last month neutralised a massive cyber-attack on core IT infrastructure that impacted the entire nation. According to global Internet access tracker NetBlocks, the nation's online connectivity collapsed to 13 per cent, leading to the most severe Internet disruption registered in Ukraine since the invasion by . The Ukrainian Internet Service Provider Ukrtelecom was the target of a "massive cyberattack". Ukraine has been the victim of Russia-sponsored since the February 24 invasion. (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 has congratulated the new Prime Minister of and said it is looking forward to working with him. has been an important partner on wide-ranging mutual interests for nearly 75 years and we value our relationship, Secretary of State Tony Blinken said on Wednesday. The congratulates newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister and we look forward to continuing our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan's government, Blinken said in a statement. The views a strong, prosperous, and democratic as essential for the interests of both of our countries, he said days after Sharif took the oath of office and replaced Imran Khan as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. (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 Biden administration is considering sending a high-level official to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sputnik News Agency reported citing Politico. The report on Wednesday said that the US administration has made no final decision about who to send to Kyiv but it could be President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken or Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Sputnik added. Moreover, the US announced to provide Ukraine with an additional 800 million US dollars' worth of military aid including heavy artillery as Washington anticipated a "wider assault" by Russia in eastern Ukraine. "As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself," Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "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. "These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters," he said, adding that the will continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from its allies and partners around the world. The has committed 1.7 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia began its "special military operation". Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Moscow has added 398 members of the United States Congress to its travel ban list. "In response to another 'wave' of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the administration of (US President) Joe Biden on March 24 of this year against 328 lawmakers of the State Duma ... which ... constitutes almost its entire composition, 'mirror' sanctions are introduced against 398 members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress," the ministry said in a statement, according to Russian media. The ministry added that Russia plans to expand its travel ban list in the near future. (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 United States is continuing talks with over Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense system, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday. "We are in a continuing discussion with our Turkish allies about our concerns over Turkey's possession of the S-400 system, and it's a conversation that is ongoing," Price said during a press briefing. When asked whether he can confirm reports of US planning to lift Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CATSAA) measures, "I don't have any response for you on that." "CATSAA is written into legislation, it's mandated by law," Price said. Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the US State Department's letter to the Congress regarding the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to is a positive step, but Ankara remains cautious. The State Department sent a letter to Congress last week, stressing that the proposed sale of F-16 fighter jets to would be beneficial for US and NATO security interests. In October, Turkey made an official request to the US for the purchase of 40 F-16 fighter jets and 80 modernization kits to upgrade its existing fleet. In 2019, the United States suspended Turkey's participation in its F-35 fighter jet program over Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system and later completely removed it from the project. However, Turkey has insisted that it needs and will continue to use the S-400 air defense system. (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.) Washington avoids discussing information security issues with Moscow, Andrey Krutskikh, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Information Security, said on Thursday. "Washington is evading our calls for a constructive conversation to strengthen the legal framework in the information space in order to ensure a peaceful, stable and secure ICT [Information and Communications Technology] environment," Krutskikh said in a statement, published by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Krutskikh also noted the increasingly frequent accusations by the and its allies against Russia of "preparing for cyberwar" with the West. "They are blatantly and groundlessly attributing to us the intention to get even for the sanctions. In doing so, they are apparently trying to justify to their own citizens the large-scale cyber aggression already being carried out against our country, as well as to justify new measures of pressure on the Russian Federation," Krutskikh added. On March 30, FBI Assistant Director for Cyber Bryan Vorndran said that Russia is one of the top two cyber adversaries the currently faces in the world and is a "formidable foe. (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.) President has called Russia's war on Ukraine a genocide and accused of committing war crimes. But his administration has struggled with how much intelligence it is willing to give the Ukrainian forces that are trying to stop the Russian leader. Since the war began in late February, the Biden administration has made multiple changes to a classified directive that governs what U.S. agencies are supposed to share with Ukraine. Much of what the collects is shared; some is not. Where the line is drawn depends on protecting the sources and methods of the intelligence, but also trying to limit the risk of escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia. The latest changes occurred last week when U.S. intelligence officials lifted some geographic limits on the transfer of actionable information the kind of information used in minute-by-minute decisions on the battlefield. According to several people familiar with the issue who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss classified matters, officials removed language that had caused delays and meant limits on specific locations of targets in parts of eastern Ukraine. The shifts in the intelligence rules reflect the administration's changing calculations of what Putin might consider escalatory. The U.S. is also trying to step up support to Ukrainian forces that have surprised much of the world in how they have held back Russia but remain undermanned and outgunned. The Pentagon this week also announced $800 million in new military assistance that could include more powerful weapons and defensive equipment. Some people familiar with the directive say there is ambiguity about the new limits. One question is whether the U.S. would delay or limit information about a possible Russian target in areas internationally recognised as Ukrainian territory but that Moscow or its proxies controlled before the war, including the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the Donbas. U.S. personnel have at times limited intelligence that they believed Ukrainian forces could use to retake previously lost territory. The directive still limits information given to Ukrainians about forces in Russia or neighboring Belarus, where Russian forces have staged and previously attacked from Ukraine's north. We are intensely sharing timely intelligence with the Ukrainians to help them defend themselves throughout their country, including in areas held by Russia before the 2022 invasion, said one U.S. intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the classified directive. The Wall Street Journal first reported the directive had been changed. Another U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters said the administration was providing detailed, timely intelligence to the Ukrainians on a range of fronts. A letter sent Monday by Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee after the new guidance urges Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, to proactively share intelligence with the Ukrainians to help them protect, defend, and retake every inch of Ukraine's sovereign territory, which includes Crimea and the Donbas. The senators said they remain deeply concerned that not enough is being done to share critical intelligence that would assist the Ukrainians as Russian forces move to secure territory in the southern and eastern parts of the country. Unlike a Feb. 10 letter to Biden urging intelligence sharing to the fullest extent possible," Democrats on the committee did not join this week's letter, reflecting apparent divisions in how members view the administration's current guidance. The White House insists it is providing information in line with Ukraine's current goals. Analysts say the war is shifting from a conflict fought across the country to a stronger focus on the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine that Russia has seized or attacked recently. One expected point of focus is the strategic port city of Mariupol, whose mayor says more than 10,000 civilians have been killed in the Russian siege. In addition to its own intelligence capabilities, Ukraine relies on U.S. and Western support to help it plan and repel attacks. Before and during the war, the U.S. has publicly and privately shared intelligence about what it believes are Putin's battle plans in the hopes of undercutting Russia and building support for a forceful Western response. Lawmakers from both parties have spoken broadly about the limits since the Russian invasion. Rep. Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a television interview in March that the White House was holding back some real-time intelligence because that steps over the line to making us participating in the war. A spokesperson for Smith, D-Wash., declined an interview request Wednesday. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., on March 1 accused the White House of delaying intelligence due to overly-lawyered processes," adding that information about where an invading Russian tank was 12 hours ago does squat to prevent civilian bloodshed. The directive has been changed to limit delays, officials said. The latest update, according to one intelligence official, is intended to give U.S. officers added clarity allowing for faster and more fulsome cooperation with Ukraine. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week if the U.S. was giving Ukraine intelligence to carry out operations in Crimea or parts of the Donbas previously controlled by Russian proxies. We want to make sure that's clear to our force, and so updated guidance that goes out today will make sure that's clear, Austin said, adding: Certainly the current guidance was not clear in that regard, so we'll make sure it's clear. Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, late last month asked Gen. Tod Wolters, the supreme NATO commander for Europe, whether he was satisfied with the speed of information getting to Ukraine. Congressman, I'm comfortable, but I want it to speed up," Wolters said. "And I always will say that even if it occurs in one second, I want it tomorrow to be in a half a second. (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.) on Thursday told Pakistan's new Prime Minister that it will always put its all-weather ally as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy as it praised his commitment to promote the USD 60 billion CPEC initiative. Shehbaz met Chinese Embassy's Charge d 'affaires Pang Chunxue in his office on Tuesday during which he stated that his government attaches great importance to developing relations with and is willing to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, science and technology, education and poverty alleviation, according to official media reports here. Shehbaz said that his government will push forward the construction of the Economic Corridor (CPEC) with greater vigour and efficiency and create a " speed" to bring more benefits to the two countries. Commenting on Shehbaz's meeting with the Chinese diplomat, spokesman of China's Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here that we appreciate the positive comments by Prime Minister Shehbaz. China and are all-weather strategic cooperation partners and iron-clad brothers. We will as always put Pakistan as a priority of our neighbourhood diplomacy and to support its efforts to realise revitalisation. We will continue to work with the new Pakistani administration to have close communication at different levels and add new impetus into our bilateral cooperation and to build CPEC with high standards in a sustained manner, he said. The CPEC, containing a host of infrastructure and energy projects, is being laid between China's Xinjiang province and the Gwadar port in Pakistan's Balochistan province. China is reported to have spent about USD 28 billion on different projects so far in which thousands of Chinese personnel are working. India has protested to China as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Besides the CPEC projects, China has been aiding Pakistan with loans and debt deferments as its all-weather ally continues to face a serious economic crisis. On March 30, then Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, during his visit to China, said that Beijing has agreed to rollover USD 4.5 billion which was maturing last month. Since his election, Shehbaz highlighted his priority for CPEC projects, which reportedly faced delays under the previous Imran Khan government. Also, security of thousands of Chinese personnel working in the host of CPEC projects remained a concern for China in view of attacks at different places. Ahead of his China visit two months ago, Khan had approved a USD 11.6 million in compensation for the families of Chinese engineers who were killed and wounded in a terrorist attack last year at the Dasu Dam hydropower project. Thirteen people, including nine Chinese, were killed in a bomb attack on a bus carrying Chinese engineers at Dasu hydropower project in Pakistan last year. Before his visit to Beijing, Khan had also ordered the removal of bureaucratic obstacles delaying CPEC projects to address the criticism of the Chinese investors. As Khan was set to lose the no-confidence motion moved by the united Opposition led by Shehbaz on April 10, the Chinese official media projected that the all-weather ties between the two countries would get better under him than during Khan's government. China had reservations on Khan as he was a critic of the CPEC when he was in the Opposition though he later became its big admirer after he became Prime Minister. Commenting on Shehbaz's election, Liu Zongyi, secretary-general of the Research Centre for China-South Asia Cooperation at the Shanghai Institutes for Studies, told state-run Global Times earlier that Shehbaz promised to vigorously promote CPEC in a speech after winning the election on Monday. Shehbaz had previously spoken highly of the CPEC several times, calling it an ambitious blueprint to transform Pakistan into a major emerging economy so that the less developed parts of the country could enjoy the dividends of development, Liu said. Long Xingchun, a senior research fellow at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance of the Beijing Foreign Studies University, said Shehbaz spoke of the construction of the CPEC in his victory speech, which showed that he intended to safeguard the China-Pakistan friendly cooperation and stabilise Pakistan's economy. "It also highlighted the importance he attached to the relationship. In fact, the CPEC has been through several changes of government since its establishment, but it has always been highly appreciated and promoted by the Pakistani side, which shows that the project is a reflection of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and also helps the two countries and the people of the region," Long told Global Times. (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 number of active dematerialised (demat) accounts in the country jumped 63 per cent in the past 12 months to 89.7 million in financial year 2021-22 (FY22), shows data provided by depositories. The growth was underpinned by factors such as an increase in smartphone usage, easier digital onboarding of customers, and attractive returns delivered by the equity . As of March 31, the Central Depository Services (CDSL) managed 63 million accounts with assets under custody (AUC) of Rs 37.2 trillion. Meanwhile, the National Securities Depository (NSDL) handled 26.7 million accounts with AUC of Rs 302 trillion. In the post-pandemic world, the number of have jumped 2.2 times, while combined AUC too has doubled. The pandemic compelled everyone across the world to reconsider their spending and investment habits. The widespread availability of smartphones and low-cost data has pushed investing and trading into the digital realm. The use of eKYC and Aadhaar eSign has made opening a a paperless and simple process. Currently, more than 80 per cent of our total customer base is millennials, more than 85 per cent from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and 70 per cent are first-time investors, said Ravi Kumar, chief executive officer of Upstox, told Business Standard recently. In the past 12 months, the have continued their extended rally since Covid-19 lows of March 2020. The benchmark Nifty rose 19 per cent in FY22, while the mid- and small-cap indices jumped 25 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively. Experts say the attractive returns compared with other asset classes are drawing investors towards the equity market. There-is-no-alternative (TINA) factor has become the mantra in equity markets, fuelling a sharp rally in stocks. This rally over the last two years has attracted a lot of new retail investors with expectations of earning higher returns than bonds or their fixed deposit investments. Another reason behind the growth of is the rise of discount brokers such as Zerodha and Upstox, which have made it easy to invest in financial via e-KYC, zero brokerage and access to investment and trading portals at the finger tips, said Ritika Chhabra, economist and quant analyst at Prabhudas Lilladher. The influx of new investors has boosted trading volumes. In FY22, equity cash market turnover grew 9 per cent and derivative volumes jumped 2.6 times. Also, strong retail flows have helped the market cushion the blow from the sharp sell-off by foreign investors. Earlier this month, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lauded small investors in the Parliament. We must appreciate the Indian retail investors and their stock absorbing capacity brought into the Indian markets, she said. Industry players say the number of will continue to grow. However, the pace of addition may moderate. Going forward, we may not see the 30 per cent annualised growth we have seen since 2020, but it will certainly be in high double digits. Still, the penetration levels of demat are far lower than the penetration of savings bank accounts or mutual fund folios. The number of customers with PAN cards is close to 500 million, and we have close to 90 million . Many young people are getting white-collar jobs. Youngsters are keen to invest in stocks. They prefer to invest directly rather than handing it over to mutual funds or life insurance. Fixed deposit rates are not attractive for this generation, said Dhiraj Relli, managing director and CEO, HDFC Securities. The sale and purchase agreement between the parties were entered into on Wednesday, 13 April 2022. The board of Aban Offshore on 23 March 2022 approved the sale of rigs "Deep Driller 2", "Deep Driller 4", "Deep Driller 5", "Deep Driller 6" and "Deep Driller 8". Each rig is owned by a separate step down subsidiary of the company. Following the board's approval, Aban Offshore on Wednesday, 13 April 2022, entered into an agreement with ADES Saudi to sell four rigsnamely, "Deep Driller 2", "Deep Driller 4", "Deep Driller 5" and "Deep Driller 6". Aban Offshore will sell "Deep Driller 2" and "Deep Driller 4" rigs for Rs 198.12 crore each. The "Deep Driller 2" rig contributed about Rs 4.11 crore or 0.7% of Aban Offshore's consolidated revenues in 2021-22. "Deep Driller 4" contributed about Rs 10.70 crore, or 1.83% to the consolidated revenues. The rigs "Deep Driller 5" and "Deep Driller 6" will be disposed for Rs 205.74 crore each. The "Deep Driller 6" rig contributed about Rs 55.63 crore or 9.52% of Aban Offshore's consolidated revenues in 2021-22. "Deep Driller 5" was out of contract in the last financial year. The sale is expected to complete by 31 May 2022, the company said in a statement on Thursday, 14 April 2022. The sale is subject to the approval of shareholders which is being sought through postal ballot process. The voting result will be disclosed on 26 April 2022. Aban Offshore owns and operates several offshore drilling rigs, drill ships, and a floating production facility, 'Tahara'. It is engaged in exploratory services, drilling services, production of hydrocarbons and manning and management. On a consolidated basis, Aban Offshore reported net loss of Rs 327.21 crore in Q3 December 2021 as against net loss of Rs 281.52 crore in Q3 December 2020. Net sales declined 36.28% to Rs 136.58 crore in Q3 December 2021 over Q3 December 2020. Shares of Aban Offshore rose 0.36% to Rs 55.10 on Wednesday. The domestic stock market is shut tody on account of Ambedkar Jayanti and Mahavir Jayanti. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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. From Commercial Tax Department, Karnataka BASF India has received a tax demand for Rs 19.34 crore including interest & penalty) for the tax period 2017-18 (April - June, 2017) from Commercial Tax Department, Karnataka. Previously, the company had informed about the receipt of demand notices from the Commercial Tax Department, Karnataka aggregating to Rs. 744.67 crore (including interest and penalty) for the tax periods 2006-2007 to 2016-2017 by treating the stock transfers of the Company's Mangalore Plant as interstate sales to dealers and its subsequent stay by Hon'ble Karnataka Appellate Tribunal on recovery of demand for the tax periods 2006-2007 to 2016-2017. The Company is in the process of filing its detailed reply / submissions in response to the latest Demand Notice. The Company, based on the legal assessment, does not consider these stock transfers as interstate sales and is taking all the necessary legal steps to defend the matter. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mahindra & Mahindra announced a price hike of 2.5% on its range of vehicles, which will result in an increase of Rs 10,000 to Rs 63,000 on the ex-showroom prices across the range depending upon the model and the variant, effective from 14 April 2022. As per the company's press statement, the price revision is result of continuous increase in prices of key commodities such as steel, aluminium, palladium etc. The company has taken necessary initiatives to partially offset the unprecedented hike in commodity prices to absorb the impact, passing a minimal percentage of cost increase to customers through a price revision. The company is working with its sales and dealer network to communicate the new prices to their customers appropriately. Mahindra & Mahindra's (M&M) consolidated net profit surged 127.2% to Rs 1,828.69 crore on a 9.1% increase in net sales to Rs 23,594.46 crore in Q3 December 2021 over Q3 December 2020. M&M enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment and utility vehicles in India and is the world's largest tractor company by volume. It offers a wide range of products and solutions ranging from SUVs, pickups, commercial vehicles, and tractors, to electric vehicles, two-wheelers, and construction equipment. Shares of Mahindra & Mahindra rose 0.55% to close at Rs 865.60 on BSE yesterday, 13 April 2022. The markets are closed today, 14 April 2022 on account of Mahavir Jayanti / Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti. The stock eschanges will also remain shut tomorrow, 15 April 2022 on account of Good Friday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A week after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of having declared a 'war' on the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, and three days after Raj Thackeray's barbs, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis dropped a series of 14 Twitter bombs at Nationalist Congress (NCP) Party supremo Sharad Pawar, here on Thursday. Fadnavis launched a blistering, no-holds-barred attack at Pawar, ranging from the Constitution to the mafia to 'The Kashmir Files' and the man who coined the word 'Hindu terror' -- though the immediate political provocation for the loaded verbal assault was not clear. Among other things, Fadnavis endorsed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's charges against Pawar of appeasing minorities and polarising the society on communal lines -- a day after the 81-year-old NCP chief rebuked Thackeray for his 'childish' outbursts on Tuesday against the Pawars and others. "On one hand, we are celebrating (today, 131st) birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkarji, who was against inclusion of Article 370 granting special status to Jammu & Kashmir. But look what is being said going against the wishes and values of Dr. Ambedkarji," posted Fadnavis. Talking of Pawar's statements on the film 'The Kashmir Files', Fadnavis said they were not surprising as they were in tune with the NCP's decades old track record of appeasement and polarising the society on communal lines. Fadnavis also pointed out that NCP minister Nawab Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Director for activities linked to alleged money-laundering of absconding mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, while in 2013, the NCP was on record declaring Ishrat Jahan as innocent, with its senior leaders extending help to her and even trying to demean the Intelligence Bureau though they were themselves in power at that time. In a brief reaction, NCP's Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said that even in the past, was linked to the mafia and said it has become a favourite hobby of people to target the NCP chief. Fadnavis said in 2012, when the Congress-NCP ruled the state, the 'shameful' Azad Maidan violence took place in Mumbai, and the Amar Jawan Jyoti was desecrated, but the NCP, which held the home portfolio, went soft on the Raza Academy and instead removed the Mumbai Police Commissioner. Going back by three decades, Fadnavis asked what happened when Mumbai cried during the 12 serial blasts of March 12, 1993 that shook the city, but Pawar 'invented' a 13th blast in a Muslim area, and instead of law and order, appeasement was his first priority. The BJP leader said the NCP has 'grand' plans to introduce Muslim quota in Maharashtra though the Constitution has no such provision, adding that it is "shameful how vote-bank prevails over Constitutional values". Defending 'The Kashmir Files', Fadnavis said the movie is not against any religion but against those who chose to look the other way when people were suffering, because they felt that it suited their 'political agenda of appeasement, thereby achieving a communal divide', but such acts and approach of disturbing 'the harmony of society cannot be accepted by Ambedkar's India.' Referring to Pawar, Fadnavis asked 'any guess on who was the first person' to coin the term 'Hindu Terror', and a gem - 'Minorities decide whom to defeat' - and wondered whether such utterances have any place in our polity. (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.) president on Thursday said that Dalits who become MPs and MLAs through "casteist parties" like the BJP and the Congress will only serve their interests rather than those of the community. If these leaders try to do something for their community, they are removed from the party and the government, said at a programme at the party office here on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dalit icon . Born in Maharashtra in a Dalit family in 1891, Ambedkar was a key architect of India's Constitution. He was a jurist and an economist who played an important role in India's freedom movement. Ambedkar championed the cause of the Dalit community which faced deep-rooted discrimination. He was also India's first law minister. "It has always been clear in the country's that even if casteist parties, especially the Congress and the BJP, make a Dalit MP, MLA, minister, deputy chief minister or even the president, that Dalit person can only ensure his progress and that of his family but cannot do anything for the progress of the neglected community," a BSP statement quoted as saying. If these people make efforts to do something for the Dalit community, then they are thrown out of the party and the government, she said. In such a situation, these Dalit leaders have to remain a slave to these parties, she added. Taking a dig at the various programmes organised by different political parties to pay tributes to Ambedkar, Mayawati said these parties, who have always neglected the ideals and struggles of Ambedkar, are competing to pay tributes to him out of "pure political selfishness". This is nothing but "deceit" because these are the people who keep working on policies to ensure that Ambedkar's followers remain "helpless and slaves", she said. "After the Congress, the BJP can be seen at the forefront in this direction," she added. Mayawati further alleged, "Under the governments of both these parties, neither the exploitation nor atrocities on the people of backward classes have stopped. Their political, social and economic condition has also not improved." Ambedkar made many provisions in the Constitution to ensure an economic and political environment in the country that would reduce disparity. But these provisions are not being implemented, she claimed. "This shows the flawed intentions of these political parties," she said, adding that this is the reason why Ambedkar's mission has remained unfulfilled. To fulfil Ambedkar's dreams, the BSP leader called on people to join her party's movement by keeping aside their personal interests and differences. "Else, the rival parties will use every means, including money, and stop this movement. Though the rival parties are not together, they become one against our movement," she said. Mayawati also highlighted the developmental work carried out by the BSP government in Uttar Pradesh from 2007-12. (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 accused the BJP-led Centre on Thursday of doing everything against what stood for, alleging that the rights of are being suppressed and atrocities against them are rising under this regime. spokesperson Supriya Shrinate claimed that in 2020 alone, as many as 50,291 incidents of crime were committed against as against 33,000 in 2011. Addressing a press conference here, she claimed that according to data, 10 Dalit women are raped in the country every day and 22 per cent of the children who are abused are . Senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge also alleged that Ambedkar's vision and dreams on parliamentary democracy look to be in shambles. "Bills sent to parliamentary committees for discussion during UPA - 71%, Modi I - 27%, Modi II - 10%. The declining numbers are alarming! "On the 131st birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, his vision and lifelong dream of parliamentary democracy looks to be in shambles under the Modi government," he wrote on Twitter. The budget for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities has also been reduced under the BJP government and of the total number of central schemes and subsidies, Dalits have only a 4.4-per cent share, Shrinate alleged. Recalling the BJP manifesto for the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls, where it promised that the security of Dalits and ensuring social justice for them would be its first priority, she alleged that the condition of the SC communities has worsened under the saffron party. The Congress leader said even though the Centre claims that there is no manual scavenging in the country, a total of 376 deaths were reported due to it between 2015 and 2020. There have been 161 deaths in the last two years due to the cleaning of septic tanks, which is also considered as manual scavenging, she added. Shrinate said offering tributes to Ambedkar's statues would not help and described it as mere posturing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Noting that leaders are paying tributes to Ambedkar, who gave the country its Constitution and is considered as an inspirational figure for social justice, she alleged that the same Constitution is being violated with impunity. "Babasaheb's biggest message was social justice and his wish was that people who are exploited and deprived should come into the mainstream and there should be equality in the society. But the intentions of this government are different, its policies are also totally opposite to what Babasaheb talked about," she said. Shrinate said the Congress is celebrating Ambedkar's birth anniversary in all district headquarters across the country with much fanfare. She said celebrating Ambedkar's birth anniversary really means upholding the ideals he stood for. "It means that you consider the Constitution he made the most sacred document in the country and you do not suppress the voices of dissent and those of the Dalits. But that is exactly what this government is doing, so you can celebrate it with as much fanfare as you want, but the reality is that in principle and in practice, you are doing everything against what Babasaheb stood for," the Congress leader said. The BJP accused the Congress on Thursday of belittling Ambedkar and limiting his identity to just a Dalit leader. BJP general secretary Dushyant Gautam and Union minister Virendra Kumar cited various initiatives taken by the Modi government acknowledging the contributions of Ambedkar. Gautam said, "Every effort was made by the Congress government to ignore and belittle the contribution of Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Congress governments always tried to restrict him in a limited circle by calling him a Dalit leader. "His contributions were truly acknowledged by the BJP government and the panch-tirth (five holy places) associated with Babasaheb were developed by it. (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.) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has given a jolt to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's enthusiasm regarding the K-Rail project. Speaking to the media in Delhi on Wednesday for the first time after getting a third and final term in the post, Yechury asked how a green signal can be given to "a train which is yet to arrive". Yechury's tone and tenor on K-Rail contradicted his position when he was attending the Congress. At Kannur he had said Kerala needs such a project, but in Delhi he gave a different statement. Incidentally, Vijayan at the party congress had said that everything has been cleared for the project, but this volte-face from Yechury, according to sources, has left him a bit concerned. This comes at a time when the Congress-led UDF has announced a massive protest against K-Rail and the state BJP has decided to observe May 20, the first anniversary of the Vijayan government as a day of protest at the Secretariat -- the seat of the Vijayan government. If completed, the K-Rail project will see a 529.45 km corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod with semi-high speed trains covering the distance in around four hours. Both the Congress and the BJP say this project is not needed for Kerala given the massive cost which they say will be in excess of Rs 1.50 lakh crore and would be an environmental and economic disaster, besides being a huge burden on the future generation. The state has been witnessing protests ever since the K-Rail authorities started conducting a social impact assessment study and at numerous places clashes broke out between the protesters and police. But after April 6 till April 10 when the party congress was on, instructions had gone out to the K-Rail officials not to venture out to lay the marking stones, as Vijayan and the party did not wish to create a bad image during the meeting. And with the first salvo being fired by Yechury, as and when the laying of the marking stones are going to be resumed, it could lead to more problems. The protests may increase, especially from those whose lands might be taken away for the project. But with Vijayan determined that this project will go forward, all eyes are on how the Vijayan-Sitaram tussle on the project is going to take shape. Also, there has been opposition to this from the Bengal wing of the party, whose fortunes disappeared forever after the Nandigram fiasco. A media critic on condition of anonymity said even though Vijayan continues to have an iron grip over the party at all levels, the coming days are going to be crucial. "With the principal opposition parties now against this and silent protests beginning within the ruling Left Democratic Front, with the CPI and Loktantrik Janata Dal, making their guarded response, all eyes are on the statement of Yechury and on what its impact is going to be. Those opposed to the project are going to take advantage of this," said the critic. --IANS sg/dpb (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.) Facing flak from the opposition parties over Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's meeting with the state's top officers in his absence, Punjab Chief Minister on Thursday said it was he who sent the officials for "training" to the capital. Talking to the media in Jalandhar district, Mann asserted that he is taking all decisions while rejecting the opposition charge that his government is being run through "remote control" from Delhi. Newly elected AAP government in Punjab had come under fire from opposition parties, who had described the meeting as an interference in the state affairs and the breach of federalism. The Punjab CM was called a "rubber stamp" by former chief minister Amarinder Singh. "I am taking all decisions," Mann told reporters in Jalandhar while defending the meeting. When asked that he was not present in the meeting held by Kejriwal with state officials in Delhi, Mann said, "I had sent them. For training, the same officers had gone to Gujarat and for training they had gone to Tamil Nadu. If we have to send them to Israel for Punjab's benefit, I will send them there too." "In coming days, I will send my officers to Delhi, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu," he said. CM said that the Delhi governments reforms in education, health and power sector are unmatched adding that there is no harm in getting training from them: Punjab Chief Minister's Office (CMO) ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2022 "If I find something good in West Bengal, then I will send my officers there. If I find something good in Gujarat, I will send them there too," added Mann. He said the "good news" about which he had indicated earlier will be announced on April 16. "Then you will say keep sending them," he said, asking the opposition parties not to criticise just for the sake of criticism. Replying to a question on the alleged multi-crore scholarship scam that surfaced during the previous regime, Mann said those involved in it will soon be put behind the bars. Mann said the key accused will be soon seen filing applications in courts for better facilities in jails. To another question, Mann ruled out any possibility of the state government purchasing new vehicles for the ministers. He said the opposition is baselessly spreading such canards in dearth of any issue against the AAP government in the state. Mann said there was no such move by the state government. "Show us even one vehicle that we are going to buy," said Mann. Earlier in the day, Congress MLA Pargat Singh in a tweet alleged, "Punjab AAP Ministers and MLAs are really in a hurry to become VIPs. Demanding 50 lakh Fortuners & 30 Lakh Innova Crystas when the state is already under 3 lakh crore debt. Punjabis have surely been taken for a ride by @BhagwantMann & @ArvindKejriwal's Aam Aadmis." Mann said every guarantee promised with people will be fulfilled. He said less than a month has passed since the formation of the new government in Punjab. Every promise made with people will be delivered at every cost, he added. He said the state government will ensure judicious use of funds under the centrally sponsored schemes for the well being of people. He said the rural development fund will be released by the Union government soon as the Cabinet has approved Punjab Rural Development Amendment (Ordinance) on Wednesday. Mann said the Centre has withheld the RDF as the previous governments have "diverted these funds for their vested political interests". (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.) Minister K S Eshwarappa, who is facing charges of abetment to suicide in connection with the death of a civil contractor in Udupi, on Thursday announced stepping down from his position, ending days of defiance. The announcement comes a day after he was named in the FIR registered in connection with the death of Santosh K Patil, who had charged Eshwarappa with corruption. Addressing a press meet in Shivamogga, Eshwarappa said, "I have served as the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister in the government. I have taken a decision today to resign from my ministerial position." He further said he would tender his resignation letter to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday. Meanwhile, opposition Congress stepped up its attack on the beleaguered Eshwarappa demanding his arrest as the next step. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai clarified that Eshwarappa decided to resign on his own and there was no pressure from the party high command. The Minister was booked on Wednesday in connection with the suspected suicide of civil contractor Santosh K Patil, who was found dead in a hotel in Udupi. The contractor had accused the minister and his close aides of demanding 40 per cent commission for executing a civic work in Hindalga village in Belagavi in 2021 ahead of a village festival. "I decided to resign because I don't want to put in an uncomfortable situation those who helped me rise to this position, such as seniors in the party, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and our leaders," Eshwarappa said. I will go to Bengaluru tomorrow and tender my resignation to Bommai," he added. Expressing his gratitude to the CM and all his friends in the party for their support, the BJP leader said he was confident of coming out clean in the matter. ... If there is even one per cent of mistake of mine, God will punish me... I am confident that I will come out clean from this episode, he said. Asked whether there was any pressure from the party high command, Eshwarappa said he has spoken to those he was supposed to. To another query, he said he can never be made a scapegoat as he believed in God. Reacting to the development, Bommai told media in Bengaluru that Eshwarappa decided to step down as he did not wish to give room for his opponents to speak against him and took the decision after much deliberation. There was no pressure from the party high command. He has morality.. he has decided on his own to resign, Bommai said. According to him, Eshwarappa has asked him to complete the investigation into Patil's death at the earliest. "Eshwarappa has said truth will prevail and he will come out clean. Till then he wished not to continue in his position." On Congress' criticism over the issue, the CM said the opposition party had no moral rights to comment on the matter. Stepping up pressure on the ruling party, Congress said mere resignation of Eshwarappa will not do and sought his arrest. Referring to the case of abetment to suicide registered against Eshwarappa, Leader of Opposition in the assembly Siddaramaiah said his party also wanted him to be booked for graft. The abetment to suicide is a heinous crime and not just a non-bailable offence. In all heinous crimes, accused person should be arrested but in Eshwarappa's case it has not happened, Siddaramaiah said. The senior Congress leader wondered whether special privilege has been accorded to the minister. In Shivamogga, Eshwarappa's supporters staged a demonstration against the Congress leaders. Earlier, Eshwarappa had rejected calls for his resignation over the issue, saying he was not at fault. Patil's death has triggered a major political row and demands from the opposition Congress for the resignation of the BJP leader or his dismissal from the Cabinet. (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.) Army said on Thursday that it has "nothing to do with politics" and it will remain apolitical in the future as well, as the powerful institution asserted that its chief was not seeking an extension and will neither accept one. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) the media wing of the army- Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar also said that Pakistan's survival lies solely on democracy and its strength lies in the institutions, be it Parliament, Supreme Court or the Armed forces. The Army has "nothing to do with politics" and the institution has decided to remain apolitical in the future as well, Major General Iftikhar told reporters, three days after Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif was sworn-in as Pakistan's Prime Minister after prolonged political turmoil. "Chief of army staff is neither seeking an extension nor will he accept an extension. No matter what, he will be retiring on the 29th of November 2022," he was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper. He also said that the word "conspiracy" was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee last month, apparently contradicting ousted prime minister Imran Khan who has accused America of hatching a conspiracy to topple his government. "As far as military response about the NSC meeting is considered, that stance, in that meeting was fully given, and then a statement was issued ... which clearly says what was concluded in that meeting. The words used are in front of you ... as I said ... the words used are clear. Is there any word such as conspiracy used in it? I think not," Gen Iftikhar said, adding that the minutes of the NSC meeting can be declassified if the government decides. He also said that the former prime minister had approached the army chief to help find a solution to the political crisis. "It is unfortunate that our political leadership was not ready to talk. So the army chief and DG ISI went to the PMO and three scenarios were discussed," he said, recalling that one was that the no-confidence motion should be held as it was. The other were that the prime minister resigns or the no-confidence motion was retracted and the assemblies were dissolved. "No option from the establishment was given," Gen Iftikhar said. Imran Khan had claimed that the "establishment" had given him three options: "resignation, no-confidence (vote) or elections" after the Opposition filed a no-trust motion against him in Parliament. The powerful Army, which has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 73 plus years of existence, has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of security and foreign policy. Khan, who was ousted from power early this week, had apparently also lost support of the powerful Army after he refused to endorse the appointment of the ISI spy agency chief last year. Finally he agreed but it soured his ties with the powerful Army. Khan wanted to keep Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as the spy chief but the army high command transferred him by appointing Corps Commander in Peshawar. (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 [India], April 14 (ANI/PNN): Speaking at the inauguration of (The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India) CMAI's FAB (Fabrics, Accessories, and Beyond) Show, Union Minister of State for Textiles Darshana Jardosh stressed that India's Textile Industry had recovered smartly after the Covid crisis, and was on the way to meeting targets set by the Government. In fact, encouraged by the Industry's response, the Government, in consultation with the various Export Promotion Councils, was considering raising the Export targets for the next year. Towards this end, the Government may set up a separate Export Promotion Council for Technical Textiles, which is a thrust area of focus for the Ministry of Textiles going forward. Jardosh expressed her satisfaction at the enthusiastic response of the Industry to the Government's PLI Scheme; where close to 70 large players have applied to participate in the Scheme, which will give a huge boost to India's efforts to penetrate into the MMF segment of the World Trade. Replying to a question during her interaction with the Press, Minister of State for Textiles Darshana Jardosh expressed her view that with the next few years Directions, Guidelines, Goals, as well as various Policies already in place, there is very little need for a formal Textile Policy. In an interaction with Industry as part of the inauguration program, the Minister assured the members that the Government is concerned about the unchecked raw material prices and was hopeful that a solution would be found soon. She also assured the members that Government was taking steps to address the issues relating to the pending TUFS schemes. The Minister lauded CMAI's efforts to bring the entire Textile Supply Value Chain under one roof, and congratulated CMAI for the excellent Show organized. She was confident that this new initiative of CMAI will go a long way in bringing Buyers and Sellers from different parts of the Country closer together and thus increase their business. With over 200 Manufacturers and Suppliers of Fabrics, Accessories, and various other products and services, a spokesperson of CMAI predicted that the 3 day Fair could see a business of close to 2,500 crores being transacted. (https://cmai.in/?doing_wp_cron=1649933876.6886439323425292968750) This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyderabad-based Greenko group and Belgium-based John Cockeril recently announced that they would build a hydrogen electrolyser gigafactory targeting 2-gigawatt in India. This would be the largest such facility outside of China. This partnership will reportedly entail an investment of about Rs 4,000 crore. Analysts told Business Standard that Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro and Adani, together, have earmarked investments of close to Rs 6 trillion in green hydrogen projects. Clearly, green hydrogen is powering the ambitions of India Inc. And, this push by major corporate names comes as the government, which launched a green hydrogen policy in February, bets big on the sector. On 15th August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Hydrogen Mission as a step towards environmental security and make India a global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen. However, becoming a major exporter of green hydrogen will not be feasible until 2030, given our stated target, domestic requirements and planned capacities. Nonetheless, Indias green hydrogen ambitions are nothing to sneeze at. India plans to manufacture 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030. This would be half of the European Unions 2030 target of 10 million tonnes. Indias target sounds impressive when compared to Chinas relatively shorter-term plans. The country has announced a target to produce up to 2,00,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen by 2025. Indias Power Minister RK Singh has said that India will need at least 10 GW of electrolyser capacity. If that is indeed the target, it is substantial. Meanwhile, according to KPMG, the EU is committed to have 40 GW of hydrogen electrolyzer capacity by 2030. Spain, Germany and France have announced their commitment to install 4 GW, 5GW and 6.5 GW of green hydrogen respectively, by 2030. The Global Hydrogen Review 2021 by the International Energy Agency details announced targets of various governments that adopted national hydrogen strategies for hydrogen. The data reveals, among individual countries, only Chile pips India so far, with plans to have 25 GW electrolysis target by 2030. Clearly, India has set stiffer targets than its European peers. But, if China goes through with its plans, then Indias capacities will pale in comparison. China green hydrogen screenshot [Source: rechargenews.com] In September 2021, reports emerged that Chinas hydrogen industry body, which is supervised by its government, has called for installing 100 GW of green hydrogen electrolysers by 2030. At the end of the day, however, it will all boil down to how much the green hydrogen costs. Lets also look at the scale of the challenge ahead. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights data cited by a financial daily, there are 26 hydrogen projects in India, with a total capacity of 255,000 tonnes per year. However, a majority of these announced projects are still in their early stages. Only around 8,000 tonnes per year of capacity is expected to be operational by 2024. The gap between intent and execution is clear. Time will reveal if thats a mountain to climb. 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 The state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would pay unemployment insurance to striking workers, a boost to Connecticuts unionized employees who could financially withstand walkouts while ending established state policy that restricts benefits to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The measure passed 19-13 in the Democratic-led Senate, largely along party lines. It now heads to the House of Representatives. Advertisement [ Democrats, unions support bills they say expand worker rights. Republicans say its heavy-handed government regulation ] Bowing to strong and unified opposition from Republicans, Democrats twice changed the date on which the measure would take effect, to July 1, 2024. The measure initially was to become effective Oct. 1 and was pushed out to Jan. 1, 2023. We listened to what our colleagues were saying, Sen. Julie Kushner, a Danbury Democrat and co-chairwoman of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, said in explaining the decision to extend the effective date. Advertisement The measure makes workers eligible for unemployment benefits after theyve been on strike for two consecutive weeks. In debate lasting about three hours, Democrats said paying unemployment insurance to strikers would be rare. The last major work stoppage was an 11-day strike in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union against Stop & Shop in April 2019. Democrats said theyre looking to give workers a boost against powerful businesses. The scales always tilt to the side of employers who have greater resources, said Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney. Republicans said that under the Democrats plan the state would abandon neutrality and choose sides in labor disputes. Our job is to represent all of our constituents, said state Sen. Rob Sampson, the top Republican on the Labor committee. And that includes not just employees or union labor employees or employers. It includes everyone. And our job is not to put our hand on the scale either. State Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, said paying unemployment benefits to strikers would give unions leverage provided by the state that would interject itself in contract negotiations between two private parties. Sen. Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk said the legislation protects small businesses against multinational corporations. The measure is not about a mom and pop store with eight employees, he said. Advertisement Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut > Stop & Shop is owned by Ahold Delhaize, a Dutch company. But Republicans countered that the legislation would sweep up small business, too. I find it insulting to every small business owner in this state, said Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton. The state of Connecticut has no business being in the middle of the employee and employer. Paying unemployment benefits during strikes would deplete the trust fund thats been tapped during the pandemic and would stunt Connecticuts slow-growth economy, Republican senators said. Connecticut is near dead last in job growth, near dead last in income growth, said Minority Leader Kevin Kelly of Stratford. Republicans and businesses have opposed several bills advanced by the Labor and Public Employees Committee, which is looking to advance worker rights on issues such as work schedules and required work site meetings. Im constantly dismayed at what the labor committee puts out year after year, said Republican Sen. Paul Formica of East Lyme. Whats missing is what happens to employers who take the chances to establish a business ... to make a living. Advertisement Stephen Singer can be reached at ssinger@courant.com. Commentary: China chooses to fight the virus while shielding the vulnerable Xinhua) 09:35, April 14, 2022 Photo taken on April 12, 2022 shows the interior view of a makeshift hospital converted from the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Facing the continued threat of the pandemic, China has stuck to its dynamic zero-COVID policy in tackling resurgences to protect the lives and health of its people, instead of choosing to "live with" the virus as some countries have done. Around the globe, the number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 500 million, with 6.18 million deaths, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The staggering numbers continue rising. Having successfully tamed a number of sporadic cluster infections in different cities over the past two years, China is struggling to contain the latest Omicron resurgences with swift, strict and targeted control measures. Shanghai, with a population of 25 million, has reported over 10,000 new infection cases daily for the past nine days. Despite the mounting difficulties to contain the evolving, more transmissible and concealed virus, the country shall defeat it with action and determination. It will never give up on protecting the lives of its citizens. Trying to "live with the virus," or a "lie-flat" approach, "tangping" in Chinese, which relies solely on vaccination instead of other prevention measures, is not a choice for China. A medical worker from east China's Anhui Province takes a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid test at a community in Huangpu District of Shanghai, east China, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Can such a method realistically succeed? The answer will come out from the fact that global death figures confirm this is no ordinary seasonal flu we are dealing with, and the threat is compounded for the elderly and those with chronic conditions. Thus a "lie-flat" approach is in truth choosing to sacrifice the vulnerable to the virus. This measure is little more than a rebranding of the law of the jungle, where only the strongest survive. China will not and cannot adopt such a defeatist and Darwinian method. Instead, the country is firmly implementing its dynamic zero-COVID policy, the best option that has stood the test of controlling domestic epidemic outbreaks. China's approach minimizes the cost of the pandemic rather than abandoning the frail to a miserable fate and protects people to the maximum extent. Of course this dynamic zero-COVID policy is a reflection of the Chinese government's people-centered development philosophy. All 1.4 billion Chinese citizens, including 267 million aged 60 and above and more than 250 million children, know their protection remains paramount. China remains confident that this fight too will be won, its battle-hardened battalions having successfully fought back one cluster after another over the past two years, never accepting defeat. In line with the dynamic zero-COVID approach, China's epidemic control measures that take into consideration the new features of the virus, and its continued vaccination efforts for the big elder population, will certainly guarantee new success. The "lie-flat" approach has resulted in significant growth in infections and deaths in some countries, highlighting its consequences. When it comes to the COVID-19, the choice is clear, and thus China fights on. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) A man is dead and his female hostage is safe after a 19-hour armed standoff in Guilford ended Thursday morning, police said. A neighborhood lockdown was lifted about 7:45 a.m., although a few streets in the area remained closed as state police continued to investigate. Advertisement The mans fatal gunshot wound appears to be self-inflicted, Guilford Police Chief Warren Butch Hyatt said at a news conference, although the official cause and manner of death will be determined during the autopsy. Police on Friday said the man was Keith Neal, 51. Advertisement Earlier, roads were closed and area residents were asked to stay in their homes during the protracted standoff as hostage negotiators tried to get the man to peacefully come out of the house on Fitch Hill Road. Guilford police cars at the scene of an armed standoff during which a man held a relative hostage. The standoff lasted more than 18 hours. According to Hyatt, the standoff started about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after firefighters responded to a 911 call about a structure fire on Durham Road. The firefighters arrived and saw smoke coming out of a house. According to Hyatt, before they could battle the blaze, they were confronted at that location by a male, brandishing weapons. They backed off which the chief said was the right move and alerted police. The armed man got into a vehicle and took off, Hyatt said. Police then got a call from a Fitch Hill Road address and learned that the armed man was there. Both houses are in the mans family, Hyatt said. It wasnt long before police realized they had a hostage situation when a close relative called police to say she was being held against her will. We had gotten a phone call from inside the house from the family member who indicated that he was there and he was armed and they were being held inside the house, Hyatt said. Officers called hostage negotiators with a regional SWAT team and tried for hours to convince the man to release the woman and come out peacefully, but the effort failed, Hyatt said. Advertisement About 3 a.m. Thursday, Guilford police called the state police to give the SWAT team a break because of the amount of time officers had been out there on the scene, over 14 hours straight, through the day and the evening, he said. Members of a SWAT team approach a house where a woman was being held hostage by an armed man in Guilford. The standoff lasted more than 18 hours. (WTNH, Channel 8) Despite repeated efforts, the state police SWAT team was not able to make contact with anyone inside the house, state police Lt. Alex Giannone said. After dawn, police heard what sounded like a woman crying out in distress, he said. They used what Hyatt referred to as diversionary munition, which made popping sounds to distract the armed man, and they went into the home. Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut > Giannone said troopers rescued the woman, and when they checked the house, they found the man on the second floor, dead of an apparent gunshot wound. The woman had no obvious injuries but was taken to the hospital to be checked, he said. Hyatt said the state police Major Crime Squad will conduct a thorough investigation. Advertisement Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com. A man from Massachusetts who was wanted on several warrants led police on a three-state chase, barreling into state police cruisers and pointing a gun at troopers in the process, before being arrested in Connecticut on Wednesday. Ian Sullivan Grant, 36, of 111 Prospect St. in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, sped away from police in his white Toyota Tacoma for hours on Wednesday in a chase that started in New Bedford, Massachusetts and ended in North Stonington. Advertisement He appeared in court in New London on Thursday on charges of reckless driving, engaging in a police pursuit, failure to drive in the proper lane, interfering with an officer and first-degree reckless endangerment, according to police. He may face even more criminal charges, as charges stemming from the chase through Rhode Island and Massachusetts are still pending, police said. Advertisement Massachusetts State Police broadcast a be on the lookout alert about 11:30 a.m. for Grant, who they said had been involved in an incident with state police that led to an officer-involved shooting, and was suspected of setting fire to his home that morning. They warned that Grant was armed and might be at risk of harming himself, according to Rhode Island State Police. As he sped toward the Rhode Island border, Massachusetts State Police tried to stop Grant on Route 195 in Westport, Massachusetts. Grant veered off the highway, drove onto the median, headed directly toward police and struck two cruisers, according to Connecticut and Rhode Island State Police. About 12 p.m., Rhode Island State Police spotted Grants truck and tried to pull him over, but he kept driving all the way to Connecticut. Police chased Grant into North Stonington, where his vehicle eventually came to a stop. He refused to get out of his car for more than an hour, leading to an extensive police stand-off. Grant was eventually removed from his vehicle and arrested. He was taken to Backus Hospital in Norwich for an evaluation and then transferred to the Connecticut State Police Troop E barracks in Montville, police said. He was being held in lieu of a $200,000 bond, police said. For Natalie Wagner, a parent of four, West Hartford Public Schools new social and emotional learning programs offer the kind of support that may have helped her when she was a student. Wagner attended West Hartford schools but left after middle school, citing a lack of connection with the school community. She wasnt sure what caused the lack of connection, at the time. Later in life, she identified a lack of language within my community about something I was struggling with. Advertisement Im very grateful for the work the school district has done in developing this curriculum to help give students the vocabulary to talk about these things in a respectful way with one another, Wagner said I know it was said earlier that not enough people are coming out in support of this, because often were just grateful that its there. But Wagners sentiments, shared during a recent West Hartford Board of Education meeting nominally about approving the annual budget, arent held by all. Advertisement Public comments revealed that the districts social and emotional learning curriculum particularly the components that deal with gender, sexuality and identity remains a point of contention or confusion for many, months after its introduction. As parents, we should reserve the right to have input about content that is provocative, said one parent, who identified themselves as Graham. You like to say dont mess with trans kids, but it seems to me youre messing with everyones kids, said Kyle Zelazny, an attorney and West Hartford resident. Social and emotional learning, now an omnipresent phrase, is relatively new. In districts in Connecticut and throughout the country, administrators were moved to rethink elements of school curriculum through an equity lens in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. We cannot protect and shield our children from the realities of social injustices that happen in our world, Dr. Lorna Thomas-Farquharson, West Hartford school board chair, told the Courant. And that created an energy of we need to move this further along for our children. In West Hartford, school officials spent the next year meeting with stakeholders, experts and members of the community to develop curricula, and framework for social and emotional learning was introduced last fall. Roszena Haskins, the districts director of equity enhancement, wrote in an email that the curriculum aims to provide students with understandings and skills that they need to increase their social consciousness and act in ways that foster respect, empathy, fairness and universal humanity. Pushback has been present within the community from the beginning, with some parents concerned over the ability of young children to comprehend sometimes complex concepts of gender and sexuality and whether these topics are age-appropriate for young learners. Advertisement Outside groups have also played a role. Controversy over the material in West Hartford was further inflamed following a November 2021 article published in the National Review, which highlighted the availability of books about transgender people to elementary-age students. School administrators said they were later flooded with threatening phone calls and emails sent to school staff. The threats mirror an incident now underway in Hartford following the suspension of a Hartford Public Schools nurse for Facebook comments about LGBTQ+ students. A district spokesperson said Tuesday that school staff have received several threatening calls and emails now under investigation by police which appear to stem from inaccurate accounts spread by out-of-state special interest groups regarding the nurses suspension. In West Hartford, some of the curriculum has been revised, Thomas-Farquharson said. Some books have been removed from the reading list as school officials reached mutual understanding with parents and caregivers. That was because of the communication between the parents and caregivers and administrators, she said. Though fears have been stoked of school districts grooming or indoctrinating students to adhere to a narrow view of gender ideology, Thomas-Farquharson insists that this is not the case. The purpose of [social and emotional learning] is not to try to convince, its not to try to indoctrinate, she said. Its a matter of informing and allowing for, if there are additional questions or further exploration that a child may have, they know that they are in a safe environment, they are part of a safe school system that will welcome [them]. Advertisement It is learning in terms of how to be a good citizen, how to be a good human being, how to be a good friend, how to be good to yourself, she continued. Critics of social and emotional learning concepts argue that schools should focus on the basics reading, math and science and leave the task of instilling other values to the family. News @3 Daily Catch up on the days top headlines sent directly to your inbox weekdays at 3 p.m > But Thomas-Farquharson doesnt believe social and emotional learning is in conflict with the ability of parents or caregivers to instill their values in the home. When it comes to raising and teaching values and skills, that has to be in conjunction with the family and the household, she said. We are not trying to usurp the important role that a family plays. Were trying to collaborate, were trying to extend that learning process. The West Hartford school systems equity and anti-racism vision statement says as much. We make a solemn promise to identify and dismantle all elements of systemic racism and historical inequities, the policy reads. We vow to clear paths, with a relentless duty to those in traditionally marginalized groups. We pledge to partner with ALL families in the service of the success of each child. Advertisement Thomas-Farquharson acknowledges that some members of the community continue to oppose the curriculum, but said she welcomes continued dialogue as it evolves. Our goal is always to enhance what we have, she said. We welcome the feedback and input, and were so appreciative to those parents and caregivers who are willing to engage and share and learn. Seamus McAvoy may be reached at smcavoy@courant.com LANSING, Mich. Peter Lyoya took his six children from Congo in 2014 to escape violence. Now he fears he brought them to the U.S. to die. A Michigan police officer fatally shot his eldest son, 26-year-old Patrick, in the head this month following a traffic stop in Grand Rapids. Video shows a brief foot chase and struggle over the officers Taser before the white officer shoots Patrick Lyoya as the Black man is face down on the ground. Advertisement Peter Lyoya talked with The Associated Press in his Lansing apartment on Thursday, a day after police released video of the fatal encounter (warning: link contains graphic content). Patricks cousin Ben served as an interpreter. A TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer struggling with and shooting Patrick Lyoya at Grand Rapids City Hall on April 13, 2022. Lyoya, 26, was shot and killed about 8:10 a.m., on April 4, after what police said was a traffic stop. (Grand Rapids Police Department/Grand Rapids Police Department) Peter said he came to the U.S. to get away from prolonged civil unrest in which several rebel groups have vied for control of territories in mineral-rich eastern Congo. Patrick, who has two young children of his own, worked at an auto parts factory in Grand Rapids and would visit his siblings in Lansing on weekends, his dad said. Advertisement Patrick never had a problem with anybody, his dad said. In the April 4 encounter, the officer repeatedly ordered Lyoya to let go of his Taser, at one point demanding: Drop the Taser! Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom cited a need for transparency when releasing video collected from a passenger in Lyoya car, the officers body camera, the officers patrol car and a doorbell camera. Winstrom didnt identify the officer, a seven-year veteran who is on paid leave during the investigation. 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 northwest of Detroit. Peter Lyoya asked for justice for his son and for the police to release the officers name. He said Patricks brothers and sisters want to know who killed him and would like to see his picture so they can know this is the person that took our beloved one. Peter Lyoya holds up a picture of his son Patrick Lyoya, 26, in his home in Lansing, Mich., April 14, 2022. (Anna Nichols/AP) Video shows Patrick Lyoya running from the officer who stopped him for driving with a license plate that didnt belong to the vehicle. They struggled in front of several homes while Lyoyas passenger got out and watched. Winstrom said the fight over the Taser lasted about 90 seconds. In the final moments, the officer was on top of Lyoya, kneeling on his back at times to subdue him. From my view of the video, Taser was deployed twice. Taser did not make contact, Winstrom told reporters. And Mr. Lyoya was shot in the head. However, thats the only information that I have. Advertisement State police are investigating. Kent Countys chief medical examiner, Dr. Stephen Cohle, said he completed the autopsy but toxicology tests havent been finished. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she had spoken with the family. He arrived in the United States as a refugee with his family fleeing violence. He had his whole life ahead of him, Whitmer, a Democrat, said. The traffic stop was tense from the start. Video shows Lyoya getting out of the car before the officer approached. He ordered Lyoya to get back in the vehicle, but the man declined. The officer asked him if he spoke English and demanded his drivers license. The foot chase began soon after, video shows. Prosecutor Chris Becker will decide whether any charges are warranted but said the public shouldnt expect a quick decision. While the videos are an important piece of evidence, they are not all of the evidence, he added. Advertisement The officers body camera was turned off before the shooting, which happens when a button is pushed for three seconds, Winstrom said. He said it appears it was deactivated unintentionally due to body pressure during the struggle, but he would not discuss any officer statements about it. That will come out once the investigations complete, Winstrom said. Protesters gather outside Grand Rapids Police headquarters after police released video of the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., on April 13, 2022. (Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette/Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette) Several hundred protesters gathered outside the Grand Rapids Police Department following the release of the videos, with some cursing and shouting from behind barricades. The group demanded that officials make public the name of the officer in the shooting. The demonstration remained nonviolent. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, speaking on behalf of Lyoyas family, called for the officer to be fired and prosecuted. It should be noted that Patrick never used violence against this officer even though the officer used violence against him in several instances for what was a misdemeanor traffic stop, Crump said in a news release. As in many U.S. cities, Grand Rapids police have been occasionally criticized over the use of force, particularly against Black people, who make up 18% of the population. Advertisement In November, the Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments in a lawsuit over the practice of photographing and fingerprinting people who were never charged with a crime. Grand Rapids said the policy changed in 2015. A downtown street has been designated Breonna Taylor Way, named for the Black woman and Grand Rapids native who was killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, during a botched drug raid in 2020. AP reporters Ed White in Detroit, Corey Williams in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and John Flesher in Traverse City, Michigan, contributed to this story. 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. Patrick Lyoya, 26, was killed outside a house in Grand Rapids. 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, on Wednesday released four videos (warning: link contains graphic content), including critical footage of the shooting recorded by a passenger in Lyoyas car on that rainy morning. Advertisement 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 northwest of Detroit. Video shows Lyoya running from the officer who stopped him for driving with a license plate that didnt belong to the vehicle. They struggled in front of several homes while Lyoyas passenger got out and watched. Winstrom said the fight over the Taser lasted about 90 seconds. In the final moments, the officer was on top of Lyoya, kneeling on his back at times to subdue him. From my view of the video, Taser was deployed twice. Taser did not make contact, Winstrom told reporters. And Mr. Lyoya was shot in the head. However, thats the only information that I have. State police are investigating the shooting. Kent Countys chief medical examiner, Dr. Stephen Cohle, said he completed the autopsy but toxicology tests havent been finished. The traffic stop was tense from the start. Video shows Lyoya, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, getting out of the car before the officer approached. He ordered Lyoya to get back in the vehicle but the man declined. Advertisement The officer asked him if he spoke English and demanded his drivers license. The foot chase began soon after, video shows. Winstrom didnt identify the officer, a seven-year veteran who is on paid leave during the investigation. Me being from Chicago for the last 20 years, Ive handled many police shootings myself, so I do have a lot of experience in this, the chief said. I was hoping to never have to utilize that experience here. Video was collected from Lyoyas passenger, the officers body-worn camera, the officers patrol car and a doorbell camera. Prosecutor Chris Becker, who will decide whether any charges are warranted, objected to the release but said Winstrom could act on his own. Becker said the public shouldnt expect a quick decision. While the videos released today are an important piece of evidence, they are not all of the evidence, he said. Advertisement The officers body-worn camera was turned off before the shooting, which happens when a button is pushed for 3 seconds, Winstrom said. He said it appears it was deactivated unintentionally due to body pressure during the struggle, but he would not discuss any officer statements about it. That will come out once the investigations complete, Winstrom said. City Manager Mark Washington warned that the videos would lead to expressions of shock, of anger and of pain. Some downtown businesses boarded up their storefronts, and concrete barricades surrounded police headquarters. Lyoya had two young daughters and five siblings, said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke to his family. He arrived in the United States as a refugee with his family fleeing violence. He had his whole life ahead of him, Whitmer, a Democrat, said. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, speaking on behalf of Lyoyas family, on Wednesday called for the officer in the shooting to be fired and prosecuted. Advertisement The video clearly shows that this was an unnecessary, excessive, and fatal use of force against an unarmed Black man who was confused by the encounter and terrified for his life, Crump said in a release. It should be noted that Patrick never used violence against this officer even though the officer used violence against him in several instances for what was a misdemeanor traffic stop, he added. Crump and Lyoyas family were expected to hold a news conference Thursday afternoon. More than 100 people marched to Grand Rapids City Hall before a City Commission meeting Tuesday night, chanting Black lives matter and No justice, no peace. Protesters march along Monroe Center NW after Grand Rapids police released video of the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., on April 13, 2022. (Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette/Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette) On Wednesday, several hundred protesters gathered outside the Grand Rapids Police Department following the release of the videos, with some cursing and shouting from behind barricades. The group demanded that officials make public the name of the officer in the shooting. News @3 Daily Catch up on the days top headlines sent directly to your inbox weekdays at 3 p.m > Some businesses cut their hours short Wednesday, closing early. Some boarded up windows. But the demonstration remained nonviolent with protesters demanding justice for Lyoya and other Black lives lost in shootings involving police. Advertisement Winstrom last week said he met Lyoyas father, Peter Lyoya, and that they both cried. I get it as a father. ... Its just heart-wrenching, the chief told WOOD-TV. As in many U.S. cities, Grand Rapids police have been occasionally criticized over the use of force, particularly against Black people, who make up 18% of the population. In November, the Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments in a lawsuit over the practice of photographing and fingerprinting people who were never charged with a crime. Grand Rapids said the policy changed in 2015. A downtown street has been designated Breonna Taylor Way, named for the Black woman and Grand Rapids native who was killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, during a botched drug raid in 2020. White reported from Detroit. AP reporters Corey Williams in West Bloomfield, Michigan; David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan; and John Flesher in Traverse City, Michigan, contributed to this story. KYIV, Ukraine The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, a guided-missile cruiser that became a potent target of Ukrainian defiance in the opening days of the war, sank Thursday after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles, while Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. Advertisement The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital, Kyiv. In his nightly video address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alluded to the sinking as he told Ukrainians they should be proud of having survived 50 days under attack when the Russians gave us a maximum of five. Advertisement Listing the many ways Ukraine has defended against the invasion, he noted those who showed that Russian warships can sail away, even if its to the bottom of the sea. It was his only reference to the missile cruiser. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sank in a storm while being towed to a port. Russia earlier said the flames on the ship, which would typically have 500 sailors aboard, forced the entire crew to evacuate. Later it said the blaze had been contained. The Moskva had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its removal reduces Russias firepower in the Black Sea. Its also a blow to Moscows prestige in a war already widely seen as a historic blunder. Now entering its eighth week, the invasion has stalled amid resistance from Ukrainian fighters bolstered by weapons and other aid sent by Western nations. During the first days of the war, the Moskva was reportedly the ship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a standoff. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself. The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is seen anchored in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, on Sept. 11, 2008. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged April 13, 2022, but not that it was hit by Ukraine. (AP) The Associated Press could not independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance. The country recently unveiled a postage stamp commemorating it. The news of the flagship overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where Moscows forces have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war at a horrific cost to civilians. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian troops 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 how many forces were still defending Mariupol. Advertisement Russian state television broadcast footage that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers. One man held a white flag. Mariupol has been the scene of the some the wars worst suffering. Dwindling numbers of Ukrainian defenders are holding out against a siege that has trapped well over 100,000 civilians in desperate need of food, water and heating. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told AP in an interview Thursday that people are being starved to death in the besieged city. Mariupols mayor said this week that more than 10,000 civilians had died and the death toll could surpass 20,000, after weeks of attacks and privation left bodies carpeted through the streets. Mariupols capture is critical for Russia because it would allow its forces in the south, which came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to fully link up with troops in the Donbas region, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive. The Russian military continues to move helicopters and other equipment together for such an effort, according to a senior U.S. defense official, and it will likely add more ground combat units over coming days. But its still unclear when Russia could launch a bigger offensive in the Donbas. A school director Iryna Homenko walks in the hall of a school damaged by an airstrike from Russian forces in Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas. Advertisement The loss of the Moskva could delay any new, wide-ranging offensive. Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, across the Black Sea to the northwest of Sevastopol, said the Ukrainians struck the ship with two Neptune missiles and caused serious damage. Russias Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, without saying what caused the blaze. It said the main missile weapons were not damaged. In addition to the cruise missiles, the warship also had air-defense missiles and other guns. The Neptune is an anti-ship missile that was recently developed by Ukraine and based on an earlier Soviet design. The launchers are mounted on trucks stationed near the coast, and, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missiles can hit targets up to 175 miles away. That would have put the Moskva within range, based on where it was when the fire began. Launched as the Slava in 1979, the cruiser saw service in the Cold War and during conflicts in Georgia and Syria, and helped conduct peacetime scientific research with the United States. During the Cold War, it carried nuclear weapons. In 1989, the Slava was supposed to host a meeting off Malta between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, but gale-force winds moved the talks to the docked cruiser Maxim Gorky. Advertisement On Thursday, other Russian ships that were also in the northern Black Sea moved further south after the Moskva caught fire, said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military assessments. Before the Moskva sank, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, told AP its removal would mean we can only have a sigh of relief. While the U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a big blow to Russia. News @3 Daily Catch up on the days top headlines sent directly to your inbox weekdays at 3 p.m > Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack, and neither is a particularly good outcome for them, Sullivan told the Economic Club of Washington. Russia invaded on Feb. 24 and has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It has also further inflated prices at grocery stores and gasoline pumps, while dragging on the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the war helped push the organization to downgrade economic forecasts for 143 countries. Advertisement Also Thursday, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sending two low-flying military helicopters some 7 miles across the border and firing on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo, in Russias Bryansk region. Russias Investigative Committee said seven people, including a toddler, were wounded. Russias state security service had earlier said Ukrainian forces fired mortar rounds at a border post in Bryansk as refugees were crossing, forcing them to flee. The reports could not be independently verified. Earlier this month, Ukrainian security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an air strike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, some 35 miles from the border. Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report. You may also like: A timeline of WWII, the most devastating conflict in history Lockheed Martin claims its Sikorsky S-97 Raider prototype will redefine helicopter flight during the 21st century. The high-speed, light tactical aircraft took flight in 2015 and remains in testing. Its latest tech allows it to fly at extremely high speeds in high altitude and heat. Lockheeds plan for the Raider is to have it meet requirements of the Armys Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) and ultimately serve in Special Ops as well as the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Sikorsky S-97 Raider Lockheed Martin claims its Sikorsky S-97 Raider prototype will redefine helicopter flight during the 21st century. The high-speed, light tactical aircraft took flight in 2015 and remains in testing. Its latest tech allows it to fly at extremely high speeds in high altitude and heat. Lockheeds plan for the Raider is to have it meet requirements of the Armys Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) and ultimately serve in Special Ops as well as the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. [Pictured: Sikorsky S-97 Raider.] You may also like: A timeline of WWII, the most devastating conflict in history (Picryl) The Lamont administration on Thursday pitched its tax incentive deal with helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft to receptive state lawmakers required to sign off on the deal. I think its a really big deal for Connecticut, said state Rep. Sean Scanlon, House chairman of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Obviously, we are the maker of the helicopters that defend our country and to keep that happening here in Connecticut and sustain the jobs as they have I think is incredibly important to the state. Advertisement [ Pentagon planners are looking to replace Sikorskys Black Hawk, middle-aged and slower than the next generation of helicopters ] Economic Development Commissioner David Lehman told the committee that the $75 million tax incentive deal has significant upside. We want to make sure Connecticut is the incumbent and that Stratford is the base for those helicopters, not just for the next 20 years, but for the next 50 years, he said. Advertisement Gov. Ned Lamont announced March 28 the 20-year agreement with Sikorsky, a subsidiary of aviation and defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. The incentives in sales tax and other incentives is contingent on Sikorsky winning a federal contract for at least one new line of helicopters. The agreement calls on Sikorsky to establish between 7,250 and 7,750 jobs over the next 20 years. And it increases the manufacturers spending on its 240 suppliers to $470 million through 2042. It represents an increase from $300 million to $410 million agreed to in a 2016 deal with Connecticut, Lehman said. And Sikorsky is committing $70 million to $84 million a year in capital spending at Stratford over the next decade, he said. Sikorsky will produce its 5,000th Black Hawk this year, George Mitchell, vice president of operations at the helicopter manufacturer, told the committee in a video meeting. The helicopter, which was a mainstay in U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, is still in high demand, he said. But in the 2030s and beyond, Sikorsky will replace the Black Hawk with the Defiant and Raider aircrafts, he said. The Defiant, a troop transport and medevac aircraft, and Raider, a scout attack armed helicopter, are the future of our company, Mitchell said. The U.S. Army is transforming into a multi-domain force and will modernize its helicopter fleet, Sikorsky said. Highly integrated hydraulics and flight controls from Parker Aerospace land the lowest risk and weight, plus highest reliability for the Sikorsky-Boeing DEFIANT X that is part of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition. Photo courtesy of Sikorsky-Boeing. (Graphic: Business Wire) If the so-called assistance agreement with Connecticut is not approved, costs for Sikorsky will rise and affect the manufacturers competitiveness, said Robert Head, vice president of government affairs at Lockheed Martin. State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, R-Prospect, asked about continued congressional funding of Pentagon programs. She said Connecticut has bragging rights for Sikorsky based in Connecticut. Advertisement Head said defense spending is rising in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and attempts by China to establish hegemony in Asia. Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. > The outlook for now the time being is better than it was two years ago, he said. Lockheed Martin and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy negotiated a $220 million package of investments in 2016 committing the manufacturer to will build CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, a heavy-lift helicopter, until at least 2032. Mitchell said Sikorsky will produce its third 53K production heavy lift helicopter in the next week in Connecticut and very shortly well see that helicopter flying around in our neighborhoods here in Connecticut. Two more will be built in 2022. Sikorsky's CH-53K King Stallion helicopter ( United Technologies Corp. ) Gov. Ned Lamont celebrated the deal as an earn as you go agreement. His administration worked with Democratic and Republican legislative leaders, he said and said its time to ratify this and go forward. Several manufacturers appeared with the governor. Brittany Isherwood, president of Burke Aerospace in Farmington, said the deal could help her company become a supplier for Sikorsky. Advertisement Brian Montanari, president and chief executive officer of Habco, an engine and airframe tooling company in Glastonbury, said the Sikorsky-Connecticut agreement, if approved by the legislature, would give a significant boost to the manufacturers supply chain. Stephen Singer can be reached at ssinger@courant.com. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, shown here during a press conference in 2021, is proposing a new budget with about $8 million in new spending but no tax increase. (Kassi Jackson/Kassi Jackson) Crediting the federal governments infusion of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart announced Wednesday that she plans to keep last years property tax cut unchanged for another year. New Britain taxpayers will see the same 49.5-mill tax rate in the coming year, even though city spending will jump by about $8 million. Advertisement Last year I genuinely wasnt sure if Id be able to maintain it for another year, Stewart said. I said it might be a one-time thing. But were keeping it this year, and a lot of that is attributed to increased revenues. The tax rate dropped from 51.5 mills to 49.5 last year, a reduction that officials estimated was worth about $350 to the average taxpayer. That rate will stay in place under her plan. Advertisement New Britain also will have no layoffs or service cuts in the new year under the proposal. Stewart, a Republican in her fifth term, formally presented the plan to the city council Wednesday evening. The federal government is providing about $6 million in coronavirus relief funding, enough to cover more than two-thirds of the spending increase she proposed. The city is operating with a $243 million budget this year; her proposal would boost that to $251 million in the new fiscal year. The board of finance had recommended a $256 million plan, but Stewart said that would have forced a significant tax increase. The federal dollars are also providing us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a dent in the list of capital projects the city needs, she said Wednesday afternoon. Were completely renovating Osgood Park, were building a new health department, were putting a fiber optics network through the entire city so all of our residents have access to affordable Internet. Her proposal also shifts routine road maintenance to the general operating budget instead of periodic bond issues. Interest and bond counsel expenses can add about 20% to the base cost of repaving streets, she said. This has bothered me forever. Road maintenance is an essential function of local government, but weve consistently bonded for that work. Its not a good practice, she said. The city spends about $2 million a year on road work, with about half coming from state aid. She wants the annual budget to phase in the remaining half, and is asking for $300,000 as a start in next years plan. Advertisement The council will review the budget between now and early June. With a 12-3 Republican majority, it is expected to adopt Stewarts proposal with no significant change. Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. > Democrats, however, are likely to raise the issue of education funding because Stewarts budget carries no new funding for city schools. She noted that the board of education didnt ask for additional funds this year, and that it is scheduled to receive more than $70 million in federal COVID-19 aid. But Democrats and some educators have complained for years that Stewarts administration steadily increases municipal spending while flat-funding the 10,000-student school system. Last year Stewart publicly chastised the schools administration for years of poor student performance, and said throwing more money at the problem simply isnt enough. Educators counter that New Britain ranks next-to-last in the state for local spending on schools. Advertisement Stewart last year budgeted $500,000 as a one-time infusion for the schools, and added $1.5 million to that as other accounts yielded surpluses. She is proposing no addition to that fund this year. Despite a prediction last year by some Democratic leaders that parents and other voters would punish Stewart in the November election, she scored a roughly 2-to-1 victory over state Rep. Bobby Sanchez - who had made education a central issue in his campaign. Gov. Ned Lamont and legislators are pushing for cuts in car taxes. Here, traffic is backed up for miles after the highway closed on I-84 in Waterbury. (DOT traffic camera) HARTFORD Connecticut drivers who have been complaining about their car taxes for decades are likely to finally find relief this summer, lawmakers said Wednesday. Democratic budget negotiators are close to an agreement with Gov. Ned Lamont on how to cut the taxes, House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford said. Advertisement It sounds like they may have found a compromise on the car tax to go with the appropriations budget, which will provide a lot of relief for people but that we can afford,' Ritter told reporters in a Zoom call. Both Lamont and legislators have called for cutting the tax, but three different plans have been offered at the state Capitol. Lamont wanted to provide $160 million in relief for 1.7 million cars and trucks that would help drivers in 103 of the states 169 cities and towns. The relief would go to all towns with a tax rate above 29 mills. Advertisement But lawmakers are pushing for the appropriations committees plans of $100 million in relief to towns with mill rates of 32.46 and above. Towns generally have not set their mill rates yet for the new fiscal year that starts in July, so the precise number of towns that would be impacted remains unclear. When asked by The Courant about Ritters comments, Lamont agreed that the tax cut will happen - but said the details are not finalized. I want to go along with my version, which provides a property tax cut for more towns,' Lamont said after an outdoor union rally in Bushnell Park in Hartford. The approps version sort of followed our lead and gets pretty close. Were going to get a car-tax cut. Look, I like our version, which includes a lot more towns and provides a more significant tax cut for people. Now, you sit down and negotiate around the table.' Ritter stressed that the final deal still must be reached on the complicated $24.2 billion proposed budget that requires compromise in many areas. Closed-door negotiations started Tuesday with high-level members of Lamonts staff. On that one issue, they were willing to come to the appropriations committee [recommendation] and meet them there,' Ritter said. It could be 32.46. Who knows? But the point is I think they were willing to move on that issue. Yes.' The impact, Ritter said, would begin this summer when drivers receive their car-tax bills. Youre going to see in Hartford, for example, essentially a 12-mill-rate reduction from what you paid in January to what you paid in July,' Ritter said. That is an absolute, clear signal of a tax cut for folks. I think it will be very helpful. Again, its really inherently unfair that a Toyota in East Hartford costs more than a Toyota in a lower-mill-rate town.' Besides Hartford and East Hartford, communities that would receive assistance include West Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport, New Haven and others. Advertisement The tax cut would not apply to any communities with low mill rates, such as wealthy communities like Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Westport and Essex. Municipalities would be reimbursed by the state for their lost tax revenues, but some lawmakers and local officials are highly skeptical that the reimbursements would be made when the state faces tough fiscal times in the future. The 110-member Council of Small Towns, which represents towns with populations of less than 35,000, testified against the idea. COST is concerned that this reimbursement will be phased out over time or swept completely when the state faces challenging budget years,' the group said in written testimony. Without a fail-safe mechanism for fully reimbursing municipalities for lost property tax revenues, capping car taxes will simply shift an even greater burden onto already overburdened homeowners and small businesses.' The group added, While we understand the frustration that many have regarding the car tax, prior efforts to reduce the car tax have fallen short. The Municipal Revenue Sharing Account, which was created to offset lost revenues due to the car tax cap, was not fully funded. As a result, the cap was increased from 39 mills to 45 mills. Although this may have provided nominal relief to car owners in certain municipalities, this relief was largely offset by increases in property taxes on homes and businesses and associated increases in the cost of goods and services, including rents.' The cap currently remains at 45 mills - meaning only communities above that level receive relief. Advertisement The tax cut would not apply to trucks or commercial vehicles, legislators said. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, an influential lobbying group at the Capitol, favors the tax-cut plan but still has concerns about being reimbursed. If the proposed reimbursement is not maintained in future years, then municipalities will be required to offset the loss in motor vehicle tax revenue by shifting the burden to residential and commercial taxpayers,' CCM said. This shift will increase the cost of housing and impede economic growth that is needed as the state looks to rebound from the COVID pandemic. Furthermore, reducing the motor vehicle tax does not reduce the costs for towns and cities to provide essential and mandated services such but not limited to education, public safety and infrastructure maintenance.' Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com Connecticut attorney general William Tong, left, has contracted COVID-19. Here, he is shown wearing a mask last year with teacher Clarissa Tan as a student asked a question during a program for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Farmington High School. (Jessica Hill/AP) HARTFORD The entire top tier of the Connecticut state government has contracted COVID the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and treasurer. State Attorney General William Tong was the latest leader to contract the virus Wednesday as his office announced that he had tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms.' Advertisement Based on guidance issued under federal guidelines, Tong will isolate and work from home for the next five days,' said his spokeswoman, Elizabeth Benton. Tong joins the highest-level leaders of the state who have all tested positive recently Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and state treasurer Shawn Wooden. Advertisement Lamont had remained in isolation through the past weekend and held Zoom calls Monday and Tuesday. But he was back to his regular schedule Wednesday, traveling to Groton before returning to an outdoor union rally by carpenters at Bushnell Park in Hartford. Weve got a lot of community spread,' Lamont said when asked by the Courant. Were at 6.5% [positivity] today. We havent been that high in a couple of months. Look, Im on the back side of it. The symptoms were pretty mild. I had the boosters. I took the therapy. Im feeling really good. Its not something thats going to interrupt our lives, but it really is spreading.' Concerning his advice for residents, Lamont said it is important to take advantage of temperatures in the 70s and heading toward 80 this week. Stay outside like we are right here,' Lamont said in Bushnell Park. Thats what Im trying to do. I think weather is going to be on our side when it comes to the spread here. Get your damn vaccine. Dont hesitate. Dont say, Hey, this is behind us. Were all set now. Lamont added, Looking over in Shanghai, where everything is shut down. Thats not going to happen here in Connecticut because our people are going to be careful.' Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 lands on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) flight deck during flight operations. (MC2 Indra Beaufort/U.S. Navy) Problems with the arresting gear on USS Gerald R. Ford show why the Navys Supervisors of Shipbuilding should get more access to subcontractors and suppliers, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said. A new report from the federal watchdog agency said the supervisors limited oversight away from the shipyards where they are stationed can pose a challenge to the Navys efforts to improve the quality of new ships. Advertisement The U.S. Navy faces considerable challenges in meeting the shipbuilding goals ... with existing programs experiencing years of construction delays, billions of dollars in cost growth, and frequent quality and performance shortfalls, GAO said. Supervisors of Shipbuilding are stationed at yards, including Newport News Shipbuilding, and are responsible for evaluating construction and business practices. But their operating manual says they need to rely on the shipyards and the Defense Contract Management Agency to check the quality of materials and equipment supplied by subcontractors or by firms the Navy contracts with for major systems, like the Fords arresting gear. Advertisement In the case of Fords government-furnished electromagnetic advanced arresting gear, the system that catches aircraft when they land on the flight deck, DCMA and Naval Air Systems Command handled inspections at the suppliers facilities, GAO said. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding at Newport News did not get a look before the system arrived at the yard, the GAO said. The SUPSHIPs lack of earlier involvement limited its ability to help the program office address issues with this new, high-risk system in the lead-up to acceptance trials and the Navys subsequent decision to accept ship delivery, the report said. It said the Chief of Naval Operations granted a waiver excluding the advanced arresting gear from inspection during acceptance trials. Those trials are the key test a new ship must pass before the Navy takes delivery. This further reduced opportunities for the SUPSHIP overseeing CVN 78 to observe the performance of this integrated system and understand any quality concerns before the Navys ship delivery decision, the GAO said. Such waivers are another important limit on the supervisors ability to assure quality, the report said. It said waivers for another critical system on the Ford, the 11 advanced weapons elevators, impaired sailors ability to transport weapons to the aircraft carriers deck for more than 4 years after the Navy accepted delivery of the ship. The last of the elevators was certified in December. The supervisors do have power to withhold payments to shipyards, but their use of this authority is limited, GAO said. Advertisement Inside Business Weekdays Business news for the Hampton Roads region > Since May 2011, they withheld payments from five shipbuilders totaling about $63 million based on deficiencies across five contractor business systems, the report said. It can take years to resolve these issues, GAO said, noting that General Dynamics-Electric Boat, which builds Virginia and Columbia class submarines in partnership with Newport News, took about 2 years to resolve deficiencies for which the Groton supervisor withheld payments. It took the supervisor another 2 years to fully validate the yards corrective action. The GAO study looked at 12 ships, although only Ford and the Virginia class submarine USS Delaware were built at Newport News. It said the Secretary of the Navy should consider giving the supervisors oversight of government-furnished equipment, like the Fords arresting gear. The Navys contracts for such systems from a supplier that is not the shipyard itself should include ways to mitigate risk, while the Secretary of the Navy and Naval Sea Systems Command should update guidelines to give the supervisors a role in ship design and development of requirements to be specified in contracts. It said the supervisors deputy commander should report to the Chief of Naval Operations on the quality and readiness of ships before the Navy decides to take delivery. Advertisement Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com U.S. culprit in spreading of American-made biological 'poison' 09:57, April 14, 2022 By Chen Zi ( People's Daily Online (Cartoon by Ma Hongliang) The U.S.-funded biological laboratories in Ukraine are receiving huge attention from the international society, but the biological and military activities of the Americans in Ukraine are merely the tip of the iceberg. Using such pretexts as cooperating to reduce biological safety risks and strengthening global public health, the U.S. has 336 biological labs in 30 countries under its control in Africa, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. With the frequent occurrence of accidents, these labs pose serious security risks. The notorious track record of accidents at U.S. labs reveals that the Americans are culprits for the spreading of plague, hatred and wars. The U.S. once conducted the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis study on African Americans to secretly study the harms of syphilis, with the truths behind the experiment covered up for 40 years before being exposed by the U.S. media in 1972. The Lugar Research Center financed by the U.S. Department of Defense in Georgia started experiments on anthrax vaccines in 2013, and the country then witnessed anthrax outbreak in the same year. From 2009 to 2014, United States Forces Korea conducted at least 15 dangerous experiments on Bacillus anthracis inside its bio labs. In 2015, a U.S. biochemical center sent Bacillus anthracis test samples as well as Yersinia pestis samples to a military base in South Korea, with an accident occurring during the shipment. Whats worse, Fort Detrick on its own territory has been dubbed as the center of the U.S. government's darkest experiments by U.S. media. Because of serious safety incidents, it was shut down in July 2019. Despite its notorious records, Washington has always deflected attention when faced with the concerns and queries of the international community, while covering up the facts with lies. What have the U.S.-funded labs across the world done? The U.S. government should adopt a responsible attitude and give a full account of its biological and military activities to the world. Related: U.S. side initiator of Ukraine crisis U.S. an evil backstage manipulator behind worldwide turmoil U.S. rakes in huge fortune by profiteering from wars around the world U.S. conspiring in favor of 21st-century Cold War (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Akshay Kumar has disappointed fans and provided fodder to trolls by appearing to participate in a surrogate ad for tobacco. From a teaser for an elaichi (cardamom) ad, it looks as if the actor, who has been an ambassador for the Swasth Bharat campaign and also the anti-tobacco drive, will be part of the advertisement. The teaser of the Vimal Elaichi ad shows Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn speculating about a new khiladi in their midst. Shah Rukh, who is seated in a car being driven by Ajay, says, Dekhein, kaun naya khiladi aaya hai (Lets see who the new player is) as a silhouette resembling Akshay appears. Fans are sure that the mystery figure is Akshay, as he is associated with the term khiladi, thanks to his 1991 breakthrough film of that name, followed by Sabse Bada Khiladi, Mr & Mrs Khiladi, International Khiladi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Khiladi 786 among others. The ad, a surrogate campaign for tobacco, is scheduled to be released this weekend. Akshay has done a commercial as part of the anti-tobacco campaign, in which he takes a smoker to task and tells him about the ill effects of tobacco. It plays before every movie. He also speaks out against smoking as an ambassador of the Swasth Bharat drive and a tobacco ad is not something his fans wanted him to do. His clean image was the only tool they had when they fought online with other stars, says film historian Imtiaz Baghdadi. Troll time for Akshay While the makers have not clarified whether the unidentified silhouette is indeed Akshay, fans are pleading with the actor to pull out of the commercial. You can make money by your wonderful acting, points out one fan. Others made memes about Akshay who, as part of the Swasth Bharat campaign, had said, I get a lot of offers from Gutkha companies. They are offering me a lot of money. Swasth Bharat is a campaign I am working for, so I wont do anything wrong like that. Big stars from Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Ranveer Singh to Tiger Shroff have been part of such surrogate ads. While none of them have taken any corrective steps, it seems Akshay Kumar has changed his earlier decision not to promote harmful substances. Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan decided to pull out of a commercial of this type, but the advertiser continued to air the ad both on television and in print, prompting Bachchan to take recourse to legal action. Hyderabad: Only up to 40 cent of Intermediate students in Sangareddy district are attending classes ever since colleges reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown was lifted. However, more than 60 per cent of the students have registered for the annual examinations. These students who are not attending classes are hoping to get promoted without writing any exam, said R. Govindaram, district education officer for Intermediate. Over 1,000 students, in the first and second year have not registered for the final exams. There are nearly 9,000 intermediate students in government colleges in Sangareddy district. No particular attendance percentage has been set as a cut-off for appearing in the annual exams, which is leading to students not attending classes. There are approximately 60-70 government junior colleges in the district and over 50 private colleges with 32,000 students. Given the dearth of government Intermediate colleges in the district, it is reporting a 10 to 20 per cent drop in admissions this year, added Govindaram. There is only one junior college per mandal. Even the basic facilities are not provided and there is also a shortage of teachers. Because of this very reason, more admissions are registered in private colleges, he said. Govindaram urged the government to increase the number of government junior colleges in order to attract more admissions. On its part, the government has no budget to pay the bills for colleges and the collector's office, which has resulted in poor facilities and frequent power cuts, said officials. Meanwhile, few people present at the collectorate complex, Sangareddy district were seen washing their feet and clothes by using drinking water cans set up at the complex. There are no complaint boxes in colleges or at the collectorate complex. Bengaluru: Karnataka Contractors' Association president D Kempanna on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to the state government in the wake of contractor Santosh Patil's death and said that they will announce the names of the corrupt MLAs and Ministers if the contractors are not called to discuss the matter to reduce corruption within 15 days. Speaking to ANI, Kempanna said, "We have given an ultimatum to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai that if within 15 days we are not called to discuss the matter to reduce corruption, we will announce the names of involved MLAs and Ministers. Health is the most corrupt department, other corrupt departments include PWD, Irrigation, Panchayat Raj, BBMP." The Association president further informed that they would stop the work for a month, however, the date of which has not been decided yet. "A big rally will be held on May 25 in Bengaluru. Moreover, we will stop our work for a month. The date is yet to be decided," he said. Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday ruled out resigning from the cabinet amid the opposition's demand for his resignation and arrest over a case related to the death of the contractor. Meanwhile, the brother of the deceased contractor Santosh Patil has demanded the arrest of Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa and his close aides Ramesh and Basawaraj. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Congress delegation led by state party chief DK Shivakumar, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot demanding the expulsion of Eshwarappa from the state cabinet as well as his arrest over Patil's death A view of Porus Labs site after an explosion occured at the plant in Akkireddygudem of Eluru district in the late hours on Wednesday. (Photo: By Arrangement) VIJAYAWADA: Tension mounted around Porus Laboratories at Akkireddygudem village in Nuzvid assembly constituency of Eluru district, with large number of villagers agitating vociferously demanding immediate closure of the industry after a blast in its reactor killed six and injured 12 on Thursday. Irate villagers refused to accept 25 lakh ex-gratia announced by the firm for kin of the deceased. A villager said, We dont want the ex-gratia. Instead, we will give 25 lakh announced by the state government to the firm. The firm can take 50 lakh for each death and leave our village, so that we can live in peace. Another villager said, I am unable to identify the dead as some of them are burnt beyond recognition. We will not allow this firm in our village any longer. Villagers pointed out that the factory handles hazardous chemicals and gases, polluting air and water of the village and making them ill. Now, it has gone on to take six lives. Police had tough time controlling the villagers, particularly youngsters among them, who raised slogans that the company be closed immediately. Sensing the delicate situation, Eluru district administration ordered temporary closure of Porus Laboratories pending an inquiry. A case has been booked against the firm. Of the 12 persons injured, seven are from Bihar while five are from AP. Porus management assured that it will ensure medical treatment for injured and pay their wages until they fully recover. Eluru collector V. Prasanna Venkatesh said, We have ordered closure of Porus Labs pending a probe involving experts. Based on the inquiry report, we will take action against the firm. At present, death toll in the mishap is six. Meanwhile, former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock on Thursday over death of six persons in the reactor blast, which injured 12 others. He demanded that government provide all necessary medical treatment and save lives of the injured. In a statement, the TD chief demanded stringent action against those responsible for the mishap. Management of factories should not compromise on safety aspects of workers, he maintained. The former CM asked state government to initiate necessary steps for ensuring safety of workers in all industries. Inspections should be stepped in factories to check any possible lapses in preventive measures, he added. HYDERABAD: Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday began his Praja Sangrama Yatra from Gadwal with a vow to continue his partys battle against the TRS till the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) is driven out of power in the state. The opposition party put up an impressive show at Gadwal, where Sanjay declared that his padayatra was to free Telangana Talli from the clutches of TRS, and to do justice to all those who sacrificed their lives in the cause of Telangana statehood. Sanjay, who commenced the second leg of his Praja Sangrama Yatra on Thursday, is expected to cover some 385 km and pass through four districts. The BJP will come to power after the next elections, he said. He then said, after coming to power, the BJP government in TS will ensure free education and health care to all. Buoyed by the presence of the large crowd and the recent electoral successes of the BJP in the state, as well as the capitulation of the state government that finally announced that it will procure paddy from Telangana farmers, Sanjay turned the meeting into a sort of a pre-election rally. He also made it clear that the TRS was following the politics of appeasement, charging the government with special provisions for the minorities for celebrating their festivals. When the BJP is in power, relief in terms of hours of work, or time off, will also be provided to Hindus who take up various Deekshas, he said. With the crowd cheering him on, Sanjay declared: From tomorrow I will expose every misdeed of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. Calling the CM a Hindu Drohi, Sanjay said, He is afraid of the minorities. Just the way Shivaji Maharaj sliced the heads off those who undermined Hindus, we will do the same to the corrupt family rule in Telangana by throwing it out. He calls us religious fanatics. It is not us, it is he who seeks votes from the minorities and insults Hindu temples. Why are Navaratris not celebrated at the Sri Jogulamba temple? During the padayatra, I will inform people about the misdeeds of this government, find out first-hand the problems people are facing. I will not rest until the BJP throws out the TRS government, he said. The BJP in-charge for Telangana, Tarun Chugh, said the Praja Sangrama Yatra led by Sanjay, and followed by countless BJP workers, will sweep away the Lanka that is the TRS government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends his wishes and compliments on this endeavour of the BJP in Telangana. The partys national vice-president DK Aruna castigated the Chief Minister for ignoring completing irrigation projects in the Palamuru region and said if the lives of the people in Telangana have to change, then the KCR government must go. Party MLA and former minister Etala Rajendar said the future is that of the BJP, and KCR does not have the strength to stop this. His conspiracies, the liquor he enables to flow in the state cannot stop. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Colombian President Ivan Duque says there is evidence and testimony that seriously implicate practically all of the former Colombian soldiers being held in Haiti in the assassination of that countrys president, Jovenel Moise The first of four men accused in a failed plan to build a biotechnology plant in Vermont using tens of millions of dollars in foreign investors money raised through a special visa program is facing sentencing Beacon tower excavation reveals lives of border guards Xinhua) 10:06, April 14, 2022 URUMQI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- What was life like for Chinese border guards over a millennium ago? An intriguing discovery of military documents, letters, dice, and wine containers from beacon tower ruins may offer some clues. From 2019 to 2021, archaeologists launched an excavation project on 2,300 square meters at the Keyakekuduke Watchtower Site in the desert of Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They unearthed 12 ruins, such as dwellings, a wooden fence and ponds, and over 1,400 cultural relics including paper documents from the beacon tower site dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was recently selected as one of China's top 10 archaeological finds of 2021. HOW IT WORKS Evidence, including carbon-14 dating, indicated that the Keyakekuduke Watchtower Site was operational between 692 AD and 790 AD during the Tang Dynasty. It was situated on the Loulan path, a significant section of the ancient Silk Road. As part of the early warning system of frontier defense, the watchtower was usually deployed with one commander and five soldiers, and they worked in shifts. The soldiers on the tower would puff smoke in the daytime and light a fire at night to transmit military signals, said the site excavation project's team leader Hu Xingjun from the regional institute of cultural relics and archaeology. Three semi-basement rooms, believed to be barracks, were found on the western side of the beacon tower. "In the summer, the nearby waterways dried up, sandstorms frequently hit the area, and the ground temperature might exceed 50 or 60 degrees Celsius," said Hu. "These rooms could be the only place where soldiers resisted summer heatwaves." Many crop specimens, such as wheat, grain and millet, were also unearthed. "When abundant fish bones, fishing nets and well-preserved wooden traps were discovered, we speculated that the soldiers fished and hunted for food as their grain supplies may have been insufficient," Hu said. Archaeologists found residual bones of mounts including horses, cattle and camels at the ruins. Interestingly, dog remains were also unearthed, suggesting that dogs might have been partners of garrison soldiers at that time. The Keyakekuduke Watchtower Site is strong evidence of the Tang government's good administration of the western regions and its continuous safeguard of the ancient Silk Road, said Rong Xinjiang, a history professor at Peking University. TEARS AND LAUGHTER Archaeologists found a pile of "stuff" covered in sands on a leeward slope near the ruins. Many paper documents, wooden slips, textiles and other relics were buried inside. Judging from the letters unearthed, experts concluded that the soldiers were mostly from what is now the northern and northwestern parts of China. It may have taken them several months to arrive at the garrison site from their hometowns. Hu was moved by a soldier's letter to his wife: "My wife, don't be sad. Take care of the wheat and sheep, and don't leave them unattended..." "He encouraged his wife to make a good living at home and expressed his love and care implicitly," Hu said. "Piecing together these fragments of paper documents and interpreting them was like traveling through time to converse with border guards from the Tang Dynasty. We can feel their nostalgia for home and dedication to the country." Several surprising discoveries shed light on how they spent their leisure time. These include the remains of literary works, three dice, one of which is pottery and the other two made of bone, and gourd-turned containers used for storing wine. The restoration and protection project on the Keyakekuduke Watchtower Site is expected to launch this year. "Over a millennium ago, these soldiers left home and guarded the border for the sake of peace in western regions and the ancient Silk Road. Their courage and persistence are admirable," said Hu, who hopes the future generation can peer into the history and get some inspiration from these beacon tower ruins. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Get 25% off of the regular $65 annual All Access rate. With this subscription you will get: Digital access to ElPasoInc.com and archives (value $45) Print subscription home or business delivered (value $65) Book of Lists (annual rate only, value $50) El Paso Inc. Magazine (value $20) El Paso Kids Inc. Special sections - OR - Get 15% off of the regular $45 annual Digital-only rate. With this subscription you will get: Complete digital access to ElPasoInc.com. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Fort Hood, TX (76544) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 99F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. China turns saline-alkali land in Yellow River Delta into high-yield farmland 10:35, April 14, 2022 By Xu Jingeng, Li Rui ( People's Daily Li Ruitian, who works for a demonstration base of modern agricultural experiment on saline-alkali soil in the Yellow River Delta in east Chinas Shandong province, squatted down to check on the growth of crops in a vast expanse of green farmlands as lush crops swayed in the spring wind. Photo shows wetlands of the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in east Chinas Shandong province. (Peoples Daily Online/Zhao Yingli) Just a few years ago, the fertile land beneath his feet was saline-alkali soil in endless whiteness, while now its the demonstration base of the Agricultural High-tech Industrial Demonstration Area of the Yellow River Delta in Dongying city, Shandong province. In the vast river delta where Chinas second-longest waterway, the Yellow River, splits and spreads out into several branches before entering the sea, fresh water mingles with salt water, creating a fragile ecological environment. Due to the high salt content in soil, almost no plants grew in the Yellow River Delta, except a few saline-alkali tolerant ones like seepweed. In 2009, China started to exploit and harness barren alkaline land with plans. In the next year, the state farm Li worked for was transformed into an efficient eco-agriculture demonstration area in Dongying city. In October 2015, Chinas State Council approved the plan to establish the Agricultural High-tech Industrial Demonstration Area of the Yellow River Delta in Dongying city, turning the eco-agriculture demonstration area into the second national agricultural high-tech industrial demonstration zone in the country. At the same time, Li became a staff member, taking care of the new varieties of saline-alkali tolerant crops planted by researchers in the experimental fields of the demonstration area. Following the establishment of the demonstration area, a major campaign was launched to leverage scientific and technological achievements to bring new looks to the estuary of the Yellow River in Dongying city. A 500-meter-long self-propelled truss sprinkler irrigates a wheat field in Lique township, Guangrao county, Dongying city, east Chinas Shandong province, April 11, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Zhou Guangxue) Researchers gradually grew saline-alkali tolerant food crop varieties including triticale, quinoa, and soybean and saline-alkali tolerant forage crops such as alfalfa and oat in the demonstration base of modern agricultural experiment on saline-alkali soil, which covers an area of 12,800 mu (about 853.33 hectares). The once barren river delta has been adorned with an increasing number of green plants, thanks to the efforts to promote the application of high and new technologies and the support from favorable policies and measures rolled out by the local government. Our team has searched every corner of the Yellow River Delta for high-quality germplasm resources in a bid to breed saline-alkali tolerant plants, said Xu Hualing, head of the halophyte and eco-agriculture research center under the agricultural science research institute of Dongying city. According to Xu, The Agricultural High-tech Industrial Demonstration Area of the Yellow River Delta has built a germplasm resource bank, serving as a solid foundation for subsequent efforts to breed saline-alkali tolerant plant varieties. Up till now, the bank has collected a total of 15,000 copies of germplasm resources covering domestic and foreign halophytes of 89 species, 42 genera and 13 families, with the types of the salt-tolerant plants including food crop, forage grass, medicinal plant, vegetable and fruit. Research teams concentrating on breeding such varieties have preliminarily developed 37 new varieties and planted them in 92,000 mu of land for demonstration. These new plant varieties have increased the yield of land by 15 percent to 20 percent per mu. Water holds the key to harnessing saline-alkali land, pointed out Wang Guangmei, head of the Yellow River Delta field ecosystem scientific observation and research station under Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. By installing water-saving irrigation devices, such as micro spray hose and dripping irrigation tubing, researchers have continuously reduced the salt content in the soil of the Yellow River Delta and significantly improved the soil properties. A farmer drives plant protection machine to spray pesticide in a wheat field of a family farm in Shikou township, Dongying city, east Chinas Shandong province, March 10, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Liu Zhifeng) During the past nearly three years, soil fertility in the demonstration base of modern agricultural experiment on saline-alkali soil has been generally raised by one to two grades. Wangs team has just been laying drip irrigation pipes in the experimental fields of the demonstration base. The team hopes to reduce the salt content in the soil of the area from between 0.4 percent and 0.6 percent to less than 0.3 percent and save fresh water by more than 38 percent in irrigation in three years. The Agricultural High-tech Industrial Demonstration Area of the Yellow River Delta is listed among the countrys national high-tech industrial development zones and enjoys related current policies, according to the State Councils reply to the proposal submitted by Shandong province for the establishment of the demonstration area. In collaboration with research institutes, the demonstration area has built five pilot-scale research and development platforms for work related to smart agricultural machinery, seed breeding for saline and alkaline land, biotechnology, beneficial insect resource, and observation of saline-alkali land ecosystem as well as a protected agriculture test and validation platform. So far, it has gathered 116 expert teams from 56 scientific research institutes. China has 1.5 billion mu of saline-alkali land, with 500 million mu has the potential for development and utilization. It is anticipated that the development of saline-alkali tolerant crops would play an important role in guaranteeing food security in China, and more saline-alkali land in the country would become high-yield farmland. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) ZETA Division is still in the running to play in the semifinals as they earn the final spot in the VALORANT Champions Tour Masters Reykjavik playoff after their back-to-back win against Ninjas in Pyjamas and Fnatic. ZETA defeated Swedish team Ninjas in Pyjamas in Wednesday's elimination match. Both teams have previously lost to DRX, which put them at 1-1 in the group stage. The winner of the elimination round would earn the final spot in the playoffs and will move on to the semifinals in Iceland. ZETA's Consistent Victory Was Stunning The first map was Split, which was Zeta's choice, where NiP gave a strong start with 13-6, according to a report by Dot Esports. NiP almost got it in the bag after winning three consecutive rounds in the first half with 7-5, which brings them to an early lead 1-0. ZETA, however, proved that they were not to be messed with. They brought the good stuff in the Icebox map, NiP's pick, and won 13-10. ZETA's Yuuma "Dep" Hisamoto as Jett was the real star of the match, finishing with 2.0 KD after providing the team with 26 kills and only 13 deaths. ZETA may have started rough, but they were able to pull their stats up to bring the score up to a tie at 1-1. The final map was Fracture. The match was so intense that NiP was forced to go overtime, despite getting an early lead. After consecutive wins, ZETA managed to bring their score up to 14-12, winning the map and the series. Read Also: 'Mythforce,' an RPG Inspired By 80s Cartoons, Hits Epic Games Store Next Week With Two Members Missing, Fnatic Failed to Secure Playoffs Spot ZETA previously defeated Fnatic in the elimination match in Group A. The Japanese team's choice map in the first half was Fracture, and won 13-7 after an impressive defense by Shota "SugarZ3ro" Watanabe. This stellar performance carried on to the final map Astra, where he secured 24 kills and only about half as many deaths. This looks like the end of the road for Fnatic for this season. After team members Andrey "BraveAF" Gorchakov 's suspension and Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev's illness, the team seemed to have struggled to rebuild their strategies. BraveAF was suspended from the competition after screenshots of his texts showing support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine were leaked on Twitter. According to a separate Dot Esports report, Derke also took time off due to illness after testing positive for COVID recently. The absence of the two seemed to have taken a toll on Fnatic's performance, which became apparent in Tuesday's match with ZETA as they struggled to takeover ZETA's early lead. In the last four consecutive rounds, it seemed that Fnatic simply surrendered to ZETA's attacks, which ended with a clutch by Dep's Jett, capping the series with a 2-0 win. This is a meaningful win for ZETA Division. This is their first international win as a team after losing Masters Berlin and failing the qualifications for VCT Champions last year. ZETA is the second Japanese team to win at an international VCT event. Crazy Raccoon won last year's Masters Berlin against Brazil's Havan Liberty. ZETA is now off to face the all-star players of G2 Esports on April 14, as the first round of playoffs begins. The winners of which will face LOUD or Liquid in the semifinals. Read Article: G2 Esports Are The Champions of the 2022 LEC Spring Playoffs Story posted on GameNGuide Written by Fred Layno PlayStation Studios already has a stellar roster of first-party games and studios, but they might be adding just another heavyweight to their stable. Recently, somebody spotted Death Stranding being included in the PlayStation Studios' banner image. First spotted by ResetEra user Toumari, this has fueled intense speculation that PlayStation could be well on its way to acquiring Kojima Productions. This isn't far out of the blue as Sony has already said it is looking to acquire more studios to boost its first-party arsenal, writes PlayStationLifestyle. But acquiring Kojima Productions could be their latest, considering that Death Stranding, the studio's latest game, just joined other big names in the banner like Santa Monica's God of War, Naughty Dog's The Last Of Us, and Insomniac's Ratchet & Clank, to name a few. Here is the new studio banner as tweeted by Twitter user Hunter: PlayStation Studios has updated their website banner to include Death Stranding among their first-party titles #PS5 #PS4 https://t.co/GZ4wdk8cmG pic.twitter.com/fQtaVl0wQa Hunter (@NextGenPlayer) April 13, 2022 According to GameRant, Death Stranding replaced the image from PixelOpus' Concrete Genie. With this stealthy move, the only indie game from the studio banner was revealed and it is now almost all AAA from here on out. But so far, neither Sony nor Kojima Productions have commented on the possible acquisition. Is Kojima Productions Actually For Sale? One wrench to throw into the wheel spokes of this deal is the fact that there is nothing, not even a vague hint, which points to Kojima Productions being on the market in the first place. Furthermore, there are also rumors that the legendary game designer is working on an exclusive game with Xbox, not PlayStation. Read also: Activision Blizzard Names Kristen Hines as DEI Chief to Expand Diversity in Games Last year, hearsay floating around the web suggested that Kojima is close to inking an exclusivity deal with Xbox for his next game. According to VentureBeat, both Microsoft and Kojima's camp spent several months last year ironing out the details of a partnership, but talks still haven't produced anything substantial as of this writing. If these rumors are true (and if a deal is still in place), then it could indicate that Kojima Productions is actually not going to be acquired by PlayStation Studios soon. But then again, the rumor has neither been confirmed nor denied by Sony or Kojima's camp, so the potential acquisition is still up in the air. The Banner Change Could Mean Something Different Shortly after leaving Konami, Hideo Kojima has kept in touch with Sony and PlayStation Studios since. For one, Death Stranding was published by Sony firsthand, with the IP actually owned by the electronics giant. This means that even if the studio doesn't get bought out, the IPs they produce can still be considered first-party games. According to Tech Times, this is what happened with Insomniac Games. Their two biggest IPs in Ratchet & Clank and Spider-Man are considered first-party titles, but the studio itself is a second-party developer, as per Insomniac themselves. Think of it more as inclusionary. Ratchet is a 1st party game. Insomniac is 2nd party developer. Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) October 16, 2017 This is a developing story. Related: PS5 Controller Could Adopt an Increased PC Support Soon, New Leak Suggests This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce Recently media outlets reported the Tahrir Sham Front of the Turkish occupation army released 30 foreign mercenaries in preparation to be sent to Ukraine to fight the Russian forces. Sputnik reported the Tahrir Sham Front (formerly the Nusra Front classified as a terrorist group) released some 30 mercenaries of the Huras al-Dine mercenaries from its jails in the Syrian city of Idlib, mostly of foreign nationalities, in preparation to be sent to frontlines on Ukrainian territories from Turkish lands. Sources were quoted by Sputnik that ''the 30 mercenaries were released by direct instructions given by Abu Mohamed al-Joulani- general commander of the Nusra Front- in Idlib''. Sources said al-Jounlani held a meeting days ago with commanders from the Huras al-Dine mercenaries attended by officers from the Turkish Intelligence Services, and that in the same meeting it was agreed that 30 mercenaries of the Huras al-Dine to be released on the precondition that they be sent to fight the Russian forces''. Sources said they are mostly Iraqis, Chechens, Moroccans and Uzbeks. After they were released they were transferred to the city of Sarmada, on the order with Turkey under commanders of the Tarhir Sham to be sent into Turkish territory then to Ukraine as soon as possible. On the issue, Syrian researcher Ahmed Durzi says: originally, the armed Islamic groups are part of the American project, that was worked upon after the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan''. Turkey moves the mercury groups as it wishes and in line with its interests, and it seems that it is time to use them in Ukraine to face the Russians that led al-Joulani to release these 30 mercenaries according to observers. Ahmed Durzi said: Turkey is a NATO ally that is orchestrated by the U.S. even the Development and Justice Party that fights to remain under the U.S. umbrella as a leader to its project in Turkey, and in its regional periphery, and hence 30 mercenaries were released to be taken to Ukraine, as a first step to magnet the Islamist fighters, to be engaged with Russian forces and Chinese later''. Lately Syrian forces intensified its bombardment on Turkish observation posts in the so-called De-escalation zone in line with a Russian shelling as a step considered a message to Turkey. ''naturally, Russian cannot be engaged in a wider battle in Syria, after the situation in Ukraine, and the change of its military plan. Most what it carries out now is aerial raids on the Islamist terrorist groups based on intelligence information'', Durzi said. ''the Russian intensification against Turkey in Syrian is postponed, and it may never happen, most Russian policies in Syria became now marginal, in waiting the results of the war in Ukraine the war that is not going to end soon, as information signify'', Ahmed Durzi concluded. L..A ANHA The Russia-Europe gas trade is vital to Moscow and European countries, but Russia still holds the cards despite political sanctions. It is all about geopolitics which is the undertone between Moscow and many European countries dependent on supply pumped through pipelines. The Kremlin ensured that the European Union remained dependent on energy throughout the scenario. Europe Dependent on Russian Oil, Gas It is a fact that the bloc needs 40 percent of natural gas from Russia, despite warnings from experts advising against this dependence that was ignored, reported Nature. The Nord Stream 2, a second pipeline that stretches across the Baltic Sea to Germany, was later sanctioned, but the EU is still getting energy despite embargoes. When the gas field was opened up during the USSR era in 1960, it fueled the rebuilding of Europe and increased demand for natural gas and oil. Moscow knew the potential of a gas trade that Europe would find it hard to resist, cited the Conversation. The constant relationship between the Kremlin and the EU in natural gas supply was stable by three factors. They are proven gas reserves and demand for it, but the infrastructure that links them both is crucial. In the 1960s, the expansion of natural gas transportation and usage in Europe was formerly confined to small local networks. Later, the Europeans invested in pipelines for the Russia-Europe gas trade going to Siberia, with western equipment and technical know-how, the Soviet Union's construction of the pipelines. Political sanctions will not easily end this dependence. Read Also: Vladimir Putin: 3 Facts You Didn't Know About Russia's President - From His Judo Records to His KGB Pseudonym It took ten years for communist Russia to make the first gas deliveries that came to Austria way back then. The second period during the 1970s saw more natural gas get delivered to clients in Europe. Natural gas was cheaper and cleaner than oil and coal, which were preferred. Competition from Norway and Britain were undersea gas providers that used centralized systems that were more expensive. Low-cost energy provided by the USSR was preferred by most European countries like Germany and Italy. Pipelines Encourages Monopolies In the 70s, international cooperation was stable, and it took decades to build these spanning pipelines with one or two long-term contracts. This setup allows for the rise of the mutual dependence of provider and buyer. Centralized pipelines encouraged market domination by monopolies in the '70s by the Soviets and European national or regional utilities. Natural gas became a relationship commodity subject to investments, personal contacts, and market shares. Gas trade from 1968 until 1980 was stable until 1981 when the Soviets imposed martial law in Poland, seeking democracy. US President Ronald Reagan placed sanctions on pipeline technology; the US was not affected by the action, noted the Washington Post. The Soviet Union engineered alternative compressor and pipe technology to pump gas because they could not reproduce it. Gas Trade in the 1990s and 2020's This was the third period since the Soviet Union fell in 1991 when Vladimir Putin was the leader in 2000 when Gazprom became state-owned. He wielded natural gas as a geopolitical weapon against the EU before it attacked Ukraine, which the US used to weaken the hold of Russian energy in the bloc. The Russia-Europe gas trade continues despite political sanctions, and the US needs to find a source better than Russian reserves. Related Article: Ukraine Provinces Experience Power, Internet Blackouts After Germany Announces Sanctions on Russia @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Azov Regiment of Ukraine is alleged to be far-right Neo-Nazi sympathizers that Vladimir Putin mentioned as the reason for the special operation. There are 900 known members of the infantry unit that espouses White Supremacist ideologies, according to sources. This is known about this controversial Ukrainian unit engaging Russians in the conflict. What is Azov? The Azov is a volunteer group banded together in May 2014 by the ultra-nationalist Patriot of Ukraine gang and the neo-Nazi Social, national assembly (SNA) group, noted Al Jazeera. They are charged with activities steeped in xenophobia and Nazism, engaged in attacking non-Ukrainian immigrants and any group who would oppose their view, reported Wion News. The battalion of neo-Nazis would be fighting on the front against Donetsk pro-Russian separatists in the East part of their country. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the independence of DPR and LPR; under rebel control when the special operation was done. When the strategic port city of Mariupol got occupied by separatists a few months later, they drove them out. Soon after the unit was decreed to be part of the National Guard of Ukraine on November 12, 2014, then-President Petro Poroshenko praised them. He added they are the best warriors during a 2014 awards ceremony. Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids? Who founded Azov? Andriy Biletsky, the leader of the pro-Ukraine paramilitary group, leads the Patriots of Ukraine and the SNA. Attacks on minorities in Ukraine were supposed to be their handiwork but not proven. According to the Azov leader in 2010, the goal of their group was to lead white supremacists against Jews leading inferior races. He won as a parliament member in 2014 but had to leave the unit because elected officials are prohibited from serving in either military or police. He was an MP until 2019. Azov's Fundings In 2014, Kyiv's interior minister endorsed the unit, understanding that the nation's military was too weak to confront pro-Russian separatists and depended on paramilitary volunteer troops. These soldiers were funded privately by oligarchs. The most well-known of them is Igor Kolomoisky, a billionaire energy entrepreneur and former governor of the Dnipropetrovska region, cited the Vox. Kolomoisky also backed the Dnipro 1 and Dnipro 2 militia groups, including the Aidar and Donbas groups. Early funding and assistance for the neo-Nazi groups were through Serhiy Taruta, billionaire governor of the Donetsk region. Nazi Ideologies In 2015, Andriy Diachenko, the brigade's spokesman at the time, estimated that 10% to 20% of Azov's recruits were Nazis. No one is a follower of Nazism as an ideology, although symbolism like the Hakenkreuz and SS regalia on the group's uniforms. For restoring order in Kyiv, a street patrol from the same unit called the National Druzhyna allegedly attacked the Roma and LGBTQ communities. According to the Human rights violations and war crimes, the nation's office of the high commissioner for Human Rights (OCHA) was committed by the unit in Donbas with other atrocities, including rape and torture. Azov Regiment of Ukraine is supposed to have Nazi sympathizers but is denied by the group despite suspicions raised by those concerned. Related Article: Orban Tells Zelensky To Stop Rhetoric, Asserts To Stay Out of Russia-Ukraine War @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Queen Elizabeth II is the world's longest-reigning queen and a symbol of dignity, elegance, and responsibility. Despite spending decades of her life in front of the camera, Her Majesty is an exceedingly private woman who believes in keeping the monarchy's mystique and has kept her tastes and personal life mostly hidden. Queen Elizabeth's Little-Known Secrets Maybe that's why these eight little-known facts about the loyal wife, adoring grandma, and self-sufficient woman are so endearing, as per Best Life. The Queen and Prince Philip share great-great-grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were first cousins. As a result, they are third cousins. The princess was helping Philip put on her coat for her cousin's wedding in 1946, and the press discovered the link between them. The couple had been secretly engaged for three years until Elizabeth turned 21 when the Palace made the official announcement. Her husband lovingly refers to the Queen as cabbage. Nobody knows for sure, but The Sunday Times speculated in 2006 that it may have come from the French phrase 'mon petit chou,' which means both my 'little cabbage' and my little pastry puff.' Her Majesty is believed to have a daily gin and Dubonnet drink before her noon meal. During her lifetime, the Queen possessed more than 30 Pembroke Welsh corgis, all of which were offspring of Susan, her first corgi. Her Majesty has never taken a driver's test, and her automobiles do not have license plates, but she has always enjoyed driving. She doesn't have a license for one simple reason: she doesn't need one; in the United Kingdom, all licenses are issued in her name. Her Majesty was reluctant to give up driving on public roads, according to the Sunday Times in 2019, but she did so at the urging of her security staff. King George VI initially opposed his daughter joining the army, but he finally gave in. Princess Elizabeth became the first female member of the royal family to join the military when she enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945. Princess Elizabeth met the dashing 18-year-old Philip Mountbatten, who was then a cadet in the British navy when she was merely a pre-teen. While he was at sea, they communicated for several years. Elizabeth knew he was the guy she wanted to marry by the time she was 17. Read Also: Scientists Make Human Skin Cells Act 30 Years Younger That Could Address Diseases of Aging Queen Elizabeth's Handbag Signals On an official visit, Queen Elizabeth II uses her purse to communicate secret signals to members of her entourage, according to Newsweek's The Royal Report podcast. Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston spoke with author and royal critic Kristen Meinzer on the delicate subtleties of the Queen's 'handbag code' in a special episode of the podcast investigating different examples of royal etiquette. "The handbag is not just there to hold precious items for the Queen. It's also to send signals to her team," Meinzer told Royston. If she wishes to make a hasty getaway, the 95-year-old monarch has a signal to use as a last option. Royston and Meinzer used the findings of the monarch's handbag signals as an illustration of broader royal etiquette. The first tip to remember while meeting the Queen, according to Royston, is to avoid hugging her; no physical contact at all until she offers her hand for you to shake. Former First Lady Michelle Obama's first visit to Buckingham Palace in 2011 was an example of a violation of royal hugging etiquette. Obama was photographed placing her arm around the monarch at a banquet for G20 leaders and their spouses, prompting headlines around the Western world accusing her of breaching royal tradition. The Queen, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by this genuine display of affection and reciprocated the gesture by putting her arm around Obama, Newsweek reported. Related Article: Prince Harry's Memoir Might Attack Prince Charles, Camilla as Royal Author Claims Duke Doesn't Want Duchess of Cornwall To Become Queen @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The fossils of a dinosaur that died on the day the killer asteroid struck might reveal what happened 66 million years ago. The fossil evidence has not been this compelling, and it will be a window to a complete picture of how the reptile died. If it were not for the asteroid strike, the dinos would have ruled the earth, and mammals won't have become what they are now. Scientists Discover Fossil of Dinosaur Leg The discovery of a complete leg belonging to a Thescelosaurus with the skin was still intact when the mass extinction event occurred. The impact surged seas and material that killed all creatures then, mentioned the BBC. When a 7.5-mile-wide asteroid the size of Mount Everest smashed into the Gulf of Mexico, it killed out all non-avian dinosaurs globally, reported Science Alert. The fossils were discovered in the Tanis site in South Dakota, with Thescelosaurus leg and Triceratops skin as seen in a video. More preserved specimens discovered at the site are a fish, turtle, and even a pterosaur embryo in its egg, as seen in GSA. Scientists believe that the asteroid's cataclysmic impact churned up tiny glass-like particles of molten rock trapped in the gills of fish fossilized remains at the spot mentioned in PNAS. Robert DePalma (study lead), a graduate student from the University of Manchester, said the details were preserved and trapped in time. Prof Phil Manning, DePalma's Ph.D. supervisor at Manchester, told the BBC that it was a fantastic find that was unique in his career. These fossils of dinosaurs are the most intact alleged of the fatal asteroid impact. Read Also: NASA Hubble Image Shows Stunning View of Farthest Star Seen; Is it Also the Oldest? The fossils were featured in a documentary by David Attenborough that was filmed in three years and released on April 15. Scientists Probe Into the Fossil Discovered Robert DePalma, a relative of film director Brian De Palma, is shown in the BBC program wearing an Indiana Jones-style fedora and a tan shirt. It was him who called the site Tanis. All the evidence from Tanis and the documentary was considered controversial. Outlets like The New Yorker drew attention in 2019 before academic peers read them. Unlike most paleontologists who are handed off when institutions get hold of specimens, DePalma exerted control over how the fossil was to be presented. He responded to Kate Wong, science editor of Scientific American, and he posted in a tweet that there were skeptics; who weren't fully convinced yet. Since then, a few peer-reviewed studies have been available, and the dig team has expected more. Consultants have been hired to check out the specimens. Prof. Paul Barrett of the Natural History Museum in London analyzed the leg and determined that it belongs to a Thescelosaurus that died instantly. He added that it came from an unknown group seen before and looked like the scaly lizards; but not feathered. Prof Steve Brusatte, an outside expert from the University of Edinburgh who worked on the documentary, was skeptical about the discovery. He called the spherules in the gills not enough; it should be studied more. Hypothesized that some of the animals may have died before the event happened, to be excavated and buried again by the collision. The fossils of dinosaur could be evidence of the fatal asteroid strike but still needs verification to be done. Related Article: Cockroaches Remained Crawling on Earth When the Asteroid Killed the Dinosaurs Which Proves Ability To Survive After Human Extinction @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The MiG-21 Bison Soviet fighter has carved a reputation with the Indian Air Force (IAF) that took part in the 2004 Cope India Field Training Exercise (FTE). They participated in the Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT), where two types of planes were engaged in simulated combat. The drill took place 241 km south of Delhi in Gwalior with US Air Force (USAF) to train Indian pilots via the Tactics Air Combat Development Establishment. Combat Exercises Between US, Indian Air Force With their F-15 Eagles, over 150 airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska participated in the drill. The Mirage 2000s, MiG-21s, MiG-27s, and SU-30s are among the IAF aircraft that participated in the exercise, reported the EurAsian Times. According to the Times of India, the IAF was able to defeat the F-15 Eagles with their aged Soviet fighters. Indian pilots shot down the top guns of the US air fleet. From the MIG-21 Fishbed, an older Russian-made fighter, the Indian Russian fighter is the enhanced version called the MIG-21 Bison. Improvements to the avionics and weapons include a French navigation suite, even with Israeli-made counter electronic measures; last is the multiple tracking Hazotron Kopyo radar. Armaments mounted on it are Vympel R-77 radar-guided missiles beyond visual range and R-73 Archer air-to-air missiles linked to a helmet system for targeting. However, it is an old model that was able to fight toe to toe with the modern F-15s. Col. Mike Snodgrass, commander of the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, remarked the IAF MiG-21 were better than expected. The combined training and better hardware caused the eagles to be surprised. Read Also: Donald Trump Children: What You Need to Know About the 5 Trump Kids Indian Air ForceCompetent Pilots Indian pilots were innovative and versatile, which took US pilots by surprise and made the Americans reconsider their initial assessment of the IAF. One comment by Maj. Mark A. Snowden, of the 3rd Wing's chief of air-to-air tactics, was in the exercises; he added that the tactics used by Indian pilots were better than expected. How the IAF pilots got their skills with some training with the French and flying at that level of skill made the US wonder what happened. According to the IAF planners, they responded to the tactics used by Americans; changed tactics on the fly, which their partners did not expect. Snowden observed the way the Indians adapted. Indian pilots at the Gwalior airbase had Bisons as fighter escorts with MiG-27 Floggers as their strikers, mentioned Air Force Technology. Throughout the air drills, the Indian pilots would analyze and decide how to outfly the F-15s. It was hard for the US pilots to keep track of what was done by the IAF, which confused them. The US pilots commented how they used the Flogger and the Bison for better protection, using the data link in the floggers to coordinate all the assets of the IAF. Snowden said they did an excellent job bringing in their aircraft, knowing what to do at the right time. Vinod Patney, retired Indian Air Force Marshal and ex-vice chief of staff, remarked that the COPE was a success for the IAF and all its units working together, noted the CS Monitor. Some of the US pilots said limitations were imposed on the F-15s to equalize the chances of the IAFs MiG-21 Bison against them. Allowing a handicap on the US plane was reported. Related Article: China's L-15 Falcon Light Fighter Jet To Replace MiG-23s as Ethiopian Air Force's Upgraded, Modernized Planes @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. No Chinese nationals hurt in New York subway station shooting: FM (People's Daily App) 11:08, April 14, 2022 The Chinese Consulate General has not received any information about Chinese nationals killed or injured in the New York subway station shooting. China always opposes and condemns gun violence and expressed condolences to the injured and their families, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said on Wednesday. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that a recurrence of tragedies like the Brooklyn subway station shooting was linked to the long-standing problem of the overabundance of guns and gun violence in the US. In the first three months of this year, at least 10,362 people have died from gun violence in the United States including 131 mass shootings, he noted. The shooting came on the same day that the US State Department released its 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices which criticized other countries human rights situations while making no mention of its own deteriorating human rights situation, Zhao said. The US government can by no means lecture others on human rights, Zhao said. What it should do is stop passing judgment on other countries human rights conditions and do something concrete to improve the poor human rights conditions within its borders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate General in New York would continue to follow the incident, he said. We also remind Chinese citizens in the US to raise awareness of the risks and protect their own safety, Zhao said. (Compiled by Meng Gaohan) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, more commonly known as NATO, which is currently one of the possible reasons for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was created in 1949, but for what reason? Several countries banded together to form the treaty, including the United States, Canada, and many other Western European nations. The group was made in an attempt to provide collective security against the Soviet Union, which was dominated by Russia. History of NATO NATO became the first-ever peacetime military alliance that the United States has chosen to be a part of the outside of the Western Hemisphere. European nations struggled after the destruction brought by the Second World War to rebuild their economies and ensure the safety of their people. The U.S. required a massive influx of international support for the war-torn landscapes to re-establish industries and produce food for citizens. On the other hand, European countries needed assurances against a resurgent Germany or incursions from the Soviet Union into its territory, as per the U.S. State Department. But the origins of NATO actually date back to 1947, two years before the treaty was officially created by several nations. It was the time when the United Kingdom and France signed the Treaty of Dunkirk as an alliance in order to fight back the eventuality of a German attack in the aftermath of the war. Read Also: Russian Navy Live-Fire Drills in the Baltic Sea Causes NATO To Shudder, Adds Tension To Western Provocation Originally, there were 12 founding members, which include the two nations mentioned above but also the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal. A couple of years later, four more countries joined the treaty, namely Greece, Turkey, Germany, and Spain. According to DW News, in article 5 of the charter, the collective defense clause said that the involved parties agreed that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. Since then, article 5 has only been invoked by the U.S. once, in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Members States of the Treaty In response to the treaty, the Soviet Union created its own military alliance with seven other Eastern European communist states, leading to the birth of the Warsaw Pact in 1955. However, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the chaos that ensued in 1991, a new post-Cold War security order was made in Europe. The situation resulted in many Warsaw Pact members switching sides and becoming a part of NATO instead. In 1999, Visegrad Group members Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic switched sides. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, which make up the so-called Vilnius Group, were admitted into the treaty in 2004. At the beginning of the 21st century, Russia and NATO formed a strategic relationship with each other. Moscow used its power and reputation to cement a new cooperative bond with the Treat in 2001 to address common concerns such as international terrorism, nuclear nonproliferation, and arms control. The bond was subsequently subject to fraying, primarily due to many reasons that were associated with Russian domestic politics, as per Britannica. Related Article: Vladimir Putin Says Russia Will Do Anything to Protect Itself Against NATO, Ukraine Aggression @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke out against the US world domination, which is what the special operation in Donbas was all about. He called the actions of Washington a constant violation of international law, he claimed. This statement last Monday encapsulated why the response of Moscow is to send a message to the US that it won't allow it. Russia Calls To End US World Domination Lavrov made it clear that the US has long been interpreting ad hoc rules and not following international law, implicating the actions in Ukraine as an example, reported the Daily Telegraph. This struggle is seen by the efforts of Moscow and Beijing to show their rejection of the rules-based international order that allows the US to influence other countries despite their disapproval. He spoke on the Rossiya 24 news channel and reiterated the special operation in Donbas to stop the illegal expansion of NATO. It is an example of seeking full hegemony of Washington, cited Business Insider India. Hegemony is based on alleged violations of international law and a set of standards that they are presently promoting and making up on a case-by-case basis. Equality Among Nations Moscow has remained independent regardless of what happens, he added. It will only be a member of an international community of equals, remarked Lavrov, and will not allow Western nations to discount its genuine security concerns. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained that the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell instead of stopping the conflict has only made statements to intensify the combat in Ukraine, which is an unwanted result of US world domination. Read Also: Vladimir Putin Children: Does Russia's President Have Kids? A bloc diplomat stressed that NATO would have to be fought and won on the battlefield and said more military hardware would be given to the Ukrainians. Borrell might have either misspoken or spoken thinking, issuing a foolish remark nobody had prompted him to make, noted India. The EU has been flip-flopping throughout the Ukraine security crisis, said the foreign minister. Brussels was not keen to get into a military situation, but they are now. Lavrov mentioned the bloc dropped its no intervention because Washington put pressure on their leaders to get into with NATO. Before this, the EU was very vocal about not giving arms to Kyiv, though some members like Hungary, Germany, and France are openly hesitant to get backlash at some point. He stressed that Moscow wants peace with Kyiv, but something is stopping it. The Minsk agreement Due to the violations of the agreement that Ukraine should have implemented that was ratified in 2014 when Lugansk and Donetsk were pro-Russian republics. Conventions negotiated by Germany and France are designed to normalize the status of certain regions within the Ukrainian state. Before the special operation in the Donbas was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned Kyiv to keep a neutral status and not join the US-led NATO. Still, Ukrainian leaders deny it as their provocation that led to the conflict; even as Russia got evidence, Kyiv would send Neo-Nazi and ultranationalists to attack the DPR and LPR, which would have led to more civilian deaths. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the conflict is caused by alleged US world domination using Ukraine in a proxy war that could be avoided, even pressuring the EU into an unwanted conflict. Related Article: Former Russian President Warns That Economic Sanctions Imposed To Punish Vladimir Putin Will Backfire on the West @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Prime Minister Viktor Orban made it clear that a Hungary-EU Row is about him winning the elections in the first place. Orban's support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the pressure to cut Russian oil are the issues Brussels has pushed against him. Now the European Council is making an unprecedented move directed against the Hungarian leader. EU Pressures Budapest Hungary is the target of Brussels because of the dominant victory of the PM in the concluded election, reported the Express UK. A new disciplinary procedure against Budapest was begun by the European Council that might stop EU funds due to charges that a case of compromising liberal democratic rights led to the dismal defeat of a pro-EU party. An EU official expects the PM to identify as an illiberal to make declarations about the bloc. So much so that officials acknowledged the fourth electoral victory of Mr. Orban as uncontested. His victory came despite years of EU criticism that he was eroding liberal democratic rights and accusations that he was enriching his allies with EU funding, noted Reuters. EU Goes After Orban According to the EU Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke to MEPs a week ago, saying that Hungary has committed corruption, cited Euronews. She added that a formal notification letter to start the conditionality mechanism would be started. Gergely Gulyas, the chief of staff Gergely Gulyas told state news agency MTI the dominant Fidesz party won 2.9 million votes in the Sunday elections, which is a very strong mandate for Prime Minister Viktor Orban that the Hungary-EU Row wants to make something off. Read Also: Vladimir Putin: 3 Facts You Didn't Know About Russia's President - From His Judo Records to His KGB Pseudonym The PM called out the European Commission because it could not accept his win over opponents leaning toward Brussels in major setback over the current political situation regarding Ukraine. Gulyas remarked that the Commission does not accept the election result as a basic rule of democracy, not letting subjectivity happen. He said the council should consider common sense and dialogue, not what it is resorting to. Hungary's currency, the forint, crashed as the funds for Budapest might be cut off or reduced due to the actions of the body. An insider told Reuters it would take months for the Commission to finish internal work on the issue and present it to the EU's national leaders for a judgment. EU is pushing its new tool, designed to stop the misuse of EU budget funding, to the trial for the first occasion. When it was established in 2020, all the 26 EU leaders accepted it, but the Hungarian PM and allies weren't all for it. Luxembourg is the meeting place for all EU affairs ministers under the General Affairs Council, which is the venue for discussion after the announcement by Von der Leyen. Richer EU members want to guarantee that all funds are used correctly for Warsaw and Budapest's benefit. But these rich members are not paying if their conditions are not met. An unnamed EU diplomat said it should be done right; for the future. Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the Hungary-EU Row a sign of no unity in the bloc, especially with Washington pressuring Brussels to its agenda and them complying. Related Article: Orban Tells Zelensky To Stop Rhetoric, Asserts To Stay Out of Russia-Ukraine War @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Frank R. James, the man accused of carrying out the bloodiest attack on New York's subway system in years, was apprehended Wednesday, more than 24 hours after a massive manhunt began when at least ten people were shot at a Brooklyn train station. Brooklyn Subway Shooting Suspect Arrested Per the New York Times, the police commissioner stated, "There was nowhere left for him to run." Officials say James was detained in the East Village and accused of committing a terrorist act on a mass transit system in a criminal complaint. James may face life in prison if convicted, according to Breon S. Peace, the US attorney for New York's Eastern District, who presented the accusations. James was brought in handcuffs out of the Ninth Precinct on East 5th Street Wednesday afternoon, dressed in a solid blue shirt and black jeans. On Thursday, he is scheduled to appear in federal court. James's lawyer, who the court chose, did not immediately reply to calls for comment. Officials claimed James was captured due to a tip from a McDonald's at 6th Street and First Avenue. The arrest, which sparked a flood of videos and tweets from those who saw the arrest or said they helped identify James, brought an end to a manhunt that began during rush hour on Tuesday morning when a gunshot in the Sunset Park subway station injured at least 23 people. Officials said James, who was wearing a construction worker's helmet and vest as well as a gas mask, tossed two smoke grenades into the floor of an N train as it entered the station at 8:30 a.m. and then opened fire. Tuesday. Officials claimed James exited the N train after the attack and boarded a local R train across the platform, where some of his victims had already fled. He exited the subway at the following stop, 25th Street, and went on the run for more than a day. Locals were scared and shaken by an early-morning FBI raid on a Philadelphia Airbnb that alleged Brooklyn subway gunman Frank James rented out, but the investigators came up empty-handed. Joseph Gillooly, 46, a neighbor, claimed nearby streets were sealed off and that officers "fired tear gas into the building three times." The authorities found two empty magazines and ammo, but no James, according to the FBI. Locals claimed to know nothing about the fugitive but claimed to have seen him at least once, the NY Post reported. Read Also: Brooklyn Subway Shooting: Suspect Description Revealed as Manhunt Begins, Attack Not Act of Terrorism Frank James Has 9 Past Criminal Charges The New York Police Department has disclosed that subway shooting suspect Frank James has a long criminal past in New York and New Jersey, dating back over three decades. On Wednesday, James was apprehended on 1st Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets when a bystander recognized him and reported him to police. His capture on Wednesday brought an end to the FBI's and NYPD's humiliating and failed day-long manhunt. James, who had six arrests in New York between 1992 and 1998, was "known to us," according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig. James' rap sheet included no felony arrests, only a series of nine misdemeanor charges, including two sex crime charges and four possession of burglary tool charges in New York between 1992 and 1998, police said. He was charged with trespassing in 1991, theft in 1992, and disorderly conduct in 2007, according to police in New Jersey. As he was led by police outside the Ninth Precinct in Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon, James was observed grinning. Now that he's been apprehended, the focus will shift to why it took the cops so long to discover him in a city littered with video cameras and why it took a citizen to bring him down finally. When he opened fire on the northbound N train at 8.24 a.m., the cameras inside the 36th Street station were not working. James, 62, was known for his YouTube rants against violence, racism, Eric Adams, and crime in New York City, as per Daily Mail. Related Article: Brooklyn Subway Shooting: Person of Interest Frank James Has Ties to Milwaukee; $50,000 Reward Offered for Any Info to Arrest the Suspect @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A massive solar storm is set to hit Earth soon as the Sun is expected to release a large amount of plasma, raising questions on how big will the impact be and when can we expect to be hit by it? The incident is expected to hit our planet by Thursday and is a coronal mass ejection, which is a release of plasma and magnetic energy from our solar system's star's dying sunspot, which is called AR2987. These sunspots are relatively cool areas on the Sun's surface that are caused by the huge power of its magnetic field interfering with the convection process. Massive Solar Storm This particular sunspot released the energy, a C-class solar flare, on Apr. 11 and is expected to reach the Earth by Apr. 14. When it strikes our planet, it could potentially cause a geomagnetic storm. Fortunately, the ejection is only classified as a "moderate" impact and is not considered a threat. Power systems on our planet could experience voltage alarms, spacecraft could experience drag, and auroras could be spotted in cities like New York and Idaho once the energy reaches us, as per Independent. Currently, our Sun is experiencing an increase in solar activity as part of its solar cycle, which typically lasts 11 years and is filled with eruptions and bursts of radiation. Experts say that the number of sunspots they could see in this cycle is rising and will hit its peak in 2025. Read Also: NASA Hubble Image Captures Biggest Comet Ever Spotted; When Will It Get Close to Sun, Earth? NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have monitored our star's CME emissions. Authorities predicted that the storm might intensify after it hits our planet due to the extremely rapid solar wind stream. According to Weather, the Centre of Excellence in Space Sciences India (CESSI) posted a tweet where they said a model they created indicated a very high probability that the impact on Apr. 14 will have speeds ranging from 429 to 575 kilometers per second. The agency added that solar wind and near-Earth space environmental conditions were returning to normal levels. Effects on the Earth The massive geomagnetic storm is capable of damaging the Earth's electric grid and other resources. This situation could cause a large-scale blackout in several regions on the planet and is expected to reach G-2 levels in higher altitude places. A well-known space weather physicist, Dr. Tamitha Skov, posted on Twitter about the expected filament eruption in the Earth-Strike zone. She said that the incident is expected to cause auroras down to mid-latitudes resulting in sporadic disruptions of GPS reception $ amateur radio propagation, especially on the planet's nightside, DNA India reported. While significant, the solar storm is not expected to be dangerous due to all of the harmful ultraviolet, infrared, and gamma radiation released will be absorbed by the planet's atmosphere. Experts said there was no direct threat to humans on the planet. The G-2 level is founded on a scale from G-1 to G-5 where G-1 is the lowest level storm with minimal impact while G-5 is the highest and is an extremely powerful solar storm with severe damage potential, as per Hindustan Times. Related Article: Colossal Ancient Impact on the Moon Explains How the Near, Far Side Differs From Each Other @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Germany's top forecasters warned on Wednesday that, if its supply of Russian natural gas was abruptly cut off, the country would enter a devastating recession. According to an analysis by five German economic institutions, the country would lose 220 billion euros ($238 billion) in economic production over the next two years if such a shock occurred. In 2022, German GDP will grow by only 1.9 percent before contracting by 2.2 percent in 2023. If the gas keeps flowing, growth will be 2.7 percent this year. Russian Energy Cut Would Put Europe Into a "Severe Recession" Stefan Kooths, research director at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and one of the report's authors, said that cutting Russian gas would send Europe's largest economy into a "severe recession." For the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine, revelations of crimes perpetrated in Bucha when the suburb of Kyiv was under Russian control spurred the European Union to ratchet up economic penalties on Moscow and target Russia's huge energy exports. All Russian coal imports will be phased out, according to EU leaders. According to CNN Business, coal will be prohibited by August. Some EU officials have advocated for action on Russian oil and gas exports, and a new sixth round of sanctions is already being discussed. However, a ban on Russian gas in the near future would be disastrous for Germany, which depends on Russia for around 46% of its natural gas in 2020, according to the International Energy Agency. The fuel is used to heat houses, create electricity, and power factories. The European Union is already attempting to reduce Russian gas imports by 66% this year, with the goal of being completely independent of Russian energy by 2027, The Financial Times reported. According to Germany's leading economic institutions, a full EU energy embargo would cause a significant recession, with output falling by 2.2 percent next year and almost 400,000 jobs being lost. The latest prediction, announced on Wednesday, was more dismal than most previous economic analyses, providing cover for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's cabinet to oppose calls for an immediate embargo on Russian oil and gas imports, which Germany relies heavily on. Last week, the EU agreed to an embargo on Russian coal imports beginning in August. Some EU member states have asked for the group to go even farther and restrict oil and gas imports, but Berlin has refused, claiming that such a step would be too costly economically. An immediate Russian energy embargo, according to Marcel Fratzscher, chairman of the German Institute for Economic Research, would "have a considerably longer lasting impact and do more collateral damage to the economy than the pandemic, when workers were rehired rather fast." Robert Habeck, Germany's minister of economy and climate change, took to Instagram late last month to urge Germans to save energy, stating that every cubic meter of gas saved increased the country's independence from Russia. Read Also: Vladimir Putin Admits Peace Talks To End Russia-Ukraine War, Fires Back at US Involvement Germany's Solution To Use Less Russian Energy Some people, on the other hand, urge the government to adopt more tangible measures to encourage energy efficiency. For example, the German Federation of Sustainable Economy is advocating for a speed restriction on German highways that do not have one, such as the legendary autobahn. Last week, Germany's ruling coalition published a legislative package aimed at hastening the country's transition to renewable energy over the next ten years. However, Berlin insists that "going cold turkey on fossil fuels from Russia would cause a major, rapid upheaval," as Germany's ambassador to the US, Emily Haber, tweeted on Wednesday. "You can't turn on and off contemporary industrial plants like a light switch." She went on to say that Russian President Vladimir Putin's rationale for attacking Ukraine is "not the result of a classic cost-benefit analysis." She said that cutting off energy imports would have unclear consequences for Russia, but that the impact on the German economy would have global ramifications, as per The World via MSN. Related Article: France Banishes 6 Suspected Russian Spies To Counter Espionage, Declares Them Persona Non Grata @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said that the country was willing to sell its oil at almost any price to friendly nations as the world's top oil trader is set to stop buying Moscow's supply over its continued invasion of Ukraine. The official commented on oil price forecasts by saying that authorities will soon revise them in light of the changes in the geopolitical and economic situation. Furthermore, Shulginov said while a price range of between $80 and $150 per barrel of crude was possible, Russia was willing to negotiate other prices because its priority was keeping its oil industry running. Russian Oil Price In a separate interview, the official commented on news regarding foreign companies planning to exit from the Russian energy industry. Shulginov said that that situation was, for now, only hypothetical and not a reflection of the truth. He said that he first needed to find a buyer for the Russian businesses, as per OilPrice. The Russian energy minister's remarks suggest that sanctions, although not directly targeting the country's oil industry, have begun affecting the economy. The sanctions have resulted in lower sales, potentially forcing Moscow to shut down wells due to running out of storage space and new facilities are constantly being built quickly. Read Also: Vladimir Putin Admits Peace Talks To End Russia-Ukraine War, Fires Back at US Involvement The chair of the Russian State Duma's committee on energy, Pavel Zavalny, previously identified China and Turkey as two nations that Moscow still considered "friendly." On the other hand, China and India still continue to buy shipments from Russia despite Western sanctions. According to the New York Post, the West is struggling to severely cut off Russia's oil exports due to the European Union's heavy reliance on the supply. Russian President Vladimir Putin is now requiring Western countries who want to purchase its oil and gas supply to pay for them in rubles, the country's currency. Avoiding Moscow's Energy Supply The situation comes as the Vitol Group, the top oil trader in the world, indicated it would stop trading Russian crude oil and products by the end of the year. Furthermore, the Dutch energy and commodities trading company plans to not enter any new Russian crude and product transactions, a source with knowledge of the situation said. The company declined to comment on the issue other than confirming the accuracy of an article that was published beforehand talking about the decision. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, several countries have announced bans on Russian oil, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Several major companies, such as Shell, TotalEnergies, and Nestle, have also stopped purchasing Russian crude or plan to do so by the end of the year. A wider de facto embargo has also taken place as banks, traders, shippers, and insurance companies are trying to avoid falling foul of Western financial sanctions. Western sanctions have caused Russian oil to become toxic for many buyers, forcing its benchmark Urals crude to be traded at an even wider discount on the world market. It is now worth $34 per barrel less than Brent crude, CNN reported. Related Article: Russia Warns of Legal Action as Credit Ratings Agency Claims Moscow Is in 'Selective Default' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Bucha massacre was not credible and propped to paint Russia as an evil regime. He called the alleged killing as fake as the chemical attack that was supposed to be perpetrated in Syria. It was an attempt to turn world opinion against Moscow as an underhanded stratagem used by Kyiv and Washington. Putin Claims Bucha Massacre as Fake In a joint press conference with Belarus Leader Alexander Lukashenko last Tuesday, Putin remarked that it was not Russians who committed the atrocity of killing Bucha residents. The blame is on the Ukrainian Neo-Nazis and Ultranationalists, reported the Daily Telegraph. The Russian leader said he had spoken to western counterparts about it. Whenever they say Bucha, he would ask them if they visited Raqqa as an answer. It references the city in Syria that suffered a total bombing that killed civilians as collateral damage. No one removed the dead for months in the bombed ruins in one incident in Afghanistan where civilians were slain. He added there was no such silence when they orchestrated provocations in Syria when they fantasized about the Assad administration using chemical weapons. Then it was established that it was a fraud, just like Bucha, cited Islam Times. Russian intelligence has already acquired evidence from their Belarusian counterparts that Bucha mass killing, which has been dubbed a "massacre," was faked. But the materials were not elaborated on any further. Bucha Massacre Was Staged War Crime Early in April, Bucha attracted notoriety after Russian troops departed from the outskirts of Kyiv and Ukrainian troops marched in, recovering hundreds of dead civilians in the town, noted Sky News. Vladimir Putin disagreed with the western claim about the Bucha massacre and charged foul play to further the narrative of the west. Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids? Kyiv authorities swiftly blamed the claimed atrocity on the Russian military, as prominent Western politicians rushed to back Ukraine and embellish its version of events. The neighborhood became a magnet for European leaders to express their support for Ukraine and condemn war crimes by Moscow. Putin chose to pre-empt the pro-Ukraine forces if it was not for the refusal of Kyiv to recognize the Minsk pact agreed in 2014; Moscow acknowledged the DPR and LPR as independent republics. It was reached with the help of Berlin and Paris to settle the separation of these provinces from Ukraine. Moscow asked Kyiv to be a neutral state and not try to join the western military alliance or cross a red line. The Kremlin charged that the special operation was done to stop Kyiv, which denied it would attack DPR and LPR with western equipment in a planned offensive. The staged war crime could forever mar peace talks Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the atrocity was done to stagger progress in the peace negotiations in Istanbul, mentioned Far News. He adds that the allegedly undermining ongoing negotiations is motivation enough. And to do it precisely at the moment when a breakthrough could happen. On March 29, the Ukrainian side proposed a written picture of how the treaty may appear in Ukraine's standing and security guarantees for the first time in the entire period of discussions. Lavrov said that Kyiv was ready to be neutral to the west. Another is the Ukrainians would have refused to deploy weapons in a treaty with Moscow as a guarantor. But the atrocity was done to stop it by interested parties in the war. Vladimir Putin wanted to end hostilities, but the Bucha massacre has cut it short; the west is an active hand prolonging the conflict. Related Article: Russian Ministry of Defense Claims They Eliminated Top Neo-Nazi Commander in Ukraine @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has been removed from North Carolina's voter rolls amid an investigation that seeks to determine whether the official committed voter fraud, authorities said. The former North Carolina congressman and Trump adviser was removed from his state's voter rolls after it was revealed that he registered to vote in September 2020 at a mobile home in Scaly Mountain, N.C. despite not residing there. Meadows Removed From Voter Rolls A spokesperson for the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Patrick Gannon, said that the Macon County Board of Elections already moved to remove the official from the rolls for the reason that he last voted in Virginia in 2021. In a statement, Gannon said that the board administratively removed Meadows from the rolls on Apr. 11 after documents showed he was living in Virginia in 2021 and voted there at the time. He added that there was no formal challenge sent to the Macon County Board of Elections. They then referred questions regarding the issue to the State Bureau of Investigation, as per The Hill. The director of the Macon County Board of Elections, Melanie Thibault, who confirmed the removal of Meadows, said that Virginia did not inform the board that the former Trump Chief of Staff registered to vote in that state. Read Also: Mitch McConnell Warns GOP Could Screw Up Senate Takeover in Midterm Election with "Unacceptable Candidates" A spokesperson for Meadows declined to comment on questions regarding his removal from the North Carolina voter rolls. The last time that Meadows voted in the 2020 general election in the state was through an absentee vote by mail. The absentee ballot request form for the official was submitted in the first week of October 2020. According to CNN, there were previous reports that Meadows' wife, Debra, dropped her husband's completed ballot at an early voting location on Oct. 26, 2020. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation confirmed last month that its special investigations unit was looking into the allegations of voter fraud against the former congressman. Voter Fraud Investigation While he was working under former United States President Donald Trump's chief of staff, Meadows helped promote the Republican businessman's baseless claims that the 2020 elections were filled with voter fraud. Three weeks before North Carolina's deadline for the 2020 general election, Meadows listed his residential address as a 14-by-62-foot mobile home. Neither the home nor the property with that address belonged to him and it was unclear if he ever spent one night inside the home. The small mobile home belonged to a Lowe's retail manager who bought it from a widow living in Florida last summer. The woman, who was not identified by name, said that she had no idea Meadows listed the property as his address in his voter registration form. If authorities find Meadows guilty of committing voter fraud, it would be at odds with his previous harsh criticisms of Democrats. He and many of Trump's allies have repeatedly warned of potential voter fraud that led up to the 2020 presidential elections. He also described the incident in his book "The Chief's Chief," which was published in December, the Washington Post reported. Related Article: New York Lt. Gov. Benjamin Resigns After Arrest on Bribery Charges, Remains on Primary Ballot @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The once married couple, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, is suing each other in a multi-million dollar libel action over an article Amber Heard, 35, wrote for The Washington Post in 2018 in which she recounted her experiences with domestic abuse. According to Court TV, the trial began on April 11 in Fairfax County, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., with a panel of 11 - seven jurors and four alternates - selected. Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for $50 million, saying that she defamed him in a December 2018. She claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse in the article, a claim she originally made during their acrimonious divorce proceedings in Los Angeles in 2016. Because their divorce was settled out of court in the middle of a media frenzy, Amber Heard was never able to establish she was assaulted. "Neither party has made false charges for financial benefit and there was never any purpose of physical or mental damage. Amber wishes Johnny the best in the future," their joint statement stated. The trial's opening remarks began on April 12 and established the tone for what is sure to be a fruitless struggle. Here's what transpired thus far in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial: Johnny Depp's Friend Testifies According to Metro, a close friend of Johnny Depp described how the actor's life has been "wrecked" by his long-running court fights with ex-wife Amber Heard. As he testified in Virginia's Fairfax County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Isaac Baruch, an artist who has known Depp for 40 years, said Heard's "false narrative" had "gone out the door and across the world." Baruch also voiced his dissatisfaction with the "lengthy" processes, claiming that Heard should accept responsibility, heal, and move on. Depp's lawyers also allege that the story erroneously indicates that he physically and sexually assaulted Heard during their marriage. However, the piece does not name the Pirates of the Caribbean star, and Heard's attorneys claim that she is protected by the US constitution's first amendment, which guarantees freedom of expression. Read Also: Kanye West Seeks To Be a Better Human, Dad as Rapper Heals From Stress Following Feud with Ex-Wife Kim Kardashian Actor Allegedly Has Painkiller Addiction, Anger Issues According to his multimillion-dollar lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, Johnny Depp was a painkiller addict; his doctor also felt that he had anger issues. Christi Dembrowski, Depp's 61-year-old sister, said during the trial in Fairfax, Virginia, that Depp's doctor had warned her in an email that he accepted "no accountability for his behavior," as per The Sun. Dr. David Klipper described Depp as "pessimistic he would ever be able to quit using narcotics," according to Dembrowski, who used to be Depp's manager. Johnny Depp Texted About Amber Heard's "Rotting Corpse" Elaine Bredehoft, Heard's lawyer, disclosed communications between Johnny Depp and Isaac Baruch during cross-examination. According to reports, the actor told Baruch that he hoped Heard's rotten corpse was decomposing in the car. The texts were purportedly exchanged in 2016, and Baruch attempted to dismiss them in court. According to the New York Post, that statement caused a wave of laughter throughout the courtroom. In 2020, Depp's libel action against the British tabloid The Sun resulted in the publication of similar writings. Amber Heard's Domestic Violence Claims Are Fake, Says Close Friend Baruch, who shared a penthouse apartment with Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, said in court that he had never seen any violence and had never seen Heard with any bruises or marks but that he was aware of two fights. Johnny Depp's childhood friend grew upset when asked if he was angry with Heard, adding the actress had concocted a "fraudulent domestic violence accusation to extort and blackmail a man," Sky News reported. The actor's attorneys said his ex was prepared for "the performance of a lifetime" during the trial, while her legal team said the case will reveal the "true" person behind the "fame" and "pirate costumes" in the opening remarks on Tuesday. During the hearing, Heard's lawyers also informed the jury that they would hear evidence of physical and sexual assault. Depp has categorically denied the charges. Both he and Heard are expected to testify throughout the trial, which is expected to last six weeks. On the witness list are actors Paul Bettany and James Franco, as well as tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Related Article: Johnny Depp-Amber Heard $100 Million Lawsuit: Elon Musk, James Franco To Testify in Televised Court Battle @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chinese envoy urges Japan to face up to history on issue of "comfort women" Xinhua) 13:07, April 14, 2022 UNITED NATIONS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday urged Japan to face up to history on the issue of "comfort women" in World War II. Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the appeal at a Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence. Nadia Murad, an Iraqi female winner of Noble Prize from the Iraqi Yazidi minority in Baghdad, briefed the council on Wednesday. As a survivor of sexual violence by the Islamic State terrorist group, she has been seeking accountability and justice for over seven years for Yazidi survivors of Iraq like her. "In East Asia, there is also a group of victims of sexual violence in conflict, who have been living with nightmare memories, but have not been able to get justice even till their deaths," he said. "This group is the 'comfort women' forcibly drafted by the Japanese army during World War II." During that period, hundreds of thousands of women and girls from China, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia and other countries and regions were forcibly conscripted by Japanese militarists as sex slaves and experienced horrific sexual violence, both mentally and physically, he noted. However, for decades, some forces in Japan have stubbornly adhered to misconceptions and attempted to deny and whitewash its history of aggression. As recent as last month, some of the textbooks approved by the Japanese government once again blurred historical facts through the play of words, attempting to downplay and evade the historical guilt of forced recruitment of "comfort women," he said. "We solemnly urge Japan to face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, handle issues left over from history, such as the forced drafting of 'comfort women,' in a responsible manner, bring justice to the victims and survivors, and be accountable to the people of the invaded countries, so as not to further lose trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community," said Dai. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Western law enforcement announced on Tuesday, April 12, that an online marketplace that was used to buy and sell hacked and stolen personal data belonging to millions of people has been shut down. Law enforcement in Europe and the U.S. said that RaidForums stored sensitive financial information, including millions of credit card numbers and other sensitive data belonging to Americans and others all over the world, and acted as a major online marketplace for hackers. How Did Criminal Marketplace RaidForums Operate? RaidForums was founded in 2015 and quickly rose to fame among criminals by providing access to high-profile database leaks that could be exploited to facilitate crimes like fraud. But there's a catch. It was discovered on the open web rather than the darknet, as per the report of Yahoo. Europol said that RaidForums had over 530,000 visitors, making it one of the largest illicit markets of its sort in the world, and a potent tool for low to mid-level cybercriminals. Its data was gathered as a result of data breaches and other cybercrimes during the last few years. Read Also: Cyber Hackers Infect Themselves With Own BADNEWS RAT; Exposes Operations CNET mentioned that the U.S. Department of Justice said that the hundreds of databases contained stolen bank routing and account information, login credentials, and Social Security numbers, in addition to credit card numbers. Information taken from U.K. companies was among the data that hackers bought and sold. Investigators discovered that the RaidForums had a membership scheme in place. Its users have to pay up to 10 euros for access to chatrooms where they could share images and material related to cybercrime. People Who Were Allegedly Involved in RaidForums Got Arrested According to Yahoo, Diego Santos Coelho, the founder and chief administrator of RaidForums, was detained in the U.K. on January 31 at the U.S.' request and remains in custody pending extradition. Coelho is charged with conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft in a six-count indictment. According to the indictment, Coelho also personally enabled unlawful sales by operating a fee-based "official middleman" service through which he assisted others in buying and selling data by confirming the method of payment and the files being transferred before allowing the transaction to proceed. Coelho is said to have controlled and functioned as the chief administrator of RaidForums for the past seven years, which he ran with the help of other website administrators, CNET reported. The National Crime Agency (NCA) separately said that a 21-year-old has been arrested by the police after being suspected as one of the founders of the site. He was arrested at his home in Croydon last month. While he was later released, officials seized 5,000 in cash, thousands of dollars in U.S. currency, and froze his crypto assets worth more than half a million dollars. Moreover, CNET mentioned that a judge recently granted the US permission to confiscate three domains that hosted the RaidForums website. The dismantling of the internet platform involves police from the U.K., the U.S., Germany, Sweden, Portugal, and Romania. The illegal marketplace #RaidForums has been shut down Its administrator & two accomplices arrested Once again, international #lawenforcement cooperation leads to a major success and we are just getting started.#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/gGawRPkimj EC3 (@EC3Europol) April 12, 2022 Related Article: NFT Project Rare Bears Attacked by Hacker, $800,000 in NFTs Stolen NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly released his first-ever NFT. Scott Kelly has been popularly known as the NASA astronaut who spent the longest time period of 340 consecutive days on the International Space Station in 2015 and 2016. Dreams Out of This World is the title of Kelly's first-ever NFT, which is an art project he is working on. The NASA astronaut hopes for two things with his NFT release. First, to inspire individuals to reach for the stars with their goals, dreams, and ambitions. Second, to be able to donate the proceeds in hopes of helping Ukraine's donation effort as they continue to battle Russia's specialized military operations. NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly's NFT Scott Kelly's Dreams Out of This World NFT is a project in collaboration with Orange Comet, a content creation studio that helped Kelly materialize his first-ever launch. There are more than a few series of pieces in the NFT collection that show Kelly in space with a variety of different versions of the Earth in the background. A portion of Kelly's spaceflight memorabilia, as well as some of his personal belongings, were put up for auction today (April 12) in honor of the International Day of Human Spaceflight, which commemorates cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's historic 1961 orbital mission. On the NFT marketplace OpenSea, the auction was scheduled to run for three days, with the winner being announced on the third day. However, the entire collection sold out in a matter of hours, raising more than $500,000 for the cause. The retired NASA astronaut tweeted: "I'm proud to announce that my NFT collection is officially sold out on @opensea Thank you to everyone who supported this project! In the midst of this war, it's amazing that we can come together through art to aid the people of Ukraine. Over $500,000.00 raised today!" I'm proud to announce that my NFT collection is officially sold out on @opensea Thank you to everyone who supported this project! In the midst of this war, it's amazing that we can come together through art to aid the people of Ukraine. Over $500,000.00 raised today! pic.twitter.com/YnO9VUeiLS Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) April 12, 2022 According to Space.com, Scott Kelly wants to inspire a lot of people with this art collection, as his journey of being an astronaut was not the typical one. Kelly stated, "My story is not the typical astronaut story. I was a bad student growing up - didn't do well in school, kind of a daydreamer," He added, "I found inspiration in a book, which is Tom Wolfe's 'The Right Stuff. So I really, really believe in this idea that inspiration, done in the right way for the right person at the right time, can have extraordinary results." NFT Proceeds Goes to Ukraine NFT sales of the Dreams Out of This World will go directly to a non-profit organization. Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a nonprofit organization that assists disaster-stricken nations and communities, will receive 100% of the net proceeds from this initial drop to support their efforts in Ukraine. GEM was appreciative of the NASA astronaut as he chose the organization as an instrument to help Ukraine. GEM is deeply grateful for each and every effort that is made to support and help Ukraine in the midst of extreme disasters and crises. Michael Capponi, GEM president and founder, stated that: "Every donation, creative endeavor, organization, and partner plays a huge role in the sustained success of the longstanding relief efforts we are able to provide as a non-governmental organization, and we thank Scott and his team for their gracious donation and creative efforts to support and provide aid." Read Also: 10 Things To Know About the Artemis Program and the Next Moon Landing Astronaut Scott Kelly Scott Kelly previously held the record for the longest time spent in space by an American astronaut on the International Space Station, totaling 340 days. However, just recently, this record was broken by Mark Vande Hei, who spent 355 days in space consecutively. The efforts of Kelly to support Ukraine through its donation drive do not come as a shock to most people who are following the NASA astronaut. He has since been extremely vocal about opposing the geopolitical onslaught ignited by Russia. Kelly was one of the NASA astronauts who voiced their displeasure to Russia's Roscosmos after they threatened not to return his fellow NASA astronaut, Vande Hei, to Earth. Related Article: NASA Astronaut Mark Vande Hei Returns to Houston After 355 Days in Space Google's Switch to Android app for iOS users was quietly released on Apple App Store, allowing iPhone users to switch to smartphones running its rival mobile OS more seamlessly. On the other hand, Apple has been offering an app for Android users who are switching to iPhone that goes by the name "Move to iOS" since way back in 2015. Google's Switch to Android App for iOS This time around, as per a news story by The Verge, Google is making the same move, but it is doing so silently sans any massive announcement or news releases. Google released its free "Switch to Android" app on the official app marketplace of Apple, giving iOS users a new means to transfer all of their files and important data to their new smartphones. The description of the Switch to Android app on the App Store stated that it allows its users to transfer their "most important data types photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events to a brand new Android device without fussy cables." The new app transfers iOS files to Android without the need to connect two smartphones with wires, which feels somewhat dated for 2022 as most devices have been gearing towards wireless technology. On top of that, Google also touted that the new app on iOS is a more secure and quick way to move these files to an Android smartphone. Google's Secret App for iOS Users According to a recent report by 9to5Google, the Switch to Android app is an unlisted application on the Apple App Store. It should be noted that the iPhone maker has recently released an unlisted feature on its App Store, allowing developers and app publishers to list apps that could only be accessed via a direct link. The Verge also confirmed in its report that the new iOS app of Google is definitely unlisted. The news outlet attempted to search the Switch to Android app, but it was nowhere to be seen. Instead of heading straight to the App Store, the Switch to Android app is exclusively available for download on this direct link. Read Also: Google's New Android Archive Feature Frees Up Massive Storage; Know the Release Date, Where to Download Switch to Android on iOS: How To Use Upon downloading the Switch to Android app, it will be providing a list of iPhone files and data that it could transfer to your Android device. Then, the app will ask you to scan a QR code from your new phone, which pops up while you are setting it up. From there, the Switch to Android app should start copying various media files. What's more, the Google app also reminds its users to turn off their iMessage to avoid missing out on messages. Related Article: Android Tips and Tricks: Here's How To Be an Android Guru Toyota will recall 460,000 vehicles in the United States to ensure the safety of its electronic stability control system. This is in addition to the recall of 4,000 2022 Lexus NXs due to incorrect welding. It is reported that this software problem in the vehicles recalled by Toyota may fail to automatically switch the system into "on" mode when the vehicles are restarted. Unfortunately, this can cause the system to be disabled as it relies on a computer to individually brake wheels in order to assist drivers in maintaining control. Toyota Recall In response to a software error that could have an effect on the car's stability control system, Toyota Motor Corp. said it was going to do a noncompliance safety recall that would affect about 460,000 cars. As Boston.com reports, the Toyota recall affects a number of different car models. It includes vehicles from the 2020 to 2022 model years, including the Venza, Mirai, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Sienna Hybrid, and Highlander Hybrid, all of which are manufactured by the Toyota brand. In addition, the LS500h, LX600, NX350h, and NX450h-plus from the Lexus luxury brand vehicles sold in the United States are included. An issue with Toyota's software is the root cause of the recall. When the software error occurs, the vehicle stability control system may fail to automatically activate the next time the vehicle is started under certain conditions. Toyota and Lexus dealers will provide customers with a free software update for the affected software. Toyota added that the owners would be notified by the middle of June. This recall effort of the company is in compliance with the U.S. regulations on vehicle safety. Electronic Stability Control Electronic stability control (ESC), is a built-in system in a car that is designed to assist drivers in maintaining control of their vehicle while steering. Assisting the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle in critical driving situations, electronic stability control (ESC) systems employ automatic computer-controlled brakes on individual wheels. The ESC system helps to prevent a car from spinning out or plowing out due to a loss of road traction caused by slipping wheels. ESC is well known under numerous names, such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and many more. According to Kelly Blue Book: "The electronic stability control system monitors your steering wheel input and helps ensure the car goes where you want it to go. ESC is activated when it detects a probable loss of steering control." In addition, "When it recognizes that the car is not going where the driver is steering, the system makes adjustments to correct the car's course or minimize skidding during emergency evasive swerves." The electronic stability control (ESC) does not explicitly prevent a vehicle from flipping over. However, the stability control will help tremendously in keeping the tires on the pavement and preventing them from rolling over. Read Also: Toyota Tundra 2022 Design Flaws: Users Worry About Door-Lock and Waste Gate Issues, Are These Fixed Now? Toyota Recall Includes 2022 Lexus NX Toyota Motors owns the Lexus car manufacturing brand. Along with that, numerous Lexus cars were also included in the Toyota recall. Certain 2022 Lexus NX cars will be recalled for safety reasons. The recall affects 4,000 2022 NX (HEV, PHEV) vehicles. Toyota released a statement stating that the recall is caused by "the front shock absorbers in the affected vehicles being mounted to body panels that may be missing some spot-welds." The company adds that "incorrect welding could eventually cause a shock absorber to separate from the mounting area, resulting in a loss of driving stability and increasing the risk of a crash." To address this concern, Lexus merchants will inspect the welding near the shock absorber mounting areas on all of the vehicles involved in the Toyota recall. In an instance where the vehicle is spotted to have missing spot-welds, Toyota will remedy the situation. The company stated that they will begin notifying owners in the middle of June. Related Article: 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor USA Release Date, Engine, Specs: Just How Powerful Is the "Most Powerful Ranger"? As bad actors are constantly on the search for software flaws to exploit for personal gain, Lifehacker advised PC users to install Microsoft patch updates as soon as possible. Microsoft's April 2022 Patch To Fix Roughly 120 Security Vulnerabilities in Total Microsoft on Tuesday, April 12, released updates to fix 119 security vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and other software, Info Security reported. According to a report from the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), two of the flaws had been publicly described before this week, and one is already being actively exploited. KrebsonSecurity mentioned that CVE-2022-24521, a vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System Driver (CLFS), is one of the particular concerns this month. Microsoft stated in its advisory that it got information from the NSA that the flaw is being actively exploited. The said vulnerability has a Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score of 7.8 (10 being the worst) and has the potential to facilitate "privilege escalation." Meanwhile, Info Security quoted Tyler Reguly, manager of security R&D at Tripwire, who said: "CLFS is a general purpose logging service that can be used by both user and kernel-mode software." "Patches have been released for CLFS monthly since September 2021 with only one exception - November 2021. From September 2021 until today, we have seen 18 vulnerabilities patched within CLFS." Read Also: Microsoft Confirms Lapsus$ Hack, Details Steps To Enhance Security Nine of the patches released this week are deemed "critical," which means that the vulnerabilities they address might be exploited by malware or malicious users to gain total remote access to a Windows system without the user's knowledge. According to KrebsonSecurity, CVE-2022-26809, a potentially "wormable" flaw in a core Windows component (RPC) with a CVSS score of 9.8, is one of the scarier critical bugs. Separately, CVE-2022-24491 and CVE-2022-24497, both Windows Network File System (NFS) vulnerabilities with 9.8 CVSS scores, are two other possibly wormable risks this month. However, Kevin Breen, director of cyber threat research at Immersive Labs, noted that NFS Role is not a default configuration for Windows devices. While these are the most prominent issues in this new update, the other flaws should not be overlooked. Other Flaws Being Addressed With the Update Microsoft's latest security updates fix not only Windows operating systems, but also Office, Edge, Skype for Business, Exchange Server, Defender, and other apps. It was noted that Microsoft's Edge browser has received updates for an additional 26 CVEs. How To Install the Latest Security Patches If Windows fails to automatically install the latest updates, you can install the updates manually from Settings. Just follow the steps below to make sure your Windows 10 PC has the most recent Microsoft Windows updates: Open Start Settings Update & Security Windows Update (Windows 10) If a patch is available, it will be displayed on the screen. Then, to download and install the update on your PC, simply follow the on-screen instructions. When the updates have been installed, you can restart the computer when prompted by the software. If you're using Windows 11, you can do this instead: Open Start Settings Windows Update (Windows 11) If a patch is available, it will be displayed on the screen. Then, to download and install the update on your PC, simply follow the on-screen instructions. When the updates have been installed, you can restart the computer when prompted by the software. Related Article: Microsoft Woke Feature Launching For Appropriation, Inclusivity of Word Choices Like Whitewash, Blacklist and More! Elon Musk, CEO and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, is offering to buy Twitter for $41.3 billion (some reports say $43 billion). Musk's decision to buy Twitter comes a little bit unexpected and sudden, as he had just recently declined the offer from Twitter's CEO, Parag Agrawal, to become a board member of the company. Musk looks like he wants to have a takeover of Twitter. Just recently, the high-profile entrepreneur acquired Twitter stocks for up to 9.2%. However, it looks like Musk wants to own the company. In an SEC filing on Thursday, Twitter revealed that the company had received a letter from Elon Musk stating that he was proposing to purchase the company's remaining shares. Earlier this week, Musk wrote a letter to Twitter shareholders, offering $54.20 per share of the company's stock, or $41.3 billion, and saying that this was his last offer. Elon Musk on Twitter Elon Musk Net Worth is at $278 billion, he has become the richest person in the world with his assets coming mainly from the electric vehicle company Tesla and the private aeronautics company, SpaceX. According to USA Today, Musk said, "I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy." In the filing, he then added, "However, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company." CNN reports that Elon Musk's letter about the proposal was not addressed to the CEO, Parag Agrawal, but instead was addressed to the chair of the Twitter board, Bret Taylor. The letter ends with a line saying, "Twitter has extraordinary potential. I will unlock it." Twitter confirms that they have received Musk's offer. The company stated that they need to carefully deliberate and review the proposal "to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the company and all Twitter stockholders." Elon Musk Is Making Moves Leading Towards Buying Twitter Elon Musk revealed in recent weeks that he had been buying Twitter shares in almost daily batches since January 31. The company is aware of his activities, which prompted the board to quickly offer Musk a seat on the company's board of directors on the condition that he did not own more than 14.9%, as stated in the Securities and Exchange Commission filing. However, Musk did not disclose how he intended to pay for his acquisition. He stated that he had retained the financial services of Wall Street behemoth Morgan Stanley (MS) to assist him with the transaction. The Twitter stock price was at $39.31 on April 1. While Twitter stocks have now been volatile, they still resulted in an increase of $46.94 as of today. Elon Musk's offer to buy Twitter begs the question of how much is Twitter worth, according to Market Watch, Twitter Market Cap is now at $36.71B. Currently, there is still no news about the Twitter board approving this acquisition. The same can be said for Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's or CEO Parag Agrawal's opinion on the matter. Read Also: Did Elon Musk Mislead Investors? Twitter Shareholder Sues Musk Delaying Disclosure of Twitter Acquisition Recap of What's Going on with Elon Musk and Twitter Just recently, the public welcomed the new Twitter shareholder, Elon Musk. The purchase was made public on Tuesday, April 5, which revealed Musk as the largest shareholder, buying Twitter with a 9.2% ownership. One of Silicon Valley's well-acclaimed names, Jack Dorsey, who happens to be Twitter's co-founder, was happy with the announcement of Musk finally joining Twitter. Dorsey tweeted that he has wanted Musk to be part of the board for a long time now. Im really happy Elon is joining the Twitter board! He cares deeply about our world and Twitters role in it. Parag and Elon both lead with their hearts, and they will be an incredible team. https://t.co/T4rWEJFAes jack (@jack) April 5, 2022 Following the news, the new Twitter CEO Agrawal stated that the company is appointing Elon Musk as a member of the board. The CEO stated, "Through conversations with Elon in recent weeks, it became clear to us that he would bring great value to our Board." Agrawal added, "He's both a passionate believer and an intense critic of the service, which is exactly what we need on @Twitter, and in the boardroom, to make us stronger in the long-term." Looking forward to working with Parag & Twitter board to make significant improvements to Twitter in coming months! Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2022 It looked like all was well. However, Musk later declined the offer to have a seat on the board. Related Article: Twitter Confirms Addition of Edit Button - Is Elon Musk Responsible? Director Park Chan-wook / Korea Times file "Decision to Leave" by renowned Korean director Park Chan-wook and "Broker" by award-winning Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda were selected for the competition section of the 75th Cannes Film Festival. In the official selection announced by the festival Thursday, the two Korean films were among 18 works competing for the highest honor, the Palme d'Or, this year. It is the first time in five years that two Korean films have been invited to the official competition section since 2017, when Bong Joon-ho's "Okja" and Hong Sang-soo's "The Day After" made the list. Last year, no Korean-made films were contending at the world's most prestigious film fest. Two films Hong Sang-soo's "In Front of Your Face" and Han Jae-rim's "Emergency Declaration" were listed in non-competition sections. "Broker" is written and directed by Japanese director Kore-eda, who took home the Palme d'Or for "Shoplifters" in 2018, but produced by Korean companies, like CJ ENM, and starring Korean actors, including Song Kang-ho of "Parasite." It is the Cannes-winning director's first Korean-language project about adoption, featuring the relationships of characters formed through a baby box, where people anonymously drop off newborns that they can't raise. "It's Hirokazu Kore-eda with a movie made in Korea. Korea is very attractive to movies," said Thierry Fremaux, artistic director of the annual film festival, during a press conference streamed online. "We find here again one of the greatest Korean actors, and a former member of the jury, Song Kang-ho, who is playing in this movie." Park, who has won two titles at Cannes for "Oldboy" (2003) and "Thirst" (2009), returned to Cannes in six years since "The Handmaiden" was invited to the competition in 2016. His most recent film "Decision to Leave" is about a detective who suspects a mysterious widow in a murder case and later becomes interested in her. Chinese actress Tang Wei of "Lust, Caution" (2007) and Korean actor Park Hae-il star in the film. "It's meaningful to participate in a film festival in the midst of the pandemic," the director said through local distributor CJ ENM. "I'll see as many films as possible at Cannes and will give a standing ovation to them longer than any other people there." At the same time, the spy action film "Hunt," which is "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-jae's directorial debut, was invited to the festival's out-of-competition "Midnight Screenings." "Thank you so much to the Cannes Film Festival," Lee said in a statement. "It's an honor to have the premier of my first directorial film at Cannes." This year's Cannes Film Festival will kick off on May 17 and run through May 28. (Yonhap) A forest path along the Songpa Trail, Seoul / Courtesy of Songpa District Inhale the scent of spring along scenic urban trail, encourages forest guide By Lee Hae-rin "Here, this light brown tree is a mulberry tree," Yim Hong-soon, 70, a forest guide, said, pointing to the tree standing at the entrance of the Songpa Trail in Seoul's southern district of the same name. "The mulberry tree is the symbol of Jamsil 'Jam' comes from the Chinese character meaning silkworms and the region has long been a silkworm facility since the Joseon Dynasty." Yim went on to say how the tree is a generous giver from its roots to its leaves. Old records show that King Sejong of Joseon Dynasty designated Jamsil, one of the neighborhoods in Songpa District, as a site for the national silkworm farm and built a mulberry forest to boost the country's key sericulture business. Apartment complexes and skyscrapers now stand where the silkworm nursery was located in the past, but one of the oldest mulberry trees in this area, which is over 500 years old, was registered as Seoul's first regional monument. The gray-haired guide wearing an explorer's outfit then spotted a flock of birds around the tree and said gently with a smile, "Do you hear them sing? It is now the birds' breeding season a very busy time for them and that's why they're singing so beautifully, to find their other half," Yim said. The senior volunteer went on to explain how magpies are fierce fighters and exquisite architects that build nests with over 7,000 branches, while rufous turtle doves are lesser-known lovebirds that always travel in couples. Forest expert guide Yim Hong-soon, second from the left wearing a hat, tells stories about oak trees during a forest guided tour along the Songpa Trail. Courtesy of Yim Hong-soon As a life-long mountain climber and a nature-lover, Yim has been a volunteer forest guide for 12 years, shedding light on the city's flora and fauna for curious strollers, after retiring from his business in the ICT sector. He is the leader of 34 forest guide experts in the Forest and Rest Association, a forest education group registered to the Korea Forest Service. "As forest experts, we came together from very different backgrounds after retirement with a common interest in forests and nature. Some of us were teachers, CEOs and military officers," Yim explained while giving a guided tour to The Korea Times on April 9. "It takes a lot of study and effort to become forest guides, so we come together every month to attend seminars and courses," he said, adding that he even chose to study further after retirement and acquired a certificate in agriculture and dendrology. As a longtime resident of the district, Yim and his colleagues chose to offer unique promenade experiences along the scenic trail of Songpa in southeastern Seoul. The Songpa Trail consists of a unique network of four hiking courses, featuring an urban forest and conserved ecosystem, covering up the region with a waterway path that stretches over 21 kilometers. As many residents of the district say, "All the roads in Songpa lead to the Songpa Trail." Unlike other signature trails in Seoul, which are built around famous mountains such as Mt. Nam and Mt. Inwang, the Songpa Trail is a loop that runs along ecological streams for 88 percent of its walk. It is also home to 223 species of trees, flowers, birds and animals. Recently, a family of otters, which is registered as endangered species, was discovered to be living in the stream, showing how clean the waterway is. The Songpa Trail offers four walking courses along different waterways: a cherry blossom tunnel along Seongnaecheon stream, a woodland trail with giant trees along Jangjicheon stream, a bird watching path along the Tancheon stream, and the Han River course that is popular among campers and cyclists. The cherry blossom tunnel along the Seongnaecheon stream of the Songpa Trail, Seoul / Courtesy of Yim Hong-soon However, what makes the visit to the scenic trail more special is the guidance of forest experts like Yim who tell stories about the district's harmonious coexistence of people and nature. On the day of the tour, different groups of people were enjoying a spring Saturday afternoon with their friends and family members from toddlers taking baby steps, teenagers taking selfies together, and middle-aged walkers working out at the park's exercise facilities. Yim's tales of plants and animals continued during the two hours of the walk, stopping as some passersby, both old and young, wanted to hear Yim's explanations. From why yew trees have red fruit to how fringe trees resembled bowls of white rice to hungry people in the past, Yim's tales fascinated strollers. The special thing about the trail, according to Yim, is that offers a real forest experience in an urban setting. Trees on the street, planted without enough distance from each other and on top of underground facilities, often fail to grow to their natural size and shape, unlike the giant trees along the streams in the trail. From his 12 years of experience as a forest guide, Yim said that his greatest reward as forest guide is seeing people develop interest in the ecosystem and learn to appreciate nature. "It's a great pleasure to let more people know which flowers bloom in spring and how trees sprout. I love seeing their happy faces when they are surrounded by the greatness of nature and truly appreciate it," Yim said. Unification Minister nominee Kwon Young-se, center, speaks to reporters as he arrives at a temporary office in Seoul, Thursday, to prepare for his parliamentary confirmation hearing. Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo The normalization of deadlocked inter-Korean ties will be unlikely as long as North Korea continues to modernize its nuclear weapons, the unification minister nominee said, Thursday. However, he also said South Korea's new Yoon Suk-yeol administration will try to build the momentum to resume talks between the two Koreas, although it will be a daunting task. Rep. Kwon Young-se, a four-term lawmaker who is currently doubling as the vice chairman of Yoon's transition committee, was selected, Wednesday, to head the unification ministry, which is in charge of inter-Korean affairs. "North Korea's denuclearization is the only path toward the normalization of inter-Korean relations," Kwon told reporters. Citing the recent threat of the North Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo-jong, to use nuclear weapons against South Korea, and the lack of any sign from Pyongyang that it will give up its nuclear program, the nominee said that it would be difficult to get stalled inter-Korean ties back on track under such circumstances. Earlier this month, taking issue with Defense Minister Suh Wook's reference to South Korea's pre-emptive strike capability against North Korea, in cases of emergency, Kim threatened to respond with North Korea's nuclear combat force if the South opts for military confrontation. In addition, the totalitarian state is highly anticipated to carry out a nuclear test on the occasion of the 110th birth anniversary of late founder Kim Il-sung which falls on Friday. "One of the biggest stumbling blocks to inter-Korean ties is the nuclear issue," Kwon added. Inter-Korean relations have soured since the summit between North Korea and the United States failed to reach a nuclear deal in February 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam despite Seoul's repeated calls for dialogue and offers of vaccines. The nominee said that he will make efforts to resume talks between South and North Korea, adding that he will make an offer for dialogue after taking office. "Now that inter-Korean dialogue has discontinued and North Korea has been revving up its missile provocations, I am agonizing over how to create momentum for inter-Korean dialogue," Kwon said. During the presidential campaign, Yoon pledged to take a hardline stance on North Korea, raising concerns that inter-Korean ties may further worsen under the Yoon administration. "Many say inter-Korean talks did not proceed well under South Korea's conservative governments, but that is not necessarily so," Kwon said. "I will try to build a cornerstone for the two Koreas to restart talks, thereby making significant progress under the new administration." The nominee expressed his objection to the law that bans anti-North Korea leaflet campaigns, which drew complaints from international human rights groups and some U.S. politicians over the South Korean government's increasingly weak stance on human rights violations and accountability in the North. In December 2020, the National Assembly passed the bill, which prevents mainly North Korean defectors and human rights activists from flying propaganda leaflets or other materials critical of the Kim Jong-un regime over the border into the North's territory. The current administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said that the new law helps protect residents in border regions and eases cross-border tensions. "We need to look at the propaganda leaflets from a liberalist viewpoint, and controlling them by law is a problem from a constitutional perspective," he said. Kwon also said that the new government will accept the positive accomplishments of the Moon Jae-in administration's Korean Peninsula peace process, which Yoon's side has denounced as amounting to a failure in engaging North Korea. U.S. President Joe Biden waves as he walks to speak to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, in Iowa, April 12, en route to Washington. AP-Yonhap U.S. President Joe Biden is looking forward to his upcoming trip to Asia but the details of his proposed visit have yet to be made available, a White House spokesperson said Wednesday. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also declined to comment on Biden's possible visit to South Korea. "Not quite yet," said Psaki when asked if she could confirm Biden's upcoming trip to Asia, including a potential visit to Korea. "I will tell you that, you know, of course, the president talked about how he looks forward to traveling to Tokyo in the spring, including for the Quad meeting and hopefully we'll have more to detail for all of you soon," she added. Biden noted earlier this week that he may be in Tokyo, May 24, for the Quad summit that will also be attended by the leaders from Australia, Japan and India, prompting speculation that he may also visit Seoul for a bilateral summit with President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol who is set to take office May 10. Rep. Park Jin, head of a special delegation sent by Yoon to the U.S. earlier this month, has said that every U.S. official the delegation met with had agreed on the need to hold a U.S.-Korea summit at an early date. The U.S. officials who held talks with the Korean delegation included White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, as well as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. If made, it will mark Biden's first trip to Asia since he took office in January 2021. (Yonhap) County in SE China's Fujian restores ancient residential complexes in pursuit of rural vitalization People's Daily Online) 13:32, April 14, 2022 Photo shows Yongtai county, Fuzhou city of southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zhang Peifen) A county in southeast China's Fujian Province has restored its ancient residential complexes in rural areas through the joint efforts of the local government and residents, as well as developing cultural and tourism industries in recent years, making the locality brim with a renewed vitality. Yongtai county, Fuzhou city of Fujian Province has had over 2,000 residential complexes in total in its history, with some of them dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and is now home to 152 well-preserved ones. Integrating a joint residence and defense system, the buildings inside the complexes maintain the authentic features of the original vernacular housing, defensive structures and waterways along with their unique architectural structures, wood carvings, and colored drawings. Since many of the ancient villages have become unoccupied over the years, the county established a working group on the renovation and development of the villages in September 2015, in an attempt to protect the cultural heritage. The county set up strict rules on the usage of government-managed funds, which helped leverage more social resources in the cause of renovation, according to Zhang Peifen, vice chairman of the Yongtai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and head of the working group. Villagers repair an ancient house. (Photo/Zhang Peifen) Moreover, councils for architectural protection and development based on local clan lines have been established, which has encouraged villagers in the locality to restore the ancient buildings under their own clans. By the end of February 2022, 38 councils of this sort had already been registered at the civil affairs bureau of the county. Thanks to the joint efforts in preservation, 18 residential complexes are now listed as cultural relic sites under provincial protection and five under state protection. In March 2022, the manors of Yongtai of the Huang family stood out among 225 nominated sites around the globe and were listed on the 2022 World Monuments Watch issued by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). The Aijing Zhuang residential complex, an ancestral home of the Bao family, is another vivid example. Bao Daowen, Party secretary of the complex, has been resolute in pursuing the restoration project as his father told him that the culture of the residential complex should by no means be lost by this generation. With the council he established and the funds he received from the government, villagers were able to actively participate in the architectural protection project. They donated a total of 4 million yuan (about $628,400), and items such as old furniture, tools, photos, family trees, and ancient books. The Aijing Zhuang received the Award of Merit in the 2018 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in November 2018. Aerial photo taken on Nov 11, 2018 shows the scenery of Aijing Zhuang residential complex in Yangwei village of Yongtai county, Southeast China's Fujian province. (Photo/Xinhua) With the localitys cultural relics now in a better condition, the county went on to develop some new industries as a way to further advance its rural vitalization. So far, the county has developed libraries, homestay hotels, agritainment businesses, research and study bases and creative spaces, as well as a number of local tourism routes. The Aijing Zhuang, for example, has five showrooms for all the items donated by the villagers, a memorial hall featuring information on the localitys modern revolutionary legacy, and a library housing 13,000 books. Yuezhou village of the county renovated the former residence of Zhang Yuangan, a poet from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), in addition to building some new tourism-related infrastructure, having turned an ancient residence into a museum for ancient weapons. Besides, it also organized additional activities such as a photography competition to boost local tourism, receiving about 100,000 visitors a year. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) By Kang Seung-woo President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's U.S. delegation recently discussed with Pfizer ways to cooperate to receive an early supply of the American drug giant's COVID-19 antiviral pill in Korea, according to his spokesperson, Thursday. Bae Hyun-jin, the spokesperson for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, holds a press conference at the office of the presidential transition committee in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap A view through the front window of Namsan Sool Club / Courtesy of Dustin Wessa By Jon Dunbar As interest in Korea's strong tradition of alcohols increasingly referred to as "sool" in English (following the pronunciation of the word for "alcohol" in Korean) continues to grow, with more and more breweries, distilleries, bottle shops, sool-specialized restaurants and even sool cocktails emerging, Dustin Wessa considered not just how he could ride this wave, but help direct and develop it. So the American-Canadian sool sommelier opened Namsan Sool Club (NSC) in Itaewon, right at the Gyeongnidan side of the underpass. "We're looking at this upswing in sool interest over the last few years and I'm thinking, 'What's next to keep pushing proper sool?'" Wessa told The Korea Times. "What if you have no clue where to begin? We don't fall in love with whiskey or wine without that one glass, so where are the places to pour that glass? Where's the spot to go sipping through the diverse sea of sool? That's Namsan Sool Club. We thought let's do more 'by the glass' options than anywhere, pour those glasses, talk about what's in that glass and lead our guests to their perfect sip." NSC boasts around 80 by-the-glass options for customers, as of its official opening date of April 9. As the place only has seats for 10 people, it can fill up fast. Dustin Wessa works behind the bar at Namsan Sool Club. / Courtesy of Namsan Sool Club "We have a good selection of 'takju,' 'magkeolli,' 'cheongju,' 'soju' and other premium spirits. We have the sweet sippers, some natural wine-esque choices, some dry guys, the high-alcohol-by-volume fire waters to shoot you towards Valhalla and the aromatic infusions," he said. "When building the selection, I look for overall balance so that we have a way to navigate towards every guest's tastes. I sip something new and ask myself, 'Is the shape of this nice?' 'Is it balanced?' 'Is there a story here?' 'Would I order a second glass?'" Wessa has learned his craft through formal training at sool academies in Korea, as well as through independent experimentation and exploration, in order to build up a vocabulary to describe the tastes provided by the nation's diverse sool selection. He continues to hold daily sool tastings with NSC employees in order to refine their palates. Dustin Wessa, left, talks with an employee at Namsan Sool Club. / Courtesy of Namsan Sool Club "Being able to taste isn't exclusive," he said. "I don't believe in natural born 'supertasters;' tasting, sniffing out the details is a 'muscle,' paying attention to what's going on with that sniff, that sip, is hitting the gym, it's your palate's session for your olfactory sense, your ability to taste. Describing sool accurately, sending the message with passion and connecting with the guests is a different skill altogether. We work on that as well, every day." Wessa also brews and distills his own sool, but due to regulations, he is unable to sell it at NSC. "But that doesn't mean we can't give tastings!" he said. "Recently I bought a small distiller and distilled soju live at NSC during service and gave tastes to the guests that were at the bar. We don't sell it but we do want to share." He also said he's had several guests bring along their own homebrews and favorites. "We'll pop the bottle, pour everyone here a taster-sized glass, and talk about what it is, how we feel about it," he said. "The brewer sometimes comes with questions or just wants to share, elaborates on the process and we enjoy sipping together." NSC may not look like a traditional Korean bar on the outside or even on the inside, but tradition is preserved and even amplified in some ways, such as in the choice of the serving glass. "With our glasses, there's a lot of thought that goes into the hows and whys," he said. "When to pour into a red wine glass and when it's overkill depends on the character of the sool, how aromatic it is, its texture/body, how fiery it is. You can drink soju from a wine glass it'd be funny, but it won't accentuate the soju experience; that's what those small crystal sippers are for." Wessa, who is known for having opened restaurants previously, has focused less on a food menu this time, offering basic "anju" (finger foods accompanying alcohol) such as pate, "pyeonyuk" (thinly sliced meat) and chocolate. He plans to offer a pairing exercise on the menu, giving guests a shot to feel their way through several distinct combinations of sool and food. As NSC serves sool by the glass, Wessa offers a happy hour special on weekends, from opening to 6 p.m., during which the previous day's "lost soldiers" (bottles already opened) are served at half price, and bottles of takju are available at 30-percent discounts. Wessa has been in the industry for several years and sees clear signs of sool's expansion worldwide. "The expansion is real. There are breweries popping up in New York, San Fran, LA, Chicago, Vancouver, Paris. We're getting there; we're pushing outward, onward. We'll get there, and soon," he said. "A word on government programs and investments: the industry needs them, and now, to fuel what is looking to be a growing opportunity to promote sool to the rest of the world: fund those education programs, get them scientists together and let's find out exactly what makes sool so amazing, support those sool documentary pitches, because it's a living culture and the world deserves to know." Visit for more information. gettyimagesbank Korea's total population has started to decline amid a low birthrate, but the number of foreigners here is forecast to continue to increase, to make up of 4.3 percent of the population in 2040, a report showed Thursday. After peaking at 51.84 million in 2020, the country's total population started to decline in 2021 and will likely further fall to 50.19 million in 2040, according to the report from Statistics Korea. Despite a fall in Korean nationals, the number of foreign nationals who reside here for three months or longer will likely continue to increase on the back of sustained inflows of incoming foreigners. The number of such came to 1.7 million in 2020, accounting for 3.3 percent of the total population. Their proportion is expected to hit 4 percent in 2035 and further rise to 4.3 percent five years later. South Korea is grappling with demographic challenges from its chronically low birthrate and rapid aging. A 40-something photographer has been booked for police investigation on charges of entering Ukraine without government permission, officials said Thursday. The man entered the war-stricken country via Poland in early March to photograph the war between Ukraine and Russia, and stayed there for about two weeks before returning home. Upon a complaint filed by the foreign ministry, the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency booked the man for investigation on charges of breaching the Passport Act. Since mid-February, Korea has prohibited its citizens from traveling to the country without authorization from the government. (Yonhap) gettyimagesbank Presidential transition committee plans to scrap Korean age By Lee Hyo-jin "How old are you?" Answering this simple question often becomes a challenge for foreign nationals living in Korea who are not yet familiar with the country's unique system of counting one's age. In fact, when Koreans are asked their age by foreign nationals, they tend to give several answers, followed by an explanation about the different ways of counting age. Korea has three ways of counting an individual's age: the Korean traditional "counting age" system, the internationally recognized system and a third system used for convenience when one's exact birthdate is unknown. Unlike the international norm that starts with the age of zero at birth and then adds a year on birthdays, under the Korean system, a newborn baby's age is counted starting from one rather than zero, and everyone gets a year older all together on New Year's Day. So on Jan. 1, hospital maternity wards are filled with two-year-old babies born yesterday. This traditional system is used widely in daily life, while the international system, which was introduced in the country in 1962, is used in official records and the civil code. In addition, there is a third system in which newborns start out at age zero, but everybody's age advances on New Year's Day, regardless of their actual date of birth. This method is used for military conscription and for defining the age of juveniles under the Youth Protection Act. Korean age The origin of the Korean age system remains unclear even among researchers, according to Jang Yoo-seung, a professor at Dankook University's Academy of Asian Studies. "One theory is that one year is counted on the day of birth taking into account the 10 months spent in the mother's womb, which is then rounded up to one year. Some link it to the absence of the concept of zero in the ancient Asian numerical system," Jang told The Korea Times. He pointed out that in the past, Korea was not the only country using this system, as it was shared among neighboring countries including China, Japan and Vietnam. Nonetheless, the custom was abolished in China during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, while the Japanese government adopted the international age system in the early 20th century and later banned the use of the traditional system in the 1950s. North Korea standardized the international norm in the 1980s. As to why South Korea is the only country with the tradition in widespread, active use, Jang said, "There were attempts to replace the traditional method with the international system during the Japanese colonial period, but it was met with strong protests from Koreans, just as they were against the use of the Gregorian calendar a reason why some traditional holidays are based on the lunar calendar to this date." Nevertheless, the mixed use of the various systems in counting legal and social age has led to confusion and occasional disputes in Korean society. During the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the government restricted the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on people under age 30, citing potential risks of side effects, but it did not clarify initially which age system it was basing this age limit on. In addition, the implementation of the vaccine pass, in which people should show proof of vaccination to enter a multiuse facility, was extended to children between 12 and 17, prompting confusion among parents whose children were between 10 and 12 years old. In the business sector, legal disputes have arisen between labor and management regarding the retirement age in terms of whether it should it be based on Korean or international age with the issue even being taken to the Supreme Court in March of this year. Will Yoon administration abolish Korean age? Lee Yong-ho, chief of the presidential transition team's political, judicial and administrative subcommittee, announces plans to abolish the Korean age system, during a press briefing held at the committee's office in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps Presidential transition team Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo / Yonhap Transition team Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo canceled his public schedule Thursday, a source said, after President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol bypassed his recommendations for Cabinet nominees. Ahn was scheduled to visit the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters in the morning but informed the transition team that he would not be going, the source added. The press has also not received the usual notification of Ahn's daily public schedule. Speculation is rife the chairman is weighing his options after Yoon bypassed his recommendations for Cabinet members in the second round of nominations announced Wednesday. All but two Cabinet positions have been filled, with none coming from those close to Ahn. Ahn, who is also the leader of the minor opposition People's Party, dropped out of the presidential race days before the election to lend his support to Yoon's campaign. In agreeing to merge campaigns, the two also agreed to launch a joint government and merge their parties after the election. "For the past month, he was busy working on the transition committee, but I think he needs time now to assess the current situation," the source said. Ahn did not attend a scheduled dinner meeting with Yoon and other transition team members Wednesday. (Yonhap) Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon, center, answers questions from reporters in front of the Korea Banking Institute building in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap By Kang Hyun-kyung Rep. Yun Ho-jung, the interim leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), voiced concerns about President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's nomination of his closest aide, Han Dong-hoon, as justice minister. Using unusually strong words, the DPK leader took the nomination as the president-elect's de facto "declaration of war against the parliament." "Everybody knows that Han is the president-elect's closest aide, and probably for this reason, some call him the 'crown prince' of the Yoon government. Thus, Yoon's nomination of Han as justice minister has signaled his intention of ruling with an iron fist," he said on a radio show on Thursday. Yun said that his party members intend to screen the justice minister candidate thoroughly at a confirmation hearing in the National Assembly, the date of which is yet to be set, to find out if he is truly qualified for the job. Considered Yoon's "right-hand man" when he was the prosecutor-general, the president-elect reiterated several times that Han is the "best person to oversee and transform Korea's judicial system." His strongly-worded reaction to the nomination reflects a shared concern among DPK members about the days to come after Han takes the helm in the ministry. The National Assembly's confirmation hearings of Cabinet minister nominees are not binding and the president can appoint his picks of ministers even if they fail to get the nod from the lawmakers. During a meeting with other senior DPK members, floor leader Park Hong-keun claimed that the justice minister nominee is virtually the No. 2 official in the Yoon government, who is in a position to flex his muscles behind the scenes in his favor. "We must remove him before he can become like a cancer," he said. The strong reactions shown by DPK members came amid an ongoing investigation into the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's alleged involvement in a blacklist scandal. An unnamed director general-level official at the ministry had been accused of pressuring the CEOs of four state-run firms affiliated with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), who were appointed during the Park Geun-hye government, to quit, even though their tenures had yet to end. All four ended up resigning before their terms ended. The prosecution launched an investigation into the case in late March, weeks after Yoon won the presidential election and 38 months after the case was brought to the attention of prosecutors. Those who were implicated in the charges are expected to be punished, similar to those who were involved in a nearly identical case that occurred at state-run firms affiliated with the Ministry of Environment, who were found guilty. Former Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who lost the March 9 presidential election by a razor-thin .73 of a percent, has been accused of being involved in a land development project in the Daejang-dong area of Seongnam. The prosecution has yet to kick off its investigation into that case. DPK lawmakers portrayed Yoon's nomination of Han for justice minister as a "prelude to Korea becoming the Republic of the Prosecution," reflecting concerns about prosecutors launching investigations into high-ranking Moon Jae-in administration officials as political retaliation. Han is known for his "uncompromising" and "terminator-like" work style. He is known as the last person to make concessions or give political consideration even if he is pressured to do so from his boss or the presidential office. When Han investigated a slush fund scandal involving members of the conservative main opposition party in 2003 and a corruption scandal related to impeached former President Park Geun-hye, he was labelled as a villain by right-wingers who supported Park. When he led an investigation into a scandal related to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, Han was lambasted by left-wingers. Cho's wife was found guilty of academic fraud and insider trading. President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol announces his nominees for labor and agriculture ministers during a press conference at the presidential transition committee's office in Tongui-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps By Nam Hyun-woo President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol and presidential transition committee chairman Ahn Cheol-soo agreed to make mutual efforts to form a coalition government as they agreed earlier, amid widespread speculation that their vision may be too difficult to fulfill. According to the president-elect's Chief of Staff Rep. Chang Je-won, Thursday, Yoon and Ahn met over dinner and "reaffirmed that they will be united for the success of the Yoon government." "The dinner was full of laughter, and the two leaders agreed to hold their hands firmly for the coalition government," Chang said in a text message sent to reporters. The meeting came as speculation mounted that a dispute had erupted within the transition team after Ahn's voice was almost ignored in Yoon's Cabinet nominations. Ahn called off his scheduled appearances, Thursday, in what appears to have been an expression of his frustration over Yoon's second round of Cabinet nominations announced a day earlier. The seat for presidential transition committee chairman Ahn Cheol-soo is empty during the committee's COVID-19 response meeting at its office in Samcheong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps According to his aides, Ahn was scheduled to visit Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters on Thursday morning, but the event was cancelled. He also did not show up at the transition committee's COVID-19 response meeting in the afternoon. The transition committee has been notifying reporters about Ahn's schedule through Kakao Talk messages, but did not send any information about his schedule Thursday. Ahn also skipped a dinner with the president-elect and transition committee officials on Wednesday. Presidential transition committee chairman Ahn Cheol-soo enters a meeting room at the committee's office in Samcheong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps Labor minister nominee Lee Jung-sik, left, and agriculture minister nominee Chung Hwang-keun / Yonhap By Lee Hae-rin President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol finalized Cabinet nominations for 18 ministerial positions, Thursday, by nominating Lee Jung-sik as Minister of Employment and Labor and Chung Hwang-keun as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Introducing Chung as a career government official, Yoon called him an architect of the country's agricultural policies. "He is the right person to resolve the problems facing farmers and the agricultural sector of the country and cultivate the industry to become competitive as a future growth engine," the president-elect said. Chung joined the agriculture ministry in 2002 in the agricultural policy division. After serving as spokesperson for the ministry from 2008 to 2010, Chung led the policy division for agriculture and fishery until 2012. In 2013, Chung joined the presidential transition committee to then-President-elect Park Geun-hye as an adviser and served as presidential secretary for agriculture, food and rural affairs until 2016. Before being nominated for the position of agriculture minister, Chung had been holding a visiting professor position since 2018 in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Chungnam National University. For the labor minister post, Yoon nominated Lee Jung-sik. "Lee is highly valued as a labor management expert who approaches industrial relations problems reasonably," Yoon said. "Based on his extensive field experience and expertise, Lee is the right candidate to establish industrial relations where the value of labor is rightfully respected." Lee said he is willing to reach out to unionists to solve problems. "It seems that the unions have been very negative about (the president-elect) from the onset of the presidential election. It may require certain conditions to meet, but I think meeting and talking with people is the only way to solve labor issues," he said during the press conference. Lee is a unionist having been involved in the field for 30 years. Born in 1961 in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, Lee, secretary general of Korea Labor and Employment Service, joined the Federation of Korean Trade Unions in 1986 after graduating from Seoul National University's Department of Economics. Lee was also one of the first expert advisers on the labor management reform committee, and served as a policy assistant to the Ministry of Construction and Transportation and as an adviser at Samsung Electronics. Yoon hit for tapping close aide as justice minister President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's nomination of his close aide as justice minister is casting a dark cloud over his much-avowed efforts to forge cooperative ties with opposition parties and promote national unity. It is likely to deepen a political confrontation between the outgoing and incoming governments. Yoon announced eight Cabinet nominees Wednesday, three days after he nominated as many nominees for major government posts. What's most controversial and surprising is Yoon's selection of Han Dong-hoon, one of his closest prosecutor colleagues, as justice minister. Yoon should have refrained from making such a nomination because it is seen as his bid to take control of the prosecution. Yoon has vowed to keep his campaign promise to close the presidential office for civil affairs and let the Ministry of Justice and the Korean National Police Agency take over the roles of the office. Thus, the ministry will be in charge of screening candidates of ministers and other ranking officials as well as uncovering corruption cases in officialdom. No one knows better than Yoon that Han's nomination will trigger a strong backlash from the opposition. Han, now vice president of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, had worked closely with Yoon for 20 years. They investigated major cases, including a massive corruption scandal that led to the impeachment and imprisonment of former President Park Geun-hye. After Yoon became prosecutor general in 2019, Han investigated a corruption case involving Cho Kuk, President Moon Jae-in's confidant and pick for justice minister. Yoon and Han lost favor with Moon because they targeted Cho. The justice ministry demoted Han and tried to force Yoon out. This certainly made Yoon develop his presidential ambition. Against this backdrop, the nomination of Han could be interpreted as Yoon's move to launch a political retaliation against President Moon and his government. Yoon defended his nomination by saying that Han is the best person to lead the justice ministry with his brilliant career in the prosecution and judicial administration. Yoon also said that Han is the ideal person with a good command of English and vast experience in international affairs who can modernize the judicial system and bring it to global standards. However, the soon-to-be opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) denounced Han's nomination as a prelude to political revenge against the Moon administration. Its floor leader Park Hong-keun dubbed the nomination an "appointment terror," criticizing Yoon for trying to turn the country into the "Republic of the Prosecution." He called on Yoon to withdraw the nomination immediately. The brewing conflict between the outgoing ruling camp and the incoming one is expected to escalate. The nomination of Han came after the DPK decided to push for legislation to deprive the prosecution of its investigative power. Yoon's conservative party the People Power Party (PPP) is against the DPK's move, arguing that the legislation is aimed at preventing the prosecution from investigating allegations of corruption and misdeed raised against the Moon administration. The rival parties are likely to clash head-on during confirmation hearings for Yoon's ministerial nominees who are under fire for a lack of diversity and innovative ideas. Such a clash, if it escalates, could block the Yoon administration from getting off to a smooth start. In that case, Yoon's pledge for national unity and cooperative ties with the opposition will go up in smoke. We urge both sides to avert a political deadlock through dialogue and compromise. Chinese envoy calls for comprehensive measures to address conflict-related sexual violence Xinhua) 14:23, April 14, 2022 UNITED NATIONS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the international community to take comprehensive measures to address conflict-related sexual violence. The UN secretary-general's report shows that sexual violence continues to be used as a tactic of war and terrorism, causing profound suffering to vulnerable groups such as women and girls, Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a UN Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence. China strongly condemns all sexual violence against women and girls, and calls on the international community to take comprehensive measures to tackle this problem, he said. The most fundamental protection of them is the prevention and resolution of conflict, so as to eliminate the breeding ground for sexual violence, he said. Noting in recent years, terrorist groups' kidnapping and human trafficking with the aim of sexual violence and exploitation have become increasingly rampant, Dai said the international community should closely integrate the elimination of sexual violence in conflicts with the fight against terrorism by adhering to unified standards, and jointly combating all terrorist and extremist forces. Sexual violence in conflict is closely related to the root causes and deep-seated imbalances such as gender inequality and under-development, said the diplomat. "It is essential to continue to amplify women's active position, participation and transformative power in the field of peace and security, and actively support women's effective participation in peace processes, peacekeeping and peacebuilding," he added. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) By Casey Lartigue Jr. I haven't been a student in many, many moons, but every year I know when university application deadlines are approaching. That's because I start receiving requests to write recommendation letters and to review statements of purpose (SOP) as part of applications. I can only blame myself for many outstanding people asking me to vouch for them. In the last nine years, more than 1,200 volunteers have tutored and mentored North Korean refugees in English and public speaking in the organization I co-founded with South Korean researcher Eunkoo Lee. After writing many recommendations and reviewing SOPs over the last nine years, I have a few observations for applicants. First, build life-long relationships with supervisors and mentors as you go through your career. There have been cases that I have been blind-sided by requests from people who had not contacted me in years. I need to have an interview with them or have them draft some notes to refresh my memory. On the other hand, there are some other volunteers who keep me so updated that I can write their recommendations on the spot and submit them immediately. Request a recommendation letter when you move on to a new opportunity and document your volunteer or employment time. It is easier to update a previous recommendation letter rather than starting from scratch with someone you haven't seen in years. Second, decide how you want to present yourself and make it the most active version of yourself. Many people in society will discourage you from bragging, but your statement of purpose is the time to show that you are special. Instead of worrying about being humble, I suggest seeing the SOP or recommendation as informing admissions committees or potential employers about your track record, skills and potential. There's an old saying that there are three kinds of people: people who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who ask, "What happened?" There are many people in their SOPs who sound like they are observers in their own lives. I have read some SOPs and cover letters that were so carefully constructed that it seemed that the applicants were afraid to say something that would upset an admissions committee or potential employer. Admissions committees reading thousands or even hundreds of thousands of applications of strangers can probably tell which ones are written out of fear. Are they more likely to prefer applicants willing to be on the offense or the defense when it comes to presenting themselves? If you can't be an advocate for yourself, then why should someone on the admissions committee fight for you? Many South Koreans focus on getting the best grade point averages and test scores, apparently with the defensive strategy of, "How can they reject someone with these grades and test scores?" Well, they can. Even the elite universities in the U.S. are not complete meritocracies. William Fitzsimmons, the head of admissions at Harvard College, has noted that about 70 percent of students accepted are "great all-arounders" with great grades, achievements or extracurricular activities. Only about 15 percent of the students that Harvard accepts are academic or test-taking geniuses. That means some very good students with greater all-around backgrounds get accepted over students with better academic-only backgrounds. Strong recommendations from people who know the applicants well can be helpful because universities are businesses engaged in education. Choosing between great students and great graduates, universities would probably prefer great graduates who can make the universities look good and who could be in positions to make huge donations one day. Third, decide if you want to present yourself as being successful or great in the future, and present a track record as evidence. By success, I mean that you make a lot of money or achieve status in society or your field. Greatness means that you improve the lives of others or help others in some way. There can be an overlap between success and greatness and you can present yourself as achieving both success and greatness, but be prepared to show what you are doing now to achieve either one. Many applications these days require recommenders like me to compare applicants to their peers or to declare if they are within the top 10 percent of a peer group. Even when I'm not asked, I will highlight those who have done something extraordinary or demonstrated potential excellence and will mention when some are within the top 10, five or 1 percent. If you build up mentor-mentee relationships, actively present yourself in applications, and build up a track record demonstrating your achievements, then many, many moons from now, you will be able to look back at those statements of purpose and letters of recommendation that got you on the path to success or greatness. Casey Lartigue Jr. is co-author along with Songmi Han of the book "Greenlight to Freedom" and co-founder along with Eunkoo Lee of Freedom Speakers International (FSI). Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrives on the red carpet for the Axel Springer media award in Berlin on Dec. 1, 2020. AP-Yonhap Tesla CEO Elon Musk is offering to buy Twitter, saying the social media platform he has criticized for not living up to free speech principles needs to be transformed as a private company. Twitter said in a regulatory filing on Thursday that Musk, currently the company's biggest shareholder, has proposed buying the remaining shares of Twitter that he doesn't already own at $54.20 per share, an offer worth more than $43 billion. Musk called that price his best and final offer, although he provided no details on financing. The offer is non-binding and subject to financing and other conditions. ''I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy,'' Musk said in the filing. ''However, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company.'' Twitter said it has received Musk's offer and will decide whether it is in the best interests of shareholders to accept or continue to operate as a publicly traded company. Analyst Daniel Ives of Wedbush said in a client note that he believes ''this soap opera will end with Musk owning Twitter after this aggressive hostile takeover of the company.'' He thinks it would be hard for any other bidders or consortium to come forward and said Twitter's board will likely be forced to accept Musk's offer or start a process to sell the company. Musk revealed in regulatory filings over recent weeks that he'd been buying shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31, ending up with a stake of about 9%. Only Vanguard Group's suite of mutual funds and ETFs controls more Twitter shares. The billionaire has been a vocal critic of Twitter in recent weeks, mostly over his belief that it falls short on free speech principles. The social media platform has angered followers of Donald Trump and other far-right political figures who've had their accounts suspended for violating its content standards on violence, hate or harmful misinformation. Musk also has a history of his own tweets causing legal problems. After Musk announced his stake, Twitter quickly offered him a seat on its board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9 percent of the company's outstanding stock, according to a filing. But he said five days later that he'd declined. He didn't explain why, but the decision coincided with a barrage of now-deleted tweets from Musk proposing major changes to the company, such as dropping ads its chief source of revenue and transforming its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter. Musk left a few clues on Twitter about his thinking, such as by ''liking'' a tweet that summarized the events as Musk going from ''largest shareholder for Free Speech'' to being ''told to play nice and not speak freely.'' Musk's 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 didn't happen, but the tweet caused Tesla's 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 has described himself as a ''free speech absolutist'' and has said 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 right-wing political figures who've had their accounts suspended for violating Twitter content rules. Shares of Twitter jumped 11 percent before the market open. The stock is still down from its 52-week high of about $73. Shares of Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer that Musk heads, slipped about 0.9 percent. (AP) Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, left, shakes hand with U.S. Heritage Foundation Chairman Kevin Roberts at the foundation in Washington, D.C., Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of KEF Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, speaks with reporters at Genesis House, a showcase center for the group's Genesis luxury vehicle brand, in New York, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group By Baek Byung-yeul Hyundai Motor Group's electric vehicles (EVs) have been sweeping prestigious awards in the global automotive industry with their superior performance and distinguished design, according to company officials, Thursday. They say such a good response was possible as their Chairman Chung Euisun set a strategy to become a "first mover" in the EV era by developing an EV-only platform and offering technologies different from competitors. On April 13, Hyundai Motor said its EV IONIQ 5 won three big awards at the prestigious 2022 World Car Awards World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year and World Car Design of the Year. The vehicle, the first model of Hyundai Motor's dedicated battery EV brand IONIQ, won the awards after being recognized by a jury of 102 automotive journalists from 33 countries. Not only the IONIQ 5, but also Kia's EV6 won the European Car of the Year award in February. With those wins, Hyundai Motor Group won big at two of the world's top three car awards. The World Car Awards and the European Car of the Year awards are considered the highest-authority awards in car industry, along with the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards. Regarding the three awards won by the IONIQ 5, Chairman Chung told Korean reporters in New York, Wednesday (local time), "The goal is not to win awards. Our goal is to keep striving for the betterment of humanity." Chung held the meeting at Genesis House, a newly opened showcase center for the group's Genesis luxury brand. When asked how the company will respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between the United States and China, Chung stressed "the international situation is unstable and difficult to predict," and added "We should always move quickly with scenarios." In regard to the expectations for the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, which declared its intent to foster a business-friendly environment, the chairman said, "I think it's up to us in any government. We are asking the government to help us hard because we will work hard." Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Hyundai Motor Group's Genesis luxury brand, introduces the brand's new concept model Genesis X Speedium Coupe at Genesis House in New York, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group A conservative civic group holds a rally in front of the Gangwon Provincial Office in Chuncheon to protest Kolon Global's construction of the Korea-China Cultural Town in the eastern provincial county of Hongcheon in this April 2021 file photo. Yonhap By Park Jae-hyuk Kolon Global recently liquidated a special purpose entity established for the construction of the Korea-China Cultural Town in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, in the wake of harsh criticism from the public earlier last year, according to its 2021 business report, Thursday. The subsidiary of Kolon Group said that it lost 565 million won ($461,000) from its 5 billion won investment in the project to build a theme park on 1.2 million square meters of land in the eastern province aiming to attract Chinese tourists. The builder plans to use the land for other purposes. Its decision was a follow-up measure of the company's promise last year to "reconsider" the project. In December 2018, Kolon Global signed a partnership deal with Gangwon Province and set up a special purpose entity a year later for the construction plan. However, a Cheong Wa Dae website petition urging the company to scrap the project drew over 670,000 signatures in March last year, amid China's continuous attempts to distort the history of Korea's ancient heritage and kingdoms. "I do not understand why we should provide a space to experience Chinese culture in Korea," the petitioner wrote. Conservative civic groups also held rallies in the province, despite Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon's claim that the petition was essentially based on fake news. "Culture is the best method of solving political disputes," Choi said at a press conference last year. "Despite the backlash, we should increase cultural exchanges in order to alleviate anti-China and anti-Japan sentiment." Cheong Wa Dae also pointed out false information in the petition, although the presidential office added that local governments should pursue their tourist attraction projects to show Korea's excellent culture and raise the country's brand awareness. The controversy also prompted a debate between Rep. Kim Nam-kuk of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who supported the project, and main opposition People Power Party's Lee Jun-seok, who is now the party's leader. Amid the intensifying public criticism, Kolon Global eventually sent a letter to the Gangwon Provincial Government last April to express its intention to accept the request to revoke the project. Although it denied the claim that the project was intended to build a so-called "Chinatown" for residential purposes, the company cited "public sentiment" as the main reason for its reconsideration at that time. "We are aware of the fact that we are unable to continue the Korea-China Cultural Town project anymore," Kolon Global said in the letter. "Despite massive losses, we will reconsider the plan from scratch." Since then, Gangwon Province has discussed liquidation procedures with four institutions that participated in the project Kolon Global, Inex Housing, China's People's Daily Online's Korean office and the Korea Wushu Association. French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon speaks during the chamber's general assembly at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of FKCCI By Park Jae-hyuk The French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) on Thursday announced the six winners of the French Business Award 2022 for their contributions to relations between the two countries. The chamber held a general assembly a day earlier in Seoul to choose this year's winners. The award for the best Korean establishment in France went to SPC Group's subsidiary Paris Croissant, for the successful operation of its Paris Baguette bakery chain in the European country as well as in Korea, the U.S., China and Southeast Asia. Jack Moran, executive vice president of global strategy and development at SPC Group, received a trophy at the event on behalf of his company. SPC Group Executive Vice President Jack Moran, center, poses with French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon, left, and French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort, after the award for the best Korean establishment in France went to the group's subsidiary Paris Croissant, during the chamber's general assembly held at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of FKCCI The Ranch Brewing Company was recognized as the best French entrepreneur in Korea, while Aryballe was awarded as the best startup. The awards for the best export performance, corporate social responsibility and the best French-Korean partnership were given to Thales Korea, Bluebell Korea and Accor Ambassador Korea, respectively. Accor Ambassador Korea Vice President Vincent Lelay, second from right, poses with French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon, left, and French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort, right, after the award for the best French-Korean partnership went to the company, during the chamber's general assembly held at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of FKCCI The winners will have an opportunity to participate in the global competition of French chambers of commerce awards in Paris this June, under the patronage of the next French president to be elected later this month, according to the FKCCI. Known as CCIFI, the global network of 126 French chambers of commerce and industry located in 96 countries, has given prizes to nearly 150 companies around the world every year to commend successful international projects. During the general assembly, FKCCI members also elected new board members, who will play a key role in its management, devise strategies and represent the French-Korean business community. They are Idadaussy.com CEO Ida Daussy, Renault Korea Motors CEO Stephane Deblaise, S-Oil TotalEnergies Lubricants CEO Patrice Devemy, JCDecaux Korea President Jay Kim, Credit Agricole Senior Country Officer Gerald Massenet and Bluebell Korea Chairman Daniel Mayran. "The General Assembly is the occasion for the FKCCI to share the main highlights of its activities in the past year with its 430 members and prospects for the future to make the French-Korean business community thrive," FKCCI Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon said. Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae also attended the event as a special guest to congratulate the French-Korean business community. "It's a great privilege to be here today. This year's annual general meeting is even more meaningful, as members gather in person for the first time in two years," he said. "We see a faint light at the end of this pandemic tunnel and see social and economic exchange gradually finding their place. I have no doubt that France and Korea will grow together and thrive even more." Genesis BBQ Chairman Yoon Hong-geun / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul Yoon vows to make fried chicken chain surpass McDonald's By Kim Jae-heun Genesis BBQ Chairman Yoon Hong-geun is raising eyebrows among industry analysts for his recent remarks that Korea's No.3 fried chicken restaurant chain aims to beat McDonald's and become the world's No.1 fast food franchise. Analysts said Yoon knows it is almost impossible for BBQ to become the world's largest, given that it is not even the biggest in the country, where it is outrivaled by bhc and Kyochon. The chairman has often made unrealistic remarks in the past in order to attract media attention, they said, stressing that people shouldn't pay too much attention to what Yoon says. In 2021, the country's largest fried chicken chain bhc earned 616.4 billion won ($53.84 million) in sales, followed by Kyochon F&B with 506.6 billion won. BBQ has yet to reveal its business performance for last year, but its sales are expected to have reached somewhere in the 300 billion won range. McDonald's 2021 revenue reached $23.22 billion globally. In terms of the number of stores, BBQ currently runs 2,250 restaurants in 58 countries, while McDonald's operates 39,198 stores worldwide. Chairman Yoon said he plans to open 50,000 BBQ restaurants in the future, but did not mention by when. "Yoon said the same thing in 2014. Back then, the chairman said he would open 10,000 stores around the world by 2020. I guess he wants to dream big. The fried chicken industry is questioning the reality of his dream. It is hard for a company to increase the number of its restaurants explosively, even looking at the long term," an industry official said on condition of anonymity. A Kyochon F&B official said the franchise business is not as easy as people think. "Each country has its own merchant business act and Korean firms are not used to it. In America, you have to have a lawyer involved to operate a franchise business and it is not as simple as doing it in Korea," the official said. McDonald's Korea refused to comment on this issue. BBQ and Chairman Yoon have both been embroiled in a number of controversies over the years. In 2018, a former BBQ employee surnamed Joo accused Yoon of embezzling 17 billion won in company funds to pay his children's tuition over the past eight years. BBQ accused bhc of instigating Joo to disclose the scandal to tarnish BBQ's reputation. The fried chicken franchise sue bhc for defamation of its chairman. In April 2017, bhc filed a lawsuit against BBQ for unilaterally terminating a contract to provide logistics services for 10 years. BBQ alleged that bhc had stolen its corporate secrets and it had to end the deal; bhc demanded 236 billion won in compensation, and the Seoul Eastern District Court ruled in favor of bhc. A bird's-eye view of Seogwipo City's Seongsan on Jeju Island. Korea Times file Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong Korea Times file By Lee Kyung-min Samsung Electronics and its union on Thursday resumed their wage talks that have been suspended for three months due to their difference over wages and other labor issues. During the meeting, representatives of the Korean tech giant's management suggested giving three days of annual paid leave, which can be used after using 15 days of annual mandatory leave. Such benefits will only be applicable to members of the union, accounting for around 4 percent of Samsung's 110,000 workers. "The union is reviewing the suggestion, yet it is still far insufficient compared to the level that the union has so far demanded," said a union official who asked not to be named. The two parties earlier held 15 rounds of negotiations since October but failed to iron out differences despite arbitration efforts by the National Labor Relations Commission. It was the first wage negotiations since Lee Jae-yong, the leader of Samsung Group, in May 2020 vowed to abolish the conglomerate's long-standing practice of not allowing labor unions. Samsung's unionized workers have called on the company to offer an annual salary rise of 10 million won ($8,155) per employee, fully disclose its incentive system and abolish its peak wage system, which gradually reduces salaries for senior workers several years before retirement, among other things. They have also demanded Lee come to the negotiating table. The two sides will return to the negotiation table Friday. (Yonhap) Frank R James, 62, is led Away from the 9th Precinct into Federal Custody in New York City, April 13, after he was arrested on the Lower East Side in Manhattan by two patrol officers. The suspect arrested for shooting 10 people on the New York subway has been charged with a federal terror offense and could face life in prison, the authorities said Wednesday. AFP-Yonhap Authorities arrested Wednesday the man suspected of setting off smoke bombs and shooting 10 passengers in a New York subway car, capping a manhunt that had renewed fears of violence in the city's transit system. New York's police commissioner said the suspect, Frank James, was arrested with the help of tips from residents following a 30-hour search. He faces a federal charge for violating a law prohibiting attacks on mass transit. "My fellow new Yorkers, we got him. We got him," Mayor Eric Adams told a press conference. "We're going to protect the people of this city and apprehend those who believe they can bring terror to everyday New Yorkers." Keechant Sewell, the police commissioner, said at the press conference that James had nine prior arrests in New York and three in New Jersey. If convicted of charges in Tuesday's attack, he could face life in prison, officials said. 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. In addition to those shot, five of whom were in critical but stable condition on Wednesday, 13 other people were injured in a panicked rush to flee the smoke-filled train. All of the victims were expected to survive. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that James bought the gun used in the attack in 2011, John DeVito, an ATF official in New York, told the press conference. The attack was the latest burst of violence that has plagued the largest U.S. city transit system, and posed a new challenge for Adams, who has tried to halt declining ridership during the coronavirus pandemic and ensure public safety. James was apprehended in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood after being spotted by bystanders who posted pictures of him to social media that alerted police, local media reported. Authorities told reporters that an investigation was continuing into what James' motive might have been. Their focus was partly on numerous social media messages and videos posted by the suspect. A passenger looks out onto the platform while riding a northbound train in the 36th Street Subway Station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, April 13, in New York. AP-Yonhap The New York Police Department (NYPD) says James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, left keys to a rented U-Haul van at the crime scene in the 36th Street station, in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood. Investigators found a number of social media posts linked to a person named Frank James that mentioned homelessness and Adams, Sewell said. A YouTube account apparently belonging to James was taken down Wednesday "for violating YouTube's Community Guidelines," the video platform said. Attempts by Reuters to reach any of the phone numbers associated with James were unsuccessful. In an interview with the New York Times, James' sister, Catherine James Robinson, said he had "been on his own his whole life" and that she was surprised by the incident. "I don't think he would do anything like that. That's not in his nature to do anything like that," she said. On Wednesday morning, with the gunman then still at large, New Yorkers went on with their commuted, saying the violence would not deter them. "It was terrible. I was sad; I had to explain it to my daughter," commuter Matthew Mosk said. "I was lucky I wasn't on the train because I usually commute around that time." Another man riding the subway, Nathan Sandidge, said: "I don't really have any other option. It's what we have to do to get to work. So, just kind of roll with whatever we have to deal with." Ridership has taken a downturn during the pandemic, dropping from 5.5 million trips per week day to an average of 3.3 million last week. New York has also seen a sharp rise in violent crime, including seemingly random attacks on the subway. The transit violence has included a number of attacks in which passengers were shoved onto train tracks from platforms, including a Manhattan woman whose murder was seen as part of a surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans. After Tuesday's attack, Mayor Adams pledged to double the number of officers assigned to subway security. He has prioritized increasing police patrols and expanding mental health outreach programs to combat violence. The mayor told MSNBC, Wednesday, the city was looking at new technologies for metal detectors that would keep people safe while minimizing disruption. "There are new models that are being used at ball games, ballparks, hospitals, where you're not stopping to go through your belongings, you simply walk in through a device," Adams said. (Reuters) Botany teacher devotes himself to protection of wetland home for waterfowl species in Hainan People's Daily Online) 16:02, April 14, 2022 Lu Gang, head of a wetland research institute in Haikou, south Chinas Hainan Province, has remained dedicated to protecting birds for 15 years. He began photographing birds in 2007 as a way to raise more public awareness towards the protection of bird populations. Photo shows Lu Gang (L) and his colleague engaged in a field survey. (Peoples Daily Online/Meng Fansheng) Previously a botany teacher at a college, Lu often participated in field surveys organized by the local forestry bureau because of his extensive knowledge conducting field research and his excellent photography skills. During the process, Lu became familiar with and more interested in Hainans efforts to protect wildlife species. He then quit his job as a college teacher and joined in the efforts. Lu has now become an expert in species conservation. We will observe the changes in species at each monitoring site and accumulate data, which can help guide the better management of the environment and protect the environment, Lu said. I have been to the most beautiful places in Hainan because of my work schedule, Lu noted, adding that he felt very lucky to turn his hobby into a career. Lu recalled how excited he was when he used his camera to capture images of black-faced spoonbills, a species of bird under first-class state protection, at the Yinggehai salt farm in Hainan several years ago. Its the first time that the bird species had been discovered at the salt farm, the man said. An increasing number of black-faced spoonbills now overwinter in Hainan. Lu introduced that among the six habitats for the bird species in the province, the Yinggehai salt farm is the only one that is not listed as a protected area. But it is also the only place where the birds population decreased significantly from the previous year. Lu Gang takes a moment to remove some weeds. (Peoples Daily Online/Meng Fansheng) Lu suggested establishing a nature park at the salt farm to better protect waterfowl species, including black-faced spoonbills. Lu has also devoted himself to stimulating the broader public to participate in nature observation and research activities via the medium offered through the camera lens. Photographs help enhance the level of publicity for the protection of bird species, according to Lu. In recent years, endangered bird species such as the black-faced spoonbill and the spoon-billed sandpiper have been frequently spotted in Hainan, and some bird species that had once disappeared in the province, including cotton pygmy geese and black-billed gulls, have returned in larger numbers to the area. This indicates that Hainans measures to restore the ecological environment have proved effective, while more and more people have begun to actively engage in bird watching, Lu said. There were few bird watchers some 10 or more years ago. But now a WeChat group I joined includes hundreds of bird watchers, Lu added, explaining that peoples awareness towards environmental protection has been improved. In addition to research institutes and public institutions, more social organizations have gotten engaged in ecological conservation efforts, and young people have joined in the efforts, Lu said. Photo shows a pilot zone for the restoration of a water ecosystem. (Peoples Daily Online/Meng Fansheng) Photo shows the Wuyuanhe National Wetland Park in Haikou, capital of south Chinas Hainan Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Meng Fansheng) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Firefighters operate at a burning building, following a missile attack near the Kharkiv International Airport, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, April 12. Reuters-Yonhap Four civilian residents of Ukraine's eastern second city Kharkiv were killed and ten wounded Wednesday as Russian forces stepped up their bombing campaign of the city, local officials said. "The enemy is bombing residential homes, residential areas. Unfortunately, there are civilian casualties the worst thing is that children are dying," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov told Ukrainian national television. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the media 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 a "genocide," accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to "wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian." AP-Yonhap U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, Wednesday, expanding the scope of the systems provided to include heavy artillery ahead of a wider Russian assault expected in eastern Ukraine. The package, which brings the total military aid since Russian forces invaded in February to more than $2.5 billion, includes artillery systems, artillery rounds, armored personnel carriers and unmanned coastal defense boats, 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 in a written statement. The new package includes 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had been earmarked for Afghanistan before the U.S.-backed government collapsed last year. It also includes 18 155mm howitzers, along with 40,000 artillery rounds, counter-artillery radars, 200 armored personnel carriers and 300 additional "Switchblade" drones. 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 not accustomed to using American military equipment. "We're aware of the clock and we know time is not our friend," Kirby said when asked about the speed of deliveries. The Philippine military pledged to keep up search and rescue efforts Thursday after tropical storm Megi ripped through central areas this week, burying many under landslides and killing at least 123 people. Megi was the first cyclone this year to hit the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands that sees an average of 20 tropical storms a year. Eighty six of the casualties were in Baybay, a mountainous area prone to landslides in Leyte Province, where 236 people were also injured, the city government said in a report. Three others drowned in different provinces, while six people were still missing, the national disaster agency said. "The search, rescue and retrieval operations will continue," a Philippine Army infantry unit in Baybay said on Facebook. Aerial photographs and video from the local government showed collapsed slopes, burying coconut plantations and houses in dirt and mud. In one area, rescuers had to use rubber boats to reach a landslide. Megi, which made landfall Sunday with sustained winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kmph, has since dissipated. The district of Kantagnos had been "greatly devastated", an army engineering and construction battalion on Leyte said on Facebook. "Homes and livelihoods have been damaged, families and individuals are missing and communication have been unstable," said the post. More than 162,000 displaced residents are sheltering in evacuation centers, while a further 41,000 are living with relatives, government data showed. Megi's destructive path has revived memories of other deadly storms in the Philippines. In December, category 5 Typhoon Rai ravaged the central Philippines, with the death toll reaching 405 and nearly 1,400 injured. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, killed 6,300 in 2013. (Reuters) Magnolia, AR (71754) Today Abundant sunshine. High around 85F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 62F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Sheridan, Wyoming, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogue Station Companies/Everdime, Inc. (OTC Pink: RGST) expands its Advisory Board by adding internationally known marketing and investment banking strategist Aaron Webber, Sr. Mr. Webber is CEO of Webber Investments. He has more than 30 years in developing and launching marketing strategies to help position growth-oriented companies like Everdime. Mr. Webber has worked with both small and large companies in assisting them to launch strategic initiatives to meet or exceed targeted goalsboth domestically and globally. Mr. Webber commented, Everdime is positioned in the exact right space, at the exact right time with a business model that will differentiate the company in the powerful crypto space. The crypto space is one that has huge possibilities--but also needs leadership, direction and solid governanceEverdime is, and can do, that. Im honored to assist Sandor and his, excellent, team to build a world-class organization! Aaron brings leadership and a wealth of entrepreneurial experience to the team, as well as a strong portfolio of marketing and strategic experience! said Sandor Miklos, Everdime CEO. Aaron will be instrumental in helping us rebrand the company and scale the tremendous business opportunity ahead of us! About Everdime Inc. Everdime, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a multidisciplinary cryptocurrency technology innovator with a current emphasis on use of tokens and NFTs to monetize social networks for operators and participants. Its principals have developed technologies and a suite of applications that provide infrastructure for the generation of Tokens and NFTs, providing a method for users to create, buy, and trade NFTs and tokens. The Company's shares are traded via OTC Link under the symbol RGST (the Company has a pending symbol change request), and current financial and other information is available at www.otcmarkets.com . Additional information about the Company is available at www.everdime.com Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, trends, analysis, and other information contained in this press release including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," and other similar expressions of opinion, constitute forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results described within the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could contribute to such differences include those matters more fully disclosed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Company's estimates as of the date of the press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Company's estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Contact: SAN DIEGO, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASTERRA will have a strong presence at the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation Symposium later this month, including the attendance of their CEO and CTO, as they share the full spectrum of applications for their award-winning technology. This is ASTERRAs first time exhibiting at GEOINT. Since 2017, ASTERRA has helped governments at the city, county, state, and federal levels understand and embrace innovative technologies to monitor infrastructure. They succeed by consistently demonstrating the significant financial, resource management, and environmental benefits. ASTERRA works with partners whose technology, mission, and values complement their own, and at GEOINT, they will be actively seeking new partners to provide total customer solutions. GEOINT is the premier U.S. event for space data, said Elly Perets, chief executive officer of ASTERRA. We are looking forward to meeting key industry leaders, sharing our technology as it applies to the EO downstream market, and collaborating with partners to provide a direct solution for many of the Earths challenges. ASTERRA is the single largest purchaser of data from the JAXA ALOS-2 satellite and both SAOCOM-1A and SAOCOM-1B satellites. ASTERRAs solutions can simultaneously analyze up to 1,300 sq miles of underground soil moisture conditions. The technology is innovative in how it provides intelligence on areas of concern and potential failure locations, mitigating damage and improving safety. ASTERRAs MasterPlan, Recover, and EarthWorks products use polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) from space-based satellites to observe soil moisture content beneath the surface on Earth. After processing the PolSAR with ASTERRA-patented analytics, it provides insights measuring relative soil moisture content. This technology is used in a growing number of applications, including identifying water leaks below the surface and maintaining infrastructure, including transportation, mines, and dams. GEOINT will be held from April 24 through April 27, 2022, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. At the conference, Perets will be joined by ASTERRA founder and Chief Technology Officer, Lauren Guy and other senior team members. They will meet with visitors, clients, and partners at booth number 537. ABOUT ASTERRA ASTERRA (formerly Utilis) provides data-driven solutions for water utilities, government agencies, and the greater infrastructure industry in the areas of roads, rails, dams, and mines. ASTERRA products use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from satellites and turn this data into large-scale decision support tools. The companys proprietary algorithms and highly educated scientists and engineers are the keys to their mission, to deliver actionable intelligence to advance Earths resource resilience. Since 2017, ASTERRA technology has been used in over 59 countries, saving over 169,280 million gallons of potable water, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 108,339 metric tons, and saving 423,200 MWH of energy, all in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ASTERRA is headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Their innovative data solutions are used in multiple verticals around the globe. ASTERRA is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to bring its products to the next level. For more information on ASTERRA and to learn more about their technology, visit https://asterra.io. Links: https://asterra.io https://usgif.org/geoint-symposium/ Media Contact Karen Dubey Corporate Marketing Director inquiry@asterra.io (858) 798-6709 English German Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR All Board proposals approved by the Shareholders Allschwil, Switzerland April 14, 2022 At todays Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Idorsia Ltd (SIX: IDIA) held in Allschwil, Switzerland, shareholders voted in favor of all proposals by the Board of Directors with a large majority. The meeting was held in accordance with the requirements of the COVID19 Ordinance 3, issued by the Swiss Federal Council. As a result, attendance in person was not possible and voting took place by independent proxy. In total, 5,474 shareholders voted through the independent proxy, representing a total of 111,093,671 shares, or 62.78% of the total outstanding shares. Mathieu Simon, MD, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Idorsia, commented: My thanks go to our shareholders, who have once again shown their support for Idorsias strategy for value creation, with resounding endorsement of all agenda items at the AGM. With our first product launches imminent, Idorsia is on the cusp of transformation into a fully-fledged biopharmaceutical company which can take innovation at the lab bench all the way to the patients bedside. Well also see important results from the clinical pipeline this year, so be prepared for more! The shareholders approved the Annual Report 2021, together with the Statutory and the Consolidated Financial Statements for 2021. Shareholders also endorsed the 2021 compensation report by way of consultative vote. Shareholders approved the aggregate maximum compensation for the Board of Directors (Non-Executive Directors) for the term of office until the AGM 2023 and the aggregate maximum amount of compensation for the Idorsia Executive Committee (IEC) for the financial year 2023. The shareholders granted discharge to all members of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Management for the financial year 2021. Shareholders approved an increase of conditional share capital, providing the flexibility to grant long-term incentives to employees focused on long-term value creation in alignment with shareholder interests. The increase of the conditional share capital is also required to fully cover convertible debt instruments, bonds, loans and similar forms of financing that have already been issued. The shareholders re-elected all Board members for a term of office until the conclusion of the AGM 2023. In addition, the shareholders re-elected Mathieu Simon as Chairman of the Board and Mathieu Simon, Felix R. Ehrat, and Srishti Gupta as members of the Compensation Committee. Following the AGM, the Board of Directors of Idorsia comprises a total of 7 members: Mathieu Simon (Chairman), Jean-Paul Clozel, Joern Aldag, Felix R. Ehrat, Sandy Mahatme, Peter Kellogg, and Srishti Gupta. BachmannPartner AG was re-elected as independent proxy for a term of office until the conclusion of the AGM 2023. Ernst & Young AG, Basel, was re-elected as statutory auditors for the financial year 2022. Notes to the editor About Idorsia Idorsia Ltd is reaching out for more We have more ideas, we see more opportunities and we want to help more patients. In order to achieve this, we will develop Idorsia into a leading biopharmaceutical company, with a strong scientific core. Headquartered near Basel, Switzerland a European biotech-hub Idorsia is specialized in the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecules to transform the horizon of therapeutic options. Idorsia has a broad portfolio of innovative drugs in the pipeline, an experienced team of professionals covering all disciplines from bench to bedside, state-of-the-art facilities, and a strong balance sheet the ideal constellation to translate R&D efforts into business success. Idorsia was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: IDIA) in June 2017 and has over 1,200 highly qualified specialists dedicated to realizing our ambitious targets. For further information, please contact Andrew C. Weiss Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hegenheimermattweg 91, CH-4123 Allschwil +41 58 844 10 10 investor.relations@idorsia.com media.relations@idorsia.com www.idorsia.com The above information contains certain "forward-looking statements", relating to the company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimates", "believes", "expects", "may", "are expected to", "will", "will continue", "should", "would be", "seeks", "pending" or "anticipates" or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such statements include descriptions of the company's investment and research and development programs and anticipated expenditures in connection therewith, descriptions of new products expected to be introduced by the company and anticipated customer demand for such products and products in the company's existing portfolio. Such statements reflect the current views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Attachment English French OTTAWA, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Oceana Canada applauds the Canadian governments release of new rebuilding regulations under the Fisheries Act. These could mark a major turning point in the abundance of Canadas wild fish, of which less than 1/3 are currently considered healthy. Now, in addition to significant government commitments and investments, Canada has the legal tools it needs to ensure critically depleted populations get the rebuilding plans needed to help return abundance to Canadas oceans. With the release of these regulations, the government has a legal requirement to rebuild our fish populations to support sustainable and prosperous fisheries, healthy coastal communities, and a more resilient, bountiful ocean. Wild fisheries have been a cultural and economic mainstay for coastal communities Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike. If we rebuild them, we can continue to rely on this abundance for years to come, said Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada. As always, success depends on how well the regulations are implemented. The government must now create and implement rebuilding plans designed to bring depleted populations out of the critical zone. In particular, it must set a target for stock rebuilding, a timeline by which it will be achieved and the actions that will be required. The regulations add new levels of transparency by requiring the Minister to publish any decision to extend timelines to create a plan, and any decision not to set a timeline for meeting rebuilding objectives. Significantly, any fishing allowed while a plan is being developed must be consistent with growing the stock out of the critical zone. In 2019, the government amended the Fisheries Act to restore protections lost under previous governments and created new provisions requiring rebuilding plans for depleted fish stocks. The regulations released today outline the elements required in a rebuilding plan and to which fish stocks they apply. Thirty stocks are listed in the regulations, including 16 in the critical zone. The government now has 24 months to create rebuilding plans for them, with an additional 12 months if required. Oceana is calling on the Minister to list all remaining stocks as quickly as possible, so the law applies equally to all fish populations. Many stocks have been severely depleted and in need of rebuilding for years or even decades. The government has published comprehensive guidance on how rebuilding plans should be written. Now that the first set of stocks has been listed under the regulations, we look forward to the development of clear, strong rebuilding plans that put these fish populations on the path to renewed abundance, added Laughren. In the past few months, Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray has taken strong action to stop the overfishing of critically depleted forage fish by reducing the quota of Pacific herring and closing commercial and bait fishing on Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic herring. The new regulations build on these essential decisions to provide renewed hope for an abundant ocean that can sustain communities and help feed the world in perpetuity. To learn more about the state of Canadas fisheries visit FisheryAudit.ca. Oceana Canada was established as an independent charity in 2015 and is part of the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana Canada has successfully campaigned to end the shark fin trade, make rebuilding depleted fish populations the law, improve the way fisheries are managed and protect marine habitat. We work with civil society, academics, fishers, Indigenous Peoples and the federal government to return Canadas formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. By restoring Canadas oceans, we can strengthen our communities, reap greater economic and nutritional benefits and protect our future. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5785f3a3-8d24-4dd0-9b25-172a4bd6d7d0 In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com NEW ORLEANS, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2022 Louisiana Energy Conference will be held in New Orleans on Wednesday evening June 1 through Friday, June 3, 2022 at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans at 921 Canal Street. The Conference will be 100% live and in-person as the City of New Orleans recently lifted all Covid-related restrictions on group gatherings. The Conference will feature a series of approximately 20 panels and presentations June 2 - 3 that will discuss key domestic and international oil and natural gas industry topics. Executives from a variety of leading public and private exploration and production (E&P) and oil field services companies as well as representatives from energy-related private equity firms, industry trade groups, regulatory agencies, investment banks, institutional research groups, industry advisory firms, insurance, and law firms will participate in the panel discussions and presentations. A preliminary agenda is available on the Conference web site, www.LouisianaEnergyConference.com . Networking Events Several networking events are planned for 2022. The Conference will begin Wednesday evening, June 1 with a welcoming reception at the recently-opened Sazerac House on Canal and Magazine Streets from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests will enjoy self-guided tours of three floors of exhibits discussing the history of cocktails, and enjoy hors doeuvres and libations while networking with Conference attendees. On Thursday evening, June 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Conference will host a second networking event at the Presbytere Museum at 751 Chartres Street at Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors doeuvres during a private viewing of a highly-anticipated major exhibition commemorating the milestone 150th anniversary of the Rex Organization, the foremost New Orleans Mardi Gras krewe. Attendance and Registration Attendance at the Conference is directed to investment professionals including buy side and sell side analysts and portfolio managers, as well as private equity and wealth management executives and trust officers; we also welcome public and private energy company management and advisors to the industry. Attendance at the Conference is expected to qualify for continuing education credits for Certified Public Accountants and Chartered Financial Analysts. The cost for all attendees will be $295 per person which includes all daytime and evening events associated with the Conference. The Sponsors of the event are pleased to offer free attendance to the first 100 investment professionals who register before April 30, 2022. Additional details are available on the event web site, www.LouisianaEnergyConference.com . Attendance at special events during the Conference may be limited so please register as soon as possible. Confirmed investment professional attendees will be offered the opportunity to register for one-on-one meetings with companies participating on the panels. Over 50 E&P companies, oil field service companies and other panelist firms are expected to take part in the Conference. The Conference is being hosted by Al Petrie Advisors. For additional information on attendance and sponsorship opportunities, please call (504) 799-1953 or email info@LouisianaEnergyConference.com . The recently-created Southern Industrial Conference (SIC) will be taking place just before LEC on Tuesday, May 31 Wednesday June 1, also at the Ritz-Carlton. Please visit www.SouthernIndustrialConference.com for more details on that new event. Interested attendees can register for both events for a total cost of $395 for dual registration. Al Petrie, Senior Partner of Al Petrie Advisors commented, We are very pleased to host our annual energy conference again with another great lineup of panels and topics for 2022 after a two-year absence. In addition to our traditional panels on U.S. onshore and offshore E&P and oil services, we are adding a number of new panels or presentations on energy transition, globalization of stock market trading, and the changing dynamics in world oil and natural gas markets. Visit our website, www.LouisianaEnergyConference.com to register and for additional details and continually updated Conference agenda information. With the strong rebound in energy prices and the outperformance of energy stocks in recent months, we believe our Conference is particularly well timed to discuss all the matters facing the industry. Registration is now open through the web site as well as the ability to reserve rooms online at the special rate of $229 per night at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans through May 14, 2022. 201 Saint Charles Avenue Suite 4120 New Orleans, Louisiana 70170 Contact: Al Petrie (504) 799-1953 San Antonio, TX, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plus One Robotics, the leader in vision-guided robotics technology and software for logistics, has announced the addition of industry veteran Robert Nilsson as Chief Revenue Officer. Robert brings a wealth of experience to the role, where he is responsible for commercial strategy and new business growth as the company scales its 3D and AI-powered robotic solutions for warehouses and distribution centers. Robert joins at a high-growth inflection point for the company which, driven by customer demand, recently opened additional facilities in Pittsburgh and the Netherlands. Prior to joining Plus One Robotics, Nilsson was the Vice President of Sales & Consulting for Swisslog where he was responsible for the go-to-market strategy and growth of integrated systems with Americas enterprise and global customers. He also served as the Chief Business Development Officer for Packsize International where he oversaw development of strategic partners, growth of the European business unit and expansion of global accounts. At Dematic, Robert was the Vice President and General Manager of Software as a Business in North America. Roberts progressive career trajectory separates him from the pack. We are primed to leverage his deep experience as a strategist and revenue driver to accelerate our strong market position. His business acumen is matched equally with his empathy for our clients, so we are assured of continuing to deliver the best possible customer experience, said Erik Nieves, CEO and Founder at Plus One Robotics. Plus One is providing optimized solutions for the supply chain at a time when automation is beyond needed, but critical, Nilsson said. For companies looking to solve problems of volume surge and labor shortage, automation has become a C-suite imperative, and innovation a company-wide directive. Plus Ones technology delivers real world picking, sorting, and packing solutions that are reliable, flexible and scalable. The companys reputation for customer focus is second to none in the industry, and Im excited to join Plus One during this time of growth and expansion to help take the business to the next level globally. About Plus One Robotics, Inc. Plus One Robotics was founded in 2016, with a mission to bring leading-edge 3D and AI vision to industrial robots, enabling hand-eye coordination for material handling in the warehouse. Founded by computer vision and robotics industry veterans, Plus One's novel approach to human/robot collaboration and supervised autonomy ensures fast, accurate, and scalable solutions, with one person able to manage many robots simultaneously. Plus One's customers include logistics and ecommerce leaders in the Fortune 100; the company is headquartered in San Antonio with offices in Boulder, Pittsburgh, and the Netherlands. Visit www.plusonerobotics.com for more information, and follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/plusone-robotics. Attachment Chicago, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The inaugural ICRS Advanced Leadership Institute was held April 6 7, 2022, in Washington, D.C. and graduated 32 scholars from around the world. NCSBN Chief Officer, Nursing Regulation, Maryann Alexander, PhD, RN, FAAN, notes, We want to see those who receive this certificate go on to become the future leaders of state, national and international regulatory bodies. ICRS is an educational initiative that offers online and blended courses designed to cultivate and elevate nursing leaders and policymakers around the world. ICRSs premier offering is the ICRS certificate program, which is a pioneering, competency-based course of study. This program is designed to enrich and inspire nursing regulators, health policy leaders and other professionals who are entrusted with patient safety. ICRS Certificate graduate, Caroline Muchina, LLB, CS, AKIB, corporation secretary and manager of legal services at the Nursing Council of Kenya, remarked, I embraced the opportunity to participate in the only program of its kind dedicated to the education of health care regulators. Through the guidance of my ICRS instructors and peers, I learned to look at issues more objectively and from an informed and global perspective. ICRS provides unprecedented opportunities for global networking and collaboration. For more information about course enrollment visit icrsncsbn.org. About NCSBN Empowering and supporting nursing regulators across the world in their mandate to protect the public, NCSBN is an independent, not-for-profit organization. As a global leader in regulatory excellence, NCSBN champions regulatory solutions to borderless health care delivery, agile regulatory systems and nurses practicing to the full scope of their education, experience and expertise. A world leader in test development and administration, NCSBNs NCLEX Exams are internationally recognized as the preeminent nursing examinations. NCSBNs membership is comprised of the nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs) in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. There are three exam user members and 27 associate members that are either NRBs or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories. The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not individual members. ### Hong Kong: CE receives 4th vaccine dose Chief Executive Carrie Lam today received her fourth dose of the Sinovac vaccine at the community vaccination centre in the Central Library and called on people aged 60 or above to get fully vaccinated in a timely manner. Mrs Lam, in the company of Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip, who is responsible for co-ordinating the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, and Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan, inspected the vaccination centres operation after she received her jab. Mrs Lam thanked the healthcare workers and staff of the centre for meticulously providing vaccination services to the public. She also talked to members of the public who went there to get vaccinated and was pleased to learn about their positive response to the Government's call to get vaccinated in a timely manner. Prof Chan also received her fourth dose of the Sinovac vaccine at the centre. The Government announced on April 8, after considering experts' recommendations, that people aged 60 or above who had received three doses of the Sinovac or BioNTech vaccines could receive the fourth vaccine dose at least three months after their last dose. Mrs Lam noted that currently, the first-dose vaccination rates of the age group of three to 11 and that of 70 or above account for some 60% and some 70% respectively of the relevant populations, far lower than those of the other age groups. The Government has been stepping up efforts to boost the vaccination rates of children and the elderly, as a matter of priority, to reduce their risk of hospitalisation, serious complication or even death upon infection. The Chief Executive also pointed out that the protection conferred by the vaccine may wane with time. She called on people aged 60 or above who have received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to receive their fourth dose in a timely manner, those who have yet to be vaccinated to act now and receive vaccination and those who have received vaccination to arrange to receive their second or third doses promptly. As schools in Hong Kong will resume face-to-face classes in a gradual and orderly manner starting next week, she also encouraged parents to arrange vaccination for their children early. This story has been published on: 2022-04-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Pakistan ready to elevate bilateral relations with China to higher level: PM Xinhua) 16:59, April 14, 2022 ISLAMABAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan is ready to join hands with China to deepen bilateral cooperation and elevate relations between the two countries to a higher level, which is the voice of over 200 million Pakistani people, the country's newly-elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said. In a meeting with Pang Chunxue, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad earlier this week, Shahbaz noted that the Pakistan-China friendship is unique, unshakable and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the two countries. Whenever Pakistan was faced with internal, external difficulties or major challenges, China has always stood firmly with Pakistan, he said, adding that Pakistan regards China as its steadiest friend and closest partner. Every Pakistani government has been committed to promoting friendship with China and no one in the world can undermine this friendship, the Pakistani prime minister said. Major development has been witnessed in Pakistan-China relations in recent years, and bilateral cooperation in political, economic, diplomatic and other fields has been deepened in an all-round way, opening a new chapter in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said. The CPEC is not only a major project of mutual benefit, but also a precious gift from the Chinese government to Pakistan, Shahbaz said, adding that Chinese enterprises have overcome numerous difficulties and challenges to facilitate Pakistan's development. After the completion of a number of CPEC energy projects, Pakistan's energy shortage situation has rapidly improved, he said, adding that Pakistan would have still been short of electricity without those projects. China seeks peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and the CPEC is a very illustration of that, Shahbaz noted. Pakistan will continue to increase input into the CPEC, work with China to expand cooperation fields, and overcome all bottlenecks and obstacles to speed up the CPEC construction, he said, adding that Pakistan will make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. Pakistan looks forward to learning from China's successful experience in poverty alleviation and vocational training, and pushing forward bilateral cooperation at a "new Pakistan speed", he added. Pakistan welcomes more Chinese investment in its agricultural modernization, industrialization and digitalization and hopes that more Chinese enterprises will set up joint ventures in Pakistan and export products produced in this country to China and the rest of the world for mutual benefit and win-win results, Shahbaz said. In his maiden address to the National Assembly of Pakistan or the lower house of the parliament after being elected as the country's prime minister on Monday, Shahbaz said that developing Pakistan-China relations is the most important thing and a priority in Pakistan's diplomatic policy, noting that China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan and the great and eternal Pakistan-China friendship can never be shaken by anyone. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Tunisie Telecom, BSA telecommunication and COMATEL announce the signing, on March 14, of an exclusive agreement with the company TELECEL Group for the sale of 100% of the shares of the company Mauritano-Tunisienne des Telecommunications (Mattel). Mattel is the first mobile operator in Mauritania to have launched the GSM service. Since its creation on May 11, 2000, the result of cooperation between Mauritanian and Tunisian economic operators, Mattel has always relied on the quality of its network, the professionalism of its staff, the leadership of its management team and proximity to its customers. Mattel is a major player in the ICT sector and digital transformation in the country. As such, Mattel plays an essential role in the development of broadband in Mauritania through its 4G and fiber optic infrastructures deployed in the main cities of the country. Mattel holds nearly 33% market share and in 21 years of existence, Mattel has constantly modernized its network thanks to the latest generation of technical equipment and the knowhow of its engineers. Mattel offers its services throughout the country with a network of more than 120 agencies spread throughout the national territory. Telecel is mobile operator present in Africa since 1986. The Group is experiencing strong growth on the continent. It has completed four transactions since 2018. The company plans to invest more than $700 million over the next 3 years, mainly in mobile operator acquisitions, fiber optic infrastructure construction and infrastructure. Thanks to its activities, Telecel Global Services, Telecel Play and Africa Startup initiative Program have become major players in the digital economy in Africa. Mattel Shareholders have declared that 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. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Enjoy a free any-size hot coffee from Wawa Thursday as the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain celebrates its 58th anniversary and annual Wawa Day. Throughout the day, Wawa expects to give away more than 2 million free cups of any-size coffee to customers at its more than 960 stores. Advertisement Enjoy a free any-size hot coffee from Wawa Thursday as the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain celebrates its 58th anniversary and annual Wawa Day. (Rafael Palacio, Orlando Sentinel) We are thrilled to be able to bring back our traditional Wawa Day festivities to honor the millions of customers who have been such an integral part of our growth through the years, said Chris Gheysens, Wawa President and CEO. As we mark our 58th anniversary, we look forward to brightening the days of our customers, associates and communities with free coffee, special recognitions and vital resources, continuing our longstanding tradition of providing necessary support to our communities and National Partners during times of need. Being there for our customers, associates and communities when they need us most remains one of our core commitments and one that we always seek to strengthen through new partnerships and possibilities. Wawa, which started out as a New Jersey iron foundry in 1803, entered the retail business in 1964 when it opened its first store in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Today, the company operates more than 900 stores in six states and Washington D.C., offering built-to-order foods such as hoagies and burgers, freshly brewed coffee, specialty beverages, snacks, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. Advertisement This years Wawa Day celebration is dedicated to brightening the days of its customers, associates and communities. Business Buzz Daily The daily update for the Lehigh Valley business person. > How Wawa Plans to Brighten Days on April 14: With Wawa Day back in full swing, the 2022 event will feature several special events and celebrations that will pay tribute to Wawas rich history and culture, while brightening the days of Wawas customers, associates and communities: Free hot coffee chainwide Customers can simply come into their local store and grab their favorite hot beverage from Wawas self-serve coffee bar; Day Brightener recognition for customers On Wawa Day, associates from all 960-plus stores will honor one customer as their stores official Day Brightener with special recognition to acknowledge the positivity they spread throughout their communities with the intent of inspiring others to do the same; $1 million Gift Cards for Care distribution to national partners, providing immediate food and fuel relief for the communities With a longstanding history of supporting its communities, especially in times of need, Wawa will donate a total of $1 million in gift cards to The Wawa Foundations National Partners and certain community partners, including American Red Cross, Check-Out Hunger, Childrens Miracle Network, JDRF, LLS, Special Olympics, USO and Meals on Wheels, to help them continue delivering much-needed services to their communities. Each organization will receive approximately $100,000 in gift cards in support of their fuel/food needs and family assistance programs; Limited-time beverage to support Childrens Miracle Network On Wawa Day, Wawa will unveil the limited-time Day Brightener Popping Bubbles Passionfruit Lemonade beverage. This unique creation was developed by Wawa mixologists and includes Wawas signature lemonade with a fizzy passionfruit twist. Wawa will make a $25,000 contribution to Childrens Miracle Network to support member hospitals Child Life Services dedicated to making patients time at local hospitals a bit brighter; Celebrating the launch of The Wawa Foundation: In April 2014, Wawa celebrated its 50th anniversary with the launch of The Wawa Foundation, a 501c (3) non-profit organization founded to encompass most of Wawas charitable giving. Since the Foundations inception, Wawa and The Wawa Foundation have donated almost $120 million in support of causes related to health, hunger and everyday heroes. As part of this years Wawa Day celebration, The Wawa Foundation will announce two contributions of $1 million each to two of its National Partners: Check-Out Hunger and Special Olympics. From far left: Josh Dillman, in gray, Jackie Schadas, Mike Keller,Ashley Eichlin, Gina Bonjivanni, and Theresa Muldowney, hold a meeting. Barry Isett & Associates is a Lehigh Valley Top Workplace in 2022. The Allentown engineering and design firm is the only company to earn that honor all 10 years that The Morning Call has been running the program. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call) When Barry and Shirley Isett started Barry Isett & Associates Inc. in 1977, she made her husband promise that they would annually spend two weeks away from work and take a vacation to ensure they enjoyed their lives to the fullest, according to Shirley Isetts obituary. Its fair to say the legacy of treating employees like the couple would like to be treated providing them with the necessary tools to do their jobs while nurturing the sometimes elusive work-life balance got its start in that one pledge, according to Kimberli Kyra, the Upper Macungie Township companys human resources director. Advertisement Its always been that family, said Kyra, who is coming up on 25 years with the structural-engineering and related-consulting firm. Isett & Associates designs and inspects buildings and more; it is not a builder, she said. Isett & Associates has made The Morning Calls Top Workplaces of the Lehigh Valley list each of the 10 years the newspaper has partnered with Energage to rank area companies based on employees survey responses. Advertisement Were very excited, said Kevin T. Campbell, Isett president and CEO, who has been with the company 17 years. I read a lot that culture eats strategy for breakfast, but what if your strategy is culture? Kyra said leaders at Isett & Associates, which also has been named among the 100 Best Places to work in Pennsylvania for three consecutive years, review the surveys to examine and implement possible improvements. For example, Kyra said a low score in employee training and new-employee orientation led to ramping up its processes. We use those surveys to see where we are not scoring as high, and whats happening internally, she said. What can we implement or change to improve the situation? The companys leaders including Barry Isett, (Shirley died Oct. 30), Campbell and the Isetts daughter, Jennifer Isett, who is vice president of business operations have made a family atmosphere and a healthy work environment among their top goals, according to Kyra. It includes little things, she said: Workers can donate vacation time for fellow employees in need; Isett & Associates offers an interactive-wellness website, health fairs and walking challenges; and children can visit on snow days. The company holds twice-yearly meetings, with a wrap-up happy hour, she said, that has gone virtual during the pandemic. Company ownership is a consortium of Barry Isett, associate shareholders and employees vested in an employee stock ownership plan that gives a portion of the privately held company shares to nearly every worker, according to Kyra. The company also recognizes employees through its Values in Action program, in which workers nominate other workers for exhibiting Isett Associates standards: team, service, balance and ownership. Monthly winners are entered in a contest, with the winner receiving a one-week vacation to a beach house belonging to one of the executives, Kyra said. We know if employees are happy, our clients will be too, she said. Advertisement The company has seen growth, with 240 employees in eight offices in Pennsylvania since 1977. While based throughout nearly its entire existence along Route 100 in Upper Macungie Township, Barry Isett plans to open a new headquarters this year at Crackersport Road in Upper Macungie. The company hired 54 people last year, Kyra said, and turnover rate is low, just 5%. Since the early days of Isett & Associates, when Barry promised Shirley her vacation time, the owners have seen growth, a credit not only to company leadership but to workers. We are not driven by the bottom line, Kyra said. If we self-assess, we probably would say we could be more profitable. But because we want that work-life balance, we know sometimes profits arent going to be as high as another firm our size. But yet in the end, it works because our employees are happy, theyre appreciative. They understand that well give to them, and theyll give back to the company, and jobs have to get done. Barry Isett & Associates Inc. No. 8 small employer Founded: 1977 Advertisement Ownership: private Sector: engineering and consulting Employees: 104 Website: barryisett.com Three other Valley businesses have placed in Top Workplaces nine out of 10 years. Each of the runner-up companies was asked the following questions, with answers edited: How has your business been able to maintain the status of a Top Workplace? Are there any specific tips for keeping employees happy? Are there any secrets, or is there any advice your business has uncovered? Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba No. 10 small employer Advertisement Founded: 1988 Ownership: private Sector: law Employees: 75 Website: flblaw.com Jennifer Bruce, marketing and special projects director with Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, Allentown: Advertisement At Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, weve long recognized that our success results from our employees dedication, compassion and integrity. We reward their commitment, collegiality and responsiveness with competitive salaries and robust benefits packages, and also offer perks, such as team building and community service opportunities throughout the year. From office picnics and gingerbread house-building competitions to community service hours and volunteer opportunities, we do our best to give back to our employees and encourage them to give time to others as part of our culture of success. It may seem simple, but we listen to our employees. Our executive committee and managers build relationships with every member of our team and family members. They promote candid communication, which helps us shape our employee programs. Weve created training programs, increased salaries, maintained low-cost benefits and implemented incentives based on direct feedback. We understand that we cant please everyone all of the time. But our culture welcomes diversity of thought and flexibility in the face of evolving expectations to ensure we maintain an overall happy and healthy workplace. Culture trumps policies. Even with the best handbook and policies, consistent and transparent leadership at every level of an organization creates a positive environment that allows employees to grow and succeed. With the work environment rapidly changing over the last 24 months, leaders need to take risks and pivot if current policies arent working. Weve done that as best possible, and it has worked. Additionally, recognizing and listening to employees on the front lines helps build and retain culture. Advertisement Buckeye Partners LP No. 5 midsize employer Founded: 1886 Ownership: private Sector: energy industry services Employees: 317 Website: buckeye.com Advertisement Jon Ehrlich, human resources business partner, Buckeye Partners LP, Lower Macungie Township: The core strength of Buckeye has long been its employees their passion, pride and dedication to the company, and their commitment to caring for communities in which we operate. In that regard, the company leads our peers with competitive salary and benefits, developmental programs for career progression, and an open, candid relationship with its senior leadership team. While markets and products continue to evolve to meet a changing environment, our consistent commitment to recognizing the importance of people to our success perseveres in all conditions, and keeps employees happy. Employee-reward systems are in place to support performance and promotes an entrepreneurial culture as it relates to innovation, revenue opportunities and cost efficiencies. It is firmly believed this culture serves as the key differentiator in the marketplace and truly sets Buckeye apart from its peers. Ultimately, its about getting people who genuinely care about each others collective successes. Advertisement CAI No. 4 midsize employer Founded: 1981 Ownership: private Sector: managed services & outsourcing Employees: 285 Website: cai.io Advertisement Business Buzz Daily The daily update for the Lehigh Valley business person. > Tammy Harper, chief human resources officer, CAI, South Whitehall Township: We put our purpose above everything else a strong focus on employee well-being. To ensure we are connecting with our employees in our work from anywhere environment, we leverage and build upon a robust communication technology infrastructure. Its about making it easy for them to stay in touch with us, their employer, and have a voice. Their ideas enhance their experience for everyone. The talent experience we deliver is directly dependent on communicating with our employees, which we do through companywide open forums, internal surveys, two-way communication channels with our intranet, and reviewing and responding to comments on our employer review sites. These insights help us make well-informed decisions for benefit packages, organizational restructuring, and personal and professional growth opportunities. Dont assume you know everything. You have to keep your eyes and ears open and pay attention to what employees are suggesting. Stay open to feedback and be communicative having honest dialogue about where you are today and where your employees want to go tomorrow is when change happens. Observe trends and patterns in employees expectations and meet them where they are both from a professional and personal standpoint. We have adopted the philosophy of the human deal by delivering a talent strategy focused on the entire person, not just their experience during working hours. There is no secret sauce, its just about being thoughtful. Think about what you would want in an employer. Start there, and then gather the input from your employees. Its that simple. Advertisement Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com. Wegmans on Thursday announced it will eliminate plastic bags companywide by the end of 2022. (Harry Fisher / THE MORNING CALL) If youre a Wegmans shopper, get ready to say goodbye to those plastic shopping bags. The supermarket chain with three locations in the Lehigh Valley announced Thursday that it will eliminate plastic bags companywide by the end of the year. Wegmans is the first chain in the Valley to take this measure. Advertisement To help shift customers to reusable bags, the company will charge five cents per paper bag, an approach that has proven successful in New York and other markets, Wegmans said in a release. The supermarket chain first piloted the program in 2019 in its Ithaca and Corning, New York, stores, as well as its Richmond, Virginia, stores. Following the successful completion of both pilots, Wegmans eliminated plastic bags at all its New York State stores in January 2020 ahead of a New York state ban. Advertisement As of today, the company says bags have been eliminated at 61 stores, including additional Virginia locations, as well as at select stores in Massachusetts and Maryland. Wegmans will transition out of plastic and paper single-use bags at all nine of its New Jersey stores on May 4, in accordance with the states bag ban. In stores where the company has already eliminated plastic bags, on average, paper bags are used for 20-25% of transactions, while the remaining 75-80% use reusable bags or no bag at all, the release said. By eliminating plastic bags from the rest of our stores and focusing on transitioning our customers to reusable bags, were preventing approximately 345,000,000 single-use bags from going into circulation in a years time. Wegmans will phase in the elimination of plastic bags at its remaining 45 stores including Allentown, Bethlehem and Lower Nazareth throughout the second half of 2022 to accommodate paper- and reusable-bag supply. All new Wegmans stores will open with paper bags as the sole single-use bag option. No other major supermarket chain has taken such measures in the Lehigh Valley. Whole Foods, which opened in Lower Macungie in 2016, only offers paper bags and provides a 5-cent discount for using reusable bags. Lidl, which opened in Wilson in 2019, requires customers to bring reusable bags or purchase one in the store. The amount collected from the paper-bag charge will be donated to each stores local food bank and United Way. In 2021, the more than $1.7 million Wegmans collected and donated from the bag charge was used to increase access to wholesome food and address the most critical needs of our communities. HARRISBURG 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 Wolfs spokesperson said he opposes both measures. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Legislatures 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 Trumps continued claims he lost unfairly, and by evidence that the unmonitored receptacles were sometimes used to deposit more ballots that just the voters 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 others 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. Advertisement Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. > 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 peoples house had no say thats wrong, said President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre. And I know most people back home dont 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. Advertisement 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 buy equipment to process mail-in ballots and protective equipment for elections workers. A Kentucky man who was driving almost 100 mph when his SUV hit another vehicle and killed a father and son along Interstate 78 in Greenwich Township was found guilty of homicide by vehicle in Berks County Court on Thursday. Convicted was Christopher Cornelius, 44, of Louisville, whose SUV rear-ended the victims vehicle at about 3:30 a.m. on June 29, 2019. Advertisement The crash killed Nicholas Winter, 56, and his son, Nicholas, 26, both of Auburn, Schuylkill County, who were in the other vehicle. The verdict came following a four-day trial before Judge James Lillis, with the jury finding Cornelius guilty of two counts of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of reckless endangerment of another person and two counts of DUI. Advertisement A blood test showed Cornelius had methamphetamine and amphetamines in his system at the time of the crash, prosecutors said. Cornelius was found not guilty of two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, one count of aggravated assault while DUI, and another count of DUI. His sentencing is scheduled for May 24. He has been in Berks County Prison since his arrest. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, and Lisa Winter, 55, also was seriously injured. She suffered a concussion, fractured vertebrae and a severe cut to her knee and required hospital treatment. Cornelius was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. According to troopers: Cornelius was traveling east when his SUV hit the Winter SUV in the right lane. Cornelius did not brake before the impact, which sent the Winter SUV over the guide rail and the vehicle rolled down an 80-foot embankment. Nicholas Winter, his son, and one of the familys dogs were thrown as the vehicle rolled. Advertisement The eastbound lanes were closed for several hours while a state police crash reconstruction team investigated. Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. > Both vehicles were towed to the state police station near Hamburg. A witness said Cornelius had been speeding, switching lanes rapidly without signaling and almost rear-ended another vehicle prior to hitting the Winter SUV. Upon unloading the Cornelius vehicle into the impoundment lot, troopers discovered two syringes near the steering wheel. They got a search warrant for the vehicle. The search revealed a biohazard sharp objects container containing multiple used syringes, a small digital scale, cigarette rolling papers and two cellphones. A check of the airbag control module in the vehicle showed that Cornelius had been driving up to 99 mph immediately before the crash. Advertisement Arrest papers indicate that Cornelius is transient, living out of his vehicle. Three dogs were in the Winter vehicle. One reportedly died at the scene, one was taken to an emergency veterinary center and the other ran off and was found alive three weeks later by the Berks Dog Search group and returned to the family. The strength of an economy, military might, and the production of energy constitute the three pillars of global power. However, over the near term, Russia, despite a relatively weak economy, showed it can defy international norms, invade a neighboring country, rape, torture and murder its citizens, bombard its cities and towns into rubble and displace a quarter of its population. Russia is holding the European Union, the largest economy in the world along with the U.S., (nearly $16.5 trillion per annum) by the proverbial short hairs over its dependence on Russia energy. Dependence to heat its homes, generate its electricity, power its factories and fill up the fuel tanks of its cars, trucks and airplanes. Advertisement Europe is financing Putins war against Europeans, raging for now in Ukraine, with nearly $1 billion a day in oil sales. Don Ritter (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated recently that his long-time backing of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia was a mistake. Indeed, the European dismantling of existing energy capacity and the denial of locally produced fossil fuel energy was a mistake, one of colossal and historic proportion as it turns out. Advertisement Before the fighting started, Germany was dependent on Russia for more than 50% of its natural gas, 45% of its coal burned for electricity and steelmaking, and 32% of its oil. Germany also literally added Russian fuel-to-the-fire in Europe by shutting down three of its six electricity-producing, nuclear power plants. The people of the U.S. and Europe, both enthusiastically supporting the Ukrainian peoples valiant war effort, already face a version of World War III, presently confined to Ukraine but possibly evolving into a much wider conflict. Given the danger of this moment in history, we need to adjust our priorities to meet the challenge. The only reasonable alternative is for America to provide our European allies with a stable, reliable substitute for Russian energy, starting now and for years to come. Whats necessary is a Manhattan Project/Marshall Plan to increase oil and gas supply and delivery. Jamie Dimon, chairman of JPMorgan Chase, a leader in the Democratic Party establishment, has also called for such an energy Marshall Plan. Such a plan would muster strong bipartisan support in Congress if the present administration would commit to such a strategy. With a U.S. all-of-the-above energy production strategy, including renewables and safe nuclear power, America could vastly reduce free-world dependence on a Russia bent on conquest and destroying the very ideal of individual freedom and democracy. The environmental impact would be salutary, as American production of oil, gas and coal is substantially cleaner than that of Russias. Greenhouse gases would largely stay the same, as the issue is substitution. Renewables are not ready to entirely replace fossil fuels, with Germany being the prime example. They have invested more than any country in making the transition to green. Batteries are not ready for large-scale storage and require a lot of mined materials that are not environmentally friendly. Advertisement First and foremost, it would be necessary to reverse the current policies on fossil fuels by the political leadership in Washington. It would mean permitting oil and gas exploration, permitting pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas export facilities. It would mean a halt in the current whole of government approach to regulating fossil fuels out of existence. It would mean an end to policies aimed at stifling investment in the industry. As the war in Ukraine continues and Russia doubles down, similar ideas are showing up in the public space. The Manhattan Project/Marshall Plan approach is essential to convince those countries with substantial dependence on Russian gas and oil to wean themselves away from Russian energy. The signal to the global energy markets would immediately lower energy prices. Along with strict sanctions put on Russian gas and oil exports, an American energy revival would disrupt Russias ability to wage war in Ukraine and beyond. Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said this war could drag on for months, maybe years. How many Ukrainians must die because America did not do what it could do to stop the slaughter? How much risk is America willing to endure of a Hitler-like Putin, armed to the teeth with weapons paid for by the people of Europe? Finally, how many tenths of a degree Celsius in global warming are we willing to sacrifice to alleviate the suffering, save the lives of a nation and its people and create a safer world for all? Advertisement Don Ritter of Warrenton, Virginia represented the Lehigh Valley in Congress from 1979-1993. He is president and CEO emeritus, Afghan American Chamber of Commerce and a trustee of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. His visit to Ukraine in November was organized by Ukrainian-American activist and Schnecksville resident, Marta Fedoriw. Well, that didnt take long. I saw the latest campaign commercial for Mehmet Oz on Wednesday morning. It brags about his endorsement just a few days earlier by former President Donald Trump. Advertisement DR. OZ ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP. TRUMP ENDORSES MEHMET OZ SMART, TOUGH, AND SOMEONE WHO WILL NEVER LET US DOWN. Advertisement I wonder if all the Republican candidates in Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races have these commercials produced and ready to go. And are praying they can air them. Oz is celebrating as if he just won the election. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. The voters will decide who our next senator and governor will be. Have the candidates forgotten that? Theyve focused on beating their chests and beating each other up to win the endorsement of The Donald. Its like thats all that matters. Tuesday, GOP gubernatorial candidate Jake Corman was bowing out of the race. He had all but hung the For Sale sign on campaign headquarters. Then Trump sucked him back in. Corman, the president pro tempore of the state Senate, is well behind in the polls. Hes in a crowded field. So it wasnt shocking that on Tuesday morning, he filed a petition in Commonwealth Court to have his name removed from the ballot. Later in the day, invigorated after speaking with Trump, Corman dove back in. Advertisement Two developments today have led me to decide to remain in the race for governor: President Trumps statement on the race and my conversation directly with the president, Corman, of Centre County, said in a statement. He encouraged me to keep fighting, and thats what Im going to do keep fighting for the people of Pennsylvania. The Trump statement that Corman referred to was a bashing of one of Cormans opponents, William McSwain. He is the former U.S. attorney in Philadelphia who led federal prosecutions there and in the Lehigh Valley area under Trump. One person in Pennsylvania who I will not be endorsing is Bill McSwain for Governor, Trump said in Tuesdays statement. He was the U.S. Attorney who did absolutely nothing on the massive Election Fraud that took place in Philadelphia and throughout the commonwealth. Do not vote for Bill McSwain, a coward, who let our Country down. He knew what was happening and let it go. Dr. Mehmet Oz and former President Donald Trump (Getty Images) [ Dr. Oz for U.S. Senate? Pennsylvania doesnt need carpetbaggers like him ] If I hadnt fled the Republican Party last year, I might consider voting for the guy just because Trump thinks he dissed him. Advertisement There was no massive election fraud to investigate. McSwain has desperately sought Trumps blessing, but give him credit for pushing back against the criticism. Ive prosecuted and put people behind bars who committed voter fraud, and put rioters and looters in jail, he said in a statement. When Im Governor, were going to get back to a voting system that everyone has confidence in, and that begins with repealing the unconstitutional mail-in balloting law, Act 77, that Doug Mastriano voted for. Which brings us to Mastriano. Ah, Mastriano. Advertisement With Trump finally inserting himself in the thick of Pennsylvanias elections, I wonder what Mastriano was thinking these past few days. The state senator from Franklin County is a big believer of the Big Lie. He has said Trump asked him to run for governor. Yet his name hasnt come out of Trumps mouth recently. So Mastrianos campaign issued a statement Tuesday evening, just to make sure we know hes still out there. And still best buds with the party king. The statement arrived under the headline, Senator Doug Mastriano Vows To Fight For Election Integrity. Both President Trump and I are fighting the same battles on behalf of the people. Pennsylvanians know the truth about my record and that Act 77 was unconstitutionally rewritten by the PA Supreme Court after its passage. Those changes completely undermined our legislative intent and removed critical safeguards prior to the 2020 election. I will continue to fight for election integrity and as governor Ill have the power to ensure that our elections are administered correctly and lawfully. Advertisement Trump still hasnt knighted anyone in the governors race. Perhaps hes waiting to see who will go low enough in the campaign to be most worthy. I hope the Republicans who go to the polls or cast a mail ballot for the May 17 primary election dont vote based solely on who Trump picked. Vote for the candidates that you believe will make Pennsylvania better. Of course, Trumps endorsement could be a curse, too. There are plenty of moderate Republicans those with a brain who are willing to think for themselves who disdain the former commander-in-chief. His endorsements could be a road map for who not to vote for in the primary. Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at 610-820-6582 or paul.muschick@mcall.com How often do we root for the underdog? It took a group of hard-pressed warehouse workers to show the rest of us that, yes, if you stick together, you can beat Americas version of an oligarch, Jeff Bezos. One of the principals in this winning election to form a union at an Amazon fulfillment center on Staten Island was fired two years earlier. He didnt give up and pushed for union representation, in the second-largest business in the U.S., and he won. Advertisement It showed the power of collective action. A grassroots campaign that will be studied and replicated around the nation. Amazon reportedly spent $4.2 million on union busting in 2021. The vote said it all; the workers won. A sweatshop is a sweatshop, no matter if it is in Cambodia or Staten Island. Congratulations to the winners. Now is the time to organize the rest of these warehouses around the country. Advertisement Economist Paul Krugman said we have to rebuild the middle class in America, and unions can help do it. Anthony Gattullo Bethlehem HEFEI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A group of hearing-impaired people have established a cleaning company in Hefei City, capital of east China's Anhui Province. They hope to earn a living and the respect of their community as they clean up the city. Born with a hearing impairment, Hu Min, the founder of the company, had a hard time finding a job after finishing special education in high school. Instead of following the norm of looking for factory work, he decided to start his own business to challenge himself and help his peers. "The community of deaf-mute people is not that big. Most of them have limited access to jobs and low salaries although they work very hard," said Hu in sign language. According to the second national sample survey of people with disabilities, roughly 27.8 million people from China suffer from hearing-impairment. In 2017, Hu developed a social network application intended for the hearing and speech-impaired. However, his business suffered from a small user base as well as high promotion and maintenance costs. He ended up going bankrupt and had to sell his car to pay employees' salaries. However, Hu refused to give in to fate. "I want to do something to prove that we can live a better life," said the 32-year-old. Two years later, he bounced back and established a cleaning company named "Longwei," meaning that "deaf-mutes can also make a difference." Upon hearing the news, many of his friends and former employees came back to join him on his new adventure. At the beginning it was far from easy. They particularly struggled with miscommunication with clients during work. They were fully prepared to face a certain level of prejudice and discrimination. On multiple occasions the clients would decline their services upon finding out they suffered from a hearing-impairment and were unable to speak. With the assistance of Shen Mingming, who focused on customer services for the company, they created a WeChat group where customers and cleaners can communicate by typing. "I played the role of their mouths and ears to communicate between our cleaners and customers via WeChat if there is any problem," said Shen, who is the only employee with normal hearing and speaking abilities in the cleaning company. "I wrote down what they need to do. It's not difficult to understand each other," said a customer surnamed Guo in Hefei, who was impressed by the professional service of these cleaners with Longwei. "They were punctual and put on shoe covers before entering my house." Gradually, their high-quality service helped build up their customer base and increase their income. Not long ago, they did a deep cleaning for a product development laboratory in a university that requires an absolutely dust-free environment. Wearing protective clothing, six cleaners carefully removed dust from the ventilators, wiped working surfaces and vacuumed the floors. Thanks to their meticulous work, which lasted for over a month, the laboratory opened without any delay. China will take measures to promote the employment of people with disabilities from 2022 to 2024, in a bid to realize adequate and relatively high-quality employment for the group during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to an action plan issued by the General Office of the State Council recently. The plan aims to create 1 million new jobs for people with disabilities, enhance the group's abilities to find jobs or start businesses, and better safeguard their rights and interests. "As more and more disabled people find jobs, I hope the whole society could have more understanding and respect for us. Of course, we will work even harder for the recognition of society," Hu said using sign language. Carter Hamilton By Carole Johnson, University Communications and Marketing Miami Universitys Carter Hamilton received a Fulbright Scholar award to teach and research in Poland. He will study the material behavior of metals and their properties as they relate to welding techniques. An associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Hamilton, along with an international team of researchers, will identify the strength of joining magnesium and aluminum alloys through the process of friction stir welding. Friction stir welding was developed in the early 1990s and has become the new standard in the manufacturing sector. The technique uses frictional heat and forces to plasticize the materials and stir them together. You can see the application of this process in items we encounter each day, from the seamless design of Apples products to commercial aircraft. There has been very little done on studying the structural integrity of joining these new alloys, and we plan to find out more about why they have the properties they do as we look at quality control, he said. Hamiltons research, which began in 2005, includes team members from two universities in Krakow, Poland: the AGH University of Science and Technology and the Pedagogical University. He also works with researchers from the Polish Welding Centre of Excellence in Gliwice, Poland, and in the United States, Brigham Young University. A paper on their initial research was published in the fall of 2021 in the Journal of Manufacturing Process. Hamilton is looking forward to taking up the study again, which had been interrupted due to COVID-19. For the paper, Brigham Young performed the friction stir welding, AGH University performed the characterization using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy, and Miami created the numerical simulations of the process. In 2019, he received a Fulbright Specialist Grant to work with the Pedagogical University during the summer of 2020. That trip was postponed twice due to COVID in 2020 and 2021. He will travel to Poland this summer and then remain in Poland through the Fall to participate as a Fulbright Scholar. While researching, Hamilton will teach doctoral students in material science and work to formalize a study abroad program. B. Carter Hamilton Hamilton joined Miami in 2005 with a research focus on welding. After earning his doctorate in metallurgical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, he worked for the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. Just before coming to Miami, he worked as the Quality Manager/Plant Metallurgist for Universal Alloy Corporation, a manufacturer of aluminum extrusions. 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. WASHINGTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday his administration will provide Ukraine with an additional 800 million U.S. dollars' worth of military aid due to what Washington anticipated to be a "wider assault" by Russia in eastern Ukraine. "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," Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The new package, Biden said, "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." "These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters," he said, adding that the United States will continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from its allies and partners around the world. The United States has committed 1.7 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia began its "special military operation" on Feb 24. New York Citys controversial Gifted and Talented program for elementary schoolers will grow by roughly 1,000 seats but will no longer use a test for preschoolers to determine admission, Mayor Adams said Thursday. The announcement reverses a plan from former Mayor Bill de Blasio last year to phase out separate gifted classes, which have been widely criticized for exacerbating racial and socioeconomic segregation in the countrys largest school district. Advertisement Under Adamss new plan, roughly 2,500 incoming Kindergarteners will be admitted to the gifted program next year an increase of about 100 from this year. Like last year, Pre-K students will be admitted on the basis of teacher recommendations, and then will enter a lottery. Adams will not bring back the polarizing gifted entrance exam, which, before last year, was the sole entrance requirement for 4-year-olds seeking a spot. The DOE will also add 1,000 slots for students to enter the gifted classes in the third grade. The top 10% of second graders at each school based on grades will be eligible and a third-grade entry point will be available in each of the citys 32 school districts, DOE officials said. Advertisement In this Aug. 17, 2021 file photo, students write and draw positive affirmations on poster board at P.S. 5 Port Morris, an elementary school in The Bronx. (Brittainy Newman/AP) Applications for both the kindergarten and third-grade programs open May 31. We have gifted and talented students all over the city, theres no reason these programs werent all over the city, Mayor Adams said Thursday. Todays announcement is about expanding equity. The chancellor has stated over and over again lets expand the things that work. Its about reaching every child in NYC, he added. The shift is the latest in a series of changes to the fast-track elementary school program, which has long been a lightning rod for thorny debates about school segregation. Black and Hispanic kids made up a combined 15% of the Kindergarten Gifted and Talented class in the 2018-19 school year, despite comprising 63% of all Kindergarteners that year, according to the Independent Budget Office. De Blasio spent years criticizing the racial makeup of the program and questioning the value of the admission test for 4-year-olds which some experts have derided as an inappropriate measure that favors families with the savvy and resources to prepare their kids. Protesters gather at City Hall to condemn Mayor Bill de Blasio's handling of the Gifted and Talented (G&T) public school program, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in New York. (John Minchillo/AP) But it took a surprise vote last year from the normally cooperative Panel for Education Policy to kill the contract for the entrance exam and force the de Blasio administration to change course. The DOE shifted to a system where Pre-K teachers recommended students for eligibility to the program, and those students entered into a lottery for a spot. Advertisement Roughly 11,600 kids were recommended, and 10,000 entered the lottery for 2,400 spots, DOE officials said last year. The Education Department has not shared the racial demographics of this years Kindergarten gifted class, but DOE officials said admissions offers to students in high-needs districts increased by 42% compared to the previous year. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > The move to admit more students in the third grade builds on a previous pilot program where several districts with low numbers of Kindergarten gifted students admitted third-graders based on grades and recommendations. This years expansion will bring a third-grade gifted program to all 32 city school districts, officials said. Parents in Bedford-Stuyvesants District 16, which participated in the third-grade gifted pilot program, ultimately voted to drop out of the trial, citing low demand from families reluctant to switch their kids to new schools or classes mid-elementary school. DOE officials argue that a third-grade admission system that selects kids with top grades from each school will result in a more racially and socioeconomically diverse cross-section of kids. Supporters of the gifted programs argue that theyre a crucial resource for advanced kids, and that the racial disparities in the makeup of the program should be addressed by adding more seats in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Advertisement But critics have long argued that the programs are inherently discriminatory, and that selecting kids for giftedness in elementary school is a flawed enterprise bound to reinforce inequities. The proposal unveiled by de Blasio last November just two months before he left office proposed scrapping separate gifted classes altogether and training teachers on how to provide extra enrichment to kids who need it within mixed-level classes. Brooklyn mom Derin Martinez had to do some quick thinking when her 4-year-old son returned home from his Sunset Park preschool after Tuesdays bloody subway shooting and asked: Mommy, why are the trains bad? Martinez, who rides the subway with her son, wanted to reassure him about the safety of the trains while avoiding getting into the violent details of the attack. Advertisement Derin Martinez with her children. (Courtesy Derin Martinez.) At his age it would be a little traumatic for him to hear the full story, she decided. I explained that trains are not bad, just sometimes bad things happen... I didnt go into detail. Parents and educators across the city and particularly in Sunset Park, where the shooting took place were grappling with similar questions about discussing the incident with children. And even as the subway resumed normal service and police apprehended shooting suspect Frank James Wednesday, many city families were still reeling and kids had questions. Advertisement PS 169, at 4305 7th Avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York City is pictured on Friday, October 16, 2020. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News) For Sunset Park grandmother Elsa Velez, 53, Tuesdays incident hit unsettlingly close to home. Her 6-year-old granddaughter attends Public School 24, just a block away from the 36th St. subway station where James allegedly set off a smoke bomb and opened fire in a crowded train car. Velezs granddaughter didnt know many details when she left school Tuesday, and Velez decided not to tell her more until she asked. But her 12-year-old grandson, a student at nearby Middle School 136, already knew all about the shooting from social media. He was just kind of sad because of what happened and the people that got shot, Velez said. Now when I go out he tells me grandma be careful he worries about me. Velez plans to keep a careful eye on her grandkids emotional states in the coming days, and to keep in touch with therapists they see at school. Velez said she hopes her grandkids teachers take some time to talk to students about the attack and give them space to share their reactions. Ruth Diaz, the parent of a fourth-grade student at P.S. 169 in Sunset Park, agrees. I think it would be great if the teachers talked to them about it, she said in Spanish. Diaz said her son arrived home Tuesday knowing something was wrong but not the details of the attack. He didnt understand what was happening, suddenly he saw lots of security everywhere, she recalled. He arrived home and asked me I had to tell him the reality. Advertisement In addition to giving the kids a chance to ask questions and process their emotions, Diaz hoped her sons school could help relay some practical safety tips like how to stay alert on the subway or when walking without an adult. Lindsey Yang, a second-grade teacher at P.S. 169, said thats the balance she tried to strike in her classroom discussion Wednesday. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Yang said she was direct with her 7- and 8-year-old students, many of whom had already bits and pieces from their families about the subway attack. We just flat out said someone in the subway had a gun and shot and hurt people. We emphasized no one died and also emphasized that this is not a common occurrence, she said. Many of them have family members who work for the MTA or take the train often from the 36th St. station, Yang added. A few of them said, I dont want to live in Sunset Park any more, what if hes still around and its not safe any more? Yang made sure to validate the students fears but remind them it was a rare occurrence and that adults from the school and beyond were there to protect them. Still, when Yang informed her class that James had been arrested, you could see the stress lifted off their shoulders, she recalled. Advertisement Yang is no stranger to having difficult conversations about complex and frightening real-world events with her young pupils. In just the past two years, shes tackled the COVID-19 pandemic, the George Floyd racial justice protests and anti-Asian hate crimes some of which targeted family members of her students. This theme of talking to kids about were here to protect you, were safe, unfortunately its not a new topic that we have had to bring up, she said. With Emma Seiwell Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty to forcibly kissing a woman Wednesday as part of a no-jail plea deal after his lawyer slammed one of the actors victims as delusional. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg personally weighed in on the plea agreement, according to Goodings lawyers. The deal required the Jerry Maguire actor to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of forcible touching and apologize to two victims. Advertisement Gooding, 54, has been accused of sexual assault committed over two decades by more than 20 women. Some have accused him of rape, including one woman who filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court in 2020. Cuba Gooding Jr. will avoid jail as part of his guilty plea. (Curtis Means/Curtis Means for DailyMail.Com) I apologize for making anybody ever feel inappropriately touched, anyone, Gooding said in court, his voice cracking. I am a celebrity figure. I come into contact with people. I never want to them to feel slighted or uncomfortable in any way. Advertisement The lone accuser in attendance, who was recognized as a victim as part of the plea, said in Manhattan Criminal Court that her world was shattered after she happened to meet Gooding at a Midtown club on Jun. 9, 2019. She was 29 and visiting the city to get set up for a neuroscience internship at NYU. I was immediately super excited. I recognized him from one of my favorite childhood films, Snow Dogs, the woman said. You can imagine my surprise when I saw a flash of movement and felt his hand on my breast, groping it, feeling around on it as if it was a piece of meat for dinner that night, and he wanted to make sure it was cooked well enough. I was mortified, and quite honestly, just frozen and shocked from that. Goodings lawyer Frank Rothman interrupted the woman and loudly whispered as she delivered her victim impact statement. She even asked Gooding and his lawyer to please listen. Rothman later slammed the woman despite his client having just apologized. What she said happened here for the last 20 minutes is a product of her imagination for the large part, Rothman said. Thats my statement as his lawyer. Thats not coming from [Gooding]. I dont know that it was necessary to make, Judge Curtis Farber responded. Video of the incident inside the Magic Hour bar at the Moxy Hotel, which TMZ first published, showed Gooding appearing to reach for the womans chest after putting his hand on her thigh. Advertisement The woman said Rothman wasnt the first of Goodings lawyers to leave her feeling humiliated. His former attorney, Mark Heller, unsuccessfully fought to cross examine her on whether she was insecure about having small breasts. Heller was recently disbarred. Asked by The News whether he had anything to say about his lawyer seemingly shaming the victim, Gooding waved his hands no as he left court. Cuba Gooding Jr. in Manhattan Criminal Court on June 13, 2019. (Alec Tabak/for New York Daily News) As part of his guilty plea, Gooding admitted to forcibly kissing a woman at a Manhattan nightclub in September 2018. He admitted to subjecting two other women including the one who spoke in court to non-consensual physical contact, but did not formally plead guilty for those incidents. If he isnt rearrested in six months, the court will vacate his conviction and allow him to plead to a harassment violation. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Advertisement Bragg ran on a promise to overhaul the DAs scandal-plagued sex crimes unit and frequently criticized his predecessor Cy Vance on the campaign trail as going too easy on high-profile sex offenders. Braggs office did not address questions on why he met with Goodings lawyers. Assistant District Attorney Coleen Balbert told the court the DAs office had communicated closely with victims while negotiating the plea agreement, but the woman who spoke in court said she was devastated by the deal. A neuroscience and law student, the victim noted that she had taken all the recommended steps after the groping incident, calling the NYPD to report it when bar security didnt believe her. I think that its with all due respect a failure on our system to hold someone accountable for sexual assault, she said. I feel very sad, and I feel very lost for what more I can do. A Brooklyn man who set an LGBTQ nightclub on fire using a lighter and a can of gasoline has been arrested thanks to a roommate assaulted by the arsonist two days after the blaze, prosecutors said. John Lhota, 24, lived just half a mile from Rash, the queer-friendly Bushwick nightclub hes accused of setting ablaze on April 3, a source confirmed to the Daily News. The accused firebug is a relative of former MTA chairman and Republican candidate for mayor Joe Lhota, a source confirmed. John Lhota is the son of Joe Lhotas cousin. Advertisement John Lhota John Lhota, a graduate of Brown University who attended Hunter College High School, was caught on surveillance video filling up a red canister at a gas station about 15 minutes before the attack, prosecutors said. Advertisement He allegedly went straight from the gas station to Rash, where FDNY officials say he spent minutes systematically pouring gasoline on the floor. Survelliance image of John Lhota filling up gas at a nearby gas station. The footage shows him splashing the gasoline around a passageway and an adjacent customer lounge area while a bartender and another person go about their business nearby, appearing unaware of the nature of Lhotas actions, wrote Craig Gundersen, an FDNY Fire Marshal in a complaint filed in Brooklyn Federal Court. Lhota, who works in web development, unsuccessfully tried to set the place on fire by tossing a lit cigarette onto the gasoline, prosecutors said. He then took a lighter to the gas, causing an explosion caught on surveillance cameras. The damage at the nightclub The fire singed two workers at the club, sending them to the hospital, and also displaced tenants living above the bar at 941 Willoughby Ave. Two days later, Lhota was arrested on separate charges in Brooklyn for allegedly choking a woman in her apartment, prosecutors said. She later identified him in security footage to the feds. A source confirmed the woman was his roommate. Federal prosecutors wrote she had lived with Lhota for four months. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Lhota was hit with a federal arson charge and faces up to 40 years in prison. The diminutive Lhota wore a loose green long sleeve t-shirt, glasses and blue jeans to his court appearance, where he was ordered held without bail at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center. Advertisement Joe Lhota (James Keivom/New York Daily News) We dont know why this happened. Were feeling incredibly relieved. We had been extremely scared the last few weeks, said Claire Bendiner, a co-owner of Rash. Everyone was kind of holding their breath the last few weeks, added Jake Sillen, another co-owner. Both workers injured in the fire are now out of the hospital, the owners said. We want to rebuild as quickly as possible, said Sillen. With Clayton Guse By Liu Heran Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the second India-Australia virtual summit with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison. As an extension of the summit, the two countries signed the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) on April 2. Although the bilateral ties have been heating up as displayed superficially, multiple structural constraints do exist to impede the development as a matter of fact. Australia also has done the math to improve relations with India. On the one hand, Australia tends to highlight its identity as a major power. Given the long-term cooperation in the fields of energy and armament, India has chosen to remain neutral, resulting in a disrupted sanction chain led by the US and other Western countries. Therefore, if Australia could persuade India to join the sanction chain against Russia, its status in the US alliance system would certainly get improved. Even if Australia couldn't succeed in changing the Modi government's neutral foreign policy over Russia, it could also consolidate its identity as a "middle power " by taking advantage of the US and Japan. On the other hand, Morrison hopes to win the support of voters. Australia's federal election campaign scheduled in May has been in its final stretch. The poor performance of the Morrison government in dealing with flood disasters, coupled with Morrison's personal involvement in racial discrimination, has sparked public dissatisfaction. Considering that about one-fifth of Australia's labor force is directly related to foreign trade, the Morrison government has made the decision to strengthen bilateral cooperation with India at this particular moment with a view to earning more votes. According to Indian Express, Morrison has repeatedly mentioned a new round of Russia-Ukraine conflict during the second India-Australia virtual summit and emphasized the threat from Russia to the "Indo-Pacific" region. However, Modi did not give any positive response to these remarks. In fact, apart from the inability to work in concert on the Russian issue, the two sides still have many structural constraints in their bilateral relationship. First, the bilateral economic and trade quality has been hovering at a low level. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India , the total volume of bilateral import and export trade was USD19.834 billion in 2021, accounting for about 2.38% of India's total foreign trade, which has just recovered to the level of 2017. In view of the agricultural protectionism and trade barriers adopted in India, it is difficult for Australian agricultural and sideline products to enter the Indian market. Second, there are deviations between India and Australia in diplomatic strategy. India has always pursued a non-alignment policy in favor of the so-called strategic autonomy . Even if getting close to certain countries or regional organizations, India often shows signs of strong opportunism. However, the US-Australia relationship is the cornerstone of Australia's foreign policy, which is firmly bound to the US diplomatic chariot. Constant competition and suspicion are bound to emerge between India and Australia in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean. At last, cultural differences are hard to eliminate. Since its establishment, the Commonwealth of Australia has long pursued the "White Australia Policy", featuring hostility and suppression to the Indian immigrants, and the adoption of a strict review system for high-skilled Indian immigrants. The people-to-people exchanges have been really hard, and this policy has even delivered a blow to their contention for Fiji. Although the Australian government has clearly claimed to eliminate the effect of the policy, the prejudice deeply rooted in the thinking of Australian political elites and native residents can never be eradicated in the short term. (The author is from the Academy of China Open Economy Studies, University of International Business and Economics) A Bronx elementary school teacher and a school safety agent were slashed when they intervened to protect a colleague from a violent intruder who showed up at the school Thursday morning, police and a union official said. The suspect, a 39-year-old man, showed up at PS 69 on Thieriot Ave. in Clason Point around 7:40 a.m. Thursday looking for a guidance counselor with whom he has a relationship, and an argument broke out, according to police. Advertisement The guidance counselor was punched during the altercation, according to a school source. When the teacher and school safety agent stepped in to protect their colleague, both were slashed by the intruder, according to the school safety agents union. Advertisement The school teacher was cut on the arm, while the school safety agent was cut behind the ear, said Teamsters Local 237 president Gregory Floyd. The 55-year-old school safety agent was taken to Jacobi Hospital with an injury described as not life-threatening. I spoke to him. He said fortunately it didnt get any major arteries. Hes feeling a little woozy, Floyd said. The teacher who was slashed during the incident was treated at the scene, according to police. The suspect ran off but was caught moments later. Charges are pending. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Schools Chancellor David Banks told reporters outside the school Thursday morning that the slashed teacher was heroic. The teacher identified the plate number of the suspects vehicle to help police track him down, according to a Department of Education spokesman. The assault comes a week after a school safety agent was reportedly beaten up by parents at a Brooklyn elementary school upset they couldnt enter because they were not vaccinated. Attrition and a hiring slowdown has significantly cut the number of school safety agents citywide over the course of the pandemic because. Their numbers have fallen from more than 5,000 in June 2020 to below 4,000 last winter. Advertisement Floyd said only one school safety agent stationed at PS 69 on Thursday, and that the school used to have several. No school should only have one school safety agent. Its not safe, said Mona Davids, a parent and member of the NYC School Safety Coalition. Mayor Adams lauded the school safety agent and promised the suspect will be brought to justice. Its unacceptable, Adams said. Violence in our schools is not acceptable. There was an argument in the campaign should we have school safety agents in our school buildings, and I say emphatically yes. They provide a vital service. Police charged a Brooklyn man with hate crimes Thursday for breaking an elderly Sikh mans nose in an unprovoked attack April 3 and, with the help of a partner, mugging two other Sikh men and ripping off their turbans 10 days later. Both attacks occurred in Queens. The violence is part of a nearly 100% spike in hate crimes across the city this year. Advertisement Vernon Douglas, 19, of Brownsville, was charged with assault as a hate crime for the first attack and robbery as a hate crime for the second. In the first incident, Douglas, who lives on Watkins St., hit Nirmal Singh, 70, in the face as the visitor from India went on his daily stroll near Lefferts Blvd. and 95th Ave. in Richmond Hill just before 7 a.m. April 3. Advertisement Nirmal Singh, 70, identified by the Sikh-American advocacy group, Sikh Coalition. (Sikh Coalition) Photos released after the attack show Singh with bloodstains on his light blue turban, in his long white beard and on his shirt. He returned to India after the attack, but remains in touch with the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force for the prosecution of the case. His family said he was relieved his assailant had been caught. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > My father is very grateful that his attacker has been identified and arrested so that he cannot harm others, Manjit Singh, Nirmal Singhs son said in a statement. Our family sees this sad incident as an assault not just on him, but on all who wear turbans and other articles of faith. Police said that Hezekiah Coleman, 20, who lives in Richmond Hill, took part in the second attack on April 12 in which he and Douglas mugged two Sikh men on Lefferts Blvd., beating them with wooden sticks and punching them, then tearing off their turbans and taking their money. Coleman was arrested April 12 and also charged with robbery as a hate crime. Information about the mens lawyers was not immediately available. Police released image of a man authorities believed attacked a 70-year-old Sikh man. (NYPD) Through April 3, the NYPD has investigated 190 hate crimes this year compared with 96 by the same time last year a 98% rise. Most religious hate crimes this year involve attacks against Jewish people, with 86 such incidents compared with 24 last year, a 258% rise. There have been seven attacks on Muslims this year and six crimes against other religions as of early April, compared with none this time last year. Advertisement The NYPD recognized and investigated these cases as hate crimes, and has stated they will be recorded as anti-Sikh incidents, said Nikki Singh, policy manager with the advocacy group, the Sikh Coalition. Swift action in cases like these action that stems directly from the lived experiences of the community most affected sends a clear message that no one should be targeted by hate violence. A Florida woman who ran the finances for a string of child modeling websites that sexually exploited Eastern European children was sentenced Wednesday to 151 months in federal prison. Tatiana Power, 41, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for her role within Newstar Websites, founded by her late husband, Kenneth Power, in 2005. Advertisement According to prosecutors, Newstar employees sourced, enticed, solicited, and recruited males and females under the age of 18, some of whom were prepubescent, to use as child models for their websites. The victims were photographed and filmed more than 4.6 million times in sexually explicit conduct, although never naked. For example, images and videos sold on the Newstar Websites depicted children as young as six years old in sexual and provocative poses, wearing police and cheerleader costumes, thong underwear, transparent underwear, revealing swimsuits, pantyhose, and miniskirts, according to the Department of Justice. Advertisement Tatiana Power Newstar specifically targeted young children from poor backgrounds who were particularly vulnerable, prosecutors said. Between January 2009 until November 2019, the Powers made about $2.2 million off of their websites, while the company made about $9.4 million. In the United States, executives laundered their ill-gotten gains through a bogus jewelry company. Power is the sixth person charged in connection to Newstar. Of those, two of the defendants have died, three, including Power, have been sentenced and the last is awaiting trial. The seven North Carolina-based soldiers who went camping with a Fort Bragg paratrooper days before his severed head washed ashore are facing courts-martial on a series of charges, including conspiracy. Specialists Juan Avila, Alex R. Becerra, Joshua L. Curry and Benjamin E. Sibley along with Private Annamarie L. Cochell, Pfc. Samad A. Landrum and Sgt. Samuel O. Moore were the last to see Specialist Enrique Roman-Martinez alive, according to court records. The 21-year-old soldier seemingly vanished during their trip to Cape Lookout National Seashore for Memorial Day weekend in May 2020. Advertisement Fort Bragg, N.C. (Chris Seward/AP) Roman-Martinezs severed head washed up six days later, but his body was never recovered. While decapitation is, in and of itself, universally fatal, the remainder of the body in this case was not available for examination, and therefore potential causes of death involving the torso and extremities cannot be excluded, a 2020 autopsy report stated. Advertisement The soldiers, assigned to the 37th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, were not charged with Roman-Martinezs death, according to the Fayetteville Observer. They were each hit with counts conspiracy and failure to obey a direct order or regulation related to travel during a travel ban. Some of them are also facing additional charges such as using LSD, disobeying a superior or making false statements. All seven soldiers have been arraigned and are due to appear in court May through September. Roman-Martinezs homicide case remains open but has since been changed to cold case status, officials said. No one has been charged with his death. With News Wire Services A group of employees at Fox Corp. has condemned the Fox News Channel over its hateful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, calling it a step backward in the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Last week, Fox Pride posted a message on the groups company-wide Slack channel addressing recent comments made by Fox News hosts and guests on some LGBTQ issues. Advertisement Fox Pride a resource group for Fox LGBTQ+ employees and their allies across all of its brands, including Fox News and Fox Weather denounces statements made regarding sexual orientation and gender identity on Fox News in the past week, the message reads in part. The message was shared on the groups Slack channel on April 5, according to the Daily Beast. Advertisement About a week before that, a report by the progressive media watchdog group Media Matters for America found that the conservative cable news network was laser-focused on stories about Disneys response to Floridas Dont Say Gay legislation The bill, slammed as hateful by critics, forbids discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in primary schools classrooms, and it was signed into law by the states Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, on March 28. Fox News has mentioned Disney over 250 times since yesterday morning. pic.twitter.com/sJUBlOENbf Lis Power (@LisPower1) March 31, 2022 Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Disney, after weeks of inaction, apologized for not publicly taking sides at first, and vowed to work to repeal the legislation. According to Media Matters, from March 28 until April 1, Fox News mentioned Disney over 350 times, dedicating over 3 hours of coverage and at least 53 segments about the companys response. Fox News prime-time host Tucker Carlson suggested that Disney supported the chemical castration of children, while Laura Ingraham suggested that Disney was grooming children, according to the watchdog group. Fox News contributor Sean Duffy claimed that Disney wanted to sexualize our children and make films that will indoctrinate kids. According to Fox Pride, Fox Corp. treats its LGBTQ employees with respect, but the image portrayed by Fox News paints a different picture. 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, the group wrote on Slack. We find it disheartening and a step backward in the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, the group added. Advertisement On Thursday, a Fox Corp. spokesperson told the Daily News that the company is 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. Days after a judge tossed charges against three men in a 2018 duck boat sinking in Missouri that killed 17, prosecutors revived the charges. The debate will continue about whether Kenneth Scott McKee, Curtis Lanham and Charles Baltzell were criminally liable for the disaster on Table Rock Lake near Branson, a popular tourist city in southwest Missouri. Advertisement The three men all held management positions at Ride the Ducks Branson on July 19, 2018, when a boat sank in a thunderstorm that included winds up to 73 mph. Seventeen of the 31 people on the boat were killed, including five children. A boat operated by Ride the Ducks Branson is photographed on July 20, 2018, one day after the disaster. (Michael Thomas/Getty Images) Judge Alan Blankenship threw out the case on April 5 after preliminary hearings. But he dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt was free to refile the charges. Advertisement Schmitt waited just two days to do exactly that. McKee, Lanham and Baltzell were again each accused of 17 counts of felony involuntary manslaughter. McKee was also charged with 12 counts of child endangerment. As Ive said previously, my Office is committed to fighting for justice on behalf of the 17 people that were tragically killed in 2018 thats why we refiled the charges in this case, Schmitt said in a statement Wednesday. McKee was the captain of the boat; Lanham was the general manager of Ride The Ducks Branson; Baltzell was the supervisor on the day of the tragedy. Their defense attorneys argued that they had no way of knowing the approaching storm would include gale-force winds, arguing that the forecast only called for rain. Without any new evidence, the state has refiled precisely the same charges that the court has already thoroughly evaluated, defense attorney Tom Bath told the Kansas City Star. The state clearly hopes to get a different outcome before a different judge. We do not see a reason to expect a different outcome. The duck boats, amphibious vehicles initially designed for use in World War II, were decommissioned in Branson following the tragedy and have not returned to the water since. With News Wire Services Authorities in Alaska have launched an investigation after a pack of loose sled dogs mauled an 8-year-old Havanese named Lucky. The incident, which unfolded in the city of Wasilla on March 30, involved dogs owned by musher Jessie Holmes, who finished third in this years Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. He also stars alongside his pups in the reality show Life Below Zero: Alaska on the National Geographic channel. Advertisement While he usually lives in rural Alaska, Holmes had been staying at a Wasilla hotel and let his canines run loose behind the building so they could go to the bathroom. Around the same time, Liza McCafferty, who lives adjacent to the hotel, let her dog Lucky outside and then tethered him in the yard, according to the Anchorage Daily News. When she returned outside a short time later, she spotted a large black dog race out from beneath her deck, and then she saw the rest of the pack. Advertisement Jessie Holmes takes a break from cooking his dogs a meal to nuzzle with two wheel dogs at the Ophir checkpoint during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (Zachariah Hughes/AP) Fearing the dogs would attack her, too, McCafferty screamed and quickly retreated inside. I ran back up, I didnt know what those dogs were gonna do. My dog was torn apart there, McCafferty said. Holmes eventually spotted the chaos and worked to wrangle his dogs. Lucky was rushed to a vet, but he was already dead. He came in and was very, very apologetic, McCafferty said of Holmes. He was on the verge of crying. The dog-sled racer was told he would receive 10 loose-dog citations and possibly another for animal cruelty, which could affect his mushing career. With News Wire Services Former NYPD traffic supervisor Walter Clark has nothing but good things to say about New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the care he received for his 9/11-related double lung transplant. But the bureaucratic nightmare that comes with it because the hospital wont accept a health plan covering Ground Zero survivors is another matter altogether. [ NYC hospital doesnt take federal payments to treat sick 9/11 first responders ] First established in 2010, the World Trade Center Health Program provides screenings and treatment for more than 100,000 responders and workers suffering from 9/11-related illnesses. Covered conditions range from respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, cancers, and other ailments caused by exposure to toxins that drifted over lower Manhattan for months after the collapse of the Twin Towers. Advertisement The idea behind the program is not just that it treats ill heroes, but relieves them from the stress of navigating notoriously difficult rules of insurance providers. Clark doesnt get that break. It makes me upset, said the 61-year-old former executive officer for the citys traffic special operations division. Advertisement Like thousands of others, Clark helped with the recovery efforts at Ground Zero after the attacks on the World Trade Centers on Sept. 11, 2001 - and got caught in the poisonous clouds that emerged from the collapsing skyscrapers. [ 20 years later, 9/11 still haunts New Yorkers despite the healing that time brings ] I covered my eyes and covered my face with my shirt because I started not to be able to breathe, and everything got really dark and warm, which was a very crazy feeling, Clark recalled. NYPD traffic supervisor Walter Clark on Jan. 12, 2015. Initially, Clark didnt sign up for the WTC Health Program because he seldom got sick. He never really thought about the health impacts of being exposed to the deadly dust at Ground Zero even though he was surrounded by a toxic cloud and continually breathed in harmful particles for weeks. He went about his life and work directing traffic operations at every major city event and emergency, even after he started passing out in 2015. He was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a likely death sentence unless he could get a transplant. Clark received his lifesaving lung replacement in 2017 and realized he needed to join the federally funded program which covers all related 911-health costs. But with New York-Presbyterian not participating in the plan, unlike most city hospitals, he routinely shells out co-pays for himself, often $200-$300 a pop for prescriptions and follow-up visits, resulting in thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket medical expenses. I cant, from one minute to another, figure out what [New York-Presbyterian] is doing, Clark said. Do they accept it, dont accept it? Whos covering this, whos covering that? Which is which? I dont know. Thats whats upsetting. Firefighter walks through the rubble of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, New York after it was struck by a commercial airliner in a terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001. (Todd Maisel/New York Daily News) When health officials and members of Congress complained about New York-Presbyterians policy last year, administrative officials insisted that Ground Zero aftermath patients do not have problems dealing with the hospital. They also said they intend to become what is known as a 9/11 Health Program Clinical Center for Excellence, which would end the bureaucratic problems. On Thursday, a spokesman for New York-Presbyterian did not directly address the logistical and costly difficulties for sickened responders. He hinted at the lack of progress, saying only, We are continuing to work on this issue and hope to have an update soon. Advertisement Clark is not alone in his experience of dealing with the Manhattan-based hospital, which continues to rebuff the 9/11 Health Plan. Charlie Buttacavoli, exposed to the deadly dust in lower Manhattan while working on high-power voltage lines for Con Ed, got stage-four tongue cancer that metastasized in 2011. He was left fighting side effects, including radiation damage to his arteries that restricts blood to his brain. Charlie Buttacavoli His wife, Pat, found a cardiologist near their home in Westchester affiliated with New York-Presbyterian, but the billing was a nightmare similar to Clarks experience. They wouldnt accept that coverage, Buttacavoli said, adding he had to rely on his own insurance and Medicare, which didnt cover everything. New York-Presbyterian has always been a problem with the payments, said Pat Buttacavoli, who handles all that paperwork for her husband. I can spend, on a bad week, 30 to 40 hours trying to get his bills paid. Buttacavolis problem was solved when his cardiologist dropped New York-Presbyterian for another hospital in White Plains that accepted the federally funded program. According to her estimates, they still need to collect about $1000 from New York-Presbyterian. Advertisement Benjamin Chevat, who runs the 9/11 Health Watch, said it was particularly galling that the hospital told members of Congress last year that long-running problems didnt exist. It is disturbing that the Board of Directors of New York allows their Chief Executive to say, To our knowledge, no patient has ever been turned away or had difficulties accessing our services, when their staff has known about these problems since at least 2014, and have done nothing to fix it, said Chevat. He said theres a simple solution. They can fix it today by simply signing a master agreement with the World Trade Center Health Program the same as other New York medical institutions have done, Chevat said. Mayor Adams on Wednesday took a tough tone on crime after a bloody night of shootings across the city, celebrating the arrest of the suspect in the Sunset Park subway shooting, but calling for New Yorkers to meet ongoing street violence with righteous indignation. More than a dozen people were shot, two fatally, as Tuesday faded to Wednesday in the five boroughs, a stretch that the mayor said called for a consistent message: Black Lives Matter. Advertisement Where are all those who stated Black Lives Matter? a frustrated Adams asked in an interview on NY1. Do an analysis of who was killed or shot last night. I was up all night speaking to my commanders in the Bronx, in Brooklyn. The victims were Black. New York City Mayor Eric Adams speak at a press conference at Citi Field in Queens, New York on March 24, 2022. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) The mayor, whose comments seemed targeted in part at progressives who have criticized his public safety policies, added that protesters who demonstrated against police brutality in 2020 should also take to the streets over the wave of violence rattling the city. Advertisement The lives of these Black children that are dying every night matter, Adams, a former police captain and the citys second Black mayor, told NY1. We cant be hypocrites. During Adams first months in office, rates of violent crime in the city have continued to surge, eclipsing already elevated pandemic levels. Based on crime statistics through last week, the city reported an 8% increase in shootings, a 41% surge in hate crimes and a 48% spike in robberies this year compared with the same point in 2021. An 11% drop in murders recorded by the NYPD has hardly soothed New Yorkers. The mayor has rolled out an aggressive anti-crime platform, reinstating a controversial anti-gun NYPD unit, pushing largely successfully for bail reform changes in Albany and ordering sweeps to prevent homeless people from sheltering on the subway and in encampments above ground. He has faced heat from critics on his right who are frustrated that crime appears to be worsening, and from critics on his left who are deeply skeptical of the police and see his policies as heavy-handed. On NY1, Adams expressed irritation that bail reform has received so much attention, and that his work to improve youth employment and foster care have not received equal light. Its not just a police approach, Adams said. But were not going to ignore the police approach. The mayor also suggested the city will launch pilot projects to experiment with nonintrusive detector technology in the subway to target weapons, after the smoky Sunset Park subway shooting on Tuesday that left 10 people with gunshot wounds. Advertisement The suspect in that shooting, Frank James, 61, was arrested Wednesday in Manhattans East Village. Adams said he could not say enough about everyday New Yorkers who assisted passengers after the attack. Were going to make sure that hes prosecuted, Adams told NY1. If all goes well, he will never exit a prison cell again. ALBANY New Yorks budding cannabis industry is growing by leaps and bounds as neighboring New Jersey is slated to start recreational sales next week. The Empire States Cannabis Control Board on Thursday approved the first batch of 52 adult-use cannabis cultivation licenses allowing already established hemp farmers to begin growing marijuana for recreational use. Advertisement Approval for the farmers comes two months after Gov. Hochul signed legislation creating a new Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Cultivator license that ensures existing hemp growers would get first crack at getting seeds in the ground. During an afternoon meeting, Cannabis Control Board member Jen Metzger said she was thrilled that we are starting out of the gate with sun-grown cannabis on New York farms. Advertisement Meanwhile, recreational marijuana sales in the Garden State for those 21 and older will begin on April 21, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday. A state commission last week granted seven New Jersey-based medical marijuana companies permission to start selling adult-use recreational weed at 13 dispensaries. This is a historic step in our work to create a new cannabis industry, Murphy said. New York hemp farmers were given the green light by the state on Thursday, April 14, 2022, to grow adult-use marijuana both outdoors and, in a greenhouse. (Paul Chinn/ASSOCIATED PRESS) New York legalized the consumption of cannabis last year for anyone over 21, although regulated sales wont be allowed until later this year. The new conditional cultivator licenses are good for up to two years and will allow New York growers to manufacture and distribute cannabis flower products without holding an adult-use processor or distributor license, until June 1, 2023. At least three of the initial licenses went to farms in Suffolk County and several more to Hudson Valley-based growers. The rest of the approved farms are located across the state. New Yorks farms have been the backbone of our states economy since before the American Revolution, and now, New Yorks farms will be at the center of the most equitable cannabis industry in the nation, Hochul said in a statement. Once retail dispensaries are licensed and begin to open their doors later this year, the first products available will be solely grown in-state. Advertisement More than 150 farmers submitted applications to the state and those not yet approved are still under review, according to Chris Alexander, the executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management. Were going to continue to process applications on a rolling basis, Alexander said during the meeting of the board. We understand that the growing season waits for no one and we have to move quickly to help our farmers take advantage of it. Earlier this month, New York launched its first public health education campaign aimed at educating New Yorkers about adult-use marijuana. The campaign, known as Cannabis Conversations, will focus on informing the public about who can consume pot in the state, where they should partake, and how to do so safely. When retail sales begin in New York, the first batch of dispensary licenses will go to people convicted of weed-related crimes before the drug was legalized, or their relatives. Under the states Seeding Opportunity Initiative, between 100 and 200 dispensary licenses could be issued by the fall, with sales allowed before the end of the year. Six months earlier than initially projected. Advertisement Today represents a huge step in our efforts to establish an adult-use cannabis industry in New York, said Cannabis Control Board chairwoman Tremaine Wright. Weve been working hard to establish this industry, and now, New York farmers will be able to plant seeds in our fertile ground, so dispensaries owned by justice-involved New Yorkers with business experience will be able to sell these products in stores by the end of the year. Additionally, medical marijuana users in New York may soon be able to grow their own pot after the board directed the state to file updated regulations related to home cultivation for cardholders. A 45-day public comment period will begin on May 4 and then the board will review the regulations. We are working hard to provide a legal framework for New Yorkers using medical cannabis to grow their own cannabis plants, Alexander said. We understand that patients are looking to this new option to access medication at a low cost, and we are doing everything possible to speed up this process while working within the rules of New Yorks regulatory system. BEIJING, April 14 -- We still remember the debut of a new-type rifle at the military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China on Oct.1st in 2019, at which the glimpse of the new rifles has attracted much attention. Later at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2021, the 191 rifle family was exhibited at close range in public for the first time as the new-generation service rifle for the Chinese military. The 191 rifle family has three types, namely the QBU-191 marksman rifle , QBZ-191 automatic rifle , and QBZ-191short assault rifle . There appears to be one thing that former President Trump and President Biden agree on: Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine. Between criticizing Biden for a laundry list of supposed shortcomings, the former president let on to Fox News host Sean Hannity that he agrees with Bidens harsh description of Vladimir Putins invasion. Advertisement And now add to that whats going on in Ukraine. Thats a genocide, Trump said. This is a genocide thats taking place, he added later in the interview. Advertisement President Joe Biden (left) and former President Donald Trump (right) (Getty Images) Trump, who enjoyed a cozy relationship with Putin while in the White House, dodged attempts to denounce the dictator. I knew Putin very well. Almost as well as I know you, Sean, Trump said, refusing to answer if he considered him evil. Trump suggests that he would somehow be tougher on Russia than Biden has. And he says Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he were still in office, without explaining why. We talked about it a lot, (Putin) did want Ukraine, Trump added. But I said, Youre not going into Ukraine, He would never, ever have gone into Ukraine. A Ukrainian serviceman looks on as workers exhume bodies from a mass grave in Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, on April 14, 2022. (SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images) Trump criticized Biden for failing to directly intervene in Ukraine, although he also regularly railed against intervention in foreign wars. I think in 100 years, people are going to look back, and they are going to say, How did we stand back and NATO stand back? Trump said. Biden raised eyebrows by calling Russias invasion a genocide. He cited evidence that Russia is trying to destroy the entire Ukrainian people, a key criterion that separates even bloody war crimes from genocide. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, a guided-missile cruiser that became a potential target of Ukrainian defiance in the opening days of the war, sank Thursday after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles, while Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. The U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. Advertisement FILE - The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is seen anchored in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, on Sept. 11, 2008. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 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 Moskva's entire crew was evacuated. (AP) The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sank in a storm while being towed to a port. Russia earlier said the flames on the ship, which would typically have 500 sailors on board, forced the entire crew to evacuate. It later said the blaze had been contained and that the ship would be towed to port with its missile launchers intact. Advertisement The ship had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its removal reduces Russias firepower in the Black Sea. Its also a blow to Russian prestige in a war already widely seen as a historic blunder. Now entering its eighth week, Russias invasion has stalled because of resistance from Ukrainian fighters bolstered by weapons and other aid sent by Western nations. During the first days of the war, The Moskva was reportedly the warship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a standoff. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself. The Associated Press could not independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance. The country recently unveiled a postage stamp commemorating it. The news of the flagships damage overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where they have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war at a horrific cost to civilians. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian troops 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 walk in a street destroyed by shellings in Chernihiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) It was unclear how many forces were still defending Mariupol. Russian state television broadcast footage that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers. One man held a white flag. Mariupol has been the center of some of the wars worst suffering. Dwindling numbers of Ukrainian defenders are holding out against a Russian siege that has trapped well over 100,000 civilians in desperate need of food, water and heating. Advertisement The mayor said Monday that more than 10,000 civilians have died in the siege, and that the death toll could surpass 20,000. Weeks of attacks and privation left bodies carpeted through the streets, he said. Mariupols capture is critical for Russia because it would allow its forces in the south, which came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to fully link up with troops in the eastern Donbas region, Ukraines industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive. The Russian military continues to move helicopters and other equipment together for such an effort, according to a senior U.S. defense official, and it will likely add more ground combat units over coming days. But its still unclear when Russia could launch a bigger offensive in the Donbas. Firefighters try to extinguish the fire at a damaged factory following a Russian bombing in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Petros Giannakouris/AP) Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas. The loss of the Moskva could delay any new, wide-ranging offensive. Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, across the Black Sea to the northwest of Sevastopol, said the Ukrainians struck the ship with two Neptune missiles and caused serious damage. Advertisement Russias Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, without saying what caused the blaze. It said the main missile weapons were not damaged. In addition to the cruise missiles, the warship also had air-defense missiles and other guns. The Neptune is an anti-ship missile that was recently developed by Ukraine and based on an earlier Soviet design. The launchers are mounted on trucks stationed near the coast, and, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missiles can hit targets up to 280 kilometers (175 miles) away. That would have put the Moskva within range, based on where it was when the fire began. Men wearing protective gear exhume the bodies of civilians killed during the Russian occupation in Bucha, on 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. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Other Russian ships that were also in the northern Black Sea moved further south after the Moskva caught fire, said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military assessments. Before the Moskva sank, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, told The Associated Press its removal would mean " we can only have a sigh of relief because this means that fewer missiles will reach Ukrainian cities. The U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday. Still, he called it a big blow to Russia. Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack, and neither is a particularly good outcome for them, Sullivan told the Economic Club of Washington. Advertisement Russia invaded on Feb. 24 and has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. Its also further inflated prices at grocery stores and gasoline pumps, while dragging on the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the war helped push the organization to downgrade economic forecasts for 143 countries. Also Thursday, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sending two low-flying military helicopters across the border and firing on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo in Russias Bryansk region, some 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the frontier. Russias Investigative Committee said seven people, including a toddler, were wounded. Earlier this month, Ukrainian security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an airstrike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, some 55 kilometers (35 miles) from the border. Warner Bros. cut six seconds of dialogue about a gay relationship in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the latest film in the Harry Potter universe, for its release in China. The dialogue, a small fraction of the movies 142-minute runtime, references the romantic past of two male characters, Albus Dumbledore, played by Jude Law, and Gellert Grindelwald, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Advertisement The cut phrases include I was in love with you and the summer Gellert and I fell in love. As a studio, were committed to safeguarding the integrity of every film we release, and that extends to circumstances that necessitate making nuanced cuts in order to respond sensitively to a variety of in-market factors, a Warner Bros. spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. Advertisement Our hope is to release our features worldwide as released by their creators but historically we have faced small edits made in local markets. The spokesperson added: In the case of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, a six-second cut was requested and Warner Bros. accepted those changes to comply with local requirements but the spirit of the film remains intact. We want audiences everywhere in the world to see and enjoy this film, and its important to us that Chinese audiences have the opportunity to experience it as well, even with these minor edits. The dialogue marks the first time the relationship has been directly referred to in a film. Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore, the third installment in the Harry Potter spinoff franchise, is scheduled to open in the United States this week. This week, we focus on whose pain is dismissed Manhattan: Its Black Maternal Health Week, when all across the country, people are raising their voices and taking action to support the health of Black women, who are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth compared to their white counterparts, according to the CDC. As devastating as this overall statistic is, we cant forget that it is even grimmer for a particular subset of Black women: those who are behind bars. The issues that contribute to the deaths of Black birthing people on the outside, like lack of access to high-quality care, poverty and psychosocial stress, are compounded inside jails and prisons. Being incarcerated shouldnt mean a death sentence for a mother or a child, and we know that access to good care and support can make a real difference and even save lives. Advertisement Every woman deserves a healthy pregnancy and every infant deserves a healthy life. (Shutterstock) That is why we have launched the Doula Initiative in partnership with renowned perinatal care provider Commonsense Childbirth. This year, together we will train and certify 120 participants all women who are directly affected by incarceration as doulas, who will subsequently deliver their skills and support to incarcerated birthing people. Every woman deserves a healthy pregnancy and every infant deserves a healthy life. As a formerly incarcerated individual, I have seen firsthand too many women denied these opportunities. This Black Maternal Health Week, we are doing our part to right that wrong and we urge New Yorkers and other Americans not to forget about Black women in prison. They need support from us all. Tonja Honsey, health equity program director, The Ladies of Hope Ministries Advertisement Hot commodity Brooklyn: With the price of gas being what it is today, motorists will do what they did long ago buy gas tank locks! Years ago, they had a run of thieves draining gas from unattended vehicles. Stanley Denker Say what you feel Rego Park: Just once, Id like to hear a beleaguered, befuddled American politician have the guts the self-respect to tell their constituents: Take this job and shove it. Jeff Rosenblatt Post-bullets ballad Rosedale: It was like any other day here in NYC / You pay your fare, find a chair and wear your mask so you wont breathe bad air. / You begin to text on your phone; youre all alone. / Instead, this happens out of nowhere / Smoke filled the air and shots were fired, creating a nightmare / for passengers to remember for the rest of their lives. / A train car quickly turned into a gas chamber. / Doors lock, no cops, gunshots, bodies drop. / The shooter got off at the next stop. Kenneth Beverley Count em North Massapequa, L.I.: During a pursuit, police fired 41 shots. Bruce Springsteen then famously wrote and sang the song American Skin (41 Shots). Well, Bruce, warm up the old vocal cords. Its time for you to put it in perspective with 33 subway shots. Steven Malichek Harden the targets Bronx: NYC subway riders are playing Russian roulette each time they enter the subway. For the subways to be safer, in addition to a beefed-up police presence, scanners and metal detectors are needed at every entrance. Sure, this will cause many delays but people will be safer. When you take a plane at the airport, you are expected to get there hours in advance. One day, this airport requirement will become the future of our subways. JoLinda Celentano Expensive proposition Glen Ridge, N.J.: After Tuesdays shooting spree in the subway system, is there a way for every bag and person to be inspected for guns and other tools meant for combat? Yes, there is: money lots and lots of money. Francine Ferrara Go for a ride The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Bronx: Mayor Adams, I respect the NYPD with the utmost admiration. Nevertheless, the crime in the New York City subway system will not change until you and the police commissioner direct more officers to ride the subway with the public. Officers stationed at turnstiles and platforms will not deter criminals with bad thoughts from riding the trains. They will think twice about committing a crime knowing that the NYPD are riding the trains too. This suggestion is coming from someone born, bred and still living in the greatest city in the world. Eric Cummings Jr. Iron pipeline Brooklyn: The problem is the guns! Until we find out how the guns are so easily available, its impossible to stop their use. Lets work it from that point and find out how easy it is to obtain a gun in the city! Rita Nanes Advertisement Numbers game West Orange, N.J.: My idea is so simple that Im not sure it has never been thought of: Instead of putting the serial number where it can be seen and removed, why cant they put it inside the barrel so if you want to file it off, you would have to take the gun apart, and maybe it would ruin the gun. I dont know how guns work but could this be done? Fred Goldman Strays Manchester, N.J.: Hey, Voicer Ken Gitter: You hypothesized that if citizens were allowed to legally conceal-carry sidearms, shootings would decrease in NYC. Do you realize that a large amount of the shootings in the city are gang-related and many of the victims are not targeted but are struck by stray bullets by lousy shots who have not had proper arms training? Perhaps instead of everyone carrying, a program for improved accuracy (the NRA could help out with this) could be implemented for these thugs so they could hit their intended targets instead of innocent bystanders. Bill McConnell Alarming Bronx: The emergency alert system tests conducted overnight are terrifying. They blast out generally between 3 to 5 a.m. in the morning. When they are on in the daytime, either on TV or radio, they are at a normal volume. I was in a closet in the back of the house, nowhere near the TV, when it came on. It was startling. It had come on earlier that night. Relieved it was over, I couldnt believe that it came on again a couple of hours later. This is supposed to be a weekly test. The volume must be lowered or someone is going to have a heart attack if theyve fallen asleep on the couch! Carol Crida Birds in a barrel Tuckahoe, N.Y.: Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal has introduced NYS Bill A01388 against an abhorrent practice by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which holds canned hunts of pheasants. These are non-native birds with limited survival skills. They are raised as chicks, nurtured and hand-fed by anyone answering the DECs open call. As a result of being packed into crates for transport to the hunt, many birds arrive with broken wings and other injuries. Some participants kick the birds to make them fly in order to kill them. Hunters are informed beforehand when and where this release will be held. The DEC also holds a youth hunt of these birds, who consider people their friends. Is this really the best the DEC can do with state tax funds? Even other hunters denounce this unethical non-sport, which is just releasing tame animals in front of shooters. Kiley Blackman EVs aint so easy Tarrytown, N.Y.: To Voicer Grace Mok: While Im in total agreement that electric vehicles are our future, you seem to think that the gas tax holiday will have an effect on those choosing a car during the next eight months. Have you seen the prices of new cars lately? With potential chip problems or price-gouging due to supply issues, do you really think the small savings on gas is going to change the minds of people who are currently driving gas-powered cars? I thank you for all the reasons to switch to EVs but not every driver can afford one. In addition, you missed the fact that charging stations are still hard to find in a lot of areas. Demand the addition of charging stations everywhere in the country. Jaime Geiger The corruption charges that resulted in the arrest and resignation of former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin represent another sad day for New York. We have grown too accustomed to opening the paper and reading about elected officials who have abused the publics trust. This erodes the faith we have in our government. While the investigation is ongoing and we are still learning the details of the case, this incident highlights several areas where we can strengthen our public institutions to protect against corruption. It is alleged that Benjamin asked real estate investor Gerald Migdol to procure donations to his campaign committees for state Senate and city comptroller. In return, Migdol was promised a $50,000 grant to a nonprofit organization with which he was affiliated. This money was part of discretionary funds received by state senators to invest in their communities. Advertisement The process of elected officials distributing lump sums of money is notoriously opaque, and poses a clear risk for corruption. Yet every year, billions of public dollars are dispersed this way. We must implement real mechanisms for accountability and transparency to prevent misuse of these funds. The public should be able to easily search how discretionary funds are allocated and spent. In instances where grants have been requested by, or targeted to lawmakers, their names should be disclosed. Lawmakers should also be required to disclose any relationship with the entities being funded, and that information also should be publicly available. In addition, the Legislature should take cues from the New York City Council, which has recently enacted strict limits on discretionary funds. Advertisement It is alleged that Migdol bundled together dozens of fraudulent small-dollar donations for Benjamins campaign for comptroller and passed them to the candidate as one large sum. This is a common fundraising practice. Bundlers raised more than $1.4 million in the 2021 New York City election cycle. Bundling campaign donations provides a way around contribution limits. In New York City races, where small-dollar contributions are matched by public funds at an 8-to-1 ratio, it means the candidate can receive more money from the Campaign Finance Board. Even when no laws are violated, by gathering smaller donations for a campaign, the bundler has greater access to the officeholder. This undermines the integrity of the matching funds program, which was designed to wean candidates off special interest money and amplify the voices of everyday New Yorkers in our elections. As we saw in this instance, the practice can be used to disguise the real origin of donations. We need more limits on this practice, including banning bundling by individuals with business ties to city government. Opponents of New York Citys matching funds program may disingenuously claim that this incident proves the system is rife with corruption. The truth is that the system did its job. Audits by the Campaign Finance Board identified the suspicious contributions, flagged the issue and prevented those contributions from being matched with public funds. With the state about to launch its own public financing system, it needs auditing authority and resources as strong as the citys system. We may never be able to completely eliminate corruption from our government. But what we can do is learn from these unfortunate incidents. Lawmakers should take this as an opportunity to enact reforms that limit the opportunities for corruption, and make it easier to identify the transgressors. Gotbaum is the executive director of Citizens Union and a former New York City public advocate. Last week, the New York State budget included a major victory for educational equity, ending a 26-year-old ban on access to need-based Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants for incarcerated students. Having myself attended college while incarcerated, I can attest to the importance of the opportunity to transform ones life through education. This win will profoundly impact the lives and trajectories of countless individuals, their families and their communities. Growing up, I was a straight-A student. I was never too impressed with myself; Ive simply always loved learning. I imagined the future me in countless different professions. Despite my aspirations and potential, I dropped out of high school the year my parents divorced. Being smart became a worthless boast among the company I kept, and for a while, I was reckless with no real sense of direction. Advertisement Still, I saw going off to college as a chance to escape my then reality. I tried to finish high school multiple times before earning a GED. When I relocated to New York to attend college, I learned that theres more to a fresh start than a change of setting. While I did earn an associate degree, I still faced personal struggles and had my first child during that time, so I never continued on to earn a bachelors degree as I had intended. That would be my last experience with higher education until years later with the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), after I became incarcerated. My experience with college-in-prison was drastically different from anything before it. Initially, I struggled to see the practical benefit of what I was learning. But the curriculum improved my comprehension and taught me how to better communicate and reason. I took liberal arts courses that exposed me to larger social issues, challenged my perspectives and informed my perception of the world. And the benefits transcended beyond the classroom. More than the degree, I cherish the growth. Advertisement Even now as I work in reentry advocating for other justice-involved people, I endeavor to be a voice for those who are behind bars. The glaring connection between the limited educational opportunities available for incarcerated people and the obstacles that formerly incarcerated people encounter is undeniable. That is why restoring TAP eligibility for incarcerated students is such a major victory. With the return of public funding to college-in-prisons, experiences like mine can become the norm and not the exception. In the years since TAP was banned in 1995, small college-in-prison programs like BPI have developed using mostly private funding. However, these funding streams are never guaranteed. This creates vast uncertainty and makes it hard for programs to reach more students. It also makes it difficult for more colleges to offer degrees in prison. Reentering society after incarceration is a daunting enough process. People typically combat food insecurity, homelessness, financial indigence, technological gaps, reunification hurdles and employment barriers all while facing supervision constraints. Any aspiration for learning a trade or obtaining higher education once released either of which might improve their chances of reintegrating successfully will take a backseat to more immediate concerns. While a college degree doesnt make these challenges disappear, it goes a long way toward helping overcome them. Expanded access to college-in-prison will give incarcerated students an opportunity to make use of their sentenced time by preparing for a true second chance. BPIs recidivism rate is 10 times lower than the New York average. Students, educators, advocates and correctional professionals have long understood the effectiveness and benefits of offering liberal arts education for incarcerated people: individual growth, reduced recidivism rates and reduced state spending on incarceration. Many college programs also help students with reentry, employment and career development, housing, systems navigation and continuing education. Educated formerly incarcerated people return to their communities with the tools they need to successfully reintegrate and can even contribute to their communities in larger ways. Annually, about 50,000 people are incarcerated in New York, with 35% of these people who are reincarcerated. Such a high rate of recidivism is also not conducive to the well-being of New Yorks families and communities. So many residents have experienced the incarceration of a loved one. Studies show that elevated incarceration rates within a community correlate to high poverty rates. Considering that 95% of incarcerated people will return home, it matters greatly how the state helps prepare them to reenter society. College-in-prison is the ideal solution. As early as 2014, the majority of voters in New York have supported a return to public funding of college-in-prison. A recent Siena Research poll showed public support has not wavered. This is a rare area of bipartisan agreement because it is common sense good public policy. We, the people, have long been ready: Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, residents of New York State. This victory for the Turn on the TAP campaign will reverberate beyond college-in-prison programs to improve the very fabric of our communities. Thomas is an alumna of Bard College via the Bard Prison Initiative. She is a reentry advocate at the Center for Community Alternatives in Syracuse and deputy director of The Lilac House. The subways are the great equalizer of the great city. Bosses and workers, riders of all genders and ethnicities, cram together, or at least they did before COVID. Some lines are like journeys around the world, every stop a new country. Advertisement As teenagers we took dates on the subways; afterwards, we rode home on them, elated or dejected. We rode them to our first jobs. As parents, we taught our children to navigate them. From a stalled B train atop the Manhattan Bridge, weve marveled at the starry twin constellations of Brooklyn and Manhattan twinkling back at us, and a towering copper-green statute in the harbor. Advertisement Emergency personnel gather at the entrance to a subway stop in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (John Minchillo/AP) An attack on the subways is an attack on all New Yorkers. It is also the mark of a really, really bad criminal. What drew the Sunset Park subway shooter to an N train? We have clues from the unhinged rants on the suspects social media feed. But surely he was at last partly attracted by the promise of finding multiple victims in a confined space. Surely he understood that, during the morning rush, riders would have their heads buried in books or ears blocked by earbuds, oblivious to the looming danger. Surely he hoped, in some twisted grandiosity, that attacking the subways would make a statement as bold as attacking the Empire State Building. But the very things that make subways appealing targets to twisted minds are the reasons the subways are actually really bad places to unleash deadly plots. Just ask Edward Leary. Never heard of him? Thats just as well. In 1994, he embarked on a misbegotten terror spree also aimed at our collective rail-riding hearts. Late that year, on two occasions, he carried firebombs built from mayonnaise jars, filled with gasoline and ignited with kitchen timers into the system. The first attack, on Dec. 15 on a No. 3 train, was apparently a trial run. Two high school students were injured. (Cops thought the youngsters had set off a bomb themselves.) Advertisement The main event occurred six days later, on Dec. 21 on a No. 4 train filled with Christmas shoppers at the Fulton St. station. Forty-six people were injured, 14 seriously, some suffering horrific burns. Aflame, they scrambled atop one another to get out of the train, and then furiously patted themselves and their fellow riders to extinguish burning clothing and skin. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Leary himself was injured. He somehow got to the Clark St. station in Brooklyn, where he emerged dazed, his pants shredded and his face burned, claiming he too was a victim. Cops were dubious. The firebomb had apparently gone off earlier than planned. I was a young reporter at New York Newsday, based at police headquarters a few blocks from Fulton St. I ran over to the station, down the stairs and saw the victims laid out in a row on stretchers, smoke hanging in the air. Their clothes and faces were blackened. The light fixtures on the train had melted; Christmas packages and briefcases were scattered everywhere. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 49 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) But you know what? The trains were soon running again, the holiday shoppers back on the hunt. Leary was arrested and charged. A former Merrill Lynch analyst from New Jersey, just laid-off, he apparently hoped to blackmail the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by threatening more firebombings unless he was paid off. The plot was as likely to succeed as Robert Shaws in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. In 1996, Leary was sentenced to 94 years behind bars. Once he unleashed chaos, just as the Sunset Park shooter did, Leary found he had few options to escape. Thats the thing: the subways are a controlled environment, with limited access and egress. Bill Bratton knew this when he was transit police chief in the early 1990s. Criminals think they can trap victims, and for a minute they can, but then, they too become trapped. Or usually they do. Frank James, arrested Wednesday for Tuesdays horrific attack, got out of the system. But in the mayhem, he left behind a key to a van he had rented, which was parked nearby. Had this crime been committed in a forest or swamp, it might have taken far longer to find this crucial link. But not in a confined space. There it was. The subway gave it up quick. Advertisement James deserves a full and fair trial and a thorough psychiatric examination. But if convicted, his name will be consigned to the dustbin of history along with Edward Leary. The victims will never forget they have long recoveries ahead but New Yorkers will keep riding the subways, carrying Christmas presents, going on dates both good and bad, every station a different country, admiring from the top of the Manhattan Bridge that towering copper-green statue in the harbor. Jamieson, a political and communications consultant, was an editor and reporter in New York City for 30 years. You probably dont feel too sorry for the 150 Russian intelligence agents whom Putin just purged. Or for the eight generals he sacked last month. But if youve ever been blamed by your boss for something that wasnt your fault, you might understand whats going on with them. Or worse, if you got fired for something that he was responsible for. Advertisement The Washington Post reports that as much as Putin would like to cast stones for the botched Ukraine invasion, hes the one living in the glass house. His isolation has detached him from the facts on the ground. But dont hold your breath waiting for a placard on his ornamental desk that reads, The ruble stops here, a Russified version of the famous one on Harry Trumans desk. Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin (Evgeny Biyatov/AP) The boss is 100% responsible for the wars he starts, even if his lieutenants fail to give him the facts. Late last month, U.S. officials shared declassified information that Putin was being misinformed by his advisers about how badly the Russian military [was] performing...because his senior advisors are too afraid to tell him the truth. (The Kremlin quickly denied the reports.) If the intelligence is true, Putins ruthless exercise of power, learned as a KGB agent, has produced self-inflicted wounds of a kind endured by strongmen throughout history. In government or business, leaders who operate by intimidation deprive themselves of honest advice and information from subordinates. In 2016, Google completed a four-year study to discover what factors distinguished groups that perform well. The biggest differentiator? Psychological safety on the team. Psychological safety is the belief that you wont be punished when you make a mistake...[P]sychological safety allows for...sticking your neck out without fear of having it cut off. You dont need to be Google to know that. One bad teacher in school can be enough for kids to learn the hard way not to raise their hands. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > When Honest Abe put together his cabinet before the Civil War, he did it the smart way. Thats the story about Lincolns closest advisers, told by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin in her Pulitzer Prize-winning account of that cabinet, Team of Rivals. Lincoln provided a forum there for one-time opponents to give him a wide range of opinions, which he realized would sharpen his own thinking. Kearns emphasizes that Lincoln soliciting his rivals advice this way displayed an enormous amount of self-confidence and emotional intelligence. He understood that human relations are at the core of politics...The qualities we associate with human greatness such as sensitivity, empathy, compassion, kindness, honesty are also keys to political success. Doesnt sound like Putin, does it? Or a recent American president who admired him? Advertisement As historian Chris Whipple said in June 2020, former President Donald Trumps chiefs of staff would not tell him hard truths. Even his military advisers were reportedly unwilling to give him all military options out of fear he might go to war. Ultimately, leaders who bully and intimidate their direct reports are bound to lose their trust and to fail. Plain and simple, to accomplish the mission requires open access to honest advice and facts, brutal or encouraging, about the threats or opportunities facing the enterprise. Whether in business or national affairs, creating a culture of psychological safety for advisers to speak their truth is central to a leader looking for a legacy of triumph. Aftergut has served on multiple boards. He is currently of counsel to Lawyers Defending American Democracy. CNN+ is a good name for a streaming service that very much needs to add viewers. Citing sources privy to CNNs internal data, CNBC reports the cable news networks two-week old streaming service is off to a slow start, with fewer than 10,000 people per day using the $5.99 per month platform. Advertisement Its unclear how many subscribers the service has attracted as thats not public data. Its also worth noting the service only became available on Roku Monday and has not yet launched for Android. The CNN logo is displayed at the entrance to the CNN Center in Atlanta on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Ron Harris/AP) CNN told the Daily News that despite the seemingly sluggish numbers, We are happy with where were at after two weeks of the service being available to subscribers. Advertisement Ratings for the nearly 42-year-old cable outlet hit a record high in 2020 with 2021 being its second most-watched year, despite a significant drop in viewership. The Cable News Network averaged 773,000 total viewers per day last year. [ John Oliver takes joy in OANs decline, mocks the embattled network one more time ] CNN finished 2021 with a tumultuous parting of ways with primetime host Chris Cuomo. It began 2022 with its president Jeff Zucker resigning amid the revelation that he was involved in a romantic relationship with a top female exec at the company. She, too, departed soon after. CNBC reports that CNN+ could well wind up being bundled in a package with brands including HBO Max and Discovery+, which came under the same umbrella when Discovery and WarnerMedia merged to become Warner Bros. Discovery in May 2021. CNN+ added veteran reporter Chris Wallace to its roster in December after he determined the situation at Fox News his employer of 18 years had become unsustainable. [ CEO of Trumps seemingly haunted Truth Social calls Twitter a ghost town ] That network also launched a streaming service that in 2018 began offering alternative programming to Fox News. That has included a special featuring teen gunman Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted after killing two unarmed Black Lives Matter protesters in Wisconsin in 2020, and Fox News host Tucker Carlsons infamous Patriot Purge series, which stirred up conspiracy theories sympathetic to right-wing fanatics tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Wallaces CNN+ weekday program, Whos Talking to Chris Wallace, debuted on March 29. Veteran actor Frank Langella has been axed from the lead role in Netflixs limited series The Fall Of The House Of Usher after being accused of sexual harassment on set. The 84-year-old Langellas role of Roderick Usher will be recast, the Daily News confirmed Thursday. Advertisement A spokesman for Langella did not immediately return a request for comment from The News, and Netflix declined to comment. On Tuesday, TMZ reported that Netflix had launched an investigation after Langella touched a female co-stars leg during a rehearsal and asked if she liked it. He also allegedly made an inappropriate joke that was sexual in nature. Advertisement Frank Langella (Matthew Eisman/Getty Images) The eight-episode limited series, based on the short stories of Edgar Allen Poe, features a star-studded cast including Carla Gugino, Mary McDonnell, Carl Lumbly and Mark Hamill. In December, creator Mike Flanagan described it as a modern remix of some of the most iconic works of Edgar Allan Poe and an epic tale of greed, horror and tragedy. Most details about the project have been kept under wraps. Flanagan has become Netflixs go-to horror master with his anthology series The Haunting, which includes The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, last years Midnight Mass and the upcoming Midnight Club. Production will continue on scenes that do not involve the Usher patriarch, according to Deadline, and continue in full once the role is recast. Scenes already filmed with Langella will also be reshot. Langella, a Bayonne, N.J., native, has won four Tony awards in his decadeslong career and was nominated in 2008 for a best actor Oscar for playing former President Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon. By Sun Xingwei and Liu Jianhui BEIJING, April 13 -- Four new-type combat rations independently developed by the Chinese military are being tried out in troops stationed on plateaus, and the oxygen saturation of the soldiers has got improved as a result. According to a responsible officer of the military materials and energy bureau, the Logistic Support Department under the Central Military Commission (CMC), the four new-type combat rations are high-energy food, normal energy food, low-fat light food, and special food respectively. To meet the challenge of the complex battlefield conditions of modern warfare, the fast-food mode support of combat rations requires delivery, cooking, distributing, eating and cleaning of the field rations be completed in a short time, which is backed by standardized recipe, scale production, ready-to-eat food supply, cold chain storage, convenient cooking, and precise distribution. For this purpose, new ingredients and new technologies have been introduced to produce more sorts of combat rations with improved functions and quality. Region-targeted food made of ingredients with the electrolyte replacement, anti-hypoxia or anti-fatigue functions have been developed to meet the special needs of troops stationed in hot, cold and plateau regions. Highland barley and other cold-resistant ingredients are used in the R&D of the personal combat rations to help improve hunger resistance of soldiers in military operations. In addition, some self-heating combat rations are suitable for eating under severe cold conditions or at an elevation of more than 3,000 meters. As planned, canned food, energy bars, dehydrated vegetables and freeze-dried soup will be incorporated into the food supply system for the plateau troops, so as to upgrade the quality of food supplies in an all-round manner and meet the needs of troops for combat rations supply in different regions. A cause of death has been revealed for Emmy-winning director Jean-Marc Vallee. The Big Little Lies and Dallas Buyers Club filmmakers death in December was from a fatal cardiac arrhythmia secondary to severe coronary atherosclerosis, his family told Deadline, citing a coroners report. Advertisement Testimonials of friendship, esteem and respect for our father and for his work are still coming from around the world, Vallees sons, Alex and Emile, said in a statement. We are sincerely grateful and we hope that his creativity will continue to serve as inspiration and guidance to the people in this industry that he was so passionate about. Advertisement Jean-Marc Vallee (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) The Canadian-born Vallee was found dead at his Quebec City cabin in late December at age 58. A cause of death wasnt released at the time. Vallee received an Oscar nomination in 2013 for best film editing for Dallas Buyers Club, which he directed. The historical drama film, which is set during the 1980s and centers on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, earned acting Oscars for stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. In 2017, Vallee won two Emmys for directing and editing in the limited series category for Big Little Lies, and received two more nominations in 2019 for his work on the show Sharp Objects. Aladdin star Jonathan Freeman has fond memories of teaming up with the late Gilbert Gottfried to create the animated movies iconic bad guys. Freeman voiced the sorcerer Jafar and Gottfried voiced his parrot sidekick, Iago, in the 1992 film. Gottfrieds family announced this week that the comedian died at age 67 after a long illness. Advertisement Losing a partner is never easy. It breaks my heart, Freeman told People. Gilbert will be greatly missed. Jafar said it best I love the way your foul little mind works! " Freeman, 72, added that their partnership started on the old Disney Lot, in Studio B, at the corner of Dopey Drive and Goofy Lane and turned into a 31 year marriage between two of Disneys most delicious villains. Advertisement Jonathan Freeman and Gilbert Gottfried attend Disney's "Aladdin" Broadway Press Day at the Crosby Street Hotel on October 12, 2015 in New York City. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images) [ SEE IT: Broadways Aladdin dedicates performance to Gilbert Gottfried as Iago actor pays tribute to late comedian ] Gottfried was also known for his stand-up comedy, his work as a Saturday Night Live cast member, and for his decades of roles that included voicing the Aflac Duck. On Tuesday, Aladdin on Broadway dedicated its performance to Gottfried, with actor Don Darryl Rivera paying tribute during the shows curtain call. The first time I met Gilbert was on this very stage, Rivera said. The curtain had just come down, and up comes Gilbert from the wings. He put his arm around me and we snapped a few photos, but then I pulled out this: the Aladdin VHS. And 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. Martial arts actor Steven Seagal turned 70 years old in Moscow, reportedly surrounded by pro-Putin propagandists he referred to as family and friends. The On Deadly Ground star celebrated becoming a septuagenarian in a Russian restaurant, where RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and Russia-1 host Vladimir Solovye were in attendance, The Times reported. Both outlets are state-sponsored. Advertisement Video of Seagal addressing his comrades was posted to Twitter by Russian Propaganda Myth Dismantler Michael Sender. Steven Seagal giving a moving speech to Kremlins top propagandists and warmongers against Ukraine Tigran Keisayan and Vladimir Soloviev. Lukashenkos carrots are doing their job. #stevenseagal pic.twitter.com/OpSxg4UDU7 Michael Sender (@MichaelSender) April 12, 2022 I have all of you here with me because each and everyone one of you, you are my family and my friends, Seagal said in English, which an interpreter translated to Russian. I love all of you and we stand together, through thick and through thin. Advertisement Seagal, who has referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a brother, has also praised the former KGB agent as one of the greatest world leaders, according to The Guardian. In 2014, he called Putins annexation of Crimea very reasonable. Actor Steven Seagal attends qualifying ahead of the Russian Formula One Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom on October 11, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Clive Mason/Getty Images) [ Charlize Theron to incredibly overweight Steven Seagal: You cant fight, F--k you! ] He has also stood by Putin since Russian forces invaded Ukraine on March 24, kicking off a bloody war that has been condemned by the free world. In March, Seagal told Fox News that he sees Russia and Ukraine, an independent republic, as one family. Seagal was banned from Ukraine in 2017 after becoming a Russian citizen. He was born in Lansing, Mich., and raised largely in Fullerton, Calif. He is a nine-time Golden Raspberry Award nominee who won the ignominious worst director award in 1995 for On Deadly Ground. That picture also made him a candidate for worst actor and worst picture. Elon Musk is offering to buy Twitter, just days after the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said he would no longer be joining the social media companys board of directors. Twitter Inc. said in a regulatory filing on Thursday that Musk, who currently owns slightly more than 9% of its stock and is the companys biggest shareholder, provided a letter to the company on Wednesday that contained a proposal to buy the remaining shares of Twitter that he doesnt already own. Musk offered $54.20 per share of Twitters stock. Advertisement He called that price his best and final offer, although the billionaire provided no details on financing. The offer is non-binding and subject to financing and other conditions. I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy, Musk says in the filing. However, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company. Advertisement The buyout offer from Musk is just the latest development in his relationship with Twitter. The billionaire revealed in regulatory filings over recent weeks that hed been buying shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31. Only Vanguard Groups suite of mutual funds and ETFs controls more Twitter shares. I made an offer https://t.co/VvreuPMeLu Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 14, 2022 Musk has been a vocal critic of of Twitter in recent weeks, mostly over his belief that it falls short on free speech principles. The social media platform has angered followers of Donald Trump and other far-right political figures whove had their accounts suspended for violating its content standards on violence, hate or harmful misinformation. Musk also has a history of his own tweets causing legal problems. Musk said last week that he informed Twitter he wouldnt be joining its board of directors five days after he was invited. He didnt explain why, but the decision coincided with a barrage of now-deleted tweets from Musk proposing major changes to the company, such as dropping ads its chief source of revenue and transforming its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter. Musk left a few clues on Twitter about his thinking, such as by liking a tweet that summarized the events as Musk going from largest shareholder for Free Speech to being told to play nice and not speak freely. After Musk announced his stake, Twitter quickly gave Musk a seat on its board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the companys outstanding stock, according to a filing. But Musk backed out of the deal. 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. Musks latest trouble with the SEC could be his delay in notifying regulators of his growing stake in Twitter. 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. Shares of Twitter jumped 11% before the market open. The stock is still down from its 52-week high of about $73. Shares of Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer that Musk heads, slipped about 0.9%. Falstaff (Philip Nolen, center) runs into trouble with some unsavory characters (Ben Cohen, from left, Johnathan Arvelo and Brandon Roberts) in "Henry IV, Part 2," onstage in an Orlando Shakes production. (Orlando Shakes / Courtesy photo) Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown, goes the most famous line from Shakespeares Henry IV, Part 2. But the actors staging the play for Orlando Shakes might be feeling the weight of pressure and responsibility themselves. The production is being staged without a director, without designers and with only a weeks rehearsal, as it would have been in Shakespeares day, a concept described as a Bare Bard production. Advertisement If the actors have been worried, they didnt show it at a preview performance Wednesday night. The comedy sparkled, the drama hit home and only once when an actor was late with his entrance did the onstage performers look around with panic-stricken faces. That lasted but a moment, though and truth be told, added to the fun of seeing of what actor Timothy Williams called in a precurtain speech, really live theater. Henry IV, Part 2 always is rather schizophrenic in nature, veering from potent emotional drama to silly comedy on a moments notice. Without a director to smooth transitions and temper emotional levels, those ragged edges are more obvious in this production. Advertisement Yet the individual scenes did not suffer, and forgive me, Orlandos many talented designers I found myself so engrossed in the characterizations that I barely noticed the lack of theatrical lighting or the rudimentary mishmash of costume choices (the actors chose their own garb). I was a bit puzzled by the Rolling Stones logo T-shirt worn by the actor giving the prologue and epilogue until the significance hit me the giant, open mouth symbolizes the speaker isnt a character, just a narrative voice. Clever. King Henry IV (Jim Ireland, left) speaks with his son, Prince Hal (Benjamin Bonenfant) in Orlando Shakes' production of "Henry IV, Part 2." (Orlando Shakes / Courtesy photo) Other characters dress to emphasize their personalities: As Falstaff, a joke of a creature, Philip Nolen dons what appears to be a leftover Santa Claus coat, making himself a visual joke as well. As young Prince Hal, Benjamin Bonenfant shimmies into the eternal signifier of a bad boy black biker pants. The story picks up where Henry IV, Part 1 left off though that was more than two years ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, Orlando Shakes plays a preshow refresher video that documents the twists and turns of its Fire and Reign series a chronological presentation of seven Shakespeare History plays chronicling the rise of Henry V and the Wars of the Roses. Mistress Quickly (Anne Hering, center) makes a point, alongside Ben Cohen and Johnathan Arvelo, in Orlando Shakes' "Henry IV, Part 2." (Orlando Shakes / Courtesy photo) Things to Do Weekly A look at entertainment and sporting events in Orlando and around Central Florida. > Though it was fun to catch up, you dont really have to know everything that came before to understand whats happening now. King Henry IV is very near the end of his life. His heir, Prince Hal, is busy with youthful indiscretions though signs of maturity are starting to show. He did, at the end of Part 1, kill a leading rebel to protect his fathers reign. Like his character, Bonenfant comes into his own in this play. He makes it thrilling to see Hal make peace with his father and accept his destiny. And he makes it chilling when he turns on old friends to assume his new role. Timothy Williams plays the Lord Chief Justice in Orlando Shakes' "Henry IV, Part 2." (Orlando Shakes / Courtesy photo) Nolen is a comic treat skipping across the stage, giddily proclaiming The laws of England are at my command, when he learns of Hals rise in status. Hes matched by Anne Hering, as the garrulous Mistress Quickly, who mines genuine humor in her characters litany of complaints, asides and wheedling pleas. Williams brings a fine sense of decorum to the Lord Chief Justice, Kathryn Tkels impassioned monologue makes you wish her character had more to do, and Johnathan Arvelo commands attention as the very smooth-talking Prince John. Advertisement Philip Nolen is Falstaff and Jennifer Fraser his page in Orlando Shakes' "Henry IV, Part 2." (Tony Firriolo / Courtesy photo) Jim Ireland has a consistent take on the aged Henry IV, though some bigger peaks and valleys among the ailing mans demeanor could have made an even more touching impression. This was No. 3 in the Fire and Reign series and the best yet. Bring on Henry V. Henry IV, Part 2 Length: 2:20, including intermission and a video recap of the story thus far 2:20, including intermission and a video recap of the story thus far Where: Orlando Shakes, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando Orlando Shakes, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando When: Through April 24 Through April 24 Cost: $22 and up $22 and up Info: orlandoshakes.org Find me on Twitter @matt_on_arts, facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theater and arts news and reviews? Go to orlandosentinel.com/arts. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. NEW YORK Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday 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. The 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. 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/AP) 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 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, Wednesdays 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. My hot sandwich (that's Level 3) reminded me a little of a soft-shell crab. It's all by design. Staffers here hand tenderize each 6 oz. breast, creating shapes that "give each one personality," says owner Andrew Scala. (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) Heres some fodder for the bathroom wall: Andrew Scala made me go both ways. To be fair, though, its not like I havent dabbled. Orlandos chicken sandwich scene is a mixed bag of hard-core breast boosters and die-hard thigh guys. Advertisement When Scala and I first connected, his popular JAM Hot Chicken pop-up had secured its perfect little walk-up on Winter Parks New England Avenue, but it would be another six months before folks began hauling his heavy-duty handhelds to waiting tables and idling cars. Most chefs will say a chicken thigh is the best part of the bird for a sandwich, said an emphatic, supremely confident Scala back in June. Wrong! Advertisement This cozy corner at New England and Virginia is now an al fresco haven for hot chicken. (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) Its not that I dont appreciate chicken breast. Chicken breast built Hugh Jackmans Wolverine, for crying out loud. But my job doesnt require me to maintain 6 percent body fat. And so, Ive always leaned more toward the latter. Why? Thighs yield. Theyre predictably tender and juicy. Theyre forgiving. Breasts require more finesse. Scala has it. JAM Hots beautifully brined, boneless Bell & Evans breasts are a food writers exceptionally effective afflatus for effusive, alliterative accolades. For those of you ready to hate on my vocabulary, heres the Cliffs Notes version: This sandwich is dope. And, like the Nashville chicken that inspired it (and the Wolverine), fiery hot. But only if you want it to be. The plain (an unfair distinction, really its an exceptional sandwich) is the foundation for the increasingly incendiary evolution that follows. It was always my goal to make the chicken, just the fried chicken, taste amazing even if you get it plain, says Scala. If the plains not good, nothing else is going to be good. Advertisement Oh, its good. And Scalas double dredge method taking the chicken from the flour mix to the spiced buttermilk bath and back again is key. I liken it to an elevation of the extra crispy Kentucky Fried my mom would bring home in the bucket once in a blue moon. Scala laughs. For an Orlando native, this translates to Publix fried chicken. You cant go wrong with it, he says. And I was chasing that. He ran straight past. Scalas chicken breasts are hand tenderized with a mallet. It gets it to where its not looking like the typical kidney-shaped chicken breast. It elongates. My hot-level sandwich looked something like a soft-shell crab beckoning from the shell of its dome-like brioche. Yeah, he says, chuckling. Thats a big thing for me. Having character on each one, so they dont all look the same. Each breast looks different. Advertisement They call it "Just the Breast," but you could make your own simple sando with the white bread bedding that comes in the box if you wanted to. (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) The singular shapes were so important in fact, that back during his pop-up days, Scala would snip each one with kitchen shears, different parts of the breast after tenderizing, he explains. But the brick-and-mortar doesnt allow for such artiste behavior. Its tedious, he says. I got away from it the first week we opened. Rest easy, the only thing uniform about the three dishes we took home was the excellence. Twenty-five minutes in the car and the sandwiches were remained beautifully wrapped and composed. Even more wondrous: pretty darn crispy. I tossed an errant nugget of breading to the dog and luxuriated in the cartoonlike crunching that ensued. Hot out the fryer? Its fire. Cross-section of plain. Even if you LOVE heat, you might want to try this for a baseline. 24 hour-brined Bell & Evans breast, double dredged, spiced buttermilk bath, house slaw and pickles on fluffy, structurally sound brioche. There's not much to critique here save my photography skills. (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) Housemade pickles are sturdy a little sweet, a lot garlicky. It was crinkle-cut or die for me on the pickles, says Scala. Slaw is simple and mercifully devoid of mayo theres plenty in the comeback sauce and really, who needs more of it on a deep-fried sandwich that gets a post-fry oil bath? And speaking of, its miraculous how un-greasy it is, considering. Cheddar bomb mac. (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) As far as heat? The level 3, for me, was entirely manageable, despite its cumulative effect. Ill definitely go one higher on my next visit. But really, no pressure. This sandwich should be eaten the way you like it. Treat it like a pleasure cruise, not a contest. Its that good. But it aint no hero-maker. This breast isnt building anything but Dad Bod at best. (Im sure Hugh Jackman would love it.) But oh, what a good time youll have wrecking yourself. Or, you know, on cheat days. Advertisement If you go JAM Hot Chicken: 400 W. New England Ave. in Winter Park; jamhotchickenfl.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. Anthony Todt is found guilty on all counts during his trial at the Osceola County Courthouse, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Todt, a Connecticut physical therapist is was found guilty of the 2020 killings of his wife, children and dog, at their Central Florida home. He was sentenced to four consecutive lifetimes without the possibility of parole, plus one year for the animal cruelty charge. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) A jury found Anthony Todt guilty of first-degree murder Thursday for killing his wife, children and dog at their Central Florida home in 2020. After more than six hours of deliberations, jurors reached a unanimous verdict after being deadlocked at one point. Advertisement Anthony Todt re-enters the court after being found guilty on all counts during his trial at the Osceola County Courthouse, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Todt, a Connecticut physical therapist is was found guilty of the 2020 killings of his wife, children and dog, at their Central Florida home. He was sentenced to four consecutive lifetimes without the possibility of parole, plus one year for the animal cruelty charge. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Todt, 46, shook his head in shock as the verdict was read. He was convicted on 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. Advertisement Circuit Judge Keith A. Carsten called Todt a destroyer of worlds and imposed four consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Not one of those lives was less valuable than the other, Carsten said. Despite the guilty verdict, Todt maintained his innocence and continued to blame his wife for the killings, saying he was not there the night they died. I loved my wife. I loved my kids, he told the judge. They were first and foremost in my life. I did not do this. I provided for my wife. I provided for kids. I did everything I could. Megan Todts aunt, Cynthia Kopko, in a victims statement to the judge described her niece and children as loving people. Not only has her family suffered, but Kopko said the neighborhood kids who played with the Todt children have also been traumatized and ask if their fathers will kill them, too. Tony crushed his whole family by doing this, Kopko said. Everybody was mortified. Family back in Connecticut reacted as they watched the verdict come in via a livestream. Stewart Peil, Megan Todts uncle and Kopkos husband, started to cry in the moments after Todt was sentenced, remembering the last time he saw his family alive. Advertisement The Todts had rented a lake house for a summer visit to Connecticut, he said a vast property formerly home to a Boy Scouts camp. They swam in the pool, played games and enjoyed what none of them knew would be their last moments together as a family. That was it, thats the last time we saw them, he said. During that visit, about six months before the murders, Megan Todt seemed happy and healthy, Peil said. She was fine, the kids were fine, everyone was fine, he said. In his letters from jail and during his testimony statements in court after the verdict came back, Anthony Todt painted a picture of a woman so sick and weak that she couldnt walk upstairs to bed alone, or care for herself. He also said she killed their children and stabbed herself twice. Megan Todt had been sick at one point, said her uncle, but not in recent years. She was very sick ten years ago but she was treated and she was fine and she recovered, he said. Every time I saw her she was fine. There was never any indication that she was frail or weak. This whole story that she was an invalid that he had to take care of, wasnt true with me. Advertisement As he watched the trial from his home, Peil said he watched the man he once considered a part of his closest family weave together a story that didnt make sense to him. Since the murders, and Todts claims of innocence via letters from jail, Peil said he and his wifes questions about Todts account of the murders only grew and grew. They had no knowledge of Megan being sick, no knowledge of apocalypse fears or suicide pacts. It didnt make any sense to Cindy and I and apparently it didnt make sense to the jury, either, he said. Peil said he thinks Todts world started to crumble about six years ago and then became more unmanageable when Megan Todt and the children moved to Florida. I think he blamed his family for a lifestyle that he couldnt maintain, he said. I wish he had gone to them and told them that they would need to live within their means, he said. But instead, Todt started taking out loans and allegedly funneling money through a healthcare fraud scheme. Advertisement His solution was, instead, to end everything . To end everything for them because I think in his mind he was stealing from Medicare for them, he said. Todt has not yet been tried in court for the alleged healthcare fraud charges. Peil said that hearing the jury return all guilty verdicts and sentence him to more than life in prison offered a semblance of justice for him and his remaining family. Its good to know that hell be held accountable for the rest of his life, said Peil. For the rest of his life hell know that he wiped out his family because his business failed and he couldnt handle telling them that his business failed, that they would have to start over. Before the jury began deliberating, prosecutors told them Todt wanted control over not only the lives of his family but also their deaths. After killing his wife, three children and dog, Todt used their phones to tell their relatives they were all sick, Assistant State Attorney Danielle Pinnell said. When Todts sister asked law enforcement to check on the family, she got a text from Megan Todts phone about believing in the apocalypse. Advertisement How did she learn about this information? From the defendant, Pinnell told jurors during Todts trial at the Osceola County Courthouse. Because we already know Megans dead. The prosecutor said Todt was deceptive after law enforcement found the bodies to maintain control, pretending his wife was sleeping and his kids were away. When he confessed to the killings in an interview with detectives, Todt told them he and his wife believed they bring their children into this world, they should get to decide when they leave, Pinnell said. [Todt] wanted control over the lives of his kids and over the life of Megan, she said. His attorneys, though, argued Todts initial confession to killing his family contradicts evidence from a medical examiner and toxicologist. Todt described how he stabbed and smothered his children one by one, but the medical examiner said stab wounds on two children happened after their deaths. The state is essentially picking and choosing when they want you to believe Mr. Todt and when they dont, Assistant Public Defender Alesha Smith said. Smith said law enforcement did little to corroborate Todts initial confession, including finding blood evidence in any rooms where the killings happened. Advertisement We dont see any phone searches, Smith said. We dont see any Google searches. ... [The detective] took Mr. Todt at his word and decided, Hey, my job is done. Todts father, Bob Todt, also watched the live stream of the trial, from his home in Massachusetts. He had once been estranged from his son for years, but the two had been speaking regularly since his sons arrest. Bob Todt said he worries that the jury hung so much on the confessions. Confessions he thinks should have been thrown out because of his sons mental state at the time he made them hed been admitted to a hospital for mental health care under the Baker Act during at least one of the confessions, which the judge didnt allow to be heard by the jury. Judge Carsten also ruled that the jury wouldnt hear about the state of Todts mental health. A decision Bob Todt thinks led to his sons conviction. I think the blocking of his mental capacity was a killer, he said Thursday, minutes after he learned his son had been found guilty. I dont know how Im going to deal with this, he said. Advertisement Authorities discovered Todt living with his familys blanket-wrapped decomposing bodies Jan. 13, 2020, while serving a warrant to arrest him on federal health care fraud charges related to his Connecticut physical therapy business. Megan Todt and her three children had been dead for at least a couple weeks before they were found, according to a medical examiner. After his arrest, Todt told detectives he and his wife had an agreement to kill their family, prosecutors said. Everybody needed to die in order to pass over to the other side together because the apocalypse was coming, Pinnell told jurors in the trials opening statements. Todt said he and his wife spoke to their children about killing themselves. We dont want you to die, Todt claimed his kids said. We want to die with you. Jurors watched a video of the interrogation, in which Todt described how suffocated his children one by one, then his wife after she failed to commit suicide by stabbing herself. The cause of death for all four victims was homicidal violence of unspecified means in association with a Benadryl toxicity, the medical examiner said. Advertisement Testifying in his own defense, Todt said his wife became fixated with reincarnation as her health declined and came to believe that if they burned the family karma in their current life, they would be reincarnated to a better life. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Mr. Todt, what could have prevented Megan from killing her children? Orange-Osceola Public Defender Bob Wesley asked his client. 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. In the weeks after the slayings, Todt told jurors he tried to kill himself in a variety of ways, including overdosing on Benadryl, though he chickened out of using a knife. He claimed to have no recollection of his interviews with detectives, and only remembered falling and waking up in jail. My testimony today is the fact that Megan killed her kids and killed herself, he said. Todt shed tears when questioned by his attorneys, but Pinnell said he became angry on the witness stand when she asked him to corroborate his version of events. Advertisement He described himself as this loyal Ill do anything, Ill take the blame for Megan man, Pinnell told jurors. But something interesting that he said is, Megan killed her kids. Not our kids. Not my kids. Her kids. mcordeiro@orlandosentinel.com A 12-year-old victim accused former Deputy Paul S. Mauricio of ongoing sexual abuse that possible started before she turned 12. (Clay County Sheriff's Office) A deputy has been fired after he was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl and arrested. The Clay County Sheriffs Office arrested Deputy Paul S. Mauricio Thursday after the girls mother filed a complaint Tuesday night, WJXT reported. Advertisement Sheriff Michelle Cook said the abuse was ongoing but is still working on details for the timetable of the abuse. Mauricio is facing a charge for capital sexual battery, indicating some of the abuse took place before the victim turned 12 years old, according to WJXT. Advertisement Investigators interviewed him after the girl detailed a pattern of sexual abuse. Mauricio confirmed what the victim told authorities. He was initially suspended when the victim filed the complaint, but the suspension was upgraded to a termination of employment after the arrest. Read the full report on news4jax.com. A Florida teen has his pick of colleges after receiving 27 offers and more than $4 million in scholarship money. Jonathan Walker, 18, said he was amazed that so many schools accepted his college application, according to Breezy Scroll. Advertisement Walker has been earning college credits through the International Baccalaureate Program, allowing him to take college-level courses, since his junior year of high school. He said the key to so many acceptances was the personal touches he added to his essays. Advertisement Every campus has something special about it and so, I found something that I loved within all of them, Walker told the Panama City News-Herald. Read the full report on breezyscroll.com. Female peacekeepers of the Chinese peacekeeping multifunctional engineering contingent to Lebanon return after a mine-sweeping mission. (Photo by Kong Kangyi) BEIRUT, April 14 -- Military Gender Adviser Major Maartje van Reedt Dortland of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) made a special trip to the Chinese peacekeeping camp in Hanniyah village in southern Lebanon on April 12. Dortland met the female peacekeepers of the 20th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon. She highly affirmed the efforts made by Chinese servicewomen in the cause of peacekeeping and expressed her appreciation for their enthusiasm and selfless dedication. When talking with Chinese female peacekeepers, Dortland said that China's support for the UN peacekeeping cause has set an example for all parties. She praised the Chinese women soldiers for the strength they have demonstrated in important positions, especially in mine clearance. "You are a real role model. With your encouragement, I believe that more women will join in peacekeeping operations." Focusing on the theme of safeguarding women's rights and interests, Dortland also shared her views with the Chinese female peacekeepers on how to give better play to the roles of servicewomen under the premise of ensuring their safety. Huang Yuan, a nurse from the Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent, said: "On the peacekeeping battlefield, we not only protect the safety of lives of peacekeepers, but also do our best to provide the local people with medical service to relieve their pain from diseases." Dai Zhengqin, a female deminer from the Chinese multi-role engineering contingent, said: "We are not only the blue helmets on the minefields, but also builders of the bridge of communication with local women and children. We will actively respond to the UN Advocacy Campaign for Womens Empowerment and Gender Equality, continue to complete each task with good performance, and contribute to UN peacekeeping operations." In response to the call of the UN, China has increased the proportion of women in its peacekeeping forces in recent years and has sent more than 1,000 female peacekeepers to UN peacekeeping operations. Among the more than 400 peacekeepers of the 20th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon, 16 are female. Since their deployment in the mission area in August last year, the female mine-sweeping operators in the Chinese multi-role engineering contingent have successfully destroyed more than 100 landmines, and the female medics have participated in humanitarian medical assistance on many occasions. Three directors are facing numerous felony charges for allegedly stealing money from the county fair. Arcadia Police Department in DeSoto County started the investigation on Feb. 21, WINK News reported. Advertisement In February, authorities noticed suspicious transactions on the DeSoto County Fair Associations account. The investigation led to the arrest of Fair President Christopher Stewart, Fair Treasurer Leann Humphreys, and Fair Secretary Stevie Rioux, according to WINK News. Advertisement Read the full report on winknews.com. KYIV, Ukraine The flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, a guided-missile cruiser that became a potent target of Ukrainian defiance in the opening days of the war, sank Thursday after it was heavily damaged in the latest setback for Moscows invasion. Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the vessel with missiles, while Russia acknowledged a fire aboard the Moskva but no attack. U.S. and other Western officials could not confirm what caused the blaze. Advertisement The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital, Kyiv. In his nightly video address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alluded to the sinking as he told Ukrainians they should be proud of having survived 50 days under attack when the Russians gave us a maximum of five. Advertisement Listing the many ways Ukraine has defended against the invasion, he noted those who showed that Russian warships can sail away, even if its to the bottom of the sea. It was his only reference to the missile cruiser. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship sank in a storm while being towed to a port. Russia earlier said the flames on the ship, which would typically have 500 sailors aboard, forced the entire crew to evacuate. Later it said the blaze had been contained. The Moskva had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles, and its removal reduces Russias firepower in the Black Sea. Its also a blow to Moscows prestige in a war already widely seen as a historic blunder. Now entering its eighth week, the invasion has stalled amid resistance from Ukrainian fighters bolstered by weapons and other aid sent by Western nations. During the first days of the war, the Moskva was reportedly the ship that called on Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender in a standoff. In a widely circulated recording, a soldier responded: Russian warship, go (expletive) yourself. The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is seen anchored in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, on Sept. 11, 2008. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged April 13, 2022, but not that it was hit by Ukraine. (AP) The Associated Press could not independently verify the incident, but Ukraine and its supporters consider it an iconic moment of defiance. The country recently unveiled a postage stamp commemorating it. The news of the flagship overshadowed Russian claims of advances in the southern port city of Mariupol, where Moscows forces have been battling the Ukrainians since the early days of the invasion in some of the heaviest fighting of the war at a horrific cost to civilians. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian troops 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 how many forces were still defending Mariupol. Advertisement Russian state television broadcast footage that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers. One man held a white flag. Mariupol has been the scene of the some the wars worst suffering. Dwindling numbers of Ukrainian defenders are holding out against a siege that has trapped well over 100,000 civilians in desperate need of food, water and heating. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told AP in an interview Thursday that people are being starved to death in the besieged city. Mariupols mayor said this week that more than 10,000 civilians had died and the death toll could surpass 20,000, after weeks of attacks and privation left bodies carpeted through the streets. Mariupols capture is critical for Russia because it would allow its forces in the south, which came up through the annexed Crimean Peninsula, to fully link up with troops in the Donbas region, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and the target of the coming offensive. The Russian military continues to move helicopters and other equipment together for such an effort, according to a senior U.S. defense official, and it will likely add more ground combat units over coming days. But its still unclear when Russia could launch a bigger offensive in the Donbas. A school director Iryna Homenko walks in the hall of a school damaged by an airstrike from Russian forces in Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukraine in the Donbas since 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea. Russia has recognized the independence of the rebel regions in the Donbas. Advertisement The loss of the Moskva could delay any new, wide-ranging offensive. Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region, across the Black Sea to the northwest of Sevastopol, said the Ukrainians struck the ship with two Neptune missiles and caused serious damage. Russias Defense Ministry said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, without saying what caused the blaze. It said the main missile weapons were not damaged. In addition to the cruise missiles, the warship also had air-defense missiles and other guns. The Neptune is an anti-ship missile that was recently developed by Ukraine and based on an earlier Soviet design. The launchers are mounted on trucks stationed near the coast, and, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missiles can hit targets up to 175 miles away. That would have put the Moskva within range, based on where it was when the fire began. Launched as the Slava in 1979, the cruiser saw service in the Cold War and during conflicts in Georgia and Syria, and helped conduct peacetime scientific research with the United States. During the Cold War, it carried nuclear weapons. In 1989, the Slava was supposed to host a meeting off Malta between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, but gale-force winds moved the talks to the docked cruiser Maxim Gorky. Advertisement On Thursday, other Russian ships that were also in the northern Black Sea moved further south after the Moskva caught fire, said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military assessments. Before the Moskva sank, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, told AP its removal would mean we can only have a sigh of relief. While the U.S. was not able to confirm Ukraines claims of striking the warship, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a big blow to Russia. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack, and neither is a particularly good outcome for them, Sullivan told the Economic Club of Washington. Russia invaded on Feb. 24 and has lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It has also further inflated prices at grocery stores and gasoline pumps, while dragging on the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the war helped push the organization to downgrade economic forecasts for 143 countries. Advertisement Also Thursday, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sending two low-flying military helicopters some 7 miles across the border and firing on residential buildings in the village of Klimovo, in Russias Bryansk region. Russias Investigative Committee said seven people, including a toddler, were wounded. Russias state security service had earlier said Ukrainian forces fired mortar rounds at a border post in Bryansk as refugees were crossing, forcing them to flee. The reports could not be independently verified. Earlier this month, Ukrainian security officials denied that Kyiv was behind an air strike on an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, some 35 miles from the border. Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report. For decades, Floridas leaders have been chipping away at the reproductive freedom of desperate women, using tools crafted from falsehood. The big lie, of course, is that lawmakers are acting out of concern for womens health. Every time a new abortion restriction comes up, that paternalistic pretense dissolves to expose the real target: Womens freedom. Advertisement That sentiment was clear during the recent legislative session, when lawmakers passed HB 5, a near-absolute ban on abortion after 15 weeks gestation. The bill makes no provision for women impregnated through rape, incest or human trafficking. And it includes a biologically implausible definition of conception, which could shave two weeks or more off that time frame. Florida courts should be quick to slap down laws laden with bold-faced deception, especially when they allow the government to intrude on private medical decisions. Floridas long-established, and unusually strong, right to privacy should be enough to protect women from meddling in their medical decisions But last week, a ruling by a Leon County circuit judge bought into the misleading rhetoric, in a ruling reinstating the states mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion. Advertisement Circuit Judge Angela Dempseys ruling recited misleading talking points that supported a distressing conclusion: Women seeking abortions in Florida have to be instructed to think no, really think about the ramifications of their decision for at least 24 hours before they can terminate a pregnancy. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > As if Floridian women were in the habit of stumbling into abortion clinics on a whim. Dempseys ruling included this obvious whopper: The plain purpose of the act, she wrote, is to enhance a pregnant womans voluntary and informed consent Baloney. The plain purpose of the law, passed in 2015 as SB 724, is to throw yet another roadblock in the path of a woman who has already considered her options and knows what she needs to do. For many low-income women, requiring two doctors visits within a 24-hour period will constitute a significant hardship. Only 17 of Floridas 67 counties have at least one abortion provider, meaning some women must travel an hour or more to find a clinic. Dempsey went on to recite a laundry list of emotions she says can result from abortion, including regret, severe depression, loss of esteem, grief and sorrow. But studies of abortion reveal a significantly different reality. According to the American Psychological Association, the real risk to a womans mental health comes when she wants to terminate a pregnancy but is not allowed to do so. Most women make these decisions thoughtfully. And they can point to solid reasons behind their choice. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, which studies reproductive issues, found that about three-quarters of women who have had abortions say unwanted pregnancies would have hurt their ability to work, go to school or care for other dependents including children theyre already raising. By the same ratio, women express fear that an unwanted pregnancy could significantly hamper their economic stability. And theres a strong connection between domestic violence and a womans decision to abort. Thats the biggest fallacy of Floridas 24-hour ban, and one Dempsey swallowed whole: The state cant claim to offer informed consent out of false concern for womens well-being, while ignoring the far greater disruption that an unwanted pregnancy can create. Its been nearly 50 years since Roe vs. Wade promised reproductive liberty to American women. Yet those freedoms seem under attack like never before, and its impossible to know how far the backsliding could extend. Thats why voters should put reproductive freedom high on their list when evaluating candidates. Its easy to take this progress for granted. But as recent events prove, theres still plenty of ground to lose. 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 The past three years have tested the resolve and resiliency of Florida communities and our states public health infrastructure. COVID-19 has only worsened our states raging opioid epidemic, and fentanyl in the drug supply is only compounding the overdose crisis across the state. Amid a rise in fatal overdose events in Florida, its clear that we need to take additional actions to protect our neighbors from the harms of opioid overdose. Thankfully, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis answered the call to action to help our state combat this crisis and ensure at-risk individuals and those so often at the frontlines of the opioid epidemic have access to opioid-overdose-reversal medications such as naloxone. Advertisement In the 12-month period ending in October 2021, there were 7,616 deaths from drug overdose in Florida alone. Its a tragedy thats more than just a number, representing family members, friends and loved ones in Florida who lost their lives to fatal overdose and are no longer able to live out their dreams. Dr. Kendall Cortelyou is a researcher with Project Opioid and program director for the health care informatics program at the University of Central Florida. - Original Credit: Courtesy photo (Courtesy photo) In each of those instances, having a simple medication on hand may have prevented a fatal outcome. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medicine that is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and revive someone in an emergency situation. Advertisement Increasing access to opioid-overdose-reversal medications like naloxone is critical to our community response to the opioid crisis. Chapter 2022-28, signed by the Florida governor in early April, will help to expand access to this critical tool in the fight against our states opioid crisis. This law ensures that law enforcement personnel can possess and administer naloxone and have immunity for administering emergency opioid antagonists such as naloxone in certain situations. The law will also increase education and availability of opioid overdose reversal medicines such as naloxone for key communities. In my role as a researcher on the overdose crisis during COVID-19, my colleagues and I have seen the human impact of the epidemic behind the numbers. We have witnessed Floridians desperation and isolation as they were kept from needed services. This desperation is far from over. However, I have also seen how an opioid-overdose-reversal medication such as naloxone can give someone a second chance in a life-threatening emergency. Organizations such as Project Opioid are dedicated to reducing opioid deaths in communities. As an organization headquartered in Orlando, we have brought together leaders from across the state who are committed to protecting Floridians from fatal opioid overdose, and we constantly hear from them about the need to expand the availability of these potentially lifesaving medications. It is vital that law enforcement and communities in Florida have access to opioid overdose reversal medications that help us prevent the fatal harms of accidental overdose. Chapter 2022-28 includes meaningful reforms that will help our local communities in the fight to protect at-risk individuals against the ongoing opioid epidemic. On behalf of so many Floridians who continue to suffer during our opioid crisis, thank you to the Florida legislature and Gov. DeSantis for taking action to protect Floridians. We have more work to do to effectively reach all at-risk individuals with naloxone, but this law represents an immediate and significant step to protect Florida patients from accidental overdose. Dr. Kendall Cortelyou is a researcher with Project Opioid and program director for the health care informatics program at the University of Central Florida. Project Opioid is a coalition of business, faith, and philanthropic leaders fighting the overdose crisis in communities. Praying for Ukraines resurrection As we Christians anticipate Easter and the celebration of Jesus resurrection from the dead, I am hoping and praying for another resurrection the resurrection of Ukraine from the devastation, destruction and deaths caused by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin might think that he will win in Ukraine because of his weapons and threats. But history shows that in the end, whats right and just will triumph over evil. Advertisement May the world continue to pray and provide support for Ukraine, so that this countrys resurrection will come soon. May Jesus resurrection be a source of hope for seemingly hopeless situations. Advertisement Susan Talana Harris Orlando Florida takes abortion ban to the extreme Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > There is no such thing as a reasonable abortion ban (Floridas war of deception on womens freedom, April 14). Nothing in this abortion ban is moderate; it is extreme. And despite impassioned pleas by Democrats to add exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking, they were each rejected. The only exceptions that do exist are very narrow and need to be verified by two doctors, creating an unnecessary and unique burden to an already restrictive bill. The law is a direct assault on our constitutional rights and is a part of a national effort to ban abortion and contraception across the country. The majority of Floridians overwhelmingly support abortion access. Polling tells us time and time again that this is seen as a personal medical decision that must remain between a person and a family, their doctor, and their faith. Not only is Florida banning abortion, but a 24-hour mandatory delay to access an abortion is now back in place too. These laws punish poor people for being poor, because it will be those who are already marginalized that will struggle to navigate these politically motivated barriers and be unable to access care, or will seek unsafe measures to end their pregnancy. Paul Bacon Hallandale Beach GOP to blame for gun-violence outbreak The epidemic of road rage and mass shootings that is now ravaging the country is the highly predictable end result that many level-headed, responsible adults saw coming years ago. Especially over the last 15 years, the Republicans, at the behest of the gun lobby that so many are beholden to, loudly pushed a raft of obscenely irresponsible gun bills, supposedly to make everyone feel safer. Do you feel safer now that almost everyone has a gun? I dont think so. Instead, we are all now reaping the bitter fruits from a bountiful harvest of gun violence that is now affecting cities and communities across the country. This was avoidable. Listening to politicians, cops and many in the media, we are now supposed to believe that this explosion in gun violence just came out of nowhere, or is somehow, because of COVID-19, which is laughable on its face. Lets get real and honestly put the blame squarely where it lies: the irresponsibility of Republicans and their, short-sighted, self-serving, never-ending culture wars of division. We are all now paying the price. For the sake of decency and life itself, this needs to stop. Courtney Smith Orlando An appeals court Thursday overturned the conviction of a Lake Howell High School JROTC instructor who was arrested in 2018 on allegations of having sex with a student. A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal agreed with Bryan Teets arguments that he was not in a position of custodial authority at the time he allegedly had sex with a 17-year-old girl. Advertisement Teet, who was acquitted by a jury on other charges, had argued a circuit judge should have rejected a charge of sexual battery on a child over 12 years of age but less than 18 years of age by a person in familial or custodial authority, according to the ruling. Teet was accused of having sex with the student at her grandmothers home after driving her home from a JROTC practice. Teet contended that he was not in a position of custodial authority, saying he did not hold that authority because he had not been granted parental permission to drive the victim home, enter, and remain in her residence; and the offense did not occur on school property or in connection with an extra-curricular activity, according to Thursdays ruling. Advertisement The panel agreed that Teet did not hold custodial authority and said prosecutors could have pursued other charges against him. This result was self-inflicted by the states decision to charge Teet as it did, said the 13-page ruling, written by Judge Jay Cohen and joined by Chief Judge Brian Lambert and Judge Kerry Evander. There were other offenses available that did not involve the element of custodial authority. Additionally, the state chose not to request a jury instruction on any lesser included charges other than simple battery. TALLAHASSEE Gov. Ron DeSantis is likely to get his way next week with the recalcitrant Florida Legislature in a high-stakes dispute over congressional boundaries that could help determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives after November. If so, DeSantis victory will help to advance the political ambitions of the governor and make him a hero within the party by adding as many as four GOP seats in Florida, at the expense of Black voters in at least two of Floridas congressional districts. Advertisement Just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, DeSantis released a new version of his map for the congressional districts, holding to his promise to increase the number of Republican districts and eliminate what his legal staff called racially gerrymandered versions of District 5 in North Florida. Senate leaders immediately backed the plan. Advertisement After thoroughly reviewing the Governors submission and a discussion with our legal counsel, I have determined that the Governors map reflects standards the Senate can support, said Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, the chair of the Senate Reapportionment Committee. [ Here is Gov. Ron DeSantis' new congressional map, which Senate leaders backed Wednesday night. ] Matt Isbell, a Tallahassee-based election data analyst who has worked for Democrats, told the Orlando Sentinel that the governors map raises the number of Republican-held congressional seats from the current 16 to 20, based on 2020 voting data. Democrats would wind up with just eight seats that voted for Biden in 2020, down from the current 11. They would have have advantages in one district in Tampa, two in Orlando and five in South Florida. Central Florida portion of Gov. Ron DeSantis' latest congressional redistricting map, which Senate leaders supported Wednesday night. (State of Florida / Courtesy photo) Orlandos majority Black District 10 currently held by Val Demings, whos running for U.S. Senate, would still lean Democratic, but with a white majority, he said. Also, he said, Stephanie Murphys District 7 seat would turn Republican. The maps DeSantis vetoed last month would have led to 18 Republican-friendly districts. In response, Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, tweeted that the redistricting process has gone from nonpartisan to extreme partisan. Whatever map is approved by the Legislature next week will likely be challenged in federal court almost as soon as it is signed into law, elections experts said. But before the courts can resolve the matter, the GOP-tilted congressional map likely will be used in the midterm elections and possibly in 2024, they said. Advertisement Theres no moral hazard here no accountability, said Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist whos testified in many election law cases in Florida and Washington, D.C., over the years. Under pressure from the Trump wing of the GOP to push for more congressional seats, DeSantis made the unprecedented decision to inject himself into the redistricting process, threatening to veto anything the Legislature came up with that doesnt eliminate what he calls racial gerrymandering. Republicans need to flip just six seats nationwide to regain control of the U.S. House. DeSantis has been particularly critical of the Black majority District 5 seat occupied by Al Lawson that connects Black neighborhoods from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. I mean, we are not going to have a 200-mile gerrymander that divvies up people based on the color of their skin, he said at a press conference Tuesday. That is wrong. That is not the way weve governed in the state of Florida. Legislative leaders this week made the unusual decision to cede its constitutional duty to DeSantis. In a letter, they asked him to submit a map and supporting information for their review. Advertisement Asked about that, DeSantis told reporters Tuesday, I thought that my legal office had been working with the House and Senate to try to kind of have a compromise that everyone would agree on. Standoff disrupts process The three-month standoff has disrupted the reapportionment process, which occurs every 10 years after the release of U.S. Census data to determine whether states gain or lose congressional seats. Florida picked up one new seat, bringing its total to 28. But its also pushed the process to the brink of deadlines to get ballots drawn up and sent out to voters. There likely wont be time for the courts to draw new maps in time for this years elections. The choice theyve made here is to delay, McDonald said. They produced maps back in February, which gave them ample time to put forward legislative maps, have them vetoed and discussed. State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, laughed when asked if the Legislature and DeSantis planned for things to turn out this way. I wouldnt go as far as to say this was their plan all along, but theyre scrambling to accommodate the governor, Smith said. There is definitely a pattern where DeSantis comes out with a wildly unconstitutional idea, and the Legislature scrambles to find a way to make it legal. Advertisement For example, DeSantis called for a special session on vaccine requirements and mask mandates, Smith said, and the legislative leaders jumped to it. Hes trying to do the same with redistricting, Smith said. Its his wild idea to eliminate majority black districts. Republican lawmakers cant find a way to make that legal without running afoul of the Fair Districts amendments and Voting Rights Act, and so they gave up. Fair Districts are a pair of amendments to the Florida Constitution overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2010 to stop lawmakers from drawing election districts favoring incumbents and the ruling party. Lawmakers ignored those amendments when lines were drawn in 2012, resulting in legal challenges that ultimately led to District 5 being redrawn in its current configuration and approved by the Florida Supreme Court in 2015. Work began in January The Senate first approved its congressional map January 20, two days after DeSantis submitted his own map carving up two black congressional districts on the eve of Martin Luther King Day. Unfazed, the Senate approved its first congressional map, and the House continued working on its own plans. DeSantis submitted a map Feb. 18 that also created 20 Republican districts that voted for Trump in 2020 and said hed veto any map that preserved Congressional District 5. Advertisement That sent the House and Senate scrambling back to the drawing board. What they came up with was a primary map and a secondary map if the first one didnt pass muster with the courts. But at most, those maps called for a 18-10 GOP-to-Democrat split. Seeing that an impasse was likely, Common Cause and Fair Districts filed a suit in federal court asking to intervene if a map couldnt be approved. Several voters filed a similar suit in state court, which they have since dropped after some got permission to join the federal lawsuit. The maps were approved March 4 but not sent to DeSantis until March 29. He vetoed the bill immediately and called for a special session. If he didnt call a special session when he did, the courts would be drawing plans right now, McDonald said. A three-judge panel appointed by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a hearing on May 12 to select or draw a map if the Legislature cannot agree on a map, said Ellen Freidin, CEO and general Counsel for the Fair Districts Coalition. And if the Legislature and governor approve a map that doesnt follow the Fair Districts amendments, they can expect to be mired in litigation for months if not years, she said. Advertisement Its not possible for them to eliminate one, potentially two performing minority districts and still follow the Fair Districts amendments, Freidin said. An eye toward 2024 Its still uncertain what is happening behind the scenes, he said, but one thing is clear. DeSantis has the incentive to be included because of his potential national ambitions in 2024. For the most part congressional districts dont matter to states so much but because DeSantis has presidential ambitions, he wants to support GOP interests, and signing onto something that gives Florida fewer seats would make him seem weak, McDonald said. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > The easiest way to add GOP seats is to dismantle majority Black districts, and make sure the new district is pro-GOP. And when a court challenge arises, Republicans will have to explain why they voted the way that they did, he said. That path will likely bring the entire matter before the U.S. Supreme Court, he said. But that court has already demonstrated that in a recent Alabama case overturning a decision by the 11th Circuit to reject the states congressional map because it only had one predominantly Black district in a state where Blacks make up 27% of the population. Advertisement Justice Brett Kavanaugh said there wasnt enough time to draw new maps and doing so would create chaos. On the other hand, the Supreme Court ruled there was plenty of time to draw new maps in a Wisconsin case where the maps tilted blue. The Supreme Court will allow whatever plan is beneficial to Republicans, and it will stay in place for at least one cycle, McDonald said. News Service of Florida contributed to this report. TALLAHASSEE The latest congressional redistricting plan submitted by Gov. Ron DeSantis is a blatant attempt to give Republicans a political edge while diminishing Black and minority representation in Florida, Black lawmakers said. This is the most overtly racist action that you can do, Democratic state Sen. Randolph Bracy said Thursday. He represents Orlando and is running for one of the congressional districts that would lose Black Democrat voters under the governors proposal. Advertisement The fact he has the gall to do something like this clearly shows what he thinks of minorities and black voters, Bracy said. Its stunning in this day and age he would try to wipe out black representation. Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, whose sprawling North Florida District 5 would be transformed into a more Republican-friendly Duval County only district, said in a statement Wednesday the new redistricting plan is a continued scheme by DeSantis to erase minority access districts in Congress in order to create more seats for the Republican Party. Advertisement Despite the extreme transformation of the federally recognized minority District 5 to a tightly contained district in Duval County, Taryn Fenske, communications director for the governor, said, Our proposed maps have not eliminated any of the federally recognized minority seats, and these are simply outside efforts to taint the facts. DeSantis has submitted a plan for the Legislature to consider in a special session starting Tuesday that radically alters the states congressional boundaries to create a 20-8 Republican advantage. Central Florida portion of Gov. Ron DeSantis' latest congressional redistricting map. (State of Florida / Courtesy photo) It does so by diluting Black voting power in North Florida, Orlando and St. Petersburg, in ways that previous courts have struck down, Dave Wasserman, U.S. House editor of the nonpartisan @CookPolitical Report, said in a tweet. If this map is enacted, Florida will be sued, tweeted Marc E. Elias, a Washington, D.C., Democratic lawyer whos litigated many election and voting rights cases. Most recently, he represented the League of Women Voters of Florida in a successful challenge of SB 90, the states restrictive election law passed in 2021. U.S. District Court Judge Mark Walker struck down central provisions of the law, noting a decades-long pattern of attempting to create roadblocks for minority voters. DeSantis vetoed a bill (SB102) containing two bipartisan congressional maps approved by the Senate and House the day it was sent over to him on March 29 on the grounds it violated the 14th Amendment equal protection clause because it was not racially neutral. Voting rights advocates said his legal arguments were inconsistent with the Voting Rights Act and ran afoul of the Florida Fair Districts amendments. Fair Districts are a pair of amendments to the Florida Constitution overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2010 to stop lawmakers from drawing election districts favoring incumbents and the ruling party. DeSantis immediately called for a special session directing the Legislature to come up with a plan that would achieve his goals to eliminate North Florida District 5 and still survive a potential court challenge. Advertisement On Monday, Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, told their members that their staff wouldnt be drawing a map and DeSantis should send them a map he could support. DeSantis delivered his plan on Wednesday that eliminates District 5 as a Black majority district as promised. It also dilutes black Democratic voters in Orlandos District 10 by moving a large portion of them into Republican-leaning District 11, said Matt Isbell, an election data analyst who frequently works with Democrats. When it was created in 2015 to settle years of court fights over the 2012 congressional maps, District 10 had a 50% majority of Black Democratic voters, Isbell said. The change proposed by DeSantis would give it a 40% white Democratic majority, with 35% Black Democrats, based on voting records, he said. Meanwhile, the Democratic-friendly District 7 held by Democrat Stephanie Murphy, who decided not to seek another term, will turn into a solidly Republican seat by picking up Volusia County Republicans, he said. Its clear that Governor DeSantis is engaged in a cynical exercise of seeking to maximize his partys political advantage, without regard for our laws or respect for our democracy, Murphy said. The governors map also makes the District 13 St. Petersburg seat held by Rep. Charlie Crist more Republican, he said. Advertisement Its no coincidence that District 7, 10 and 13 are all open seats because the incumbents decided to step down or run for another office, Isbell said. Demings is running for U.S. Senate against Marco Rubio, and Crist is a Democratic candidate for governor. Throughout history, rigged maps like these have been used to gain political power, Demings said. It goes against our American belief in fair elections, and its in violation of the Voting Rights Act, which we passed to secure Americas democracy. Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to end partisan gerrymandering, Demings said, because when cynical partisanship determines district lines, voters have their voices taken away. Florida voters should pick their representatives, instead of politicians choosing their voters. The map also preserves two minority seats in South Florida, a change from the previous map DeSantis submitted. Ryan Newman, the governors general counsel, said the plan was the result of collaboration with House and Senate leadership and draws from the map DeSantis vetoed as well as previous maps submitted by the governor. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > After discussing the map with the governors office and reviewing it with Senate legal counsel, Senate Reapportionment Chairman Ray Rodrigues declared the map reflects standards the Senate can support and incorporates many of the features of the map that previously passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Advertisement The governors staff will present the redistricting plan to Senate and House redistricting committees on Tuesday. What Rodrigues said is a complete reversal of what hes been saying, Bracy said. The map we passed complies with the Florida Constitution and civil rights laws. At the time, Rodrigues said diluting the Black vote would be a violation of the Voting Rights Act and Fair Districting. Now hes agreeing with DeSantis, Bracy said. He said thats because DeSantis has not signed the budget yet and has threatened to veto lawmakers projects and primary them if they dont toe the line. Hes bullying them to pass a map they know is unconstitutional. In practical terms, its been confusing to try to run a campaign when your district keeps changing, Bracy said. You campaign in one district based on the map that passes, and it changes. Then were looking to compete in this new district and you know lawsuits will be filed and it will change again. Election experts said it was unlikely that the matter will be resolved before the 2022 elections, which means the map approved next week will be the one in place this year. Governor Ron DeSantis holds up the newly signed bill that will ban most abortions in Florida after 15 weeks at a press conference in Kissimmee Orlando, Fla., Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) KISSIMMEE With no exceptions for rape or incest, most abortions in Florida will be banned after 15 weeks of pregnancy under a bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in Kissimmee on Thursday. The governor signed the legislation, effective July 1, surrounded by GOP lawmakers and anti-abortion activists in front of a large crowd at Nacion de Fe church. A screen behind them read Florida is Pro-Life. Advertisement We are here today to protect life, the governor told the cheering group. We are here today to defend those who cant defend themselves. Governor Ron DeSantis talks about the new bill he will sign that bans most abortions in Florida after 15 weeks at the press conference in Kissimmee Orlando, Fla., Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) Florida now has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider a similar measure approved in Mississippi. Abortion-rights activists fear the high court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, which established the constitutional right to abortion in 1973. Advertisement The Florida law allows abortions after 15 weeks only if a fetus is found to have a fatal fetal abnormality, which the bill describes as a terminal condition that, in reasonable medical judgment, regardless of the provision of life-saving medical treatment, is incompatible with life outside the womb and will result in death upon birth or imminently thereafter. Two doctors would have to certify that diagnosis. Abortion is currently legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida. The American Civil Liberties Union said it would challenge the law. Personal decisions regarding whether and when to have a child should not be dictated by politicians, Kara Gross, legislative director of the ACLU of Florida, said in a statement. ... Nobody should be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will. We will take swift legal action to protect Floridians rights and defend against this cruel attack on our bodily autonomy. Teresa Miller of Embrace Life 911 hands out pro life signs during the Governor Ron DeSantis press conference to announce his signing of the bill that will ban most abortions after 15 weeks in Florida in Kissimmee Orlando, Fla., Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) Despite efforts by Democrats to amend the bill during the regular session earlier this year, it does not include exceptions for rape and incest. During a Senate debate in March, Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, defended that decision, saying a fetus is a child that shouldnt be aborted because of how it was conceived. Hopefully in the future, there will be no abortions, Stargel said Thursday. ... My story was an unexpected pregnancy. As the song says, there is no pregnancy thats unplanned. God has a plan for every single child. State Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, echoed Stargel. Advertisement We all know that once a woman becomes pregnant, two uniquely independent human beings exist, Grall said. Democratic Leader Sen. Lauren Book, a survivor of sexual assault, responded to DeSantis on Twitter, writing that with the stroke of a pen, Governor DeSantis has forced the women of Florida back 50 years by robbing them of the reproductive rights established by our nations highest court in Roe vs. Wade. Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones of Broward County issued a statement blasting his colleagues and GOP leaders in other states. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > Across the country, extremists in state legislatures are passing abortion bans to put up more barriers for those seeking reproductive healthcare as part of their coordinated assault on millions of already marginalized and vulnerable Americans,' he wrote. We and our allies will continue fighting these harmful bills because ALL of our fundamental rights are on the line. The law was signed just days after a state judge approved a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions. Her ruling came after years of legal wrangling over that law approved in 2015. The 6-3 conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated during arguments that it was amenable to upholding a Mississippi law similar to the one DeSantis signed. The case is considered the biggest challenge to the Roe v. Wade decision that stated a ban on abortions violated the right to privacy in the 14th Amendment. Advertisement The standing-room-only crowd at Nacion de Fe, the site of a Latinos for Trump rally with former Vice President Mike Pence in 2020, cheered when Stargel spoke about the potential of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Among those who attended were Judy and Ernest Booker of Celebration. They praised DeSantis and the bill. Its history-making, said Judy Booker. Its wonderful. Asked if she thought the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade, We pray it does, she said. Life is life. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster is offloaded from NASA's Pegasus barge and hauled to the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center for the launch of Boeings Starliner CST-100 spacecraft on the OFT-2 mission for NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (United Launch Alliance) United Launch Alliance hitched a ride from NASA in order to gear up for the flight of Boeings CST-100 Starliner, which now has a target liftoff date in May. To get the first stage of an Atlas V rocket to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, ULA needed to borrow NASAs Pegasus barge, which last year transported the core stage of the new Space Launch System to Kennedy Space Center and serviced the space shuttle program in years past. ULAs normal go-to barge, the R/S RocketShip, was stuck in dry dock as its normal route was blocked with river locks closed for maintenance. Advertisement The 107-foot-long stage instead made its way from the companys Decatur, Alabama facility to the Space Coast arriving this past Tuesday on board NASAs workhorse transport. The Atlas V is the rocket that will launch Boeings uncrewed commercial crew vehicle on Orbital Flight Test-2, now targeting May 19 at 6:54 p.m. for the companys retry to fly up to and dock with the International Space Station. Advertisement The spacecraft, which is supposed to have already joined SpaceXs Crew Dragon to help provide taxi service for NASA astronauts to the ISS, has endured more than two years of fixes following the initial Orbital Flight Test in December 2019, which managed to launch and land safely, but because of software issues, was not able to rendezvous with the ISS. The mission was labeled by NASA as a high visibility close call that led to a post-launch review that recommended 80 changes to the program. After running through all of recommendations, things were looking good for a launch attempt last August, but a new issue involving a malfunctioning valve scrubbed the attempt. Despite the company identifying the likely problem, Boeing and NASA decided to change out hardware pulling a service module off a Starliner tapped for a future crewed test flight. Now, though, all of the parts are falling in place, and Boeing looks to complete the test flight setting the stage for a crewed test flight later this year. Both Boeing and SpaceX were initially given contracts for six missions each to bring crew to and from the ISS for normal six-month expeditions. To date, SpaceX has flown three of those missions with a fourth on tap for launch April 23 and a fifth this November. A new Atlast V first-stage rocket was required after the one tapped for Augusts aborted attempt was repurposed for NASAs Lucy mission in October. Starliner will lift off from Canaverals Space Launch Complex-41, marking ULAs 150th launch overall and 93rd for the Atlas V. Photo taken on Nov 23, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, DC, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua] The United States is funneling hundreds of millions of dollars more in military assistance to Ukraine that includes "new capabilities", in an apparent escalation of the conflict in Eastern Europe. President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced an additional $800 million in support and expanded the scope of the weapons systems provided. The US tab for military aid to Ukraine, which is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), now stands at $2.6 billion. The latest installment includes artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and unmanned coastal defense vessels. "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 package, according to the Pentagon, includes 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had been earmarked for Afghanistan before the US-backed government collapsed last August, and 18 155mm howitzers, along with counter-artillery radars and 200 armored personnel carriers. It is the first time the US has provided howitzers to Ukraine. Also included are 40,000 artillery rounds, two air surveillance radars, 300 Switchblade "kamikaze" armed drones and an additional 500 Javelin missiles designed to take out tanks and other armor. The expanded range of the equipment is giving the conflict, which started on Feb 24, an air of a proxy war between the US and Russia. Dr Ron Paul, a former US congressman and presidential candidate, wrote Wednesday that "it sure seems like the Biden Administration is doing all it can to prolong the war in Ukraine. Sending weapons that have little chance of making a big difference in the outcome only keeps the fighting and killing going strong, and the Administration has shown no interest in pushing a quick diplomatic end to the war". "On the contrary, Biden openly calling for regime change and a war crimes trial makes diplomacy nearly impossible. Why prolong the fighting?" Paul wrote on the antiwar.com website's blog. "US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan gave us a hint, when he told NBC News over the weekend that the US wants 'a weakened and isolated Russia'," Paul said. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday that some of the military equipment, like the howitzers and radars, will require training for Ukrainian forces. "We're aware of the clock and we know time is not our friend," Kirby said when asked about the timetable for the deliveries. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, in an interview published Wednesday on rt.com, said that regular contact with the US was not possible due to "Washington's unabashed support for militaristic intentions of the Kiev regime [and] the pouring of modern weapons" into the country. "We are warning that American-NATO transports carrying weapons across the Ukrainian territory are considered legitimate military targets," he added. Ryabkov said that Western economic sanctions on Russia failed to achieve their objective and that Washington "is irritated by our calm focus on the tasks of stabilizing the economy and ensuring its sustained functioning in the environment of unprecedented foreign pressure". On March 18, Zhao Lijian, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said of previous American military assistance to Ukraine: "Will the latest US assistance of weapons bring stability and security to Ukraine or cause more civilian casualties? Which do the civilians in Ukraine need more, food and sleeping bags or machine guns and mortar rounds? It won't be difficult for anyone in his right mind with a shred of common sense to make the right call." The latest US aid will be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, in which the president can authorize the transfer of articles and services from US stocks without congressional approval in response to a deemed emergency. John Spencer, a retired US Army major and expert on urban warfare at the Madison Policy Forum think tank, said he was pleased to see that the White House 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. "War is a chaotic universe of military strategies intertwined with inhumanity, violations, uncertainty, doubts, and deceit," wrote Antonio De Lauri, a contributor to the Costs of War Project of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University, on commondreams.org. Also on Wednesday, executives from US weapons makers met with Pentagon officials to discuss the industrial challenges in the event of a protracted conflict in Ukraine. Scheduled to attend were executives from BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Huntington Ingalls Industries, L3Harris Technologies, Boeing, Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman. 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. Reuters contributed to this story. 10. TROPICAL STORM FAY, 2008 | Tropical Storm Fay is responsible for killing 11 Floridians. It also has a record of making landfall four times in the Sunshine State. (AP) During the this weeks National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, a Colorado State University professor proposed a better a way to predict the damages of a devastating hurricane do away with the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Hurricane specialist, Philip Klotzbach, spoke Tuesday at Orlandos Rosen Centre hotel about his crusade in doing away with the famous wind scale in favor of measuring surface pressure, the force exerted on the sea surface by the air above, as a better metric to predict hurricane damages. Advertisement Wind hasnt worked recently, said Klotzbach, a CSU meteorology professor. Its not bad but pressure actually does (predict) better. Klotzbach spoke Tuesday to a standing room-only event during the four-day biannual Orlando conference, which showcases experts, authorities and entrepreneurs from all over the country versed in climatology, emergency management and tropical phenomenon. Advertisement His pitch was simple: replace the wind scale for a pressure scale. Klotzbach is not the only person supporting a movement of using pressure over wind, and Tuesday was not the first time the CSU professor pitched the idea. During the 2020 hurricane season, Klotzbach and other meteorological scholars, published a paper about the subject, but it went largely ignored and overshadowed by a storm of a different nature the COVID-19 pandemic, Klotzbach said. Frankly, I think to get attention, we need a large hurricane like a Hurricane Ike, which was a Category 2, Klotzbach said. People said, Oh, its not a major hurricane, Im not going anywhere. And then, you know, 15-20 feet of storm surge in the Baltimore peninsula, and all those people lost their lives. Last week, CSU released its predictions for an above-average hurricane season this year predicting 19 named storms. The Saffir-Simpson scale, which ranks hurricanes based on wind strength from categories 1 through 5, was first made in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since then, the scale has become the most used tool in communicating a storms strength to the public. It became more than just the wind, it became kind of the overall damage that the storm was likely to cause, Klotzbach said. Earlier versions of the scale in the 70s do incorporate central pressure as a metric, but it was removed for reasons that arent clear. The NOAA describes the Saffir-Simpson scale as an example of the types of damages associated with winds, but also acknowledge the scale doesnt address other potential impacts for other hurricane-related hits such as storm surge, rainfall-induced floods, and tornadoes. Understanding pressure is crucial to the Klotzbachs argument. Pressure is what is largely responsible for storm surge which the National Hurricane Center has said is the most deadly force a hurricane produces. In 2019, the NHC found that most people consider wind to be the greater destructive force in a hurricanes arsenal, however that isnt the case, said NHCs storm surge specialist Cody Fritz. Advertisement Historically, storm surge has contributed to about half of storm-related deaths, Fritz said. A study of storm damage between 2007 and 2021 found that Saffir-Simpson scale predictions mostly didnt see much of a consistent relationship between forecasted wind and excessive hurricane damages, according to CSU. However, CSU found a very strong relationship between predicted pressure and damages to an area, Klotzbach said. Consider a tale of two hurricanes: 2004s Charley and 2005s Katrina. Both were devastating storms, but measuring the wind speeds before landfall predicted Category 5 Charley as the more threatening storm. Katrina was measured in as a Category 3 storm before landfall. But if we look at the pressure for Katrina, it was much lower than for Charlie when it made landfall, Klotzbach said. The lower the pressure, the bigger the storm and more widespread its winds tend to reach, which means not only is there a wider coverage of strong winds but also a greater exertion of storm surge. Hurricane Charley was devastating for Southwest and Central Florida, but the storm only produced about 7 feet of surge. Katrina put New Orleans through 28 feet of storm surge. The levees failed in New Orleans and all the damage that caused was devastating, but even had the levees held in New Orleans, we had 200 fatalities in Mississippi from storm surge, Klotzbach said. About 1,800 people in total died because of Katrina. Comparatively, Charley was responsible for 37 deaths. Advertisement Applying the surface pressure scale to Katrina would have labeled the storm as a Category 5 hurricane, according to Klotzbach. The same could be said for 2012s Super Storm Sandy, which made landfall in New Jersey as an extratropical storm under the wind scale, but a pressure scale wouldve labeled it as a Category 4 hurricane. So why do meteorologists include the wind scale in the public forecast? Opposition argue its because most people dont understand what surface pressure is, Klotzbach said. But I dont think most people really understand what wind is either, he said. There is misconception that when a major storm hits an area, anyone in neighboring communities would also be encountering major hurricane winds, said Michael Lindell a professor at the University of Washington. Lindell spoke Tuesday at the Orlando hurricane conference about hurricane risk perception. People who are 50 miles up the coast in tropical-storm-force winds might think, Oh Ive been through a major hurricane and it was no big deal, Lindall said. But they havent really been through the brunt of the storm ... They misinterpreted the experience. Risk perception and communication was big topic at the Orlando hurricane conference its also a big priority for the NHC but Klotzbach thinks his recommendation of pressure as a public tool is an important way to highlight the danger a resident might face in light of a storm. Advertisement There are other things to worry about besides just the central winds, you know? A larger storms means its going to have more storm surge, he said. There have been some crazy hurricanes in the past. And if we can prepare from (what we learned) in the past, it will definitely get us better prepared for what we might see in the future. Jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to eligible voters to take advantage of the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise to register, update and obtain their voters' cards ahead of the 2023 elections New York, US (PANA) - Womens rights are human rights, and universal in times of war and peace, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday, urging ambassadors to ensure accountability for conflict-related sexual violence If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar, has clarified that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is neither asking for an extension nor will he accept it, media reports said. He made the remark on Thursday during a briefing to journalists on the recently held 79th Formation Commanders' Conference at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, Geo News reported. During the press conference, the DG ISPR asked the political parties and the public not to drag the Pakistan Army into politics. The ISPR DG said any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest. He welcomed constructive criticism, but pointed out that a "malicious campaign" is being run against the army and its leadership. Iftikhar said that the formation commanders expressed confidence in the steps taken for the country's security, especially on account of international security and the Pakistan Army's role in upholding the rule of law. "All of them agreed that democracy, strength of institutions and rule of law and all the institutions working within the constitutional limits is the guarantor of national interest," DG ISPR said, the report added. He went on to say that the nation's support is the core of the army's strength and without it, the concept of national security is meaningless. Iftikhar said that that is why any intentional or unintentional effort that becomes the reason of creating a rift between the nation and the armed forces is against the broader national interest. "An organised malicious propaganda is being run against the Pakistan Army and its leadership. Even fake audio messages of different retired senior military officials are being created using a deep-fake technology to create a divide between the nation and armed forces. "This is illegal, unethical and totally against national interest," he said. He then requested the public and the political parties to not drag the army into politics. "We want to stay out of it. Keep us out of this discourse," he said, adding that this campaign didn't get successful ever in the past nor will it in future, Geo News reported. General Bajwa is neither asking for an extension nor will he accept it, the ISPR DG remarked in response to a question by a journalist. "He [Gen Bajwa] will retire on time on November 29, 2022," Iftikhar said. Responding to another question, the ISPR DG reiterated that the army has nothing to do with politics. "There is no interference by the Army in any by-election or local bodies election," Iftikhar said. He said that it was said that "calls were received", therefore evidence should be brought to the fore if there is any. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday urged the United States to stop any official contact with Taiwan and cease going down on the wrong path as a group of US senators planned to visit the island. The senators should adhere to the one-China policy held by the US government and Washington should abide by the one-China principle and stipulations in the three Sino-US joint communiques, Zhao said. "China will continue to take forceful measures to resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added. A bipartisan group of seven US senators led by the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to land at Taipei's Songshan airport on Thursday night. It is the second such delegation to visit since US lawmakers traveled to Taiwan on a military plane in November. The Deputy Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, Qasim Suri, on Thursday accepted the resignations of 123 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs after they decided to disassociate themselves from the National Assembly following the ouster of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from the office of the Prime Minister, media reports said. Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence motion brought against him by the then joint Opposition, a move that the PTI called a "foreign conspiracy" hatched by the United States, Geo News reported. After being removed from the office, the former premier asked his MNAs to tender their resignations and refused to accept the newly-elected premier, PML-N leader Shebhbaz Sharif, saying "there can't be any bigger insult to this country". Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Khan lauded his MNAs for tendering their resignations. "Want to appreciate our 123 MNAs as their resignations have been accepted by Speaker Qasim Suri. Their standing firm for a sovereign Pak and against US-initiated regime change bringing to power criminals, convicted & on bail the ultimate insult to any self-respecting independent nation," Khan tweeted. Responding to the call of the former Prime Minister, PTI MNAs tendered their resignations to the Deputy Speaker hours before the election of Shehbaz Sharif as the new PM. The decision was reportedly made during the PTI's parliamentary party meeting held on April 11, Geo News reported. Sources privy to the matter quoted Khan as saying: "We will not sit in this Assembly under any circumstances." He said that PTI will not sit in the Assembly with the "people who have robbed Pakistan" and who have been "imported by foreign forces". Russia has claimed that two Ukrainian helicopters were responsible for an attack on the border village of Klimovo in the Bryansk Region on Thursday, which left seven persons injured. The incident had earlier been attributed to the Ukrainian military by the region's governor. An update on the attack was given by Russia's Investigative Committee, which said it was treating the incident as a criminal conspiracy, RT reported. Its statement said two Ukrainian military attack helicopters crossed into the Russian airspace at around midday local time, flying at a low altitude. The aircraft fired heavy weapons at the village, delivering at least six strikes on residential buildings, the statement said. Seven people were injured and six houses were damaged in the attack, the investigators said. Earlier, health officials said a two-year-old boy and his mother, who is pregnant, were among the seven victims of the attack. Two people were said to be in a serious condition, RT reported. The attack was one of two separate incidents in the border area on Thursday that Russian officials blamed on Ukrainian forces. The second one was an alleged Ukrainian shelling of a border crossing some 40km southwest of Klimovo. Russian border guards said a group of some 30 refugees from Ukraine came under mortar fire as they were passing the checkpoint. On April 1, a similar Ukrainian air raid targeted an oil storage facility in the Russian city of Belgorod. Investigators reported that two helicopters fired at least four missiles, causing significant damage on the ground. The Russian Defense Ministry had warned on Wednesday that it may escalate military action in Ukraine if the country's military conducts more attacks on targets in Russia. "Decision-making centres" in Kiev may be targeted, the statement said. Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have spotted GNz7q, a black hole that existed only 750 million years after the Big Bang, in one of the best-studied areas of the night sky, the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-North (GOODS-North) field. Rapidly growing black holes in dusty, early star-forming galaxies are predicted by theories and computer simulations, but had not been observed until now. Our analysis suggests that GNz7q is the first example of a rapidly growing black hole in the dusty core of a starburst galaxy at an epoch close to the earliest supermassive black hole known in the Universe, said Dr. Seiji Fujimoto, an astronomer with the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen. The objects properties across the electromagnetic spectrum are in excellent agreement with predictions from theoretical simulations. One of the outstanding mysteries in astronomy today is: how did supermassive black holes, weighing millions to billions of times the mass of the Sun, get to be so huge so fast? Current theories predict that supermassive black holes begin their lives in the dust-shrouded cores of starburst galaxies before expelling the surrounding gas and dust and emerging as extremely luminous quasars. While extremely rare, both these dusty starburst galaxies and luminous quasars have been detected in the early Universe. Dr. Fujimoto and colleagues believe that GNz7q could be a missing link between these two classes of objects. GNz7q has exactly both aspects of the dusty starburst galaxy and the quasar, where the quasar light shows the dust reddened color. Also, GNz7q lacks various features that are usually observed in typical, very luminous quasars (corresponding to the emission from the accretion disk of the supermassive black hole), which is most likely explained that the central black hole in GN7q is still in a young and less massive phase. These properties perfectly match with the young, transition phase quasar that has been predicted in simulations, but never identified at similarly high-redshift Universe as the very luminous quasars so far identified up to a redshift of 7.6. GNz7q provides a direct connection between these two rare populations and provides a new avenue toward understanding the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in the early days of the Universe, Dr. Fujimoto said. Our discovery provides an example of precursors to the supermassive black holes we observe at later epochs. While other interpretations of the teams data cannot be completely ruled out, the observed properties of GNz7q are in strong agreement with theoretical predictions. GNz7qs host galaxy is forming stars at the rate of 1,600 solar masses per year, and GNz7q itself appears bright at UV wavelengths but very faint at X-ray wavelengths. Generally, the accretion disk of a massive black hole should be very bright in both UV and X-ray light. But this time, although the team detected UV light with Hubble, X-ray light was invisible even with one of the deepest X-ray datasets. These results suggest that the core of the accretion disk, where X-rays originate, is still obscured; while the outer part of the accretion disk, where UV light originates, is becoming unobscured. This interpretation is that GNz7q is a rapidly growing black hole still obscured by the dusty core of its star-forming host galaxy. GNz7q is a unique discovery that was found just at the center of a famous, well-studied sky field it shows that big discoveries can often be hidden just in front of you, said Dr. Gabriel Brammer, also from the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen. Its unlikely that discovering GNz7q within the relatively small GOODS-North survey area was just dumb luck, but rather that the prevalence of such sources may in fact be significantly higher than previously thought. The discovery is reported in a paper in the journal Nature. _____ S. Fujimoto et al. 2022. A dusty compact object bridging galaxies and quasars at cosmic dawn. Nature 604, 261-265; doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-04454-1 In 2017, paleontologists found 3.75- to 4.28-billion-year-old microscopic filaments and tubes, which appeared to have been made by iron-loving bacteria, in rocks from the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt in Quebec, Canada. However, not all scientists agreed that these structures dating about 300 million years earlier than what is more commonly accepted as the first sign of ancient life were of biological origin. Now, after extensive further analysis of the Nuvvuagittuq rocks, the paleontologists have discovered a much larger and more complex structure a stem with parallel branches on one side that is nearly 1 cm long as well as hundreds of distorted spheres, or ellipsoids, alongside the tubes and filaments. While some of these 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. The new findings suggest that a variety of microbial life may have existed on primordial Earth, potentially as little as 300 million years after the planet formed. 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 Dr. Dominic Papineau, a paleontologist at the China University of Geosciences, the London Centre for Nanotechnology, the Department of Earth Sciences, and the Centre for Planetary Sciences at University College London & Birkbeck College London. 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 Milky Way Galaxy. These findings have implications for the possibility of extraterrestrial life, he added. If life is relatively quick to emerge, given the right conditions, this increases the chance that life exists on other planets. For the study, Dr. Papineau and colleagues examined rocks from the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt that they collected in 2008. Once a chunk of seafloor, the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt contains some of the oldest sedimentary rocks known on Earth, thought to have been laid down near a system of hydrothermal vents. The paleontologists 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 hematite 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 hematite 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, for instance close to the Loihi undersea volcano near Hawaii, as well as other vent systems in the Arctic and Indian oceans. Using micro-CT and ion beam techniques, the scientists confirmed the hematite filaments were wavy and twisted, and contained organic carbon, which are characteristics shared with modern-day iron-eating microbes. In their analysis, they concluded that the hematite 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 authors 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. Our unprecedented findings contribute to the search for extraterrestrial life by demonstrating that multiple co-occurring biosignatures, including microfossils, dubiofossils, abiotic diagenetic microstructures, trace element compositions, and minerals associated with expected products from diagenetically oxidized biomass can yield a well-supported interpretation for early biological evolution, the scientists said. This discovery implies that only a few hundred million years are needed for life to evolve to an organized level on a primordial habitable planet. We therefore conclude that such microbial ecosystems could exist on other planetary surfaces where liquid water interacted with volcanic rocks, and that these oldest microfossils and dubiofossils from the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt suggest that extraterrestrial life may be more widespread than previously thought. The teams paper was published in the journal Science Advances. _____ Dominic Papineau et al. 2022. Metabolically diverse primordial microbial communities in Earths oldest seafloor-hydrothermal jasper. Science Advances 8 (15); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2296 Mike Roan (CFO) and Owen Hackston (Investor Relations Manager) will host a quarterly operating result call via a Microsoft Teams Live event today, Thursday 14 April at 3pm NZST (1pm AEST). Please submit any questions using the Q&A panel on the right-hand side of the call window. If the Q&A panel doesnt automatically appear, please select the small ? speech bubble. Highlights this month include: - In the month to 12 April 2022, national hydro storage decreased from 102% to 81% of historical average - South Island storage decreased to 73% of average and North Island storage increased to 148% of average by 12 April 2022 - Meridians March 2022 monthly total inflows were 38% of historical average, the lowest March month inflows on record - Both Meridians Waitaki and Waiau catchments recorded their lowest March inflows on record, with Waiau inflows only 22% of historical average - Meridians Waitaki catchment water storage at the end of March 2022 was 92% of historical average - Water storage in Meridians Waiau catchment was 24% of average at the end of March 2022 - National electricity demand in March 2022 was 1.3% lower than the same month last year - Meridian made calls under the Genesis swaption in March 2022 and early April 2022 - March was a warm month for most of the country. Rainfall was generally below average, the notable exception was the east of the North Island - New Zealand Aluminium Smelters average load during March 2022 was 572MW - Meridians New Zealand retail sales volumes in March 2022 were 5.9% higher than March 2021 - Compared to March 2021, segment sales increased in residential +9.9%, small medium business +17.5%, large business +10.9% and corporate +10.8%. Agricultural volumes were -18.2% lower than March 2021 Highlights for the first quarter include: - Meridians Q3 total inflows were 64% of historical average, 8% lower than Q3 last year - Q3 Waiau catchment inflows were the lowest Q3 inflows on record - Meridians Waitaki catchment water storage at the end of Q3 was 55% higher than Q3 last year - Compared to Q3 last year, Meridians New Zealand generation was 9.2% higher at a 27.5% lower average price - Q3 saw increases in futures prices across the forward curve - New Zealand Aluminium Smelters sales volume in Q3 was the same as Q3 last year - National electricity demand in Q3 was 0.6% lower than Q3 last year - 2021-22 summer (Dec-Feb) was the 5th warmest on record with above average rainfall, except for northern New Zealand and far South of the country - At the end of Q3, Meridians New Zealand customer numbers were 7.5% higher than the same time last year - Compared to Q3 last year, Meridians NZ retail sales volumes were 4.9% higher at a 7.1% higher average price - Sales increased in most segments, large business and agricultural volumes were lower - Compared to Q3 last year, total operating costs were 15.8% higher, largely reflecting timing of fortnightly payroll implementation - Compared to Q3 last year, total capital expenditure was 35.6% lower - Q3 2021 capex included the first payment to Siemens Gamesa under the Harapaki wind farm contract Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. 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Related News: CHI - Indicative Interest Margin for Bond Offer ARG - FY22 Annual Result Announcement Date and webcast Marsden Maritime Holdings commences due diligence MCK appoints Stuart Harrison as Managing Director CDI appoints Jason Adams as Managing Director 6th May 2022 Morning Report KPG FY22 annual results announcement date BGP - 1st Quarter Sales to 1 May 2022 Air NZ completes shortfall bookbuild GEO - March 2022 Quarter Operating Update While negotiating the IMF package of assistance, the Sri Lanka government could consider a summit with Japan, South Korea, China, India, the EU, UK, USA and the Middle Eastern Arab States for a relief package. Such a package could potentially be up to USD 10 Billion if handled at the highest levels and could include barter arrangements with these countries for some export products. by Raj Gonsalkorale Demands being made for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign are many and vociferous. Those who are making these demands should however consider some factors. Firstly, the constitutional position. As far as the writer is aware, should the President resign, the Prime Minister acts for the President for a period of three months within which time the Parliament elects the next President to serve out the resigned Presidents term till the next Presidential election. It is unclear whether the current Prime Minister, who has held the office of President twice could act in this position as per the Constitution which limits the term of the President to two terms. If he is barred constitutionally from acting as the President, then the Speaker of Parliament acts as President until the Parliament elects the next President. This constitutional position has to be checked by legal experts. In any event, whoever acts as President will do so until Parliament elects the next President. Secondly, one then needs to consider possible contenders. Maithripala Sirisena and Sajit Premadasa would most likely be the front runners. Those demanding President Rajapaksa to resign should consider whether one or the other is acceptable to them to be the next President. It is unlikely that either of them will have a majority in Parliament to get elected and therefore they will have to garner that majority by seeking support from others. This article doesnt intend doing any in depth analysis of the pros and cons of these two possible contenders. Their history and competence levels are surely known. One factor that defines Sirisena is that he has been a believer of the adage that your enemy is my enemy, therefore we are friends. His teaming up with Ranil Wickremasinghe in 2015 by ditching Mahinda Rajapaksa, and then ditching Wickremasinghe to join Rajapaksa again in 2019, and now ditching them again seems to illustrate his character. Sajit Premadasa is an unknown quantity when it comes to holding high office although he was a senior minister in the Wickremasinghe government of 2015-2019. At the very outset it needs to be stated and made clear to readers that the phenomenon of spontaneous peoples protests has been unprecedented and very welcome. It is an evolution of the countrys democracy. People participation in governance has to continue if one is to arrest corruption, inefficiencies and waste. It needed to start the process to weed out undesirables from entering Parliament. Democracy is not only about casting a vote every so many years but influencing decision making based on policies and promises, and the character of individuals. In the current political impasse, it is worth examining the ongoing purpose and role of these spontaneous protests and perhaps what they should consider as priorities towards achieving what could be done to give a new lease of life for an economy that has almost died. The protestors have achieved a couple of key results. They have got a cabinet to resign. They have clipped the wings of unabated power exercised by Presidents and Prime Ministers of the country. They have given a firm thumbs down to family and dynasty politics. They have raised accountability to the top of governance priorities. They have brought people closer to chartering the outcomes needed from those in power on their behalf. It is unlikely Sri Lanka will be the same hereafter. These are significant democratic achievements over a very short period of time. The protestors however need to consider some crucial factors now. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has finally reached out to the IMF seeking their support for debt restructuring, and support for debt relief. He has appointed a panel of high-quality advisers to assist in negotiations on behalf of the government. The measures that the Sri Lankan government will have to take to get IMF support will be stringent and even harsh. Implementing these measures could lead to even greater dissatisfaction. This situation will not be different should another political combine takes over the Presidency and the government. The situation is going to be worse before it gets better as the new Central Bank Governor himself has stated. One can foresee placards currently being held by protestors saying Gota Go Home changing to IMF Go Home as a consequence. Besides the spontaneous peoples protests, the politically organized opportunistic protests will also raise their tempo and they could even end up in violence. In this climate, political stability is crucially needed to revive the economy and measures to be taken to prevent a recurrence of a situation being experienced now. When a patient is dying or gasping for breath, there is no point in asking questions that has no link to the condition of the patient. The patient has to be rushed to hospital and ICU care. Sri Lanka is presently that patient. The need is to rush the patient to the ICU. For the Sri Lankan economy, the ICU is the IMF. How this patient came to this situation has to be found out, but not now. Once the patient shows signs of recovery, it would be very opportune to enquire how the health of the patient deteriorated and what and who were responsible. Now is not the time to do it. In addition to the IMF, specialist physicians are also needed to treat the patient who is sick economically, and the equivalent of specialists would be countries like India, China, Japan, South Korea, Middle Eastern countries, the EU, USA etc. who could and should be canvassed for immediate bridging finance to meet foreign exchange requirements for essential imports at least for the next 6 months until relief from the IMF takes hold. In the context of the inevitability of seeking an IMF bailout package now and the price Sri Lanka will have to pay for decades of poor economic management, the need for a political compromise to provide a degree of political stability has to be considered as a given prerequisite. The protestors have achieved a significant political victory in forcing the cabinet to resign. They have indirectly achieved what would have been impossible some months ago, and that is the seeking of IMF assistance and the appointment of the earlier mentioned expert panel to advice the government. These measures at least at this stage, have divorced politics from economic management. The latest announcement that the entire debt repayment is to be temporally halted until the IMF led debt restructuring program has been done is an indication of the trajectory of economic management free from politics. However, how long this distancing will last will depend on the attitude and tactics of political parties and the tactics of spontaneous protestors. Sri Lanka is now in the ICU and the activities of these two groups could pull the lifesaving medicine being administrated to the patient, resulting in the demise of the patient. Party politics therefore has to take a backseat at least for the next 24 months. However, this will not happen unless the President follows through with the steps he has taken to get the economy reviving and he demonstrates he is freeing himself from party politics to do this. His political party too has to take a backseat along with all other political parties if there is to be some political stability. However, considering the mistrust people have of the President and the government, his political future and that of his party is in serious doubt. His current challenge and priority should be to do what he should have done at least 12 months ago and get the country out of the mess it is now. The worldwide impact of COVID was known then, and its ongoing impact on the Sri Lankan economy was also known. While his advisers failed him, as President, he has to take the responsibility for the debacle as the buck stops with him. Now, he has a few options to formulate a strategy that would permit the implementation of the potential IMF bailout package with an arms length involvement of the Executive Presidency in economic policy development, and implementation, including debt restructuring and management. This could be part of an interim arrangement for 24 months. The following political options are suggested 1. Replace the Prime Minister with a technocrat of proven ability drawn from outside Parliament and brought into Parliament as a national MP to guide the economic revival. 2. Bring in Sri Lankan technocrats from within or outside of Sri Lanka into the Parliament as National List MPs and appoint them as cabinet ministers to key portfolios like Finance, Economic Development, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Investment Promotion and State Enterprise Reform. 3. Extend an invitation again to other political parties to join a multiparty cabinet for 24 months with not more than 10 ministers in addition to the portfolios mentioned above and focus only on portfolios such as Health, Education, Power and Energy, Agriculture & Water Resources, Industries, Tourism, Infrastructure Development and the Environment. 4. Suspend all State Ministers for 24 months and reassign key tasks of State Ministries to Secretaries of the State ministries. 5. Hold a Presidential and general election soon after the interim period of 24 months. The President and the government has to take action that will restore even a modicum of trust and confidence in them amongst the people. Life is not normal, and one cannot pretend it is. The Opposition parties and dissidents from within however is not the answer the public wants as they do not have trust in them either. Their protests and the discord it will create will only exacerbate and advance the crash landing of Sri Lanka. So, for the sake of the country and its future, one hopes that a compromise is reached amongst political parties using a basis as suggested above. 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Solar energy systems, which include Solar PV, are a progressive technology whose use is to be encouraged. However, there are certain caveats to be noted in deployment and on-going use. IARU concerns are not with solar technology per se but with the potential pollution from so-called optimizers. The paper that was submitted detailed elements of the on-going research and monitoring by the EMC Committee in this area. Read the IARU-R1 paper at https://www.iaru-r1.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PRC-IARU-Solar-Strategy-Call-for-Evidence.pdf Source IARU Region 1 https://iaru-r1.org/ DGAP-Ad-hoc: 4finance S.A. / Key word(s): Disposal 4finance S.A.: 4finance announces management buyout of Vivus Poland 14-Apr-2022 / 10:34 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 4finance announces management buyout of Vivus Poland 14 April 2022. 4finance Holding S.A. (the 'Group' or '4finance'), one of Europe's largest digital consumer lending groups, has sold its Polish business to local management. The sale, completed on April 13th, was motivated by legislation proposed in the Polish parliament. Two weeks ago, a legislative process began for the adoption of a new law, "Special Solutions Counteracting Supporting Aggression against Ukraine and Serving Protection of National Security." The draft law would give the Minister of the Interior sweeping powers to sanction entities directly or indirectly connected to or associated with Russian nationals. This legislation has been expedited and could come into force as soon as April 14th. Despite the full divestment at the Group UBO level by a Russian national (see separate press release dated April 14th), the directors were concerned there remained a risk that Vivus Finance sp. z o.o. ('Vivus Poland') could be sanctioned, resulting in a material loss of value. Faced with this prospect the directors agreed to the sale as a measure to preserve value for 4finance Holding S.A. and its bondholders. Vivus Poland CEO Ewa Wernerowicz is leading the management buyout. Ewa has led the business for four years and held leadership roles at the company since 2012. The transaction is priced at approximately book value and the consideration of 18 million is to be paid in instalments over three years. The loan extended to Vivus Poland by 4finance S.A. remains in place. Given all the available information and input from our legal advisers, the directors believe this to be the most favorable of available options, including that of not taking action. "This is not what we wanted, but we have moved rapidly to do the best we can for all our stakeholders. While the Polish business was an important EBITDA contributor, our ongoing businesses are performing well and generate sufficient cash to meet our obligations and fund growth," said Kieran Donnelly, CEO of 4finance. "We wish the Polish team well and now turn our focus to optimising our remaining businesses and looking for opportunities to expand." An investor call will be held at 3pm UK time on Wednesday 20th April. Registration details will be available at www.4finance.com. For more information, please contact: Email: james.etherington@4finance.com Email: press@4finance.com This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation. Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements. About 4finance Established in 2008, 4finance is one of Europe's largest digital consumer lending groups with operations in 8 countries. Leveraging automation and data-driven insights across the business, 4finance has grown rapidly, issuing over 9 billion since inception in instalment loans, lines of credit and single payment loans. 4finance operates a portfolio of market-leading brands offering simple, useful and transparent products to millions of customers. The Group provides convenient products in a responsible way to the many consumers who are often underserved by conventional providers. The Group also offers deposits, in addition to consumer and SME loans through its TBI Bank subsidiary, an EU licensed institution with operations in Bulgaria and Romania. www.4finance.com In just ten days, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has gone from popular Twitter contributor to the companys largest individual shareholder to a would-be owner of the social platform a whirlwind of activity that could change the service dramatically given Musks self-identification as a free speech absolutist. Twitter revealed in a securities filing Thursday that the sometimes whimsical billionaire has offered to buy the company outright for more than $43 billion, saying the social media platform needs to be transformed as a private company in order to build trust with its users. Advertisement This is not a sort of way to make money, Musk said during an onstage interview at the TED 2022 conference Thursday. Having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization. Like other platforms, Twitter over the past several years has established restrictions on tweets that threaten violence, incite hatred, bully others and spread misinformation. Such rules played a key role in Twitters decision to ban former President Donald Trump following the 2021 Capitol insurrection of Jan. 6. Musk detailed some specific potential changes Thursday like favoring temporary rather than permanent bans but has mostly described his aim in broad and abstract terms. Advertisement While Twitters user base remains much smaller than those of rivals such as Facebook and TikTok, the service is popular with celebrities, world leaders, journalists and intellectuals. Musk himself has more than 81 million followers, rivaling pop stars such as Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga. Twitter shares were changing hands at $44.82 in afternoon trading, down slightly more than 2% and well below Musks offer of $54.20 per share. Thats generally a sign that some investors doubt the deal will go through. The stock is still down from its 52-week high of about $73. Musk called that price his best and final offer, although he provided no details on financing. The offer is non-binding and subject to financing and other conditions. I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy, Musk said in the filing. I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company. Twitter said it will decide whether accepting the offer is in the best interests of shareholders. Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, attends the opening of the Tesla factory Berlin Brandenburg in Gruenheide, Germany, March 22, 2022. (Patrick Pleul/AP) Analyst Daniel Ives of Wedbush said in a client note that he believes this soap opera will end with Musk owning Twitter after this aggressive hostile takeover of the company. He thinks it would be hard for any other bidders or consortium to come forward and said Twitters board will likely be forced to accept Musks offer or start a process to sell the company. Musk revealed in regulatory filings over recent weeks that hed been buying shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31, ending up with a stake of about 9%. Only Vanguard Groups suite of mutual funds and ETFs controls more Twitter shares. A lawsuit filed Tuesday in New York federal court alleged that Musk illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission could punish Musk for hurting other investors by taking too long to disclose his buying up of Twitter shares, but its unlikely that it will do anything to stop a takeover, said Chester Spatt, a former SEC chief economist. Advertisement This is going to play out reasonably quickly, said Spatt, now a finance professor at Carnegie Mellon University. The SEC, he said, weighs in after the fact for the most part. The billionaire has been a vocal critic of Twitter, mostly over his belief that it falls short on free speech principles. The social media platform has angered followers of Donald Trump and other far-right political figures whove had their accounts suspended for violating its content standards on violence, hate or harmful misinformation. Musk has described himself as a free speech absolutist but is also known for blocking other Twitter users who question or disagree with him. After Musk announced his stake, Twitter quickly offered him a seat on its board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the companys outstanding stock, according to a filing. But the company said five days later that hed declined. The decision coincided with a barrage of now-deleted and not-always-serious tweets from Musk proposing major changes to the company, such as dropping ads its chief source of revenue and transforming its San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter. The turnabout led CEO Parag Agrawal to warn employees earlier this week that there will be distractions ahead and to tune out the noise and stay focused on the work. Twitter hasnt done as well as its social media rivals and lost money last year. The company reported a net loss of $221 million for 2021 largely tied to the settlement of a lawsuit by shareholders who said the company misled investors about how much its user base was growing and how much users interacted with its platform. Its co-founder Jack Dorsey resigned as CEO in late November and was replaced by Agrawal. Musks more than 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. Advertisement 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. Musks latest trouble with the SEC could be his delay in notifying regulators of his growing stake in Twitter. Both his 2018 comments about taking Tesla private at $420 per share and his latest bid to take Twitter private at $54.20 per share seemed to jokingly reference the number 420, a slang reference to marijuana. I guess hes free to name whatever price he wants, Spatt said. One could argue hes trying to poke a finger at the SEC. Its hard to see what the commission could do about that. But I do think his violation of the 10-day disclosure requirement is a substantive thing. BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China will continue prioritize its relationship with Pakistan in neighborhood diplomacy and firmly support Pakistan's goal of prosperity and revitalization, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Thursday. According to media reports, Pakistan's newly-elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said, when meeting with the charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, that Pakistan's new government attaches great importance to relations with China and will promote the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with more vigor and efficiency. "China appreciates Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's remarks," Zhao told a press briefing, adding that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad brothers. Zhao said China stands ready to work with Pakistan's new government to facilitate exchanges at all levels, enrich and expand practical cooperation, build CPEC toward the sustainable, livelihood-oriented and high-standard objectives, and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era to benefit the two countries and their peoples. Travelers visiting South Florida had every right to be cranky this spring break season as airlines cancelled or delayed hundreds of flights over the weekends, citing staff shortages, bad weather and air traffic control issues. Now, some air carriers serving the tri-county area are cutting back on flights so their depleted staffs can handle what the industry expects to be a continued surge in consumer demand for air travel. The goal, it seems, is fewer cancellations and better customer relations. Advertisement JetBlue Airways, one of the busiest carriers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, says it is trimming back flights by 8% to 10% for May and by similar reductions for the remainder of the summer. [ RELATED: After $3.6 billion offer, Spirit Airlines agrees to negotiate with JetBlue ] Despite hiring nearly 3,000 new crewmembers this year, like many businesses, we remain staffing constrained, the company said in an emailed statement Wednesday. Tight staffing makes it more difficult for us to recover when air travel is disrupted by bad weather and air traffic control delays. By reducing our flight schedule for the summer and continuing to hire new crewmembers, we hope to have more breathing room in the system to help ease some of the recent delays and cancellations that weve seen in the industry. Advertisement Ultra-discounter Spirit Airlines, which is based in South Florida, said the company is evaluating its summer schedules in the face of challenges, but has yet to announce any plans, according to spokesman Erik Hofmeyer. Spirit Airlines, which is entertaining buyout offers from Frontier Airlines and JetBlue Airways, is evaluating its summer scheduling so it can be better positioned to handle disruptions caused by bad weather and uneven staffing. JetBlue has already announced summer flight cuts of between 8% and 10% according to reports. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Smaller carriers such as Alaska Airlines, Allegiant and Sun Country have said they intend to slightly scale back their schedules, according to industry analysts. From last fall and into the spring of this year, most of the airlines have struggled to fly their customers to their destinations on time and in many instances to get them there at all as problems ranging from foul weather and air traffic control issues to technical glitches stopped many flight operations cold. The setbacks severely tested shorthanded staffs that were unable to rebook passengers because of crew shortages and/or unavailable alternate flights. Bigger airlines such as American and Delta seem to have weathered the cancellation storm better because of their sheer size and amount of resources. In fact, one of the reasons that Spirit is cited by observers and executives as a takeover target of Frontier and JetBlue is that the latter two are hungry for planes and experienced workers. [ RELATED: JetBlue and Frontier are fighting to buy Spirit Airlines. What does that mean for South Florida? ] American, Delta set for the summer? American Airlines, which serves all three South Florida airports with a major U.S. and international hub at Miami International Airport, said it altered its summer schedules two months ago, but did not say if flight cutbacks were part of the measures. In February, we adjusted our summer schedule to provide customers certainty when planning their summer vacations and we shifted our wide body long-haul international flying to destinations where customers want to go, said spokeswoman Laura Masvidal in a statement. Delta Air lines, another major carrier serving Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach, says it has refrained from cutting flights. For 2021, Delta was the top-ranked carrier among major airlines in metrics kept by the U.S. Department of Transportations air travel consumer report, which found it had 0.58% of its total domestic flights canceled and 1.29 consumer complaints per 100,000 passengers boarded during the year. Advertisement Succinctly, we have not made any schedule adjustments based on staffing as some of our competitors reportedly have this week, said spokesperson Morgan Durrant in an email. The airline said Wednesday it is seeing unprecedented demand for summer travel and even expects a second quarter profit after suffering huge quarterly losses during the pandemic. But the company, which is in contract negotiations with its 13,500 unionized pilots, is in a public relations battle with the airlines contingent of the Air Line Pilots Association over staffing and flight schedules. Union members are conducting informational picketing to get their message out to the public at selected airports, saying they are over-taxed by quick turnarounds between trip assignments. [ RELATED: Airlines cancel flights due to COVID staffing shortages ] Were tired and frustrated because weve been working a record amount of overtime just to maintain that schedule, Delta pilots leader Evan Baach said in a telephone interview. We have shorter nights in between duty periods, and were working on our off days. He asserted the airline is trying to staff too many flights with too few pilots, an allegation management disputes. Advertisement We continuously evaluate our staffing models and plan ahead so that we can recover quickly when unforeseen circumstances arise, and the resilience of the Delta people is unmatched in that regard, Durrant said. Pilot schedules remain in line with all requirements set by the FAA as well as those outlined in our pilot contract. JetBlue Airways. citing insufficient staff, is cutting its flight schedules by 8% to 10% in May and is likely to make similar reductions for the remainder of the summer to give it room to handle disruptions caused by weather and air traffic control issues. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) (Seth Wenig) Industry analyst Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research in San Francisco said schedule reductions the airlines are contemplating now are a good thing for fliers who will be in the air later. The good news is JetBlue is making a very bold and undoubtedly a very expensive move to cut back its flying by a meaningful amount, Harteveldt said. They are doing so ahead of the summer and its better to do that now. Tight labor market Part of the problem is a reduction in staffing during the pandemic, which forced the industry to cut flying by 85% to 90% industrywide when COVID was delivering its severest impact. Despite the rebound in business, the companies have yet to completely restore their labor forces. He added that some airline employees who did not lose their jobs to furloughs left anyway because they found other jobs. A third element is the sheer competition the airlines are waging against other industries for workers. Job seekers have their pick of any kind of job at any kind of company, he said. Usually, there are more people chasing jobs at airlines than there are jobs available. Advertisement He said carriers are acting in the face of an enormous amount of demand out there for travel as well as a desire by the companies to recoup the money they lost during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which all but grounded the nations airlines. I dont know that were done seeing potential changes to airline schedules, he said. The airlines are looking at all of their key employee groups including pilots, flight attendants, airport workers and reservations and customer service employees, he said. The objective: Make sure they have enough people on duty to cover various disruptions before they get into the thick of summer. Many South Florida tenants have long feared sudden rent increases amid this hot housing market. Now, they have a new source of hope to look toward: More local governments are taking steps to offer them new protections. A new law being enacted or considered in various communities requires landlords to provide their tenants with at least 60 days notice before landlords hike up the rent by more than 5%. And the required notice period for eviction is being broadened from 30 to 60 days. Advertisement Under this newly planned law, landlords in Broward County and the city of Lake Worth Beach soon would be required to give renters such notice. Other communities already have enacted similar ordinances, including Miami-Dade County last month. Such protections are already in effect in Hialeah and Miami Beach. [ RELATED: Broward is planning new rental apartments for low-income families. Heres where. ] This is a crisis, said Broward County Commissioner Nan Rich. There are people losing their place to live every day, because the amount of the rent increase is so high that people cannot afford it. Advertisement A scorching-hot market Housing prices have exploded in recent years, including in South Florida, where countless people have moved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people have been priced out of buying a home, boosting demand for rental properties. In South Florida, landlords are raising rents by as much as 40%, and wages have only increased about 6%, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor. Kattye Adderly Thomas, a cancer patient and retiree, recently told Broward County commissioners she was dumbfounded when her landlord raised her rent for her two-bedroom house in Lauderdale Lakes from $1,350 to $1,900. I begged them, the widow said of her efforts for relief. The landlord told her she could pay $1,750, but only through July, she said. Still $1,750 is kind of hard for me right now, she said. Im trying to find another place in the meantime thats cheaper and I cant find nowhere cheaper. Thomas story is increasingly common. Officials with Florida Rising, a nonprofit focused on economic and racial justice, said its happening frequently. People are losing their housing, said spokeswoman Rachel Johnson. The rents are being increased and they cant afford to pay it. Or their leases are expired, and the landlords are not renewing it because ... some of them are selling their properties to the highest bidder, and they have to squat because where are they going to go? [ RELATED: South Floridas rent crisis: Some no longer can afford their longtime homes as rents rise by as much as 40% ] Johnson said it is such a terrifying thing for people to go through a rent increase they cant afford. People are becoming displaced, she said. Law gains momentum As more people were being displaced locally, the idea took root for tenants to at least receive two months notice that their rent was about to increase. Advertisement As Miami-Dade County passed its protections last month, Rich said it was clear the same initiative would help tenants across the region. Miami-Dade passed its legislation with lightning speed, and we need to do it up here [in Broward] because of this tremendous crisis in affordable housing, Rich said. When somebody does get a huge rental increase, they cant afford to pay it and then they are pretty much out on the street because we dont have a supply of affordable housing out there. Among the new laws: Browards ordinance would require landlords and tenants to give at least 60 days notice of termination of their contract for properties who dont have a standard lease, specifically month-to-month or quarterly rentals. Lake Worth Beachs City Commission unanimously voted in favor last week of a measure that would require landlords give 60 days notice to tenants if they plan to increase their rent more than 5% or terminate their lease. They will have a second and final vote on April 19. Commissioners said rental increases have surpassed the costs landlords have incurred and say many of the increases are more attributable to greed. The rule in Miami-Dade County requires landlords to provide their tenants with at least 60 days notice before imposing a rent increase of more than 5%, as well as extending the required notice period for eviction from 30 to 60 days. Miami-Dade commissioners passed the legislation unanimously on March 15. Weve heard our residents and weve seen it in our community. Rents are going up too high too fast. Countless households live in fear of receiving a scandalously high rent increase with little to no notice said Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who sponsored the bill, in a prepared statement. Fair notice gives families more time to prepare. Moving forward How Browards new rules will be enforced is not yet covered in the ordinance, but that is expected to come up at a later date. [ RELATED: Affordable apartments heading to Palm Beach County as market soars ] Although the rule would pertain to Browards unincorporated areas only, the ordinance gives its 31 cities the authority to enforce the ordinance with their code enforcement officers. Wed like to see it enforced across the county, Rich said. Rents are too high too fast and people cannot afford the increase. Advertisement Linda Taylor, CEO of HOMES in Broward County, said without relief, families will be forced to move. Im glad theyre doing something, because to ignore it is not helpful, she said. It does help in terms of giving people a little more time but the issue is, its a Band-Aid. The issue remains there are insufficient units for lower-income families in Broward. The prices are too high. But these new efforts will help the situation some. Its certainly not the solution. Ned Murray, associate director with the Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center at Florida International University, called it a dire situation for the majority of renters in Broward County right now. The majority of renters are low and moderate income, they are the most distressed and they are in the lower wage service occupations that comprise the majority of our residents. He said it was a bandage over a gaping wound and its going to require long-term care. WESTON A South 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, handled many financial aspects of a business called Newstar Websites, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release Wednesday. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. A Broward teacher charged with sexual misconduct with a student could be fired Tuesday but not because of the nature of the allegation. Instead, Rafael Guzman, 37, could lose his job as a career and technical teacher at Piper High in Sunrise because he failed to self-report his arrest within 48 hours. Superintendent Vickie Cartwright is asking the School Board to take the action at Tuesdays meeting. Advertisement School district policy requires self-reporting for arrests on any charges related to child abuse, drug possession or sales, sexual misconduct, sexual battery, sexual relations with students or sale of pornography. Rafael Guzman, 37, is charged with an authority figure soliciting/engaging in sexual conduct with a student after police said the Piper High School teacher performed a sex act in front of a student. (Broward County Sheriff's Office/Courtesy) Guzman was arrested Jan. 31 and charged as an authority figure soliciting or engaging in sexual misconduct with a student, a felony. Advertisement Guzman acknowledged completing the School Boards staff development training related to the Self-Reporting Rule, an administrative complaint from Cartwright states. As to the arrest, Guzman stated he did not remember to self-report. Still, the school district was aware of the arrest the day it happened, having received notification from law enforcement, the complaint said. The case also received widespread media attention. [ RELATED: Piper High School teacher accused of sexual misconduct with student ] Police say that on Jan. 22, Guzman asked a female student to stay after class, paying her $100 in $20 bills. After other students had left, he told her to turn off the lights and they went into his office in the classroom, and he performed sex acts, according to his arrest report. Guzman admitted to kissing and touching the students breast and performing a sex act in front of her, police said. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He also has let the school district know he plans to appeal the expected firing to a state administrative law judge. Guzman could not be reached by phone. After a reporter identified himself through a text message, he did not respond to questions. His lawyer, Justin James Duran, could not be reached. The school district has faced criticism in recent years for being too lenient on teachers arrested on sex charges. Several employees have been allowed to stay for months or years in the districts book depository or other location with no student contact until their cases were resolved. [ RELATED: Teacher fired after he was accused of molesting student ] Brandon Sutton, a teacher at Parkway Middle in Lauderhill, stayed with the district for 15 months after he was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a female student under the age of 16. He was fired in early 2020, and his criminal case is still pending. Wyman Gresham stayed nearly two years after he was arrested and accused of inappropriate conduct with two underage girls. He was fired in 2019. The charges against him were dropped in February 2022, court records show. Hes now fighting to get his job back. Advertisement In both cases, the school district eventually fired them by using pretrial conditions in their criminal cases that said they couldnt have contact with minors. That provision is in Guzmans pretrial supervision order, including a condition he cant return to campus until further notice from the court. Its unclear why the district didnt use that provision this time. [ RELATED: Teacher accused of inappropriate conduct with girl loses license ] Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union, said shes seen several recent cases where the school district has used a failure to self-report an arrest as grounds to fire someone, an approach she finds questionable, especially when the district knows someone was arrested. She said employees may lose their jobs even if they are later found not guilty. She also said employees dealing with a traumatic situation may forget to report or may be confused about which arrests must be reported. It doesnt even matter if you were in jail for three days, Fusco said. Ive asked to go back and revisit this particular part of the [self-reporting] policy. Advertisement Fusco said Guzman is a member of the union but hasnt been asked to be represented in this case. Governor Ron DeSantis holds up the newly signed bill that will ban most abortions in Florida after 15 weeks at a press conference in Kissimmee Orlando, Fla., Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) KISSIMMEE With no exceptions for rape or incest, most abortions in Florida will be banned after 15 weeks of pregnancy under a bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in Kissimmee on Thursday. The governor signed the legislation, effective July 1, surrounded by GOP lawmakers and anti-abortion activists in front of a large crowd at Nacion de Fe church. A screen behind them read Florida is Pro-Life. Advertisement We are here today to protect life, the governor told the cheering group. We are here today to defend those who cant defend themselves. Governor Ron DeSantis talks about the new bill he will sign that bans most abortions in Florida after 15 weeks at the press conference in Kissimmee Orlando, Fla., Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) Florida now has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider a similar measure approved in Mississippi. Abortion-rights activists fear the high court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, which established the constitutional right to abortion in 1973. Advertisement The Florida law allows abortions after 15 weeks only if a fetus is found to have a fatal fetal abnormality, which the bill describes as a terminal condition that, in reasonable medical judgment, regardless of the provision of life-saving medical treatment, is incompatible with life outside the womb and will result in death upon birth or imminently thereafter. Two doctors would have to certify that diagnosis. Abortion is currently legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida. The American Civil Liberties Union said it would challenge the law. Personal decisions regarding whether and when to have a child should not be dictated by politicians, Kara Gross, legislative director of the ACLU of Florida, said in a statement. ... Nobody should be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will. We will take swift legal action to protect Floridians rights and defend against this cruel attack on our bodily autonomy. Teresa Miller of Embrace Life 911 hands out pro life signs during the Governor Ron DeSantis press conference to announce his signing of the bill that will ban most abortions after 15 weeks in Florida in Kissimmee Orlando, Fla., Thursday, April 14, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) Despite efforts by Democrats to amend the bill during the regular session earlier this year, it does not include exceptions for rape and incest. During a Senate debate in March, Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, defended that decision, saying a fetus is a child that shouldnt be aborted because of how it was conceived. Hopefully in the future, there will be no abortions, Stargel said Thursday. ... My story was an unexpected pregnancy. As the song says, there is no pregnancy thats unplanned. God has a plan for every single child. State Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, echoed Stargel. Advertisement We all know that once a woman becomes pregnant, two uniquely independent human beings exist, Grall said. Democratic Leader Sen. Lauren Book, a survivor of sexual assault, responded to DeSantis on Twitter, writing that with the stroke of a pen, Governor DeSantis has forced the women of Florida back 50 years by robbing them of the reproductive rights established by our nations highest court in Roe vs. Wade. Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones of Broward County issued a statement blasting his colleagues and GOP leaders in other states. Across the country, extremists in state legislatures are passing abortion bans to put up more barriers for those seeking reproductive healthcare as part of their coordinated assault on millions of already marginalized and vulnerable Americans,' he wrote. We and our allies will continue fighting these harmful bills because ALL of our fundamental rights are on the line. The law was signed just days after a state judge approved a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions. Her ruling came after years of legal wrangling over that law approved in 2015. The 6-3 conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated during arguments that it was amenable to upholding a Mississippi law similar to the one DeSantis signed. The case is considered the biggest challenge to the Roe v. Wade decision that stated a ban on abortions violated the right to privacy in the 14th Amendment. Advertisement The standing-room-only crowd at Nacion de Fe, the site of a Latinos for Trump rally with former Vice President Mike Pence in 2020, cheered when Stargel spoke about the potential of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Among those who attended were Judy and Ernest Booker of Celebration. They praised DeSantis and the bill. Its history-making, said Judy Booker. Its wonderful. Asked if she thought the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade, We pray it does, she said. Life is life. The proposed map of Florida congressional districts submitted Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis would do nothing to upend the six Broward and Palm Beach county congressional districts. Under the DeSantis proposal, the two counties would almost certainly continue sending five Democrats and one Republican to Washington even as the states overall congressional delegation shifts heavily toward the Republicans. Advertisement The states congressional delegation currently has 16 Republicans and 11 Democrats. [ RELATED: Congressional redistricting fight: New maps could shake up Broward, Palm Beach counties ] Political data analyst Matthew Isbell of MCI Maps said the configurations in the new map produced 20 districts won in 2020 by former President Donald Trump and eight won by President Joe Biden. (Florida is gaining one district because of the states above-average population growth in the last decade.) Advertisement The DeSantis map makes significant changes elsewhere in Florida: He dismantled a north Florida congressional district that is currently configured in a way that greatly increases the chance for a Black member of Congress for the region. The Florida map is bound to end up in the courts. As far as Broward and Palm Beach counties are concerned, the new DeSantis map appears unchanged from what the Legislature had previously passed and the governor vetoed because he said he didnt like the configuration for north Florida. The development is good news for U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who won a special election last year and is hoping to win a full term this year, and for Jared Moskowitz, a leading candidate to fill the open seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch. The proposed districts would be favorable for the re-election of U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach; Brian Mast-R-Palm City; Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, and Frederica Wilson, D-Miami. Gov. Ron DeSantis office submitted its plan for boundaries for Florida's congressional districts on April 13, 2022. Legislative leaders previously signaled they would support whatever he proposed. The boundaries make changes in Broward and Palm Beach counties, but the number of Democrats and Republicans election in the region is unlikely to change. (floridaredistricting.org/Courtesy) New lines Congressional districts in all states with more than one seat in the House are being redrawn this year to reflect population changes uncovered in the 2020 Census. The drawing of boundaries, and how many voters of one party or the other are included in a particular district, has an outsized influence on who gets elected and goes to Washington. Redistricting isnt as simple as just dividing the state. Depending on the configuration of a district, its likely in many cases certain to elect a Democrat or a Republican. Truly competitive districts are rare. Democrats narrowly control the U.S. House, but extra seats from Florida could help the Republican Party win control. DeSantis vetoed the congressional districting plan passed by his fellow Republicans in the state Legislature and ordered them to return to Tallahassee for a special legislative session starting April 19. Advertisement Legislative leaders then said they would leave the issue in DeSantis hands, and pass whatever he came up with. DeSantis office submitted its plan Wednesday afternoon. In Broward and Palm Beach counties, the map appeared unchanged from what the Legislature passed. DeSantis stated objections were elsewhere in the state. Deutch district U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch isnt running for re-election to his northern and eastern Broward/south east Palm Beach county district. The successor district is largely similar to the current one. It takes in northern Broward and much of the coast extending south through most of Fort Lauderdale. It would take in a larger share of southern Palm Beach County than currently. [ RELATED: Election-year redistricting upends careers and turns allies into enemies ] The proposal is good for Moskowitz, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed Deutch. The new district would have his political base in Coral Springs and Parkland, communities served for years as a state representative and Parkland city commissioner. Several other candidates have announced they, too, will campaign and others are considering the contest decisions that could be affected by the boundaries. The Republican governor wouldnt necessarily want to hurt Moskowitz politically. Moskowitz worked for DeSantis as state emergency management director and the governor appointed him to fill a vacancy on the Broward County Commission. Advertisement In 2020, 56% of the new District 23 voters went for Biden, Isbells reported. Cherfilus-McCormick district The regions newest member of Congress won the special Democratic primary last year by five votes. The loser of that race, former Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, is challenging her in the August primary. The map is similar to the current district, which takes in most of the African American and Caribbean American communities in the two counties and is designed to increase the chances of electing a Black representative. It includes much of central Broward, including all or parts of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, Lauderhill, North Lauderhill, Sunrise and Tamarac. It then takes in a large swath of the Everglades and toes north to the Glades communities near Lake Okeechobee and extending back east to include parts of Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach. Keeping a large part of Palm Beach County in the district is politically advantageous for Cherfilus-McCormick. In the Broward part of the current district, Holness came in first in 2021, with 29% of the vote to 22% for Cherfilus-McCormick. In Palm Beach County, Cherfilus-McCormick received 30% of the vote and Holness 8%. Advertisement In 2020, 76% of the new District 20s voters went for Biden. Wasserman Schultz district The former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee would get an all-Broward district taking in almost everything south of Interstate 595 and a little territory to the north, including parts of Plantation and Fort Lauderdale. Shed lose the part of her current district that includes coastal Miami-Dade County south through Surfside. In 2020, Isbell found, the new 25th Districts voters went 60% for Biden. [ RELATED: Moskowitz pulls in more than $16,000 a day in contributions in weeks after announcing congressional candidacy ] Wilson District Wilson would continue to have a section of South Broward. The area south of Pembroke Road from Interstate 95 to west of University Drive would be in her Miami-Dade County dominated district. In 2020, the voters of the new District 24 voted 74% for Biden. Advertisement Frankel district Frankel would continue to have an all-Palm Beach County district, but some of the South County territory she currently represents would move into the district currently represented by Deutch. Her new district would include Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and the territory west to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. It would take in Wellington, Greenacres and part of West Palm Beach. She would also retain Palm Beach in her district including the Mar-a-Lago home of former President Donald Trump. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden won 58% of the vote in new District 22. Mast district Much of northern Palm Beach County would remain in the district represented by Mast, the only Republican member of Congress from the two counties. His district would continue to include Martin and St. Lucie counties to the north. In 2020, 54% of the vote in the district went for Trump. Advertisement Here is the partisan breakdown for the latest plan from Ron DeSantis #flapol #sayfie pic.twitter.com/jqRTuIijHu Florida Data Geek (@MappingFL) April 13, 2022 Bigger picture Under mid-1980s revisions to the federal Voting Rights Act, congressional boundaries are drawn with a goal of increasing the chance that someone from a minority group can win an election and bring a voice that otherwise wouldnt be heard to the halls of Congress. It immediately produced results: In 1992, Florida elected its first Black members of Congress since 1877, when the post-Civil War era of Reconstruction ended. But DeSantis said the Legislatures proposed continuation of a north Florida district, stretching from Tallahassee to Jacksonville and currently represented by Democrat Al Lawson, violated the Constitution and was racially gerrymandered. His office had previously said such a seat wasnt required in north Florida and the district boundaries illegally assigned voters primarily on the basis of race without showing a compelling state interest in doing so. Dave Wasserman, senior editor at the independent Cook Political Report, wrote on Twitter that the 20R-8D DeSantis gerrymander would dilute the votes of Black communities in St. Petersburg, Orlando and North FL to benefit Rs in ways that previous courts have struck down. The Florida map will end up in the courts. Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic election lawyer, said on Twitter: If this map is enacted, Florida will be sued. Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz also said the map would be challenged. But the map still might be used for the 2022 election, possibly 2024, as the issues wind through the courts. Advertisement Governor DeSantis is hell-bent on eliminating Congressional seats where Floridas minority communities have the ability to elect representatives of their choice and he is imposing his own partisan political preferences on Floridas Congressional map, Diaz said. If the Legislature proceeds with its intended course of action, the Congressional map will be challenged in court. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @browardpolitics On May 10 in Berlins Opera Square, students burned any books deemed un-German to align the arts and culture of Germany with Nazi ideals. Over 25,000 books were burned in bonfires throughout Germany, including author Helen Kellers work on the rights of people with disabilities and Jack Londons The Call of the Wild." (Keystone // Getty Images) The book-burning began only 100 days after Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933. Torchlight parades in 34 university towns led to bonfires where more than 25,000 volumes went up in flames for being un-German. Among them were the works of Germans Thomas Mann, a Nobel-prize winner and anti-Nazi; Erich Maria Remarque, the anti-war author of All Quiet on the Western Front; and the 19th century Jewish-born poet Heinrich Heine, who had written prophetically, Wherever they burn books, they will also, in the end, burn people. Advertisement American writers Jack London, Theodore Dreiser, Ernest Hemingway and even Helen Keller were among the verboten. In Berlin, the Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels told a crowd of 40,000 that the bonfires symbolized No to decadence and moral corruption. Yes to decency and morality in family and state. (Goebbels and his wife met the fall of Berlin 12 years later by killing their six children and themselves.) Advertisement For now, no books are being burned in America. But they are being banned in unprecedented numbers from public school libraries and classrooms. The practice flourishes where Republican legislatures like Floridas have been waging culture wars, ostensibly for the sake of decency and families. With 204 of the banned books, Florida trails only Texas and Pennsylvania on this roster of shame. It is un-American It is wrong. It is dangerous. It is un-American. In a report, Banned in the USA, issued last week, the advocacy group PEN America itemized 1,586 book bans in 86 school districts in 26 states in the nine months ending March 31. The bans targeted 1,145 titles, 874 authors, 198 illustrators and nine translators. The widespread censorship was unparalleled in its intensity and frequency and represents a serious threat to free expression and students First Amendment rights, said PEN America, whose dedicated purpose is the freedom to write. There was a pattern coinciding markedly with the culture war issues at state capitals and school boards. People of color were featured in 41% of the banned titles, 22% of which dealt with race and racism. A third of the banned books deal directly with LGBTQ+ themes or people, accounting for the top three banned titles. These statistics mirror the early successes in Tallahassee and other capitals to suppress teaching about gender identity and racial bias. Nationally, 42 childrens books made someones hit list, including biographies of Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Duke Ellington, Katherine Johnson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cesar Chavez, Sonia Sotomayor and the Nobel Peace Prize laureates Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai. In Florida, Brevard County, with 20 banned titles, Indian River, with 161 and Polk, with 16, dominate the list. No South Florida county appears on it. Titles banned in those counties include works by famous authors Isabel Allende, Margaret Atwood, Judy Blume, Aldous Huxley (Brave New World), Toni Morrison (Beloved and The Bluest Eye), Jodi Picoult and John Steinbeck (Of Mice and Men). Advertisement It began in Brevard Not by coincidence, Brevard and Indian River were the seedbed of Moms for Liberty, now a nationwide lobby that claims to stand up for parental rights at all levels of government. State Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, a political bully who now proposes to criminalize doctors for providing treatment or surgery to a transgender minor, represents Brevard. Indian River Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, was a prime sponsor of the Parental Rights in Education legislation, better known as the Dont Say Gay bill (HB 1557) as well as of HB 5, which prohibits abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, signed into law Thursday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Florida law already made it easy to challenge school texts and library books. The 2022 legislative session made it even easier with HB 1467, which set a 12-year term limit for all school board members. Another section of the bill requires schools to itemize their library collections as well as their textbooks in online, searchable databases. Every complaint must now be reported to the state Department of Education and disseminated statewide. In other words, it invites would-be censors to go hunting in all 67 counties. Its a cynical misuse of the English language to cloak such legislation in the guise of freedom and parental rights. It goes beyond the question of to what extent parents should be involved in their own childrens education. It is a gross abuse of that issue to let them control what other peoples children may or may not read. The PEN list categorizes many of the Florida books as banned pending investigation, which puts them into a purgatory from where they may never emerge, convicted before trial. The burden is backward. Challenged books should stay on the shelves until the school board has made a decision in open session, and there should be a rebuttable presumption for the book and against the censor. Government censorship never has a good outcome. The Russian people might well put an end to Vladimir Putins war if they were allowed to know the truth about it. Advertisement The banning of even childrens books is the first step on that slippery slope. 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. SUBSCRIBER E-EDITION AND ONLINE LOGIN DIRECTIONS Current print subscribers: click "Get Started" below and use your subscription account number (Found on the top left of your newspaper mailing label) to activate your FREE access to the e-Edition and online stories. Log in with the username and password you registered on this website. If you already subscribe to our print edition, sign up for FREE access to our online edition. Thanks for reading The Henderson News. SINGAPORE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been endorsed to be the leader of the fourth-generation (4G) team of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), which paves the way for him to be the next prime minister, the Straits Times reported. Lee Hsien Loong, the current prime minister and secretary-general of the PAP, said in a statement on Thursday evening that cabinet ministers affirmed their choice of Wong as the leader of the 4G team after a consultation process. Wong won the overwhelming majority of those consulted, he said. The decision on succession is crucial for Singapore, which will ensure the continuity and stability of leadership, Lee added. According to the statement, with this decision, the prime minister will make adjustments to cabinet appointments, which will be announced in due course. Lawrence Wong said in a Facebook post that it is his privilege to be called upon to lead this team. "Together with the rest of the 4G team, I will continue to serve Singaporeans wholeheartedly, and strive to earn the trust and support of each and every one of our fellow citizens," Wong said. 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. Bahrain government has given approval to new infrastructure projects worth millions of dinars, including the construction of new roads on Hawar Islands as well as sewage networks for the Bahrain expo centre at Sakhir and a treatment plant for Khalifa Town, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. For further details, visit https://www.gdnonline.com Perus participation in Expo 2020 Dubai culminated in a major achievement at Expo 2020 with its pavilion winning the Gold for Self-Built Pavilion in Category B (between 1,750 and 2,500 sq m). This top prize rewarded the Timeless Peru concept, an exciting synthesis of Perus historical, multicultural and mega-diverse richness, reported the Commission for the Promotion of Exports and Tourism, Promperu. The BIE Day Awards Ceremony, held in the Jubilee Park of the Dubai Expo, was organised by the International Exhibitions Bureau. A total of 51 Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards were handed out and Peru was the only South American country in the event awarded with the Gold. International jury The selection of the winners of the Official Participants Awards fell to an international jury of nine international and Emirati experts, who made two visits to each of the national pavilions, in January and March 2022. These awards celebrate those who have made significant contributions to the success of the Universal Exhibition, said Antoine Bourdeix, director of communications at the BIE. The 2,500 m of built area of the Peruvian pavilion were visited by influencers, Emirati television, and international reporters, who were pleasantly surprised by the compendium of Peruvian culture and biodiversity. A report from CNN highlighted the valuable concept of the Peru pavilion and the cultural and musical expressions of the country embodied by the Ayacucho guitar and the scissors dance. Positive comments Likewise, Peru led the positive comments among Latin American countries in the official mobile application of Expo Dubai used by the visitors to rate their experiences in the national pavilions. The participation of Peru was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) through Promperu, and had the commitment of talented Peruvians, as well as the support of DP World, Pisco 1615, Flo Trading, Modenart Peru, Terracota Lab and Adolf Finseth.-- TradeArabia News Service The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the curators for the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale, the first event of its kind which will showcase the art and creativity of Islamic culture and will take place in Jeddah in early 2023. The distinguished international curatorial team will oversee the Islamic Arts Biennale: Dr Saad Alrashed, leading Saudi scholar and archaeologist; Dr Omniya Abdel Barr, Barakat Trust Fellow at the Victoria and Albert Museum; Dr Julian Raby, Director Emeritus of the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC and Sumayya Vally, co-founder of the experimental architecture and research firm, Counterspace. The Biennale will champion innovation while supporting continuing traditions and encouraging the preservation of skills. It will explore spirituality in the aesthetic realm and celebrate both shared heritage around the globe and diversity of artistic expressions and forms. By inviting artists from around the world, it will provide new dialogues and insights. A gateway to the two holiest cities The location of the first Islamic Arts Biennale, originally planned for Riyadh, will now be the city of Jeddah with its historic and continuing significance as a gateway to the two holiest cities to Muslims across the world, Mecca (officially Makkah Al-Mukarrama) and Medina (officially Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara). The wealth of historical sites such as Bab Makkah, combined with the diversity of the citys cultural heritage, complement the Biennales objective to interlink past, present, and future. Prince Badr bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture of Saudi Arabia, noted: Cultural and artistic exchange are essential in this period of unprecedented growth and development in the creative community in Saudi Arabia. The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is at the forefront of this cultural awakening and flourishing art scene. Our contemporary edition closed in March after attracting critical acclaim, and the Islamic Arts Biennale represents our next chapter. Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said: It is a great honour to announce our Islamic Arts Biennale, the first of its kind. It follows another historic moment, when the Diriyah Biennale Foundation presented Saudi Arabias highly praised first contemporary art biennale under the title Feeling the Stones. Contextual display of artworks Our Islamic Arts edition will once again work with leading practitioners and curators to present a contextual display of artworks and installations curated thematically. It will enable broad audiences to experience and learn about Islamic civilisations and their ongoing legacies within the arena of arts. In December 2021 the Diriyah Biennale Foundation successfully launched Saudi Arabias first contemporary art biennale in the JAX district of Diriyah. The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale was one of Saudi Arabias largest and most significant international displays of contemporary art, a platform for global dialogue and exchange featuring more than 60 acclaimed artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world. The mission of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation in establishing the first Islamic Arts Biennale is to celebrate and enrich the cultural and artistic exchange between Saudi Arabia, as the birthplace of Islam, and communities around the world. The Foundation will host a biennale every year, alternating between the Contemporary Art Biennale and the Islamic Arts Biennale.-- TradeArabia News Service UW Percussion Festival Presents Featured Concert April 16 Andy Wheelock The University of Wyoming Percussion Festival will highlight percussion music from around the world in the featured concert at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall. Nationally recognized percussionists and educators Carl Dixon, Greg Harris and Andrew Spencer will collaborate with Assistant Professor Andy Wheelock, the UW Department of Musics percussion area coordinator, in the featured concert. The event is free and open to the public. The percussion music will explore the connections and blur the lines among Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, classical, electronic, jazz and modern percussion traditions. The concert will feature solos and ensemble performances by festival participants. To view the program and complete biographies of the guest musicians, click here. Wheelock leads the Jazz Ensemble II; teaches percussion methods and lessons; and directs the UW Percussion Ensemble, for which he regularly composes. He is an active jazz drummer and percussionist who has performed with numerous notable musicians. Wheelock has performed with the Ben Markley Quartet, the Gonzalo Teppa Quintet, the Dimitrije Vasiljevic Quintet and the UW jazz faculty. His music is from a wide variety of genres, including jazz, classical, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop, Brazilian, funk, gospel and traditional African folk music. Dixon is a percussion lecturer at the University of Colorado-Boulder and director of the Boulder Samba School and Bateria Alegria, a Brazilian percussion ensemble. Dixons arrangements of traditional rhythms found in Brazils samba schools and blocos have been performed by university and community ensembles nationwide. He performs in concert halls, jazz clubs, dance parties, festival stages and street parades. Harris is a multi-instrumentalist in Denver, Colo., and a freelance musician who has performed nationally and internationally. Harris also teaches electronic music and percussion at the University of Colorado-Denver; jazz vibraphone at Metropolitan State University of Denver; jazz and percussion at Denver School of the Arts and the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts; and as piano instructor and music theory teacher at Red Rocks Community College. Spencer, a professor of percussion at Central Michigan University, has performed as a soloist in Canada, Costa Rica, Japan, Poland and the U.S. As an active recitalist and clinician, he is timpanist for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and principal percussionist for Midland Symphony Orchestra. Spencer also has performed in numerous chamber ensembles and orchestras throughout the U.S. For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirisk@uwyo.edu. Gibraltar Fire & Rescue Service - Training Courses Its been a busy couple of months for the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service. 'During this time, personnel have been involved, both locally and abroad, in various different courses as we slowly gather momentum and return back to the much hoped for normality.' 1. Holmatro Care & Maintenance Course Personnel from the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service, together with colleagues from the Airport Fire and Rescue Service, took part in a three-day Holmatro Technician Refresher Training Course, assuring competence in the repairing, yearly inspection and testing of hydraulic rescue equipment. 2. Tactical Ventilation Instructors Course (TVI) Station Officer George Burns attended the TVI Course at The Fire Service College, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, UK. This course, together with Breathing Apparatus Instructor and Fire Behaviour Training Instructor courses, now completes Stn/O Burns course portfolio, in this field. 3. Fire Safety Level 4 Diploma Unit 12 Station Officer Adrian McComb Fire Safety Level Diploma Unit 12 at the Fire Service College (FSC) in Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, UK. This Unit is intended to both support and formalise development in the Fire Safety Officer role, and also allow a wider recognition and accreditation of the role that personnel perform as part of their daily duties 4. Incident Command Gold Command - Multi Agency (MAGIC) Deputy Chief Fire Officer Matthew Payas attended the Multi Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) Course at the Fire Service College. This course is a Tri-Service collaboration between the Fire Service College, College of Policing and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit. Intended to develop confidence, understanding and ability to perform the role of Gold Commander in a multi-agency setting, by planning, implementing and reviewing a multi-agency strategy to ensure the timely resolution of a major incident or civil emergency. 5. Breathing Apparatus Care and Maintenance Course Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service personnel have recently completed a Drager accredited Breathing Apparatus care and maintenance course, delivered by Mr Paul Hetherington from Drager UK. 'Respiratory protection is an essential component of any functioning safety management system, providing fire fighters the ability to carry out our duties in irrespirable environments.' This two-day course included a thorough refresher on routine maintenance and statutory monthly inspections on breathing apparatus, in accordance with Dragers recommendations. Hong Kong: CE election clarification issued The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) made a clarification today on media reports about the sixth-term Chief Executive Election. In response to enquiries and media reports alleging that the REO wrongly informed Prof Arthur Li that he was not an Election Committee member, the REO said the accusation is factually incorrect. The REO clarified that it was not involved in nor aware of the discussions about the submission of nomination forms between Prof Arthur Li and the election campaign office of the concerned person running for the CE Election. On top of that, Prof Li has not made enquiries or verification with the REO regarding his eligibility as an Election Committee member. The REO further explained that Prof Li has registered as an ex-officio member of the Legal Subsector of the Election Committee by virtue of his identity as a Hong Kong member of the Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee determined his registration as an ex-officio member as valid on January 26. A press release and a government gazette notice were issued. After Prof Li completed the written oath, the Electoral Registration Officer updated the final register of members of the Election Committee on February 8 accordingly and published a notice in the Gazette, the REO added. This story has been published on: 2022-04-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday said it deplores and firmly opposes the China-related content in the 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and relevant remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which have revealed hypocrisy and double standards of the U.S. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the report released by the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, which attacked China's political system and human rights situation. "The content related to China in the so-called Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and relevant remarks by Secretary Antony Blinken misrepresent facts, confuse wrong with right, and are rife with political lies and ideological bias. China deplores and firmly opposes it," Zhao said in response. Zhao said the Chinese people can judge China's human rights situation better than others, and the international community has long come to a conclusion about China's governance. Such facts cannot possibly be denied by a report or the remarks of certain people. "The U.S. government slanders and denigrates China and attacks other places in the world by releasing this report every year, attempting to style itself as a human rights judge and role model. This only serves to reveal its hypocrisy and double standards," Zhao said. Zhao said that United States' human rights protection promises are empty and have never been fulfilled domestically. He said that the U.S. government, rather than fighting COVID-19, has been seeking political manipulation, instigating the "lab leak" theory and allowing racism to spawn alongside the virus, which has resulted in the frequent occurrence of anti-Asian hate crimes. The persistent discriminatory migration policy in the U.S. has limited the living space for migrants from Latin America, Asia and Africa to an extreme. The policy of separating migrant children from their families gravely threatens the lives, dignity and freedom of migrants, as is the case with extended custody, cruel torture, forced labor and many other inhumane treatments. Pervasive gun violence, the denial of justice in law enforcement and prisoner abuse have left U.S. residents living in fear for their security, Zhao said. "Externally, human rights protection is a pretense the U.S. government uses to cover up its agenda of seeking hegemony," Zhao said, noting that in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria alone, more than 20 million people have become refugees and migrants as a result of subversion and wars launched by the U.S. The spokesperson said that the so-called counterterrorism wars waged by the U.S. have claimed over 900,000 lives, and U.S. military operations in Afghanistan not only cost the lives of over 100,000 people, but also saw the U.S. loot 7 billion U.S. dollars from the Afghan people. The U.S. network of secret prisons across the globe has created human rights tragedies that have each set off uproar in the international community, Zhao said. At a time when the global economy is suffering from the impact of COVID-19, the U.S. continues to use human rights as an excuse to wantonly pressure and threaten countries by imposing sanctions, he said. "This has not only aggravated the human rights crises in relevant countries, but also endangered global economic recovery and the stability of industrial and supply chains," Zhao said. "The U.S. should immediately cease making irresponsible remarks, attacking and slandering other countries' human rights situations. Instead, it needs to reflect on itself, mend its ways, and work earnestly to improve its own human rights situation and promote the international human rights cause," Zhao said. SHREVEPORT, La. - Medical marijuana dispensaries in Louisiana are seeing a huge increase in business since the first of the year. The number of prescriptions for medical marijuana bought by patients in Louisiana has soared to unprecedented levels, up nearly 600% from the same period last year. What's changed? Lawmakers agreed to legalize the smokable flower, which is the most popular version of the drug. That law took effect Jan. 1. "It was immediate, yes Jan. 3, it was a lot. The first couple of weeks we did have a line out the door and we implemented an online ordering system. So, now there are three different ways for people to order their medicine," said Doug Boudreaux, owner of Hope Pharmacy in Shreveport. More patients joined the program than ever before in the first three months of this year. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy released figures that indicate Louisiana's program, which was once small and restrictive, is fast becoming big business. The number of patients who purchased a marijuana product in the first quarter of this year was just over 29,000, a 60% jump from the end of 2021. But in 2022 things changed quickly. "It brought awareness and that increased a lot of patients. We do have patients come in that don't know what we have. We have tinctures that they can put under their tongue. We have chews, salves. ...Things that they can put topically and then of course there's flower and we have vapes. People come in and think that they want flower, but when we tell them all the other options, they're happy to do other things," said Boudreaux. Patients can now order through a website, app or by calling Hope Pharmacy. 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) TRIPOLI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Joint Committee of Libya's House of Representatives and High Council of State on Wednesday started consultations in Cairo to determine the constitutional basis for the upcoming elections, the UN Support Mission in Libya said in a statement. "It is the belief of the Libyan public that 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 guardrails for an electoral process which clearly defines milestones and timelines going forward," Stephanie Williams, adviser to the UN secretary-general for Libya, told the delegates from the two bodies. "You have a critical role to play in making your voice heard in support of your 2.8 million fellow Libyan citizens who have registered to vote," added Williams, who launched the talks. Libya was expecting to hold presidential elections on Dec. 24, 2021. However, the elections were postponed indefinitely because of technical and legal issues, according to the High National Elections Commission. In March, Williams announced an initiative to form a joint committee of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State to reach a firm constitutional basis to hold national elections as soon as possible. MOSCOW, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it has imposed personal sanctions against 398 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 87 Canadian senators in a retaliatory move. The decisions were made in response to a "wave of anti-Russian sanctions" imposed by the U.S. administration on March 24 this year against 328 deputies of Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, and Canadian sanctions against all members of the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of parliament. The ministry said it would impose new counter-measures in the near future, and would expand its stop list and take other retaliatory steps. MOSCOW, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia has declared a senior Czech diplomat "persona non grata" and ordered the official to leave the country before the end of the day on April 16, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Czech Ambassador to Russia Vitezslav Pivonka was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday and was handed a note informing him of the decision, the statement said. The move was made in response to the expulsion of a diplomat working at the Russian Embassy in Prague, the statement added. The Czech Republic expelled a Russian diplomat from the country in late March, news reports said. French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) PARIS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. From a total of 48,747,876 registered voters, 35,923,707 have voted, which represents an abstention rate of 26.31 percent, said Laurent Fabius, president of the council. Incumbent President Emmanuel Macron won 9,783,058 votes, or 27.85 percent of valid ballots cast and his rival, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen won 8,133,828 votes, or 23.15 percent. The runoff vote on April 24 will be between Macron and Le Pen, Fabius said. French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen attends a press conference in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen attends a press conference in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen attends a press conference in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen attends a press conference in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) French far-right National Rally party candidate Marine Le Pen addresses a press conference on diplomacy and foreign policy in Paris, France, April 13, 2022. France's Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday the official results of the first round of the country's presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen as winners. They will take part in the runoff on April 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) SAN FRANCISCO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Amazon on Wednesday announced the commitment to supporting students' post-secondary science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education by awarding 10 million U.S. dollars in college scholarships to 250 high school seniors from underserved and historically underrepresented communities. Each recipient of the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship will receive 40,000 dollars over four years to study computer science at a college of their choice starting this fall. Recipients will also receive a paid internship at Amazon after their freshman year of college, the announcement said. The program has awarded 22 million dollars in scholarships to 550 students across the United States since 2019. More than 70 percent of scholarship recipients identify as Black, Latinx, and Native American (BLNA) and 50 percent identify as women, groups that are currently underrepresented in STEM. "These opportunities are imperative to building a diverse tech industry and enriching our communities. These students have fulfilling careers ahead, and we look forward to seeing them at their Amazon internships and all they will achieve," said Victor Reinoso, Global Director of Amazon's philanthropic education initiatives. Computer science is the fastest-growing profession within the STEM field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that job opportunities for computer science workers will grow 13 percent between 2020 and 2030, yet only 8 percent of STEM graduates earn a computer science degree, and only a small percentage of those come from underserved and historically underrepresented communities, according to the announcement. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was 91,250 dollars in May 2020, which is more than twice the median annual wage for all occupations. Amazon Future Engineer, Amazon's global philanthropic computer science education program, aims to bridge the divide between interested students and computer science courses and opportunities. South Boston, VA (24592) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 62F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. The return of Ambassador will lead to more rapprochement and cooperation for the benefit of the two brotherly countries between Lebanon and Kuwait, a statement by Lebanon's Council of Ministers quoted Al-Qenai as saying on Wednesday. He made the remarks during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who emphasised the depth of Lebanon-Kuwait ties while praising Kuwait for its unwavering support for Lebanon and its efforts to restore ties between Lebanon and Gulf states, Xinhua news agency reported. To protest against the comments made by former Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi, who criticised the Saudi-led coalition's involvement in the civil war of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), recalled their Ambassadors to Lebanon in October 2021. Kuwait launched an initiative in January aimed at restoring ties between Lebanon and Gulf countries. Last week, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait announced the return of its Ambassador to Lebanon, in a positive sign of a thaw in their tense ties. The move came after Najib Mikati pledged to take the necessary and required measures to enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia and other GCC members. Protesters burn tires during clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces after Israeli forces stormed the Jenin refugee camp, in the West Bank city of Jenin, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) CAIRO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) condemned the ongoing "extensive and systematic aggression" in Jenin and other parts of the occupied Palestinian territories, the Cairo-based pan-Arab organization said in a statement on Wednesday. The AL denounced Israel's massive security campaign that has been going on for days, which included unprecedented incursions, arrests and home demolitions against the Palestinians. It described the current Israeli military operations as an "open war on the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem," holding the Israeli government fully and directly responsible for its repercussions. Relatives of Palestinian Ahmed Al Sadi, who was killed during clashes with Israeli forces, mourn during his funeral in the West Bank city of Jenin, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) The pan-Arab organization called on all countries and international bodies and organizations to take urgent and responsible measures to pressure Israel to immediately stop aggression against the Palestinians and to provide "international protection" for them. The recent Israeli raids in Jenin, which killed several Palestinians, came in response to last week's attack by a Palestinian gunman that killed three people on one of the streets in Israel's coastal city of Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said after the attack that there would be "no limits for this war," granting "full freedom" to the Israeli army and security forces to deal with the Palestinians. A child mourns during the funeral of Palestinian Ahmed Al Sadi, who was killed during clashes with Israeli forces, in the West Bank city of Jenin, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has lasted for decades, following the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the founding of Israel as a state in 1948. The Palestinians seek to establish their own independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the UN-backed two-state solution. Protesters hurl stones at an Israeli military vehicle after Israeli forces stormed the Jenin refugee camp, in the West Bank city of Jenin, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Eight years after the abduction of 276 Chibok school girls by Boko Haram, more than 1,500 Nigerian school children have been abducted by armed groups and the Nigerian authorities are failing to protect them, Amnesty International said in a new investigation published today (14 April). The increasingly brazen manner of recent abductions has highlighted the Nigerian authorities' ongoing failures to prevent these crimes from taking place or bring the perpetrators to justice. Osai Ojigho, Amnesty International's Nigeria Director, said: "Nigeria is failing to protect vulnerable children. By refusing to respond to alerts of impending attacks on schools across the north of the country, the Nigerian authorities have failed to prevent mass abductions of thousands of school children. "In all cases, the Nigerian authorities have remained shockingly unwilling to investigate these attacks or to ensure that the perpetrators of these callous crimes face justice. "Every fresh attack is followed by further abductions that deprive school children of their right to liberty - and leave victims' families with no hope of accessing justice, truth or reparations. "The Nigerian authorities must take concrete steps to prevent the abduction of children and ensure that those suspected of criminal responsibility face justice in fair trials and rescue the hundreds of children who remain in captivity." Nearly 1,500 abductions in a 22-month period On 14 April 2014, 276 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram from a secondary school in Chibok, a town in northeast Nigeria. Some of the girls managed to escape, while others were released following campaigning efforts and government negotiations. Despite efforts to free all the pupils, 109 of the girls remain in captivity, and at least 16 have been killed. Since then, abductions have continued. Between December 2020 and October last year, 1,436 schoolchildren - and 17 teachers - were abducted from schools in Nigeria by armed groups. The recent upsurge has triggered prolonged school shutdowns - and in turn led to a decline in school enrolment and attendance, as well as a rise in child marriage and pregnancies of school-age girls. Dozens of children still missing Of the more than 1,500 school children who have been abducted in northern Nigeria since the Chibok attack, at least 120 students remain in captivity. They are mostly schoolgirls, and their fate remains unknown. Of the 102 students who were kidnapped from the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, nine are still being held by their captors. One of the 121 students abducted from Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State remains in captivity. Five of the 19 students abducted from Greenfield University were murdered, while one of the 333 students kidnapped in Kankara was also killed. Five of the 276 students kidnapped in Dapchi were killed, while one student, Leah Sharibu, remains in captivity. And five of the 136 school children kidnapped from Salihu Tanko Islamiya School in Tegina have also been killed. Community stigmatisation One pupil who was interviewed by Amnesty spoke of the persecution she has experienced in her local community after returning home. She said: "They call us Boko Haram wives and our children are not even allowed to mingle with other kids in the village." Another said: "I am happy to be back home, but it's been difficult with no financial support. The Government promised to help us, but we are still waiting for them. I just want to go back to school and continue with my studies. I wish the Government would fulfil their promise to help us." Amnesty interviewed seven parents of schoolchildren who remain in captivity, who described their ordeal as "traumatising". Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Human Rights Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. One mother to Chibok schoolgirls who remain in captivity said: "We sent our children to school, but they are neither in school nor at home. I don't know if I'm going to see my daughters again. The trauma of not knowing where my children are is silently killing me. I am socially and psychologically degenerating." Parents' fear Parents of children who continue to attend school told Amnesty they felt constant fear that their children may never return after leaving home in the morning. Parents whose children are due to start school face the dilemma of whether to enrol them at all. A father-of-three in Jangebe town told Amnesty: "I'm confused right now as I speak to you. My friends and I have been contemplating whether we should enrol our kids in school or not. We fear that they might be carted away by bandits. In fact, in most of our neighbouring communities, the schools are closed for fear of attacks." Minister of state for health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Momora has expressed concern over rising cases of Lassa fever as fatality rate hits 19.1 per cent. Mamora, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, said there has been 3746 suspected cases, in 23 States and 681 confirmed cases with 132 deaths currently. He noted that part of government's response/Interventions to Lassa Fever are enforcement of environmental sanitation and focus on Long term improvement of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to eliminate Cholera. On COVID-19, he said as at 10 April 2022, 4,969,571 million persons have been tested for COVID-19 using either Polymerase Chain Reaction or Rapid Diagnostic Test. He explained that there has been increase in Lagos State, decline in FCT, stability in three States of Kaduna, Kwara and Rivers while others cannot be ascertained. "As at 11 April, 2022 the reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reveals that about 255,468 Nigerians have tested positive to the virus, there are 2,719 active cases while 249,607 people have been treated and discharged, while 3,142 have lost their lives" he explained. However, Mamora said sespite all efforts, a lot still has to be done to reach the 50 per cent eligible population vaccinated by second quarter of the year 2022. "The total number of eligible population fully vaccinated with first and second dose as at 10%," he said Based on percentage, the northern part of the country recorded 2,575 (86.8%) while the southern part of the country recorded 393 deaths averaging (13.2%) 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 country's 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 country's north is the more violent region with 2,575 (86.8%) murders, while the country's south recorded 393 deaths (13.2%) Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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 pension official, John Yusufu Yakubu, pleaded guilty to stealing N24 billion in the pension fund in 2013, but had walked free after paying a paltry N750,000 fine imposed by the trial court. 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 Court's 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 Appeal's lead decision in 2018, was seated beside Mr Abubakar. Mr Agim was not part of the Supreme Court's panel that decided Yakubu's 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. EFCC's 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. 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. EFCC's 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 EFCC's legal team led by Rotimi Jacobs supported by Oluwaleke Atolagbe that the High Court's 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. "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." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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 Appeal's decision overturned by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The people of Effium/Ezza-Effium in Ohaukwu and part of Ebonyi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, were thrown into mourning and confusion, following the invasion of the communities by suspected assailants described as 'Effium warlords' in the state. Vanguard had reported the incident on Monday, April 11. The attack, according to detailed investigation, claimed more than 26 lives and destroyed 17 houses in the early hours of Sunday, April 10. The affected villages include Ohagelede, Umuezeoka, Ebbiaji and Ebbeta, all in Ezza/Effium and part of Ebonyi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi state. Read Also: Ezza Effium/Effium crisis: Ebonyi govt threatens to re-arrest stakeholders Effium/Ezza Effium crisis: No person shall be appointed into state public office until... - Ebonyi Government Umahi receives report on Effium/Ezza-Effium communal crisis During an unscheduled visit to the affected villages, people were seen in groups mourning their family members killed during the attack. Others were busy relocating members of their families, including properties for fear of further attacks by the suspected assailants. They killed my wife, stepmother, brother According to an eyewitness, Chief Daniel Nwanga from Umuezeoka village, the incident happened in the early hours of the day at Ezza villages of Ohagelede, Umuezeoka, Ebbeta and part of Ebonyi Local Government areas, where the alleged assailants from Effium invaded the Ezza-speaking side of the community. Nwanga stated that government ordered a ceasefire since two weeks ago, which they obeyed, but that they never knew that their enemies would come to launch another attack against them. His words: "In the past three weeks, government has ordered a ceasefire in this community and we agreed to obey, because we don't disobey any order from government. "The assailants came in hundreds and killed four at Ogbabruagu; another four at Ebiaji; another four at Ogbaenyigwe and came to Ebbeta and killed six. "They went to Izzi-speaking area to trace our people and also killed eight there and burnt more than 17 houses. "The incident happened on Sunday around 6a.m. and they kept operating till 2p.m. "We called Army people from Nweke Ndiagu, but before they came, the gunmen had already left. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We counted 26 dead bodies. Government should know that we are law-abiding citizens and should know those who committed these atrocities and those sponsoring them should be arrested and prosecuted." Also speaking, Mr. Moses Nwafor from Ebbeta whose wife, step-mother, grandson and younger brother were killed, stated that he doesn't know that the war was still ongoing, because there was ceasefire agreement. He lamented over the loss of four of his family members, including his wife. "Yesterday (Sunday), I started hearing gunshots from afar. Those warlords from Effium came with matchetes and guns; they killed my wife, my step-mother, my grandson and my younger brother. "Their burial is ongoing now. Since this incident started, they told us to respect peace talk, which we did but never knew they will come to attack us." Vanguard News Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has arrested a passenger with dual citizenship (Nigeria and America) with firearms on arrival at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The male passenger, whose name has not been made public, according to an Immigration official, arrived in the country aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston, the United States at about 10:10 am with checked-in firearms. The passenger was said not to have declared the firearms. He said: "Officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service actually intercepted the passenger with the firearms during screening. So far, the passenger is undergoing scrutiny from the officials of the service and will be handed over to the relevant authorities after interrogation." "Besides, we learnt that the passenger with dual citizenship has the approval of the US Government to carry firearms, but such should have been declared at the port of entry, which he didn't do. However, we are yet to verify the documents he's carrying." In civil aviation, passengers with firearms are expected to declare them while boarding and also declare them on arrival at their destination. The American citizen did not declare the firearms as stipulated in international laws on firearms carriage and his paper which permitted him to carry the firearms could not be authenticated. Vanguard News Nigeria The Federal High Court in Abuja had, in 2019, restricted Mr Sowore's movement to Abuja as part of the bail conditions granted him in the treasonable felony trial instituted against him for calling for #RevolutionNow protest against the Buhari administration. The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Wednesday, lifted the movement restriction imposed by a High Court on human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore Mr Sowore announced the Court of Appeal's decision on his Facebook wall, noting that the court described the restriction of his movement to Abuja as excessive. "BREAKING: Court of Appeal in Abuja saying my restriction to Abuja is excessive and now lifted," his Facebook post read on Wednesday. The Federal High Court in Abuja had, in 2019, restricted Mr Sowore's movement to Abuja as part of the bail conditions granted him in his trial on charges of treasonable felony. The Attorney-General of the Federation's office had filed the charges against him after the State Security Service (SSS) arrested him for calling for a nationwide #RevolutionNow protest against President Muhammadu Buhari's administration in August 2019. He and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, who was arrested by the SSS in Osogbo, Osun State, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were subsequently granted bail on terms and conditions they described as "stringent". Stringent bail conditions The controversial bail conditions imposed on Mr Sowore by then trial judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, included a N100 million bail bond with two sureties, one of whom was required to deposit N50 million cash in the court's bank account as security. The two sureties to be produced by him must also be resident in Abuja and have landed property of the same value with the bail bond in the Nigerian capital city. The judge also ordered that the sureties must deposit in the court's registry, the original title documents of their Abuja property. She also ordered that the sureties must swear to affidavits of means and produce evidence of tax clearance for years 2016, 2017 and 2018. In addition to ordering the activist to deposit his passport in the registry of the court, the judge also barred him from travelling outside Abuja throughout the period of his trial. She also barred him from addressing any gathering throughout the period of his trial. In the case of the second defendant, Mr Bakare, Mrs Ojukwu granted him bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety, who must be resident and have property worth that sum in Abuja. The surety was also required to deposit the title document for the property in the court's registry, while Mr Bakare would have to deposit his passport. His surety would also be required to depose to an affidavit of means and submit evidence of tax celarance for years 2016, 2017, 2018. The judge also barred Mr Bakare from addressing any gathering pending the conclusion of their trial. She also ordered that Mr Bakare should not move out of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, where he is resident, unless he was to attend trial in Abuja. She ordered both defendants to be remanded in prison pending when they would meet the bail conditions. Battle for bail conditions variation On October 21, 2019, Mrs Ojukwu granted a partial variation of the bail conditions following an application by Mr Sowore. In her ruling, the judge set aside the bail condition requiring Mr Sowore's surety to deposit N50 million in the court's bank account as security. Mr Sowore met the other bail conditions and the judge subsequently signed a warrant for his release. But still dissatisfied, Mr Sowore approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to have the bail conditions restricting his movement to Abuja and barring him from addressing public gatherings overturned. Appeal Court decision The Court of Appeal upheld Mr Sowore's appeal in part on Wednesday by setting aside the bail condition restricting his movement to Abuja. But the court refused to grant the other prayer calling for the setting aside the condition barring him from speaking to the press. Reacting to the Court of Appeal's decision, Mr Sowore told our reporter that he never allowed the restrictions imposed by the court to cow him. One of the activist's lawyers, Marshal Abubakar, who is of Femi Falana's law firm, said the Court of Appeal's judgment aligned with his team's position that "a court of law cannot grant bail to a person who is still presumed innocent with one hand and take it with another." He added, "The courts have been vehement on the insistence that courts of law are bound to exercise their discretion judicially and judiciously in area they have discretion. "Restricting Sowore to 'Abuja prison' if I'm to paraphrase the words of mi Lord Justice Augie JSC in Ibori VS FRN is excessive, draconian, arbitrary and overreaching." He added that Wednesday's judgement is the fourth Mr Sowore had against the government within a year.' Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Sowore's legal victories In March this year, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared Mr Sowore's arrest over his 2019 #RevolutionNow protest as illegal. Delivering the judgement in the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Mr Sowore, the judge, Obiora Egwuato, ordered the SSS to pay N1 million to the activist. This came about three months after another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Anwuli Chikere, ordered the SSS to pay N2 million to Mr Sowore over the unlawful seizure of his mobile phone at the point of his arrest in 2019. Delivering the judgement in the human rights suit filed by Mr Sowore, the judge, Mrs Chikere, on December 8, 2021, also ordered the SSS to immediately release the iPhone and a cash of N10,000 which were alleged to have been forcefully taken away from him without court warrant. The decisions came as an affirmation of court decisions that had validated the #RevolutionNow protest, and declared the arrest of others who participated in it as illegal. Despite the court decisions, the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation continues to prosecute Mr Sowore and his co-defendants for organising the #RevolutioNow protest at the same Federal High Court whose decisions have validated the protests. The latest attack occurs less than a week after the headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area in the state was razed by gunmen. Four police officers were killed Wednesday when gunmen attacked Atani Divisional Police Headquarters in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria's 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. 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. Mr Mojeed said the move became necessary in view of the country's worsening press freedom record under the current administration. 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 Nigeria's Secretary, Ahmed I. Shekarau, Mr Mojeed said the move became necessary in view of the country's 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 Africa's 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. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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 government's 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. analysis Informal settlements are growing fast in the region, and governments should aim for sustainable 'less-regulated' urbanisation. Population growth and urbanisation are transforming cities across Southern Africa, but unlike in many other parts of the world, the urban transition here isn't paying off. Informal settlements, where people live on unproclaimed land with poor security, little or no access to urban services, and inadequate shelters, will likely remain a feature of urban areas. Local action framed by progressive national policy is needed to guide sustainable 'less-regulated' urbanisation. In the past two decades, cities and towns across Southern Africa have grown by 100 million people. Current estimates show that 179 million people live in urban spaces, totalling 47% of the region's population. Most countries can't keep up with this growth, and urban infrastructure and services are under severe pressure. One of the most noticeable trends has been the region's inability to accommodate this urban growth safely and sustainably, resulting in a massive housing challenge. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT and Cities Alliance) has long placed urbanisation and informality on world agendas. They urged countries to adopt urban policies to address growth and develop city strategies to upgrade slums. Southern African countries have responded well, and many have implemented national urban development plans. But these plans aren't being adequately implemented at city level. National and local governments have been slow to open up land for housing, creating a vacuum filled by unregistered land and informal or unapproved housing. Most states (except Botswana, Seychelles and Mauritius) have seen a dramatic rise in informal urban dwellers. UN-HABITAT's Urban Indicators Database reveals that in 2000, 51 million people lived in informal dwellings in Southern Africa's cities and towns. By 2018 the number had grown to 87 million. Nearly 40% of this growth occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In its capital Kinshasa - one of the world's fastest-growing megacities - current estimates are that three out of four people live in informal areas. And although South Africa has reduced the percentage of people in informal settlements by 7% since 2000, 1.4 million have been added. In Angola, Madagascar and Tanzania, the share of people living in slums has declined by more than 20% since 2000. However, as in South Africa, population growth has been so immense that the absolute number living in shacks has continued to rise. Between these three countries, informality has grown by 8.6 million people. Forecasts show that the region will be home to 700 million people by mid-century. Towns and cities will accommodate 412 million, a staggering growth of 233 million urban dwellers. This rapid expansion of cities in the context of jobless economic growth will make informality inseparable from the region's future. An Institute for Security Studies report notes that this trend will likely accelerate as climate change and conflict pressures build, forcing more rural-urban migration. The drivers behind this uptick in informality are complex but essentially entail a supply-demand mismatch. The supply of registered affordable, well-located land can't keep pace with the growing demand. Releasing residential land that is parcelled, zoned and includes basic services is a long and costly process, often catering only to the middle and wealthy classes. Conferring legal status (individual property title) under current regulations is also costly. Local authorities often avoid such processes, neglecting municipal revenue collection and investment. Planning, zoning and building regulations are still influenced by colonial systems where standards are high and beyond the reach of most urban dwellers. This relegates them to unapproved shelters often located in unsafe places and built with temporary materials. Residents are exposed to increasing risks of heat stress, fires and floods. However, informal settlements can be vibrant and beneficial to seeking to enter urban economies and offer short- to medium-term accommodation solutions. City authorities should develop positive, innovative responses to informal urban growth. National policies and legislation that recognise and improve life in informal settlements are also essential. Rather than ignoring slums in urban land-use plans or pursuing idealistic notions of formalised perfection, informality should be recognised. Local and national governments must face the lived reality of urban migrants and incrementally address the massive challenges. Valuable lessons can be learnt from cities such as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and eThekwini in South Africa. Dar es Salaam has a long history of upgrading unplanned settlements in situ and infrastructure projects where communities manage essential systems and services. eThekwini has developed progressive environmental policies alongside an informal prioritisation model. Regular assessments categorise informal settlements from precarious and in need of emergency responses to those that are more stable and could be regularised and upgraded, in situ, over time. For most urban authorities, the challenge of informal settlement growth is overwhelming. The aspiration shouldn't be some unattainable notion of city planning nor imported notions of individual, private land title across the whole city. These make formal compliance unaffordable for most urban residents. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Southern Africa Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. A recent City Alliance policy paper urges governments and town planners to recognise 'the residents of informal areas as full and equal citizens, deserving of the same dignity, respect and opportunities afforded to all citizens in cities.' It encourages 'the inclusion of all informal areas in city planning processes and the generation of the necessary data to ensure effective planning.' Southern Africa's cities must accommodate rapid urban growth by planning, releasing and preparing safe land for residential and other development. This can allow for guided, less-regulated development rather than ignoring the challenge of informality. National and local governments have the power to achieve this, while the means to execute it lies in the hands of the private sector and civil society. Alize le Roux, Senior Researcher, African Futures and Innovation, ISS and Mark Napier, Principal Researcher, CSIR Development partners: This article is published with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The ISS is also grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, the Open Society Foundations and the governments of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The BRICS sherpas have agreed to further strengthen solidarity and cooperation to address multiple challenges the globe currently facing, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery. The pledge came as the second BRICS sherpas' meeting in 2022 was held from Tuesday to Wednesday via videolink. The meeting was chaired by Ma Zhaoxu, sherpa for BRICS affairs and vice foreign minister of China, and attended by sherpas of Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa and representatives of relevant Chinese departments. Noting that achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals faces new risks and challenges, Ma said BRICS countries should deepen strategic partnership, contribute solutions for maintaining fairness and justice, inject strength into the stability of the global market, build a defense line for the joint fight against the pandemic, and provide impetus for international development cooperation. As the BRICS presidency this year, China looks forward to working with BRICS partners to continue to strengthen communication and coordination, deepen practical cooperation, and ensure the success of the summit, Ma said. The other Sherpas highly appreciated China's leading role as the presidency, fully affirmed the achievements and progress of BRICS cooperation in various fields this year, and expressed that they will continue to support the work of the Chinese presidency. All parties emphasized that the world is currently facing multiple challenges such as the pandemic, weak economic recovery, and the Ukraine crisis. They agreed that BRICS countries should further strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and make greater contributions to improving global governance, promoting economic recovery, implementing the 2030 sustainable development goals and fighting the pandemic. "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 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 Wednesday's Federal Executive Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari. "What the federal government is doing won't 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. It's 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 we'll not give you specific steps we're 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 there'll 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. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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 Wednesday's 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. As part of efforts to tackle the spread, Mr Inname said medical officers have been dispatched to the most affected areas to study the situation. 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, we've 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 lawmakers said there have been reported cases of victimisation and anti-labour activities in the agency while staff are promoted without following due process. The House of Representatives has directed an investigation into the alleged maltreatment of staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the agency's 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 government's activities, has been overwhelmed by politics in terms of staff promotion,' he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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. Since his emergence as Nigeria's number-two citizen, different accounts had been flying around on how Professor Yemi Osinbajo, actually secured the coveted vice-presidential slot, a majority of which revolved around the person of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his former boss. Indeed, the recent revelation by Chief Bisi Akande in his book, "My Participations" was equally slanted to further pin down the narrative. You may recall that in 2016, Professor John Paden, authored a biography, 'Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of leadership in Nigeria', where he dismissed speculations that Tinubu, influenced the emergence of Osinbajo as Buhari's running mate, but contended that Buhari, instead, chose Osinbajo despite a lot of pressure from Tinubu, who was interested in the position. That book raised a lot of dust and as expected, Tinubu's soldiers went for the professor. But, regardless of whichever version you must have read or heard, what you are about to read now is the untold story of how Professor Osinbajo, became Buhari's running mate and eventually, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It happened that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was almost running against the deadline for the submission of names of its candidates ahead of the 2015 presidential election. There was no debate about its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, who had emerged at a convention held in Lagos in December of 2014. But the party had been held hostage on its choice for the running mate. In the forefront of the confusion that had ensued as a result was Tinubu, who didn't hide his desire to fill the slot. He hinged this on the understanding he allegedly had with Buhari in the early days of their proposed alliance, before the merger that eventually culminated in the formation of the APC, now boasting several other tendencies. With a bigger house made possible by what was known as the 'legacy parties' and other individuals, who championed the change movement, a Muslim/Muslim ticket had become arguably impracticable. This much was canvassed by a majority of the actors with stakes in the party, especially, with the increasing attacks from the Boko Haram terrorist group. They had considered a Muslim/Muslim ticket a very hard sell. However, with 24 hours to deadline for submission of names, coupled with the fact that Tinubu had made a smooth choice of a running mate nearly impossible, including the fact that he was made to chair a selection committee, which failed to fly, because of his vested interest, Buhari then decided to take the bull by the horn, being the candidate. While the underhand intrigues subsisted, Buhari had set up a team of some persons, including a former governor of Zamfara State, Abdul-Aziz Yari; former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; incumbent Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal and his predecessor, Magatakarda Wamakko, amongst others to shortlist names of likely candidates for him, from the South. Interestingly, it seemed there was a consensus that with the role of the Southwest, the running mate must come from the zone, reason other interested folks from other parts of the country could not fly. The committee had completed its work and submitted a list of three names to Buhari. First on the list is a former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, followed by Senator Olorunimbe Mamora and third, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Please, follow the trend and how Osinbajo's name first featured in the 2015 theatrics. Armed with the list and wary of the deadline staring him in the face, Buhari left for Tinubu's house in Abuja, first to explain that a Muslim/Muslim ticket was not going to fly, meaning he would be unable to run with him and that in the alternative, he (Tinubu) could recommend anyone from the list to him as his preferred choice for the slot. At least, he thought it was okay to do him that honour. Unfortunately, Tinubu didn't receive the news well and flared up so bad that he was alleged to have engaged in war of words with Buhari, who stormed out of his house, after Tinubu had insinuated betrayal. Amongst those in Tinubu's house at the time were Chief Bisi Akande, Rauf Aregbesola and Adams Oshiomhole. But only Oshiomhole walked Buhari to his car as he made to leave the house. From Tinubu's house, Buhari stopped over at the home of a former governor from the Southern part of the country and told him all that transpired, and went back home - angry and disappointed. Getting home, he sent for Saraki and when the former Senate President got to his place, he narrated what happened and the embarrassment meted out to him, saying if Tinubu wanted a fight, he was ready and he would give it back in full dose. But Saraki pleaded with him that it was too early and that the situation was not what they couldn't manage well before the elections. Saraki immediately contacted a former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and hinted him that there was fire on the mountain and that he needed to come around to join forces with him to manage the situation. Amosun left his home in Abeokuta, first for Lagos and then Abuja, and straight to Buhari's home. Thus, when he got there, he was intimated with all that had happened, but he was particularly worried about deadline and pleaded with Buhari to let him take it over from there. So, he left for Tinubu's place to close the deal. By the time he got to Tinubu's residence, Oshiomhole had left but still with him were Baba Akande and Ogbeni Aregbesola. Typical of Amosun, who would not waste time on anything, he told Tinubu that Buhari's mind was already made up, but that he should decide now, who he wanted as the running mate, at least, that only the individual he chose would be presented to Buhari and not give him the pleasure of choosing from a list. Still angry and disappointed, the first person Tinubu suggested in that rage was Oshiomhole. But as if planned, there was almost a unanimous opposition from everyone in the room. Then, Aregbesola suggested Osinbajo and he (Tinubu) opposed it, saying Osinbajo was one of those, who campaigned against a Muslim/Muslim ticket and must therefore not benefit from it. Now, let's digress a bit. Tinubu's anger against Osinbanjo was this. The former Lagos governor had set up a team of persons close to him to ponder the Muslim/Muslim idea and the best way to push it forward. Those on the team included Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyom, Mr. Wale Edun, Mr. Dele Alake and Mr. Dapo Thomas. The team met regularly at a private Guest House on the Island, Ikoyi to be precise. But Osinbajo had during one of their meetings said pointedly that there was no way he would defend a Muslim/Muslim ticket in good conscience especially, with the state of security in the country. He asked on what account would he go back to his family and say he was part of such a decision? Of course, Tinubu got a feedback from the team and held it against him, even though Osinbajo didn't mean any harm. Therefore, at the mention of Osinbajo, he revolted almost instantly. But he needed to give a name and time was fast going before deadline. So, he asked to see the list brought by Buhari and on sighting it, he said, "Okay, let's run with Oyinlola." To that too, Baba Akande protested and it was back to square one. Again, Aregbesola prevailed and contended that, like it or not, Osinbajo remained a member of Tinubu's political family and therefore, still his best bet. After a few minutes of grumbling, he reluctantly agreed to Osinbajo. And Amosun asked him repeatedly if it was a deal and he responded in the affirmative. Final answer kind of thing! Mamora was not even to be considered as far as Tinubu was concerned. Those who know Lagos politics would understand why. When he finally agreed to Osinbajo, Aregbesola even pleaded to be given the honour of being the person to break the news to Osinbajo. But Amosun didn't have the patience to acquiesce to that request. For him, time was of the essence and that assignment was handled business-like. Therefore, how Baba Akande handed them a note with Osinbajo's name and ordered them to Buhari is still a mirage. Besides, Aregbesola did not go with him. Anyway, in the presence of all, Amosun made a call to Osinbajo to ask, where he was and that a plane would be sent to convey him now to Abuja. But, incidentally, Osinbajo replied that he was in Abuja already, because he had a case at the Supreme Court. Great, everything seemed to be working together for good, he reckoned. Then asked him to come immediately to Ogun House in Abuja, and when he arrived, he first congratulated him saying, "You're the next vice-president of Nigeria." With a confounding gaze, he conveyed him in his (Amosun's) car and drove straight to Buhari's house, with Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance, sitting in front of the car. Getting to the candidate's residence, Amosun asked Osinbajo to wait downstairs, while he went upstairs to see the president and told Buhari: "I have him sir," and Buhari asked: "Who?" and he replied: "Your running mate". The APC candidate then came downstairs, where he first met with Osinbajo for the first time as introduced to him by Amosun and immediately, ushered them to a sitting area in the kitchen, where his nomination form was filled in a hurry. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Osinbajo, filling his form in Buhari's dinning area, was guided by Mrs. Adeosun, Amosun and Sarki Abba, one of Buhari's domestic staff, to hasten up the process. Buhari, too, was there watching them complete the process. This is why for those, who know the story, how Osinbajo later turned out to be Amosun's enemy remains a mystery to them. But with this insider picture of how Osinbajo 'walked from Lagos to Abuja', readers can now decide by themselves, the person, who actually made Osinbajo the vice president. To do this, however, five centres must be factored into account. The first is the team set up by Buhari, which included him amongst the three potential candidates. The second is Aregbesola, who consistently mentioned him until it was approved. The third is Tinubu, who reluctantly agreed to his choice, without which they probably would have been unable o move on. The fourth was Amosun, who had to run a major and serious race from Abeokuta to Lagos and Abuja to make sure that phase in the life of APC was closed. The fifth and most important is Buhari himself. He could have rejected him if he wanted to. After all, he was going to be working with him and definitely should have a say in the choice of his partner. But if you asked this writer, no one person made Osinbajo vice president. The coming together of everyone as designed by God did the job. Therefore, no one person can claim the glory. This, in a nutshell, is the story of Osinbajo's journey to the seat of power, Abuja. All the additions and facts deliberately mutilated by Baba Akande are curious. But, it is understandable. Above all, if you are in doubt, many names are mentioned here as witnesses to the journey, you can check with them all. By Higher Nigeria Movement Facebook: facebook.com/HNM2023 Instagram: instagram.com/hnm_2023 Twitter: twitter.com/HNM2023 The federal government has commenced the training of 120 cassava farmers from Ondo, Edo and Ekiti States on good agricultural practices, control and management of whiteflies infestation on cassava farms. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday at a workshop on capacity building and development for cassava farmers at the Federal College of Agriculture, Training Centre, Akure, Ondo State. Abubakar, who was represented by the Ondo State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Tony Otunoye, said the training became necessary to sensitise farmers and other stakeholders along the cassava value chain from the three states, through the workshop to spread the basic concept of agricultural best practices on whitefly and disease control in cassava production. He said: "Whitefly is an old scourge but cassava farmers are now overlooking it, but the disease is coming stronger. The cassava varieties that we released then are losing vigour, so the Ondo State programme manager of Agriculture Development Programme (ADP) and his team alerted the federal government and we have to swing into action. "So, this training is to teach cassava farmers on how to manage the disease and increase their production." He stressed that the essence of the training is to ensure that cassava production system is aimed toward sustainable agriculture and ecologically safe, so as to obtain harmless products of high quality, and to contribute to food security and income generation. In his remark, Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Olayato Aribo, described the training of cassava farmers from the three states as monumental intervention from the federal government. Aribo who was represented by the Programme Manager, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Babasola Adeniyan, explained that "the whitefly insect does one thing on the cassava plants: it sucks the circle of the plant and reduces the plant activity. It also transmits a very dangerous disease called Cassava Mosaic Virus (CMV) to the cassava plants." He noted that Ondo State had combated whiteflies many years ago but saw it again towards the end of 2021, hence the need to call the attention of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to step in. "From one hectare of cassava, an average farmer is supposed to have 25 - 30 tons of roots but the yield was reduced generally to about 20 tons because of this disease." Earlier, the Deputy Director, Roots and Tuber, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Raji Hakeem, said that it is important to establish best agricultural practices, control and management of insect pest, whiteflies and other diseases in order to foster sustainable production, while contributing to the country's foreign exchange earnings. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Hakeem said: "No cassava crop will produce well where the best and desirable agronomic practices such as weed, whitefly pest and disease control are ignored, hence the need to sensitize cassava farmers in Nigeria on improved methods and best practices of weed, pest and disease control to increase cassava yield." The Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Dr. Akinyemi Albert Fadiyi, said the institution has a team of cassava production experts that are collaborating with research institutes basically, towards the training of farmers, eradication of whiteflies and ensuring that new varieties of cassava evolve that can resist this disease and spread same to farmer. Highlight of the event include lectures, distribution of manual chemical spraying machines and insecticides to the farmers. Most of those affected were children between the age of 15 and 17 going to fetch firewood in the bush across the river. No fewer than 26 people have died and several are missing after a boat capsized in the Shagari River in Sokoto State on Tuesday evening. The chairperson of the Shagari Local Government, Aliyu Dantani, confirmed the incident while addressing journalists at the scene of the accident. Mr Dantani said many of those who died from the mishap were children between 15 and 17-year-old going to fetch firewood across the river. He said the number of people on the boat was unknown, he added that 26 bodies have been retrieved from the river so far. He said the rescue operation spearheaded by local divers is still ongoing. "What is happening now is that there is a kind of an unholy handshake between bandits and Boko Haram insurgents." Nigeria's 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. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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 don't 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. "All 33KV feeders from these two sub-stations will be out until the towers are reconstructed." 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." Nigeria's 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. Again, the House of Representatives is utterly livid with President Muhammadu Buhari and the various heads of security agencies for failing in their responsibility of protecting Nigerians. Recall that the House penultimate week expressed its disappointment in the same leadership following reports of mass killings in Minna, Niger State which happened alongside Kaduna airport and train attacks. The House had through a motion it considered called for the resignation of the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongunu. The Leader of the House, Hon. Ado Doguwa had on the heels of the motion asked that Nigerians should be allowed to bear arms to defend themselves. Two weeks after, the House, Wednesday, via another motion on the recent killing of over 92 Nigerians in various communities of Kanan and Wase local government areas of Plateau State renewed the call for the sack of the NSA and the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi. The House was also dismayed by the apparent inability of the present government to end insecurity in the country. Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi at the plenary raised the motion titled "Terrorist Attack on Kanam and Wase Communities of Plateau State" under matters of urgent public importance. According to Gagdi, on Sunday 10th April, 2022, terrorists unleashed terror on the people of the local government areas. He said: "On Sunday 10th April, 2022 around 10am, 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. The total of Forty one (41) houses, Eighty six (86) shops and Eight (8) motorcycles were completely burnt and destroyed leaving a total of Three Thousand Four Hundred and Thirteen (3,413) persons displaced. "Over 20 victims that sustained various degrees of injuries are currently receiving medication at Garga Primary Health Care, Dengi General Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Bauchi and Jos University Teaching Hospital respectively. Dengi, the headquarters of Kanam Local Government Area, Jarmai, Garga, are among the locations housing various displaced persons. Wase the headquarters of Wase Local Government is housing over 40 displaced families." He said that despite intelligent reports, the security agencies failed to act. "Despite intelligent reports by the Department of State Service, on the influx of terrorist fleeing to Plateau and other neighboring communities of Wase and Kanam Lo cal 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 terrorist in Kambari forest in Taraba State as well as Bangala in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State where these terrorists use to organize and coordinate attacks on innocent citizens of Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria. "The House of Representatives passed a resolution on a similar motion on 14th December, 2021 and many other security resolutions over the past and have communicated all the resolutions to Government and all security agencies, but unfortunately no action was taken by the Government. "If no stringent security measures are taking to safeguard the lives of our people in compliance with Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) particularly Section 14 (2) (b) which clearly states thus: that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government", Gagdi said in the motion. Speaking further, the lawmaker said the powers to secure Nigerians squarely falls on the President. He said: "Who's responsible is the question. We have governors. We have National Assembly members. Who's responsible for the safety, security of lives and properties of the people of this country. Without fear of political misrepresentation, it's Mr. President. "We must ask ourselves questions. Insecurity issues will never be discussed correctly if you don't 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 allowed that thing to happen? 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 has neglected his responsibility. Either the President doesn't hold the services accountable for protecting the lives of citizens of Nigeria and the services commandant too for not responding to security report and distress calls and allow Nigerians to be killed like animals. This is not acceptable. We must hold somebody responsible for failing in the discharge of the duties to Nigeria people". Similarly, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) in his contribution said that the parliament must rise up to hold the government accountable. "We have come to a situation in this country where evil is perpetrated and no one is held accountable for the perpetration. We are the privileged class. We move around with convoys and security men. We are being paid to occupy this position of privilege by the sweat and taxes of some people. The part of this motion that touched me was the reference that there were early warning signals, information given to security agencies about the plans by some terrorists to attack innocent persons and this information were not acted upon by the security agencies. Is it that they feel the information is not important or that there are people they can't touch? We must get to the root of this matter. This has to come to a stop. It appears there's absence of government from executive level. The parliament must rise up to that responsibility", he said. Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed (APC, Katsina) in his contribution said accused the security agencies of abdicating on their constitutional mandates. "I advise that we the National Assembly as lawmakers need to do more than we think we are doing. When it's appropriation period we don't take things seriously. These people will come and present their budget and we approve and they move on. There's no oversight so how do you excuse to checkmate them? It's business, there's no military coup so they know the only way they can make money is through this. In my constituency, no security is doing his job. They all ask for money. None is willing to come out and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. I don't understand what is happening in this country", he said. In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), who presided over the plenary regretted that the early warning signals were not heeded. He also revealed that a police personnel was supplying uniforms to bandits. "The early warning that was given I brought the motion and it was well debated. This situation is not about politics. Anyone that wants to politicize this is making a huge mistake. In my own community, we heard 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 6 months pass? Even when we raise motions, it's sufficient for securities to act but they are adamant. Drastic actions must be taken against some officers", he said. On his part, Hon. Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe) suggested that the NSA and the defence minister should be relieved of their duties for not being diligent to their duties. "I believe the President of the country is responsible for every action or inaction that happens in the land. He took an oath that he's going to perform his responsibilities and duties without fear or favor. I believe he's old enough to give this country the leadership it requires, but why I blame the President is why would he believe monopoly of knowledge. Why would you continue maintaining one national security adviser over all these years of your government? The NSA is supposed to present to the President an executive summary of what the security situation of the land is, and the President will act on his advice. So why keep someone who cannot see outside the box? If the President means well for this country, he must sack the National Security Adviser and the minister of Defence. A minister that cannot move to Kaduna when there are train attack, how can he coordinate the defense apparatus?" Adopting the motion, the House adopted the calls for the sack of the security heads. It also urged the President to as a matter of urgency direct the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Service to initiate a coordinated Joint Security Operation and provide aerial surveillance and support to flush out the terrorists and destroy their camps particularly in Kambari in Taraba State and Bangala in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The House also urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya to establish military bases in the affected communities in Angon-Gyero, Kyensar in Munbutbo, Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Kukawa, Dada areas of Garga, Dugub in Kanam Local Government Areas; Zurak Pinau, Zak, Sabon gari, Dogon-ruwa, Gimbi, and Yuli of Wase Local Government Area; Gwamu, Barkin amar, Kwata, Nanido, Tungan Shishsi, Gora, Kurmin shofol. The parliament also urged the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali to immediately deploy mobile police force squadrons to maintain law and order and provide Mobile Police Force Squadron formation in the affected communities. It also urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide relief materials to the victims of the attacked in communities within Kanam Local Government Area. The House mandated its 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 and furnish it with a weekly report until the insecurity was brought under control. Also considering a similar motion presented by Hon. Bem Mzondu and Hon. John Dyegh (both PDP, Benue) on killings in Benue State, the House said that the nation was bleeding. The movers of the motion on the terrorists attacks in Mbadwem and Tiortyu communities in Guma and Tiortyu Local Government Areas had called for the resignation of the people in charge of security. Contributing to the motion, the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC, Abia) said the nation is under siege. She said: "Our nation is under siege. We don't know the next community or state that will be attacked. Nothing is being done. Nigerians need to be reassured of their safety. We give information to those responsible to nip it to the bud but they don't do anything". Vanguard News Nigeria The federal government Wednesday attributed the cause of the recent attack on a Kaduna-bound train to the unholy alliance between Boko Haram insurgents and rampaging bandits. It said though security agencies are still working hard to unveil the group behind the attack, preliminary report shows that the criminal groups were collaborating, but urged Nigerians to also collaborate with government to smoke the criminals out. Briefing newsmen at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), and his Information and Culture counterpart, Lai Mohammed, assured Nigerians that the government was on top of the matter. Magashi, while responding to a question on whether government has identified those behind the attack said: "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 attacks 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." Also speaking, Mohammed said: "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." Details later... People walk in a street in Chinatown in Manhattan of New York, the United States, June 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) Anti-Asian racism is deeply rooted in American society, dating back to before the original Asian Exclusion Act of the 1880s, but it has risen during the pandemic with anti-Asian rhetoric from politicians. NEW YORK, April 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Asian Americans have faced a triple threat of racial prejudice, mental health concerns in the community and economic loss, according to a new report from the Institute for Asian American Studies at University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston). Fifty four percent of Chinese respondents and more than a third of Vietnamese respondents said people acted afraid of them because of their race, public media organization GBH NEWS in Boston, Massachusetts, cited the report on Wednesday. More than a quarter of Vietnamese respondents said they felt threatened or harassed because of their race, and 15 percent of Chinese respondents said the same, according to the UMass Boston survey. The report was the first to reach out to the Asian American community in the area using a multilingual questionnaire, reaching 199 respondents from various parts of Boston, Malden, Quincy, Everett and Cambridge. Anti-Asian racism is deeply rooted in American society, dating back to before the original Asian Exclusion Act of the 1880s, but it has risen during the pandemic with anti-Asian rhetoric from politicians, Jyoti Sinha, founder of the South Asian Workers' Center and a professor at UMass Boston, was quoted as saying. The group said these corrupt practices have been found to have made more women poor. 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 group's 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 Olulowo's 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 government's 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. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Women Nigeria Corruption By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "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 state's 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 nation's 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. Terrorists attacked communities in two local government areas in Plateau State on Sunday. 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 don't 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 it's 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. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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. Abuja THE Senate will today, Thursday, pass the revised 2022 fiscal framework before adjourning on the Easter break. This was disclosed yesterday by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, after the report of the Committee on Finance was stepped down yesterday for consideration. The Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, APC, Kebbi North who moved a motion for the report to be stepped down, explained that its deferred consideration till tomorrow, Thursday, April 14, 2022, would allow lawmakers make their inputs. President Buhari, in the letter dated 5th April, 2022, requested the Senate to adjust the 2022 fiscal framework. According to him, doing so became necessary in view of new developments in both the global and domestic economies, adding that the developments were occasioned by spikes in the market price of crude oil, which were a fallout of the Russian-Ukraine war. He, therefore, requested the upper chamber to approve an increase in the oil benchmark by US$11 per barrel, from US$62 per barrel to US$73 per barrel. The President also sought a reduction in the projected oil production volume by 283,000 barrels per day, from 1.883 million barrels per day to 1.600 million barrels per day. He also asked the chamber to approve an increase in the estimated provision for PMS subsidy for 2022 by N3.557 trillion, from N442.72 billion to N4.00 trillion. President Buhari, underscored the need for a cut in the provision for Federally funded upstream projects being implemented by N200 billion, from N352.80 billion to N152.80 billion. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He proposed an increase in the projection for Federal Government Independent Revenue by N400 billion; and an additional provision of N182.45 billion to cater for the needs of the Nigerian Police Force. In a related development, the Senate also stepped down consideration of a bill to amend the 2022 Appropriation Act. The chamber, however, considered three bills which scaled second reading during plenary yesterday. The bills seek to provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences Azare, Bauchi; Federal College of Education Jama're, Bauchi State; and to repeal the Immigrations and Prisons Services Board Act and to Enact the Internal Affairs Services Board Act. The bills were sponsored by Senators Jibrin Barau (Kano North) and George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East). The bills after consideration were referred by Ahmad Lawan to the Committees on Health (Secondary and a Tertiary); Tertiary Institutions and TETfund; and Interior, respectively. The Committees were all given four weeks to report back to the chamber in plenary. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said that Nigeria now has 3.3 million people displaced by various crisis rocking the nation. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the stakeholders' workshop on the Best Practices for Stabilization in West Africa, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Madam Finda Koroma, said the issue of displacement in the West Africa region needs to be addressed. She said: "We also need to address the crisis of displacement. For instance, Burkina Faso has experienced an explosion in its forced displacement crisis because of militant Islamist group violence originating in Mali. Its current 1.2 million displaced population represents a nine-fold increase from 2019. "Additionally, violent attacks by Boko Haram in the Northeastern in Nigeria, have resulted in the displacement of 2.5 million Nigerians, whilst kidnappings, extortion, and organised criminal attacks in the Northwest have displaced an additional 800,000 people." Koroma said: "We need to find a way to return these communities to the homes, safely." She disclosed that: "It is against this backdrop that ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with development organisations and governments, have embarked on an ambitious journey of introducing interventions designed to stabilise conflict affected areas, address the root causes of insecurity, and set them on the path for sustainable development through recovery and building community resilience. "In partnership with the German government, we have established the ECOWAS Fund for Regional Stabilisation and Development in fragile member states. The objective of this programme is to stabilise conflict affected communities through provision of sustainable economic opportunities and essential services for conflict affected communities, construction or rehabilitation of key national infrastructure and capacity building for governance and security institutions." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria West Africa Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Koroma noted that ECOWAS Stabilisatiom programme was launched in The Gambia as a pilot project and in 2020, Guinea Bissau, Niger and Mali form part of the first phase of the regional project. She revealed that the programme has so far committed about 45 million in the pilot and regional scale-up phases, stressing that: "The ECOWAS Commission has also contributed US$1 million on an annual basis since 2019." She said: "It is worth noting that border communities are often most vulnerable to conflict and that many of our own interventions will necessarily include a cross border element. "Moreover, projects that are implemented on both sides of border communities foster regional integration which embodies the main mandate of ECOWAS." analysis The withdrawal of French troops from Mali comes after nine years of fighting the Islamist insurgency. On 17 February, France and its European allies announced that they would begin withdrawing troops from Mali after nearly nine years of fighting an Islamist insurgency. The move followed a breakdown in relations with Mali's ruling junta, which took power in the coup in May 2021, and is the culmination of rising anti-French sentiment in the country. Neighbouring Niger welcomed France's plan to redeploy troops to its territory, but other countries in the region - such as Burkina Faso and Guinea - are reportedly evaluating their relationship with France now too. Insecurity in the Sahel The Islamist insurgency in northern Mali began in 2012. It has since displaced about half a million people and led to hundreds of deaths. France first deployed troops to Mali in 2013 to popular celebration. Its intervention was initially successful in stemming the rebel advance and returning key cities such as Timbuktu to government control. Over the years, however, armed militants have regrouped and expanded the scope of their operations. Rising attacks in Burkina Faso since around 2015, for instance, have contributed to a humanitarian crisis that has now forced 1.7 million people to leave their homes. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, Burkina Faso is now the epicentre of the conflict, as exemplified by the 5 June 2021 attack in which gunmen killed around 160 people in the northern town of Solhan. Political instability has both added to this insecurity in the region and resulted from it. Since 2019, there have been four successful coups in the Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, and Mali) and two failed ones (Guinea Bissau and Niger). Some analysts suggest the perceived success of some coups in the region has contributed to attempts by others. According to Paul Melly at Chatham House's Africa programme, the rise of coups has "generated a broader sense of destabilisation" and that "soldiers contemplating putsch attempts may increasingly feel empowered to do so". The coups have also had some common factors. The overthrow in Burkina Faso this January, for instance, followed rising popular protests over the government's perceived failure to stop armed attacks. As Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, director of the Africa Programme at the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), points out, Burkina Faso has seen military takeovers before, but the 2022 coup was notable for "happening at the same time as increased terrorist attacks". Mali's coups have been similarly driven in part by the perception that the government has failed to manage the Islamist insurgency, and many citizens have supported the overthrows in the hope that new governments will do better at tackling insecurity. At the same time, Mali's coups have led to a deterioration in relations with France. This souring began following the August 2020 coup and worsened after the May 2021 coup, eventually leading France to announce its military withdrawal. The 2022 Mali Country Report in the Bertelsmann Stiftung's Transformation Index (BTI) underscores how this political instability has led Mali to regress. Its governance index, which charts elites' consistency in pursuing democracy based on the rule of law and a market economy, has reduced from 5.19 (out of a possible 10) in 2020 to 4.66 in 2022. And, as the report summarises: "Today's political and security situation hardly differs from that of 2012, with two-thirds of the country's territory still outside the state's control despite the intervention of the international community since 2013." Turning to Russia? The withdrawal of about 2,400 French troops in Mali comes at a time that the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary outfit, is making increasing inroads in the country. The private military company, first established in 2014 to support pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, has been forging closer links with the Malian junta. It also has operations in the likes of the Central African Republic, Chad and Mozambique. Despite both Bamako and Moscow's claims that Russians in Mali are only trainers and not mercenaries, there have been increasing reports of Wagner fighters being seen around the country. Last month, suspected Russian mercenaries working with the Malian army are alleged to have killed about 300 people in five days in the northern Mopti region. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines West Africa Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. For many African countries, Russia provides an attractive alternative to France and the West. For Mali, it makes its former colonial master's announced withdrawal more manageable. Russia's support comes with few conditions and less historical baggage than former colonial powers and the US. This is partly why, in the UN General Assembly vote to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, 17 African countries - about a third - abstained. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, by opting to relatively neutral on the Russian invasion, African leaders are "weighing their philosophical commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity against concrete material and military support from a leader whose intentions they suspect, but whose support with no strings attached has come in handy." Eromo Egbejule is a Nigerian journalist. Amongst others, he writes for the Bertelsmann Stiftungs BTI Blog. A government official says flooding in KwaZulu-Natal province has caused the deaths of 259 people. Many people are still missing and thousands of others have been displaced. Flooding in South Africa's eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal has killed at least 259 people, officials announced on Wednesday. The latest figure eclipses the previous number of 59 fatalities reported by government. Earlier on Wednesday, the province's health chief Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu told local news station eNCA that late on Tuesday over 250 bodies had been received at mortuary facilities. "As of late last night, we had received something close to 253 bodies in our two different mortuaries," Simelane-Zulu said. The minister confirmed the figure when asked by the eNCA reporter and said they were directly linked to the floods. That number rose a short while later with the spokeswoman for disaster management confirming that the number had now hit 259 deaths. Heavy rain causes flooding and landslides The torrential rain has caused homes to collapse and hillsides have been swept away. DW correspondent Adrian Kriesch is in the port city of Durban and tweeted from the scene where homes had caved in on families sheltering inside. "Shocking and sad how many kids died during the floods. Those are the books of 10-year-old Ayanda, her room collapsed on her. In the neighbors house three people passed away. An old lady with her two grandchildren. The youngest was three." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Environment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. South Africa's president has pledged support to those affected. "President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently here, he's talking to the residents, assessing their needs trying to help. At the moment the government says the major challenge is find all the victims but also assist those who lost their houses," Kriesch said. According to local government officials, many people are unaccounted for. Record rainfall continues falling Rain has continued to fall in parts of the province and flood warnings have also been issued in the neighboring province of the Eastern Cape. Torrential rain swamped communities in the coastal city and surrounding areas over the past few days. According to the South African Weather Service more than 300 millimetres (13 inches) fell on Monday, making it the heaviest total of rainfall seen in a single day in 60 years. "Some areas in KwaZulu-Natal have received more than double the maximum rainfall recorded during previous record rainfalls," the service's spokeswoman, Hannelee Doubell, told AFP news agency. KwaZulu-Natal was one of the worst-affected provinces in last years outbreak of violence and looting in July, which saw at least 330 people killed. The violence broke out after the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma, for failing to appear before an inquiry into corruption during his presidency. (AFP, Reuters) opinion The EU's decision to limit the training of Malian soldiers is correct and long overdue. But Europe must not forget Mali and leave it to its own devices, writes Dirke Kopp. First there were whispers, then there were rumors, and now it's finally been confirmed: The EU will stop training Malian army personnel and the National Guard -- and it's right to do so. For months there has been serious doubt over the sincerity and transparency of the Malian transitional government's policies. Since the military coup d'etat, there have been no signs that the army is interested in returning the country to democracy anytime soon. All efforts by the West African trade bloc ECOWAS and the international community have run aground. The relationship between Mali and former colonial power France is at an all-time low. In contrast, Mali's cooperation with Russia seems to be running smoothly. The military government denies it is working with Russian mercenaries affiliated to the Wagner Group, claiming instead the Russians are acting only in a military training capacity. However, there are numerous indications proving the presence of the Wagner Group in Mali. In many quarters, the Wagner Group has been described as the private army of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The recent atrocities against Malian civilians and current images from Ukraine give an indication of what these soldiers and the regular Russian army are capable of doing. As long as the Malian transitional government's cozy relationship with Russian mercenaries continues, the EU should not train Malian soldiers or security forces. A different form of help However, it is critical that the EU does not completely end its activities in Mali. Instead, the bloc should continue to advise security forces and train them on the rules of warfare in the interests of observing human rights. Even before the coups of 2020 and 2021, the UN and civil society organizations accused the Malian armed forces (Forces armees maliennes, FAMa) of human rights abuses. Only the frequency and brutality have increased. Recently, during a major military operation against alleged terrorists in the town of Moura 200 people were killed, including many civilians. Survivors told DW that they were arbitrarily arrested and held for days. Eyewitnesses say others were shot in the back. Multiple survivors also spoke of "white soldiers" or even explicitly mentioned Russians who took part in the executions. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mali Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The military regime in Mali initially denied the claims, but then announced an investigation into the incident -- possibly to send a positive signal or as an attempt to stifle local discontent. So far, the military government of President Assimi Goita has managed to maintain popular support. With the use of propaganda and trolls, anti-Western sentiment has gained traction. Still, the investigation will not be independent because of Russia's position in the UN Security Council. Germany's strong relationship with Mali German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's visit to Mali, is therefore timely and sends a strong signal, because talking to Mali's new rulers is crucial. Despite the good work between Germany and France in Europe, Germany should emancipate its foreign policy strategies in Africa from French interests and not make the mistake of letting France take the lead in french-speaking Africa. French interests and influence in that region of Africa are numerous, and Germany should not ignore them. As it is, you already get the impression that you're in Paris rather than Bamako or Niamey when you fill up your Renault at a Total gas station; make phone calls over the Orange cell network, or shop at Carrefour. And those are just the most visible French brands. Germany has a better reputation in Mali than France and has been perceived as a key ally ever since it recognized Mali's independence. Baerbock should use this advantage to convince Mali's government that Russia's assistance comes at a cost, and that it risks entering into new form of dependency: One that will trample on the human rights of ordinary Malians. This piece was originally written in German. In an unexpected announcement, Prime Minister Patrick Achi and his Cabinet have tendered their resignation. The leader of Ivory Coast's government had held the job for a little over a year. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara announced on Wednesday that the country's prime minister, Patrick Achi, had submitted his resignation. Ouattara made the announcement at the opening of Achi's last Cabinet meeting. The Ivorian president vowed "to appoint a new prime minister who will come to me to propose a streamlined government" by next week. "I have decided to reduce the number of government ministers in order to strengthen government effectiveness and bearing in mind the current world economic situation," Ouattara said. "It is crucial to reduce state spending and steer it towards social and security resilience," he added. One year on the job Achi became prime minister in April 2021, as the West African nation was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was appointed head of government after his predecessor Hamed Bakayoko died of cancer. Bakayoko also became prime minister after Amadou Gon Coulibaly died suddenly in July 2020. "Throughout the past year, despite the exceptional conditions arising from the pandemic as well as the complex regional security environment, you have demonstrated commitment and determination," President Ouattara said, praising Achi. Achi has not yet commented on his own resignation, but in his last Cabinet meeting, he said that his decision to resign followed the intentions by the president to re-shuffle the government. (Reuters, AFP) analysis As Kenya gears up for its general election in August, the safety of politicians is coming under scrutiny. But Kenyan analysts are optimistic that there will be no repeat of the violence that defined the 2007 elections. The run-up to Kenyan elections, such as the August 9, 2022, general election, carries a certain sense of foreboding for aspiring politicians and their staff. Winning an election may be the goal, but facing threats, kidnappings, assault, and even death is not out of the question. Recently, Kisii politician Thomas Okari was found dead with stab wounds at his home in Kisii County near Lake Victoria. Across the country, in Mombasa, United Democratic Alliance member and local politician Ali Mwatsahu survived an attack when unknown gunmen sprayed his vehicle with bullets. Mwatsahu is running for member of parliament of Mvita, a hotly contested seat in the coastal city. But it's not just local politicians targeted. In 2017, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ICT manager Chris Msando was tortured and strangled. His remains were found in the Maguga forest in Kiambu County. According to political scientist Brian Wanyama Singoro of Kibabii University, even presidential candidates are not out of the woods, referring to a recent incident where rowdy youths stoned the helicopter of opposition leader Raila Odinga. "The security agencies and the government came in very strongly," Wanyama told DW. "They arrested the culprits. The following day, [Deputy President] William Ruto apologized on behalf of his people [supporters] because this incident took place in his political stronghold. If this incident had been ignored, I'm very sure it would elicit a lot of revenge from Raila Odinga's followers." Big shots battle for the top job The 2022 elections see two Kenyan stalwarts go toe-to-toe for the country's top office. Deputy President William Ruto faces opposition leader Raila Odinga. But, in a twist of loyalties, outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta ditched his deputy and has thrown his weight behind the opposition leader Odinga to succeed him. This election would mark the fifth time Raila Odinga has been vying for the presidency. Kenya's multiparty electionshave historically not always gone smoothly. The 2007-2008 general election between incumbent Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga descended into chaos, ushering in one of the darkest chapters of the country's political history since independence in 1963. The post-election violence claimed the lives of more than 1,300 people and displaced up to 600,000. The trauma of 2007 lives on Joyce Chepkemoi, 39, barely survived the 2007 elections after she and her husband were brutally attacked and mutilated by a mob carrying machetes. Her husband was killed. Chepkemoi recalled that she was so severely injured that she was left for dead, regaining consciousness in a morgue: "I won't vote again in the Kenya elections. I am against tribalism, elections, violence and protests. I urge especially the youth not to be violent in the elections like what we went through in 2007. Whoever is in power, let them rule, let us just have peace with our children," she told DW. Ten years later, the 2017 election witnessed a lesser degree of violence. Gladys Muchiri, 29, who runs her own small business, experienced the 2017 elections in Kisumu county. She believes politicians tend to exploit ethnic divisions: "We all know elections in Kenya are tribe-oriented," she said, adding that leaders abuse Kenya's diverse ethnicity by "using the divide and rule technique." However, Kenyan political pundit and cartoonist Patrick Gathara argues that because this year will see a new leader in power, he's optimistic there will be less violence. No incumbent, no problem "I don't expect anything along the scales of 2007/2008," Gathara told DW, adding, "the state is the number one perpetrator of violence when it comes to elections. It is not just politicians sort of going out and inciting people." He said the police killed the vast majority of people in 2007. "And once the state doesn't have as much of a stake, there is much less incentive for people to shoot people." Human Rights Watch also singled out Kenyan policeas acting with impunity. The rights organization sees this as a cause for concern in the East African state, noting that security forces' multiple cases of abuse, including killings, go unpunished. Ironically, this dynamic might help decrease election violence perpetrated by security forces, according to Gathara. "When there is no incumbent, the state is trying to hedge their bets because they're not sure who's going to come in next. It might be Odinga, it might be Ruto. They don't want to be on the wrong side of that historical divide." Improved judicial independence Wanyama also points to the state of Kenya's courts as a reason for optimism. "We have also seen the independence of the Supreme Court," he told DW, citing the court's opposition to President Kenyatta's Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which was seen as a blow to the ruling elite. He argued that no group would sway the court, which has boosted ordinary Kenyans' confidence. "Our hope is that the court will do a good job, unlike in 2007 and those other years where the courts were easily manipulated by government. It looks like now things have changed and everybody has to play ball." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Wary of political "theater" Gathara is still wary of taking accusations of political targeting at face value. While acknowledging the dangers for local politicians and the deadly precedents for politically motivated violence around elections. "Many times, claims are made for the purpose of garnering the attention and sensationalizing differences and issues," he says. However, Gathara added that the problem is bigger, in terms of occurrence and seriousness, at a local political level than at the national level. Wanyama also points out that acts of violence targeting politicians have the opposite effect and "galvanizes" support for the opponent. "Unfortunately, some of our politicians have perfected the art of using force to their advantage. It does not create unity; it just helps creating divisions that are not healthy to any of our citizens." Still, Nairobi residents like 35-year-old Jay Maina, who lives in an informal settlement, are already wary of the upcoming months. Many Kenyans leave the urban areas around election times. With a sense of worry, he told DW: "There is some tension, there is some panic before the elections. There might be some intimidation, so people have tried to go back to their ancestral land." Andrew Wasike in Nairobi contributed to this article. Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu Nairobi The High Court has declared sections of Elections Act unconstitutional and of no legal effect. The ruling by Justice Anthony Mrima effectively throws out degree requirement for Members of Parliament. Members of the National Assembly in 2017 amended Section 22 of the Election Act that prescribes minimum academic qualifications for lawmakers. Mrima had suspended Section 22 of the Election Act, pending the hearing of a petition filed by four residents of Narok, who argue that the law is discriminatory. GABORONE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Botswana on Wednesday night reiterated its donation of 500 elephants to Mozambique made towards the tail end of 2018, saying the translocation of the large mammals in nigh. "We look forward to their (elephants) subsequent translocation to Mozambique in the near future," said President Mokgweetsi Masisi at the state banquet on the occasion of the state visit to Botswana by the President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi held in Botswana's capital, Gaborone. Masisi said Botswana is very keen to see the elephants finally roaming their new habitat thus the forests in the Mozambican territory. National Administration for the Conservation Areas (ANAC), a state institution responsible for the conservation of the biodiversity in Mozambique, recently reported that Botswana's neighboring country lost 10,000 elephants since 2009 due to a variety of reasons including poaching. Despite losing close to 350 elephants between 2020 and last year due to suspected cyanobacteria toxins, Botswana is still believed to be home to 130, 000 African elephants, more than any other country on the continent. Nairobi Troubled Spire bank has gotten some reprieve after a directive by the Finance and National Planning committee to give the lender more time to identify investors. The committee chaired by Homa Bay MP Gladys Wanga directed the Central Bank of Kenya(CBK) and the SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority(SASRA) to give the lender adequate time to find strategic investors to inject capital into the bank. If the report tabled on Tuesday is adopted, Spire bank will have more time to shore up its capital. The directive follows a high court ruling in March which temporarily stopped the liquidation of Spire Bank which is fully owned by Mwalimu Sacco. The sacco wanted to sell the bank to a local lender by the end of March. Mwalimu has lost billions of shillings at Spire Bank forcing teachers to call for a stop of further losses by offloading the lender and withdrawing the Sacco letter of support. Spire Bank has been desperate to shore up its capital after breaching all the minimum capital adequacy ratios set by CBK by large margins following years of erosion through losses. The national teachers' Sacco pumped Sh3.4 billion into the lender in January in a bid to stabilise it. "We direct the Central Bank of Kenya to handle the issue of Spire Bank Limited as stipulated in the law and regulations taking into consideration interests of the teachers who are the Banks main shareholders," the committee said. CBK has been keen to evert any bank failure considering the banking sector is yet to recover from Imperial Bank and Chase Bank crashes witnessed in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Nairobi The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) line up for the August 9 general elections in the Mombasa gubernatorial and parliamentary race is complete after successful negotiation between different candidate contesting for different positions. Following consensus, Hassan Omar Hassan will be UDA's gubernatorial flag bearer while Khamisi Mwaguya will take on his opponents in the senatorial race in the upcoming polls. Fatma Bakari Barayan will represent the Deputy President William Ruto-led party in the Woman Representative position. "We are glad the Mombasa UDA team has reached a consensus on Hassan Omar Hassan as its gubernatorial candidate and Fatma Bakari Barayan as the Women Rep. contestant," DP Ruto said in a statement Wednesday. In regards to the parliamentary race, Ruto said that the Nyali MP seat will be filled with the incumbent Mohamed Ali while Mbarak Hamid will represent the party in Kisauni constituency. Others include; Karisa Nzai Mnyika (Jomvu), Isaac Malilah (Changamwe), Omar Shallo (Mvita) and Mohamed Mwahima (Likoni). This means that UDA will not hold the party primaries in these areas when it rolls out the exercise on Thursday April 14. On Wednesday UDA's National Election Board said that Eight million UDA registered members are expected to participate in the party's nomination exercise that has been dubbed a "mini-election". The Party's NEB Chairperson Anthony Mwaura disclosed that the exercise will be conducted in 36 counties in 15, 000 polling stations across the country. "This will be a nominations exercise like no other. It is the first nominations exercise where international observers have shown interest in participating in, it will also be the nominations where a political party has committed to respect the will of the people," he said. The voting exercise will begin at 6.00am and conclude at 5.00pm paving way for the vote counting exercise. Party members will be voting for candidates in 981 electoral seats which are up for grabs. MADRID, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Civil Guard and police of northern Spain's Navarre on Wednesday confirmed that they have dismantled the largest illegal plantation of marijuana in Europe. The plantation was discovered between the towns of Artajona and Olite in Navarre, covering 67 hectares and containing almost 415,000 plants. The owner of the plantation said it was producing hemp for industrial use. However, agents became suspicious when they saw the final destination of the plants was to countries such as Switzerland and Italy, where this kind of plant can be processed to make cannabidiol (CBD). Three suspects were arrested in the operation for running a large warehouse in Artajona, which was equipped with a ventilation and temperature control system to dry the plants. Police officers intercepted a truck that was about to leave for Italy carrying 23,000 dried cannabis plants, while some 13,000 plants were found inside the warehouse. The police said all of these plants have been destroyed, along with the plants which were still growing in the plantation, which would have a value of around 30 million euros when processed into CBD. No, not the Mona Lisa. This is the story of another picture. Perhaps the most powerful 2A picture I have ever seen. It all began last night. I received an e-mail from a very close friend. He is the dearest, most vitally important friend to me and my wife. His name is Tevye (that's right, as in Fiddler on the Roof). He is a doctor and professor of medical research who lives in Israel. Thank G-d for Skype. More importantly, he is a "Tzadik," a righteous man. And the world needs a righteous man. We seem to read each other's thoughts, the oceans between us are immaterial. It's uncanny and has happened so many times over so many years, the scientist in him rules out statistical chance expectancy. He believes it happens spontaneously and has to do with great emotion, plus the fact that we are both Jewish mystics. But I digress. The first flash came in: "BIG ATTACK IN TEL AVIV. MY NEPHEWS HAVE SHOW THERE TONIGHT. MOST OF MY FAMILY LOCKED INSIDE CONCERT HALL. TERRORISTS AT LARGE! PEOPLE TOLD TO STAY INDOORS. JUST AWFUL!" Here is the story: https://nypost.com/2022/04/08/israeli-forces-kill-palestinian-attacker-after-manhunt/ But it was this second flash that I want you to read and seriously take to heart: "HI RICHARD! GOOD, THEY KILLED HIM. HOW I HAVE THOUGHT OF YOU ALL NIGHT, REMEMBERING ALL YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME ABOUT YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT IN AMERICA. I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO MANY INTERVIEWS OF ISRAELIS WHO WERE IN AND AROUND THE PLACE OF TERRORIST ATTACK. MANY WERE SAYING: "WHY THE HELL WASN'T I ARMED?" THEY MUST BE ABLE TO CARRY ARMS AND DEFEND THEMSELVES WHEN THIS EVIL HAPPENS WITHOUT FEAR OF THE VERY LEFTIE COURTS. AWFUL IT HAPPENS ANYWHERE. I HOPE TEL AVIVIANS WAKE UP FROM THEIR SLUMBER, THAT THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM ATTACK! MANY LIVE IN A BUBBLE OF MAKE-BELIEVE & DENIAL. MY NEPHEWS ALL GOT HOME AROUND 4.00. SHABBAT SHALOM" He also sent me two pictures. The first showed people locked inside, "davening" or praying. But it was this second picture that is hauntingly unforgettable, because it portrays the vital importance of our 2A in general, and in particular, from a rarely seen Jewish perspective. As a proud Jew and Ambassador to JEWS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FIREARMS OWNERSHIP, I feel summoned (like Moses or David) to bring this to your attention. Look at this picture, deeply and insightfully. Take it all in, with your head and your heart. I hope you will never forget it. I know I won't. I can't. The picture now needs no further introduction, except to remember: Never Again Is Never, Never Mind. Never Again is a Verb A Call to Action to Save Lives! ..... Australia supports Vietnam's vocational education and training The Australian Embassy in Vietnam and Vietnams Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) on Thursday launched Australias next phase of support for Vietnams vocational education and training (VET). Mr. Le Tan Dung, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; Ms. Bridget Collier, Acting Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam; Mr. Truong Anh Dung, Director General of the General Directorate of Vocational and Training; Ms. Tran Thi Lan Anh, General Secretary of the VCCI, launched the project. Over the past four years, Aus4Skills strengthened the engagement of Vietnams logistics industry in VET to help ensure that students graduate with the skills required by logistics employers. Since 2017, more than 5,300 Vietnamese vocational students have benefitted from improved teaching quality in colleges supported by Aus4Skills. Enrolments in logistics courses in these colleges have increased eight-fold. Graduates from these colleges are in higher demand due to their job readiness. This next phase of support, valued up to AUD13.8 million (roughly equivalent to VND246 billion), commenced in 2021 and will see this successful model extended over four years (2021-2025). The program is designed to help Vietnam upskill its workforce a crucial ingredient for Vietnam to meet its ambitious 2045 target of being a high-income country. This work will focus on the logistics sector. Logistics is a priority for Vietnam as it is expected to contribute 8-10 per cent of GDP by 2025. The project activities, with continued linkages and inputs from industry, will offer professional development for Vietnamese vocational teachers, managers and leaders, frameworks to ensure quality training and curriculum that matches the needs of industry. Speaking at the event, MOLISA Vice Minister Le Tan Dung said that in Vietnam, logistics was identified as an important service industry of the national economy that supports connectivity and economic development. "A skilled workforce is key to developing the logistics industry," he said. "With the onset of Aus4Skills VET Phase 2, I strongly believe this is another step to realise a shared vision of Australia and Vietnam to upskill the workforce in Vietnam. Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Robyn Mudie said, Australia remains committed to supporting Vietnams next stage of development, including through strengthening the skills of Vietnams workforce. A skilled workforce will help ensure that domestic industries can remain competitive, which is critical to advancing Vietnams economic growth and post-pandemic recovery. Australia is pleased to share with Vietnam, through the Aus4Skills program, its own experience in building a dynamic, industry-led VET system. Your browser does not support the video tag. JOHANNESBURG, April 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's National Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed that Omicron sublineages BA.4 and BA.5 exist in the country. "There are 5 sub-variants of Omicron being observed around the world. We are watching two -- BA.4 and BA.5," the Department's spokesperson Foster Mohale told Xinhua. Mohale said the BA.4 subvariant's dominance has not caused severe transmission. "The dominance of BA.4 has not resulted in a change in transmission rate or severity. These sub-variants are not causing nor are they going to cause the 5th wave," he said. The department said that it was expecting the fifth wave of the pandemic by the end of May. Professor Tulio de Oliveira of the University of KwaZulu-Natal also talked about the new subvariants but said no cause for concern. "New Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 detected in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and the U.K. Early indications that these new sublineages are increasing as a share of genomically confirmed cases in SA. No cause for alarm as no major spike in cases, admissions or deaths in SA," he tweeted. Infectious disease epidemiologist Abdul Karim told SAfm Radio that the variant that would replace the Omicron would spread much more quickly. There was no way to predict whether the new variant would be severe or mild. "Each new variant has been able to spread faster than the one before it," he said. As a result of the Beta and Delta variants, the second and third waves in South Africa were more severe, while the fourth wave associated with an Omicron variant had fewer hospitalizations and deaths. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said Tuesday that South Africa detected 1,291 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours which represented a 5.6 percent positivity rate. There were two deaths over the same period, which brought the total fatalities to 100,116. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: "The proposal involves a change of path; a path that leads to national unity, in which he ( President Pedro Castillo ) is the President of all Peruvians," the leading dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church said in statements to RPP. Upon his arrival at the Government Palace, Barreto stressed the need to seek paths of hope in the midst of the difficulties the country is facing and, above all, to transform politics and the economy. "We need to search for new paths that include everyone, amid this very complex crisis that we are facing. We are all Peruvians, and we must care for those who are in the countryside, the Amazon, on the outskirts of cities," he said instatements to the press, joined by former Foreign Minister Oscar Maurtua. "The time has come to bring a new way of doing politics, seeking the common good of all," the religious remarked. "The proposal involves a change of path; a path that leads to national unity, in which he ( President Pedro Castillo ) is the President of all Peruvians," the leading dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church told RPP. Sorry for inconvenience! You have been redirected to this page due to the following reasons:-- Your session has expired. You have closed the browser, without logging out. If the problem persists, kindly remove all the temporary files and cookies from your browser. For IE - 1. Click on tools from the task bar of browser. 2. Click on Internet Options. 3. Click on "Delete temporary files." For Mozilla Firefox - 1. Click on tools from the task bar of browser. 2. Click on "Clear recent history." YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. Member of Parliament from the ruling Civil Contract bloc Lena Nazaryan says the peace agenda has a very broad public consensus. Speaking in parliament, Nazaryan said she sees the consensus while meeting with citizens and families of fallen troops. She said that the parliamentary opposition is continuously rejecting the governments offers to meet and receive answers to all questions. Nazaryan accused the opposition in being a pseudo-opposition. She further expressed surprise regarding the civil societys conduct. Two months ago, representatives of the civil society, mostly women, rightly angered, had gathered outside the government headquarters when we had victims on the border the day before, and were demanding the government to dig deeper trenches, to reinforce positions on the border, to withdraw conscripts from the border and instead deploy contract soldiers, as if the life of the contract soldiers is less important. And, to my surprise, these respected women, representatives of the civil society, did not voice a decisive and unequivocal demand to the government to go and sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, close the chapter of war, go to solutions, Nazaryan said. Noting that she doesnt seek to develop the agenda of the opposition or the civil society, Nazaryan stated that it is clear that the Pashinyan Administration, which is advancing the peace agenda, is the most progressive from all of them. This is a very abnormal and strange occurrence. Usually it is the opposite; usually the opposition and the civil society are the ones to be more progressive. But it always gives me hope when during my meetings with citizens or families of fallen troops I see that the peace agenda has a broad public consensus. And I am also joining this public consensus, I am expressing my support to the Prime Minister, to the Foreign Minister, the entire government with a decisive and unequivocal demand to realize the peace agenda, Nazaryan said. YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of Armenia to Russia Vagharshak Harutyunyan met in the State Duma with first deputy chair of the Committee on Issues of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eurasian Integration and Contacts with Fellow Countryman, Kazbek Tasyaev, the Armenian Embassy reported. During the meeting the sides highlighted the importance of taking constant actions to develop the Armenian-Russian inter-parliamentary cooperation. The sides touched upon the participation of the Russian side in the upcoming session of the Armenia-Russia inter-parliamentary cooperation commission in Yerevan, as well as the engagement of parliamentary circles into the program of events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia. YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement issue in parliament today, and commented on former President Serzh Sargsyans statements. Yesterday I presented here the chain of developments that happened in 1998 - 2018. And it is no coincidence that Serzh Sargsyan commented only on one episode, saying that hes never negotiated over a phased resolution of the Karabakh issue, Pashinyan said. Pashinyan then quoted Sargsyans statement who said: Ive numerously publicly spoken about the difference between a phased and package resolution, and comprehensively explained that a package option cannot be realized in one day or one hour, and that it definitely must be resolved in phases. PM Pashinyan then asked why Serzh Sargsyan commented only on this episode. Because the explanation of this one episode solves a fundamental issue, that the regime change in 1998 wasnt about saving Karabakh from something, but for seizing power. This is why he only commented on this episode because the explanation of this episode without details underscores that the history of 20 years had an entirely different context. It is no coincidence at all that after the 2020 war Serzh Sargsyan, reflecting on 2018, was saying that back then after having served as President for two terms he wanted to become Prime Minister for the Karabakh issue. The Karabakh issue was the legitimacy for everything. But the same Serzh Sargsyan is forgetting, he announced from this rostrum that he was staying for the Karabakh issue. How was he going to solve the Karabakh issue when on April 17 in 2018 he had said that the negotiations were stalled, dont inspire optimism, and that Azerbaijans expectations from the negotiations process are unrealistic and unacceptable for us. Was he going to accept Azerbaijans unrealistic demands? Pashinyan said. He then again quoted another remark by Sargsyan, where the former president said that one shouldnt hope that Azerbaijan wont attempt to solve the Karabakh issue militarily. And this is the answer to the question who is actually the author of the war situation. Was it our government or wasnt it our government? The war couldve been prevented as a result of implementing the unrealistic and unacceptable demands which Serzh Sargsyan mentioned, he said. Speaking about the phased or package logic, Pashinyan said: As early as in 1997 it was planned to divide the issue into parts, first the Karabakh issue, then the peace treaty. It is the same by the 2016 package, and the 2018 package. It is very clearly written in this package that the preliminary principles get agreed upon and then the negotiations between the governments begin, with participation of representatives of Nagorno Karabakh. By representatives of Nagorno Karabakh it would consider the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and the Azerbaijanis of Nagorno Karabakh. And this is where, by this proposal, the Azerbaijanis of Nagorno Karabakh would sit around the negotiations table and there wouldnt be any resolution until that issue got solved, until the issue of Shushi got solved, which was on the table since 1996. Would Serzh Sargsyan surrender Shushi? He wouldnt, a war would start, and not only Shushi, was he going to surrender a part of Karabakh? Besides the territories, I am not speaking about territories. Speaking about the statements on Lachin corridor, Pashinyan said that no negotiations document mentions anything about the width of the corridor, that issue shouldve been discussed later on. And another phase was added on top of this phased one, the current status of NK was to be determined at a Security Council session. They are saying that we surrendered Karabakh, or that we are surrendering it or want to surrender it. If we wanted to surrender Karabakh and had advanced the negotiations logic left by Serzh Sargsyan we would have surrendered Karabakh by doing so, because even if a referendum were to take place it should had taken place in timeframes agreed by the sides. Azerbaijan was very clearly saying that in the next 50 years there wont be a referendum, it was saying let Azerbaijanis return to Karabakh, live side by side for 50 years, settle the Azerbaijani settlements, and then in 50 or 100 years theyll see. YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament debated today the issue of electing a member of the Public Services Regulatory Commission. The government nominated Seda Shahinyans candidacy for the PSRC member. Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan introduced the biography of the candidate to the lawmakers. STEPANAKERT, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan commented on the recent statements and fake claims made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made new statements and fake claims over Artsakh on the April 12th at the Government session. Despite Aliyevs statement, the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict has not been settled, and it should be done with international support primarily through unconditional and unlimited realization of right to self-determination of the Artsakh people. In addition to legal and historical sufficient basis, the genocidal policy against Armenians and systemic policy of Armenophobia by Azerbaijan especially in the recent 34 years are additional reasons to say that Artsakh cannot be a part of Azerbaijan with any status. The armed forces of Artsakh have never shot at the direction of Khachen reservoir and Akna (Aghdam) from Parukh and Karaglukh, and if Aliyev has contrary evidence, he can publish it. Instead, prior to the Parukh occupation the Azerbaijani side was provoking by firing with mortars at civilian communities. It is not a good will to deliberately explode the gas pipeline and then restore it with delays, the State Minister said in a statement on social media. YEREVAN, 14 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan on April 14 met with parents and relatives of servicemen captured by Azerbaijan during and after the 44-day war. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, the Defense Minister listened to the participants of the meeting, replied to their questions. ''Suren Papikyan presented the comprehensive efforts aimed at repatriation of our compatriots and assured that the problem is at the everyday centre of attention of the political leadership'', the message says. An agreement has been reached to hold such meetings regularly. YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of his working visit to Russia, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Vahan Kerobyan met with the Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev on April 12. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, during the meeting, the prospects for further development of bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture were discussed. "As an example of the result of joint work, the growth of trade turnover of agri-food products was mentioned, which is implemented both within the framework of bilateral relations and the Eurasian Economic Union," the statement reads. The trade turnover of agri-food products between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation in 2020 amounted to 753.8 million USD, and in 2021 - 903.1 million USD, an increase of about 19.8% over the previous year. Exports from the Republic of Armenia to the Russian Federation in 2020 amounted to 428.4 million USD, and in 2021 - 534.3 million UD, which is about 24.7% more than last year. Prospects for the development of relations in the field of agro-industry were discussed at the meeting. Both sides stressed that cooperation in the agro-industrial sphere has a significant potential for development. The interlocutors referred to the organization of business visits of the agro-producers. Vahan Kerobyan and Dmitry Patrushev agreed that the organization of a direct dialogue in the field of agro-industrial complex is of special importance at present, as it contributes to the maintenance of food security of the two countries. At the end of the meeting they stressed the great opportunities for further development of cooperation, noting that the meeting will be an additional impetus for the development of bilateral relations. YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. On 14 April President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan visited the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh and met with the senior command staff of the Defense Army. As ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Offic eof the the President of Artsakh, first Arayik Harutyunyan listened to the reports of Defense Army commander Kamo Vardanyan about the operative-tactical situation on the contact line, then referred to the recent military-political developments in the country. Speaking about security issues, President Harutyunyan once again stressed that all defense programs should be synchronised with the functions of the Russian peacekeeping force stationed in Artsakh, adding that the main task remains to ensure the peaceful, sovereign life of the people of Artsakh. An exchange of views took place during the meeting, the President answered the questions of those present. YEREVAN, 14 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. Russia is determined in supporting the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS reports the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said, referring to the question about a possible peace treaty. "As we mentioned earlier, the "Basic Principles for the Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia" proposed by Baku, and Yerevan's response to them should serve as the basis for the start of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace treaty," Zakharova said. According to her, the issue has been discussed in the telephone conversations between the Russian President and the Prime Minister of Armenia and the president of Azerbaijan, as well as in the conversation between the Russian Foreign Minister and the Armenian Foreign Minister in Moscow a day before. "Russia is determined in supporting the signing of a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku," Zakharova said. She noted that on February 24, Washington and Paris cancelled all contacts with Moscow within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs format. "Meanwhile, the real situation in the South Caucasus does not allow negotiation pauses. Further consistent steps are needed to restore long-term peace and stability in the region, as the United States and France have ceased cooperation as Co-chairs," Zakharova said. According to her, the Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovaev will continue his work in his new position as the Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the issues of promoting the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to Zakharova, the focus of his attention will be on the preparation of the peace treaty. Zakharova said that they are open for constructive cooperation with interested players. Australias government has imposed economic sanctions against 14 Russian companies and organizations over the situation in Ukraine, Australias Department of Home Affairs said on Thursday, Tass informs. April 14, 2022, 10:08 Australia imposes sanctions against 14 Russian companies and organizations STEPANAKERT, APRIL 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: Falling under Australias sanctions are fuel and energy companies Gazprom, Gazprom Neft, and Transneft, truck manufacturer Kamaz, diamond mining company Alrosa, Ruselectronics holding company, Rostelecom, hydroelectricity company RusHydro, United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Sevmash (incorporated into USC), ship operator Sovomflot, Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port, insurance company Sogaz, and the railway trips booking office of Visit Russia national travel company. By today, Australia has imposed sanctions against more than 500 Russian and Belarusian citizens, including Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus. Economic sanctions, including a ban on exports of weapons and components, raw materials and equipment for oil and gas production and a ban on imports of Russian energy sources, weapons and components, were imposed against Russias biggest companies and organizations. On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by the heads of the Donbass republics. He stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, but aimed to demilitarize and denazify the country. Following this step, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and several other countries announced sanctions against Russia individuals and legal entities. Commemoration events will be held in France on April 24 the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, at the initiative of the Armenian community. April 14, 2022, 10:26 Armenian community of France to hold Genocide commemoration events on April 24 STEPANAKERT, APRIL 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: Co-Chair of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France, member of the ARF Bureau, Murad Papazian, said in an interview to Armenpress. He said that the traditional commemoration event will take place near the Komitas monument, attended by representatives of the government, the parliament and the Paris city authorities. The second round of the French presidential election is scheduled on April 24. Emmanuel Macron will participate in the second round, therefore, he could not be present on that day. He will probably make another step several days before April 24. We expect that in addition to the meeting with us, President Macron will also commemorate the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Murad Papazian said. The speeches will focus on Turkeys denialist policy. Murad Papazian said the issue of the security of Armenia and Artsakh is also on the agenda. The speeches will be followed by a march. The Hayordi Youth Union informed that a torchlight march and a candlelight vigil commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as well as those fallen at the 2020 Artsakh War, will take place in Strasbourg on April 23, at 19:15. Another event commemorating the victims of the Genocide is also scheduled on April 24, at 19:00. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced today in the Parliament that it wasnt up to the leadership of Armenia to decide whether or not the war would have taken place. April 14, 2022, 14:15 'It wasnt up to us to decide whether or not the war would have taken place' Pashinyan STEPANAKERT, APRIL 14, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: It wasnt up to us to decide whether or not the war would have taken place. We havent decided anything. And today standing here, I state that no, Armenia is a sovereign state. And we should return the right to decide to us because we are a country. We are not a stable, we are a country. We are a citizen, we are not a sacrificial lamb that different places decide how and how much to slaughter us and how much to forgive us. We are a state, we are a nation. We are sovereign, he said, adding: And we will not allow to decide to take our right from us, by manipulating and imposing models of patriotism on us, the PM said. Pashinyan said he will not allow to keep our generations in a status of a sacrificial lamb. The unconditional support of the Ukrainian authorities by Washington and Brussels has become the culmination of the West's Russophobic course, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday at the Digital International Relations - 2022 conference at MGIMO. April 14, 2022, 15:59 Supporting Kiev is culmination of West's Russophobic course Lavrov STEPANAKERT, APRIL 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: "The culmination of this Russophobic course has been Washington and Brussels' unconditional support for the radical nationalist Kiev regime, the nurturing of ultra-radicals in Ukraine, and the creation of an 'anti-Russia' out of Ukraine," he said. According to him, the West, led by the United States, now seeks to restore and consolidate its dominance in international affairs, "in order to continue to solve its narrow personal interest at the expense of the national interests" of other countries. "The most important part of this aggressive line is the West's longstanding policy of comprehensive, systemic containment of our country. On all fronts, as they say," he said. The minister said that for eight years the West had also been "shielding" Kiev's unwillingness to comply with the Minsk agreements and pushing the Ukrainian authorities to solve the crisis in Donbass by force. "Ukraine was actively dragged into NATO, encouraged in every way to prohibit the Russian language, Russian education, Russian media, arrest people, persecute and even murder independent journalists, was pumped with lethal weapons," Lavrov said. I pondered long and hard as to whether I should devote a whole column to such an ordinary food as rice. But then, as I began reading, I found rice to be a very fascinating subject. There are many kinds, and cooking each has variations. As I continued to think about it, I realized that four or five of my favorite recipes are based on rice. I looked and realized that in my own pantry I had canisters of jasmine, basmati or Arborio, short-grain rice and plain old Uncle Ben's. Happily, there was no such thing as a box of instant rice. Long ago, I found it to have less flavor. Besides, with todays rice cookers and instant pots, rice cooks in just a few minutes, and I think that it is fluffier. Of course, you can use these conveniences if you are planning to eat with chopsticks or make sushi, and need sticky rice. You simply change to short-grain rice and change the amount of water and cooking times. Rice is the third most-cultivated food plant in the world, after sugar cane and corn. Since a large percentage of the first two have uses other than human consumption, rice leads the list of foods on the table. And while the standard types of rice are what we see on our grocery shelves, throughout the world there are areas where old-fashioned, labor-intensive kinds are grown. People are not willing to give up the taste that they have enjoyed for centuries, and will not grow the results of research that would change the taste just a little. I am not an expert, but I am quite sure that the rice I cook today tastes very different from that which I ate so many years ago when I was a youngster. I am certain that my Mom simply picked up a box and cooked it. And during shortages of the war years, you took home what was on the shelf. Speaking of the war years, our soldiers came back from Asia with a taste for rice basmati from Japan, or basmati or jasmine from India and Burma just as those who fought in the European theatre brought back a penchant for pizza and risotto from Italy and croissants from France. Arborio rice is most often associated with risotto, a creamy Italian rice dish. Unlike just putting rice in boiling water and waiting for it to cook, risotto is cooked very slowly by adding small amounts of water at a time. Here is a recipe that works for me. Bring a quart of unsalted chicken stock to a boil and then back to a simmer. Keep it simmering. Melt a tablespoon of butter with a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Add a cup of Arborio rice and stir to coat the grains. Add a half to three-quarters of a cup of the simmering broth and allow the broth to absorb it all. Then another ladle of broth and let it absorb, and so on until only a ladle of broth is left. Now add a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt, a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese and the rest of the broth. Stir for a couple of minutes and serve. This rice is best when served at once. Cooking basmati rice is a whole lot easier. The process starts by putting the rice in a strainer and rinsing thoroughly to remove the starch. You can also fill a saucepan with water and swish the rice around through two or three changes of water. To cook, use a heavy-bottom pot with a cup and a half of water for each cup of rice. Basmati rice has a slightly nutty flavor and a fragrant, rich aroma. It has less starch than plain white rice, and is lighter and fluffier. And then there is jasmine rice, often referred to as Asian rice or fragrant rice. It is most used in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Burma and India. The best preparation is by steaming it, though it can be cooked in water. Cooked in water, it likes a cup and a half of water for each cup of rice. If steaming is the choice, it should be soaked for up to an hour. Soaking decreases the cooking time. There you have it, a short primer on rice. Be well. Beat the odds and wear a mask. Carmen Cosentino operates Cosentino's Florist in Auburn with his daughter, Jessica. He was elected to the National Floriculture Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2008, received the Tommy Bright award for lifetime achievements in floral education. In 2016, Carmen and Jessica were presented Teleflora's Tom Butler Award, naming Cosentino's the florist of the year at the company's annual meeting in Hawaii. Carmen can be reached at cosenti@aol.com or (315) 253-5316. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A pest that has been defoliating our forests now has a new common name. The Entomological Society of America has renamed Lymantria dispar (formally known as the "gypsy moth") the spongy moth. The Entomological Society of America recognized the need for a change in the common name in July 2021, as the previous name contained an ethnic slur. The new common name, announced in March, refers to the insects light brown, fuzzy egg masses that resemble sponges. Also, the countries of France, Germany and Turkey reference sponges in their common name for Lymantria dispar. In the early 20th century, common insect names, versus the scientific name, were adopted to help bridge communication between those who study insects (entomologists) and those who dont. Entomologists are always striving for effective communication to help advance the science of entomology and provide information to the public and policy makers. About 25% of the U.S. population claims they have a fear of insects. Yet insects play a significant role in the health of our planet. For example, some insects act as pollinators, while others are decomposers, breaking down wastes such as dead animals and plants. Without insects, plants would not be able to reproduce and dead things would accumulate in the environment. Not all insects are beneficial to the environment they inhabit, especially if they have been introduced accidentally or intentionally. The spongy moth is an example of an introduced insect, as it is not native to the United States. They were brought from France in the late 1860s with the intent of developing a silk industry in the U.S. The experiment was not successful, with some moths escaping. By 1981, these destructive moths were found throughout New York state. It is not the adult moth that causes the damage but the larvae (caterpillars) that hatch from overwintering egg cases in April and May. Once hatched, the larvae begin eating the emerging young leaves of many tree species. The early damage from the tiny caterpillars often goes unnoticed. Once the caterpillars are close to an inch in length, their appetites increase and their feeding becomes visible with thinning tree canopies. The caterpillars will grow to 2 inches. Areas of central and western New York have experienced heavy defoliation the past two years. Spongy moth populations will remain low for a number of years and then for some yet-to-be-explained reason, the population skyrockets. Most outbreaks last two to four years. When populations are high there are an estimated 1 million caterpillars per acre in some forests. While a year or two of defoliation will not kill hardwood trees, there is a decrease in leaf surface area and over time, the trees become stressed. Finding and removing the egg masses provides the easiest control. When identified, the egg mass can be carefully scraped off using a putty knife and dropped into a container with dish soap and water. Allow the egg masses to remain in the soapy water for two days. Just scraping them onto the ground and stepping on them does not kill them. Avoid damaging the tree bark. Several people have called and said they used a flame to burn the egg masses. While this kills the eggs, it also damages the vascular system of the tree, which is just below the bark. Damage from this inappropriate egg mass removal may kill the tree faster than the larvae feeding. The larvae are hatching now. The state Department of Environmental Conservation's website has a link to sampling protocol to help determine the potential for a large outbreak or if an insecticide spray is warranted on smaller larvae. Spraying can be expensive and timing of the spray is critical. There is evidence that larvae are controlled naturally by birds, rodents, parasites and disease. The larvae mature in approximately seven weeks. At maturity, they can eat approximately one square foot of leaf surface in a single day. Once mature, they go into a cocoon and emerge from July into August as adult moths. As they mate, the female lays eggs, which overwinter, and the cycle starts over. If you have trees that have experienced defoliation from spongy moth, be on the lookout for the hatching larvae. Also check firewood, dead trees and even leaf litter, as the female moth lays eggs there as well. Cornell University's Insect Diagnostic Laboratory website, idl.entomology.cornell.edu, has more on the management and control of this pest. Please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County at (315) 255-1183 with questions about this devastating pest. Judy Wright is the senior agriculture specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Seneca County. For more information, visit senecacountycce.org or call (315) 539-9251 ext. 109. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Officials have increased safeguards intended to help prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in New York states poultry population. The state Department of Agriculture and Markets announced Thursday that it has issued an order to ban all fowl auctions and other events for the purchase, sale, swap, or trade of fowl in the state. The order is a result of the continuing spread of strains of HPAI in the United States, including eight detections to date in New York state that have resulted in the loss of more than 10,000 birds. The current strains are not a threat to humans. The order expands upon Ag and Markets previously issued order to ban all live fowl shows and exhibitions in the state. The current HPAI outbreak has impacted 26 states so far and is rapidly expanding nationwide. In a news release, the department said that eight flocks in New York have tested positive for HPAI, most recently in a Fulton County flock on April 6. HPAI has also been detected in wild birds, including snow geese and wild ducks across the state. The Department is working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on a joint incident response and is also collaborating with partners at the Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation. Additionally, Department officials are reaching out to poultry and egg farms across the state to ensure best practices are being implemented and to prepare for potential additional avian influenza cases in New York. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. As the HPAI outbreak spreads in other parts of the United States, several additional states have taken the step to ban poultry exhibitions and/or gatherings of poultry, including Arkansas, Iowa, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Avian influenza continues to be a growing and serious threat to all poultry and breeds of fowl in the United States, including New York," Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said in a statement. "This order is an important step to further limit the co-mingling of birds in our state, which will help to slow the spread of this disease, keep our birds healthy, and safeguard our poultry industry. Commonsense steps like these are our best line of defense against this disease. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A second drive-thru supply drive for Ukrainian relief will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23, at Auburn High School. Organizers the Auburn Rotary Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Auburn moved the drive from Holy Family Church, the location of the first one in March, due to the "overwhelming response" it received, they said in a news release. The front driveway of the 250 Lake Ave. school was also selected due to safety concerns. The list of items needed at the drive includes: aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin, naproxen, bandages of all sizes, antiseptic ointments, medical gloves, wound pads, first aid kits, medical tape, diapers of all sizes, powdered baby formula, baby powder, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sterile hand wash packs, eight-hour glow sticks, nutrition bars, snacks, sleeping bags, warm socks, down-filled jackets and men's work boots of all kinds. No other clothing donations are needed at this time. Financial donations will also be accepted. Checks should be made payable to "SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church," with "Ukraine relief" in the memo corner. All items will be given to people in Ukraine as the country's invasion by Russia continues. Cayuga County has the largest percentage of people with Ukrainian heritage, 2.3%, of any county in New York. For more information, contact the Rev. Vasile Colopelnic at (315) 252-5573, Michael O'Gorman at (315) 730-1288, Cheryl Foster at (315) 246-4345 or Ed Helinski at (315) 664-3103. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 13, Cao Cao Mobility, the ride-hailing platform of Chinese automaker Geely, signed an agreement with Chongqing Livan Automotive Technology Company Limited (Livan Automotive), the joint venture between Geely Auto and Lifan Technology, to forge a strategic partnership. Photo credit: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Under the agreement, Cao Cao Mobility will adopt the Maple 60S, the first battery swappable vehicle model under Livan Autotomotive, to offer ride-hailing services nationwide. In the meantime, Cao Cao Mobility launched two new services, dubbed Cao Cao Zhuanche and Cao Cao Huixuan respectively, both of which have gone into operation in Chongqing. According to Gong Xin, CEO of Cao Cao Mobility, the Cao Cao Zhuanche is designed to offer users high-end ride-hailing service and seating experience with a wallet-friendly price, while the Cao Cao Huixuan targets a more affordable car-hailing service. Mr. Gong revealed it had started trial operations of the two new services in several cities like Chongqing and Chengdu in Southwest China. The CEO also noted that Cao Cao Mobility had already owned over 120 million registered users. Established in 2015 and backed by Geely Technology Group, Cao Cao Mobility principally engages in offering green mobility services with new energy vehicles (NEVs). In September 2021, it announced it had closed the Series B funding with 3.8 billion yuan ($588.609 million) raised. At the fundraising launching ceremony, Cao Cao Mobility announced a new strategy dubbed N, which stands for three businesses Cao Cao would highlight, namely, New Car (tailor-made cars for ride-hailing service), New Power, and New Ecosystem. Under the new strategy, Cao Cao Mobility aims to hammer out an integrated development planning based on Geely's mobility ecosystem and Suzhous industrial ecosystem. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Great Wall Motors ORA brand will resume the production of the Black Cat and White Cat electric compact models, according to ORAs CEO, Dong Yudong. Black Cat; photo credit: ORA The CEO said that ORA had worked hard with auto part suppliers to secure the parts it needed for producing the Black Cat and the White Cat models. With no luck with the Black Cat, however, the brand is able to secure enough inventories to last two days of production for the White Cat model. Specifically, ORA has scheduled two production days for the model on April 15th to April 16th. Given the parts at hand, ORA will be able to manufacture 146 White Cats, 97 of which will be the 305km Luxury trim with a delivery date before November 23rd. Meanwhile, the rest of the 49 units will be used to produce the 360km Luxury (Wild Cat) trim, with a delivery date before November 14th. With the auto parts supply being so scarce, the CEO apologized for not being able to deliver more vehicles for users awaiting their orders. More information and update about the production will be delivered on April 18th, the CEO added. As previously reported by Gasgoo, Great Wall Motor confirmed that the company is ceasing new orders for its Black Cat and White Cat EV models from its ORA sub-brand, on February 16th, due to the crimped supply of chips and parts. FLAGSTAFF 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. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 0 The remains of a New Mexico couple were found near their burned home as a wind-driven wildfire charred more than 200 residences on the edge of a mountain community in the southern part of the state. Fire crews on Thursday pointed to a break in what has been a steady stream of relentless gusts as their chance to make headway against the deadly wildfire, which is believed to have killed the two people, Ruidoso spokesperson Kerry Gladden said Thursday. Police investigators and firefighters found the older couples remains Wednesday afternoon after family members notified Ruidoso police that the two had tried to evacuate but were unaccounted for. The remains were found near the home but not in it, and no additional information was immediately available, Gladden said. Authorities were working to confirm the identities of the two people. The fire moved into a more densely populated area on Ruidoso's northeastern side Wednesday afternoon, prompting more evacuations. Laura Rabon, a spokesperson for the Lincoln National Forest, interrupted a fire briefing and told people to get in their cars and leave after the flames jumped a road where crews were trying to hold the line. Authorities have told as many as 4,500 people to evacuate. Overnight, crews kept the flames from pushing further into the village, Rabon said. The fire has torched about 9 square miles of forest and grass, and the strong winds that battered the area have left behind toppled trees and down power lines. Crews continued work Thursday to restore power to parts of the village that have been without it since Monday. While the cause of the blaze was under investigation, fire officials and forecasters warned that persistent dry and windy conditions had prompted another day of red flag warnings for the eastern third of New Mexico and other parts of the Midwest. Incident Commander Dave Bales said the strategy was attack while we can," noting that winds were expected to pick up Thursday afternoon and again Friday. We're trying to keep this fire as small as possible, especially because it's right in the community, he said. We've had a loss of a lot of structures so our crews are right there on the fire front going as direct as possible. Six new large fires were reported Wednesday: three in Texas, two in Colorado and one in Oklahoma. In all, wildland firefighters and support personnel were trying to contain 11 large fires that have charred more than 40 square miles in five states. The National Interagency Fire Center reported Thursday that since the start of the year, 18,550 wildfires have burned about 1,250 square miles. That's well above the 10-year average of 12,290 wildfires and 835 square miles burned. Hotter and drier weather coupled with decades of fire suppression have contributed to an increase in the number of acres burned by wildfires, fire scientists say. The problem is exacerbated by a more than 20-year Western megadrought that studies link to human-caused climate change. Elsewhere in New Mexico, wildfires were burning northwest of Ruidoso, 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. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 Angry 0 Egypt Independent The office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) announced on Wednesday that it closed investigations related to the Egyptian Revolution over suspicion of money laundering conducted against five suspects. Since 2011, OAG has been conducting criminal proceedings related to the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, its key case arising from the Arab Spring. Despite the numerous enquiries and having transferred CHF 32 million to Egypt in 2018, the OAG must now accept that the investigation has been unable to substantiate suspicions that would justify the indictment of anyone in Switzerland or any forfeiture of assets, OAG said in a press release. It added that the proceedings, currently being conducted against five suspects, are therefore to be abandoned, and the assets still under seizure (amounting to around CHF 400 million) will be released. OAG has since 2011 been conducting an investigation into suspicions of money laundering and supporting and/or participating in a criminal organisation in connection with events surrounding the Egyptian Revolution in 2011. This complex and extensive criminal case initially involved 14 suspects, including the two sons of the ousted president Hosni Mubarak (Gamal and Alaa Mubarak), as well as 28 natural persons and 45 legal entities who, as third parties, hold assets that have been seized. In addition, 140 bank accounts of interest have been analysed. The suspects, most of whom held official or important economic positions in Egypt, were suspected of having laundered funds in Switzerland of criminal origin that had been obtained from financial transactions related to acts of corruption. Several criminal proceedings were opened in Egypt and requests for mutual assistance addressed to Switzerland in this connection. Between 2012 and 2019, the OAG sent numerous requests to Egyptian authorities in order to obtain information on the status of prosecutions and judicial or criminal proceedings, primarily those being conducted against persons implicated in the Swiss proceedings. Egypt responded to most of these requests. For its part, Egypt sent several requests for mutual legal assistance to Swiss authorities with the aim of obtaining evidence that would enable progress to be made in the Egyptian criminal proceedings. The OAG cooperated as fully as possible, in particular by admitting Egypt as a complainant in the Swiss criminal proceedings in 2011. In response to certain requests, supplementary information was sought from Egypt. As this information was not received, certain mutual legal assistance proceedings could not be completed and were closed in 2017 either by the OAG or by the FOJ. In the circumstances and in view of the lack of any realistic prospects of the restitution of these assets, the freezing of the assets ordered by the Federal Council no longer served any purpose. In December of the same year, the Federal Council repealed the ordinance freezing assets in connection with Egypt (SR 196.123.21). Update: 14-04-2022 | 10:19:26 Part 1: Creating a sustainable future In 2021, the World Smart Community Forum (ICF) honored Binh Duong Smart Region as one of the top 7 communities with the worlds typical smart city development strategies. This is the first time Binh Duong Smart Zone has entered the top 7 after 3 consecutive times in the top 21 (Smart 21). Reaching the world Since 2016, Binh Duong has determined to implement the Smart City Project, closely following the approach and set of criteria of the ICF with the participation of many domestic, foreign organizations and businesses, including Becamex IDC. Binh Duong has planned an area called Binh Duong Smart Zone covering the southern part of the province, selected based on international criteria, where is a gathering of the provinces cities, educational research and key industrial development areas. Binh Duong New City is selected as Binh Duong Smart Zone. In 2021, Binh Duong Smart Zone was in the top 7 communities with the worlds typical smart city development strategies In October 2018, Binh Duong Smart Zone was the first locality in Vietnam to achieve the Smart 21 and officially became a member of the ICF. That is an important first step, showing that Binh Duong is gradually forming an initial foundation to create a new breakthrough. In 2019 and 2020, Binh Duong continued its development momentum, continuously implementing new programs for smart city construction, constantly making socio-economic breakthroughs. In October 2019, Binh Duong was honored for the second time in a row as one of cities with the world's typical smart city development strategy (Smart 21). In February, 2021, Binh Duong, the only representative of Vietnam, was among the Smart 21 list for the third time, affirming the right direction of smart city development in line with the Resolution of provincial Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure. After 3 consecutive times in the top 21 (Smart 21), in July 2021, Binh Duong Smart Zone entered the top 7 with the worlds typical smart city development strategies for the first time. To be among the top 7, a region needs to satisfy 6 rigorous criteria that are tested in the top 21 round, including: Broadband connection platform, intellectual human resources, innovation, sustainable development, digital equality and community commitment. For Binh Duong, the local steadfastness of 25- year development with the States strategy and efforts by enterprises on the basis of internal understanding and future orientation for the happiness of the community is acknowledged by ICF and the international community. Specifically, the province has responded to the development strategies of localities, recognizing the inheritance, depth and consistency of the strategy in order to create values for the prosperity and happiness of the community. Notably, the province has implemented the Binh Duong Innovation Region project as a goal and orientation to improve the local development quality in the coming time. Mai Hung Dung, member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice-Chairman of provincial People's Committee, Head of the Executive Board of Binh Duong Smart City said: The fact that Binh Duong Smart Zone has joined the ICF and has been among the Smart 21 for 4 consecutive years is of great significance for the province to continue making breakthroughs in socio-economic development, affirming that the province's smart city development orientation is effective and consistent with the global trend. The result has contributed to raising Binh Duong to a new position in the international arena, opening up cooperation opportunities with the ICF's network of more than 180 thriving smart cities around the world, creating confidence for investors, enterprises, and breakthroughs in attraction foreign investment, attracting intellectual laborers, which is seen as the foundation for service development, high-tech production in the future. Making breakthrough The results of Binh Duong in the process of smart city construction over the past time are the foundation for the province to create a breakthrough for vigorous development in the new period. According to Prof., Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai from Ho Chi Minh city University of Economics, Binh Duong has always taken the lead in local management compared to the Southern Key Economic Zone. Binh Duong has signed friendship cooperation agreements with many partners in developed countries, got involved in smart city construction, become a member of many prestigious organizations in the world. Especially, being honored by ICF for 4 consecutive times has affirmed Binh Duongs soundness in choosing and building the local development model. These are also bright spots as well as a driving force for Binh Duong to make a breakthrough in the new period. Gabor Fluit, Managing Director of De Heus Asia, Vice-President of the European Business Association in Vietnam assessed that Binh Duong is a locality being always ahead of science, technology and infrastructure development. Binh Duong has got involved in smart city development along with green growth, which is the right development direction. Our company has always supported Binh Duong as well as Becamex IDC which has applied new technologies and solar energy. These will be favorable conditions for the company to develop in Binh Duong. (to be continued) *Daniel Coenraad Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City: With its strategies on attracting investment and creating a favorable investment climate for enterprises, Binh Duong is an attractive destination for investors. Over the past years, many Dutch enterprises chose Binh Duong for investment, which was a clear demonstration of the impact of the local development strategy. I think Binh Duong's smart city development strategy over the past time played an extremely important role. With the leadership of local authorities in various fields, this strategy has really helped the province develop strongly and extensively in many fields, contributing to making Binh Duong become one of the worlds most attractive and sustainable destinations for economic development. *Do Cong Anh, Deputy Head of the Computerization Agency under the Ministry of Information and Communications: Binh Duong is one of the countrys leading localities in FDI attraction. Binh Duong determined that at present, it is necessary for the province to find a new development model, with a strategy in favor of attracting sci-tech and hi-tech projects towards knowledge-based economy. The province has worked with the Dutch city of Eindhoven to set up a strategy with local features, and then all solutions have been revolved around this strategy. I see Binh Duong as a locality, with the most obvious development strategy, connecting the State, entrepreneurs and institutes/schools. * Assoc. Prof.Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, former Head of the Vietnam Institute for Economics: "The development logic of Binh Duong is "advancement. From pioneering the development of "new-style" industrial parks with VSIP leading the way to building a modern Binh Duong Industrial - Service - Urban Complex. Currently, the provinces smart city construction and sci-tech industrial park development are all steps in the way of changing the development level, not going under the "linear" logic. Actually, I think Binh Duong has chosen the wise way of "followers", knowing how to take advantage of "going behind to get ahead". Binh Duong has built a smart city and was honored 4 times in a row by the ICF, confirming that Binh Duong's approach and vision cannot be like other localities. In the ecosystem development, Binh Duongs industrial development to shape smart city is the trend as the local goal. In the coming time, the province's ecosystem will foster as a smart and creative regional system, developed on the basis of digital technology. Binh Duong will rise up as an innovative smart city with innovative and intellectual resources Reported by Phuong Le-Translated by Kim Tin Update: 14-04-2022 | 15:32:07 The scientific conference "The tradition inheritance of Binh Duong in a quarter of a century - The achievements and prospects" will be held on April 19 and 20 in 2022. The event is being watched by a large number of officials and people in the province and is expected to help Binh Duong continue to develop stronger. Achievements clearly evaluated According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Lien, Head of the Propaganda and Education Division of Tan Uyen Town Party Committee, the organization of a scientific conference namely "The tradition inheritance of Binh Duong in a quarter of a century - The achievements and prospects" is meaningful and very important for the overall development of the province. It is because that, presentations and opinions of leaders, experts, scientists, international and domestic guests at the conference are to clearly and boldly evaluate the achievements of Binh Duong province in the past 25 years. At the same time, the shortcomings and limitations that need overcoming and valuable lessons that need learning from the development process would be raised at the conference. Thereon, scientific, practical basis and solutions will be made for Binh Duong to develop faster and more sustainably in the coming time. At the same time, the conference is also an opportunity to summarize the development process with many efforts and glory of the entire Party Committee, the army and the people of Binh Duong province; thereby, contributing to arouse pride and consolidation of the belief of all classes of people in the Party's leadership in the cause of national construction and defense, especially in the process of renewal, development and national association for modern integration along with creating a driving force to promote labor emulation movements for production, work and study for the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 11th Provincial Party Congress in 2020-2025 tenure. After 25 years of construction and development, Binh Duong has become a leading industrialized urban area of the nation. In the photo: The appearance of the industrialized urban area looked from above at Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park I. Photo: Quoc Chien The orientation for sustainable development Mr. Trinh Van Tam, head of the Propaganda and Education Division of Phu Giao District Party Committee, said that the starting point of a poor province with the main agricultural economy coupled with the right and creative guidelines and decisions has made Binh Duong effectively shift the economic structure in the direction of industry - service agriculture to become an industrial province developing towards industrialization, modernization and international integration. After 25 years of construction and development, Binh Duong by now has become one of the major industrial cities of the country. In particular, implementing the policy throughout the time of Song Be province, Binh Duong continued to choose industrial development as a breakthrough in economic restructuring that determines a high growth rate and incurs an impact on the economy for service development and agriculture while improving people's living standards. The province has focused on mobilizing investment resources to develop more industrial parks and clusters from the foundation of 7 industrial parks on an area of 1,603 hectares in 1997. Up to now, the province has 29 industrial parks, of which 27 came into operation on an area of 12,670 ha with lease coverage of 87.4% and 12 industrial clusters on an area of 789.91 ha with lease coverage of 67.4%). The rapid growth of most economic sectors has created a large source of revenue for the provincial budget. Total budget revenue in the province has increased rapidly year on year at an average rate of 26.1% a year in 1997-2020. Binh Duong soon became one of the localities whose budget revenue was in the VND 1,000 billion of the country and contributed to the central budget. In 2020, the province's total budget revenue reached VND 59,700 billion which is 73 times higher than in 1997 at VND 817 billion. According to Mr. Tam, the upcoming conference is an opportunity to comprehensively evaluate the achievements as well as propose solutions for sustainable development in the coming time on the basis of science. At the same time, we can further highlight the initiative, political determination and flexibility of the Party Committee and the provincial authorities in applying the guidelines of the CPV, policies and laws of the State to specific transformation into guidelines, mechanisms and policies suitable to local realities to meet the requirements of integration and development of the province in accordance with the development orientation identified by the 11th Provincial Party Congress that is continue to build a clean and strong CPV and political system; to firmly consolidate the people's trust in the Party and government; to accelerate the renewal of economic growth model associated with environmental protection and implement strategic breakthroughs; to ensure social security and welfare, constantly improve the people's material and spiritual life; to stabilize political security, social order and safety; to strengthen external activities; to strive to build Binh Duong province to develop sustainably in the direction of a smart, civilized and modern city. It is all expected that by 2030, Binh Duong would become a modern industrial center, and a smart city of the region and the whole nation by 2045. Reported by Do Trong Translated by Vi Bao The Beatrice Middle School has been celebrating Hope Week with games, dress up days and special activities. The week was planned by Hope Squad students. Hope Squad is a group of approximately 30 peer nominated students that meet once a month at the Beatrice Middle School. Students receive education around suicide prevention and building hope and engagement in the school. The model was developed in Utah by Dr. Greg Hudnall. Schools throughout the United States have adopted the program. The Beatrice Middle School began implementing Hope Squad programming in 2018. Research has shown that youth in distress and considering suicide usually will not tell an adult, but they will tell a peer. Hope Squad students become trained observers who can recognize and respond to suicide warning signs. They are the 'eyes and ears' for schools adult leadership,said Hudnall. Approximately eight adults from the school and community serve on the schools Advisor Team. Hope Week is an important event for our school and our students," said Angie Vogel, BMS Guidance Counselor and Hope Squad Advisor." Our Hope Squad works to share hope and suicide prevention. Hope Week is really a chance for our squad to share what theyre learning with our student body. We want to help break down the walls of silence so students who are struggling have access to support." On Monday Hope Squad members greeted students as they came in the door with cheers and high fives. Throughout the week several QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) logos was hidden for students to look for and turn into the office for house points. Hope Squad members wrote kind messages on sticky notes for locker tags. Additional games and special activities were held throughout Hope Week to raise awareness of suicide prevention. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The snow from this weeks blizzard could be a blessing in disguise for North Dakota ranchers, but its arrival during what should be a warmer month makes it hard to see the long-term benefits. Like many of the states cattle producers, New Rockford rancher Jeff Schafer was well into his calving season when the state was hit by a three-day blizzard that forecasters say could be historic. We were at the halfway point before the storm, said Schafer, 56. The timing of the storm didnt fit with calving season, but we just roll with the punches. The weekly crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that calving as of the start of the week was 48% complete in North Dakota, behind 56% last year but near the average of 50% for this time of year. Cattle and calf conditions before the storm hit were rated mostly good to excellent, with death loss mostly average to light. The storm has the potential to change that. "The combination of snow, wind and colder temperatures will be particularly dangerous for young livestock for much of the region," AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz said. Its a combination of things that threaten cows and especially young calves during such a storm, according to Schafer. His cows still had a good hair coat, but once its soaked down by wet snow it loses much of its insulation value. The wind blows right through you, he said. Thats the challenge with cows and young calves. If you can keep them out of the wind, theyre tough. An April blizzard in 1997 that had similar conditions as this year's storm killed 100,000 cattle in North Dakota, about 10% of the herd. A lot of the lost animals were calves and yearlings. "There wasnt as much advanced warning of that storm as there was this time," said Julie Ellingson, executive vice president of the North Dakota Stockmens Association, the state's largest rancher group. "I know that this system registered in a significant way on a couple different models, and knowing that early has been helpful. We havent had any reports of livestock losses at this time, although it is early, of course." The state Agriculture Department said it didn't expect to have information on possible livestock losses until after the storm was over. The storm dropped as much as 2 feet of snow across a wide area. The timing during calving season might mask the benefits of the storm. Many counties had enacted burn bans, and ranchers across the state have been faced with few options but to sell off cows as they run short of grass. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Thursday, showed little change from last week, but the moisture from the blizzard won't be factored in until next week's map. Nearly all of the western half of the state is abnormally dry or in some form of drought, and has been for more than a year. 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. Schafer, president of the Stockmen's, has had conversations recently with ranchers across the state. Some said the moisture from the storm will enable them to hang on to cows they were planning to sell. Others said they were already fighting prairie fires, and though they might struggle during calving they know they need the moisture. The snow is actually a blessing, he said, adding that it might be the weather event that primes the pump and stops the liquidation of cow herds in the state. Schafer, a fifth-generation rancher who was holding his grandchild, a potential seventh-generation rancher, on his lap as he spoke, said he hadnt lost any calves in the storm. Generally speaking, some of that shows up later, he said, referring to long-term issues such as scours and pneumonia. Ranchers who calve earlier are set up for cold weather with barns and shelter, said Tim Long, herdsman at the Central Grasslands Research Center near Streeter. Some delay calving until April in an attempt to avoid the type of weather the state is getting now. Its just something you have to deal with when it comes, Long said. Cows respond differently to the stress of a blizzard, he said. One might abandon her calf to take care of herself, while another might become overly protective and put at risk a livestock handler trying to move her calf to shelter. A newborn calf that doesnt get up and nurse misses out on the colostrum that is vital to its immune system, and gives it a healthy start in life. Without it the calf will never be as thrifty as it should, Long said. Skye Walz, 35, and her family rely on deep draws not far from the Little Missouri River for calving cover. A few calves were born ahead of the expected April 15 start date of one group of cows, but as the date approached "we got ready," Walz said. "A lot of the time when we start calving there's always some kind of storm," she said. As the storm intensified, Walz, her husband, brother and parents cleared paths in the snow and put out extra hay. That work continued Thursday, which Walz said was worse because of drifting snow pushed by high winds on Wednesday. "Yesterday was pretty intense," she said. Prior to the storm, Schafer sampled soil in some of his farm ground. He found frost at 10 inches, and said this weeks snow will likely delay planting too. Well get a late start, he said. It could be into May. Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RAPID CITY, S.D. A Pennington County grand jury has indicted a man on a second-degree murder charge stemming from a shooting at a Rapid City hotel last month. Nineteen-year-old Myron Pourier was shot at the Grand Gateway Hotel on March 19 and died from his injuries April 3. Rapid City police responded to a report of gunfire in one of the rooms at the hotel and found an injured Pourier. Quincy Bear Robe, also 19, was arrested the day of the shooting after investigators interviewed witnesses. He originally was charged with aggravated assault and committing a felony with a firearm. The firearm charge still stands, but the assault charge has now been upgraded to murder. A preliminary hearing was canceled after the grand jury made an indictment. Defense attorney John Murphy says the state likes to present cases to grand juries instead of holding preliminary hearings because "grand juries meet in secret, the rules of evidence are not well enforced, and neither the defendant nor his or her counsel can attend. Bear Robe is currently held at the Pennington County Jail on $1 million cash bail. He will be arraigned May 2, the Rapid City Journal reported. The location of the crime garnered scrutiny when one of the hotel owners made comments on Facebook stating that Native Americans would be banned from the property following the shooting. Police said both the victim and the defendant are Native American. A Rapid City Indigenous-led organization, NDN Collective, has 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 said they were denied. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Much of North Dakota remained shut down on Thursday as a slow-moving blizzard pounded the state for a third straight day, but the end of the record-breaking storm was in sight. A blizzard warning that had encompassed much of the state since Monday expired Thursday evening, after another day of howling winds blowing around snow that totaled 2 feet or more in some areas. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel," National Weather Service Meteorologist Jeff Schild said. Friday's forecast called for only "patchy blowing snow" statewide, and for partly sunny skies and winds of 10-20 mph in the Bismarck-Mandan area. That compares with winds gusting in excess of 50 mph late Wednesday. To the west, gusts reached as high as 63 mph in Hettinger, according to weather service reports. "They were some of the highest wind gusts that have been reported during the storm," Schild said. "It got pretty ugly." The storm that started in the Pacific Northwest rolled over the Rockies and blasted into the Northern Plains early Tuesday. Bismarck got 10 inches of snow on Tuesday alone, shattering the city's April 12 record of 3 inches set in 1991, and the city narrowly missed another record on Wednesday. The storm also left a trail of snowfall records from the Pacific Northwest to Montana, according to AccuWeather. Billings, Montana, on Tuesday had its snowiest April day in 67 years. Bismarck as of early Thursday had received a storm total of 17.5 inches of snow -- coincidentally the exact same amount as during the devastating April 1997 blizzard. A bit more snow fell throughout the day Thursday, but less than an inch of accumulation was expected in southern North Dakota, with 2-3 more inches in the north, according to the National Weather Service. Fargo, which had escaped the blizzard, was expected to get an inch or two of snow. Other storm totals as of Thursday afternoon included 17 inches in Williston, 18 in Watford City, 18.4 in Dickinson, 22 in Glen Ullin and McClusky, 22.5 in New Salem, 24 in Richardton and Hazen, 26 in Dunn Center, 26.5 in Hebron and 36 in Minot. The death of a 73-year-old Minot woman was linked to the blizzard. Police responded about 7:30 a.m. Thursday to a report of a woman in the snow near the post office. She was not adequately dressed for the severe weather, authorities said. Capt. Justin Sundheim said investigators do not suspect foul play, adding that the woman might have experienced mental health challenges. Her name was not immediately released. Officials warned that the wet and heavy spring snow had the potential to bring down tree branches and power lines, but large-scale power outages did not occur during the storm. PowerOutage.us reported no people without electricity in North Dakota on Thursday evening. Travel disruptions have been a wide-scale problem, however. The storm snarled in-city traffic and canceled numerous flights at the Bismarck Airport. Interstate 94 remained closed Thursday from the Montana border to Jamestown. Most of U.S. Highways 2, 52 and 83 also were closed in the western two-thirds of the state, along with a portion of U.S. 85 in the oil patch, though stretches of those highways were being opened late in the day. No travel was advised in much of North Dakota, and many secondary roads in the southwest were blocked or impassable due to drifting. Statewide road conditions are at https://travel.dot.nd.gov/. Morton County issued a plea for people to stay home, saying county snowplows were pulled from the roads Thursday afternoon due to the poor conditions. Snowdrifts are as high as 10 feet in some areas of the county, and overpass on- and off-ramps have drifts too high for plows to remove. Some rural residents might not see plows for three to four days. Please do not venture out at this time," Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said. "We want our highway department to be able to begin removing snow without needing to remove stranded vehicles first. Truck stops in Bismarck were at capacity with stranded truckers. More than 100 18-wheelers were at the Stamart Truck Stop in east Bismarck, with many of the truckers waiting three days for the storm to pass and roads to reopen. Mike Curt, of Bismarck, was helping dig out the semitrailers on Thursday. "This is the third one I've shoveled out today," he said. The Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area remained closed, as did local government offices. They won't reopen until next week, with Good Friday being celebrated this week. The same holds true for in-person classes in public and private secondary schools in the metro area, and for local colleges and universities. Bismarck Parks and Recreation facilities will remain closed Friday, and all programs canceled. Sanford Health said the north Bismarck and downtown Bismarck walk-in clinics will reopen Friday. All Sanford clinics in Dickinson opened Friday. Sanford clinics in Minot and Watford City remained closed Friday. State Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus extended the state filing deadline from this coming Monday to April 25. Were aware of the impacts facing many North Dakotans due to the extreme weather conditions, he said. In response, we're providing a waiver, allowing taxpayers an extra week to file and pay their North Dakota income tax without fear of accruing penalty or interest charges. Given the magnitude of the storm, the waiver is appropriate and will hopefully provide a level of relief to some as the state slowly digs out." The federal tax filing deadline remains Monday. Taxpayers can file for an extension if needed. City officials in both Bismarck and Mandan said street plowing is taking longer than normal due to the wet and heavy nature of the snow. They've asked residents to help by getting parked vehicles off streets. Snow removal information is at https://bismarcknd.gov/249/Snow-Removal and https://www.cityofmandan.com/snowremoval. Weather conditions in the metro area improved throughout the day. Arctic air and record or near-record overnight low temperatures were in the forecast on the heels of the wind and snow, but Schild said there was still reason for optimism. "The low pressure system that's the heart of the blizzard -- it's moving off on its way," he said. Reach News Editor Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 0 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 on Wednesday said 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. He 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 such as 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 "This is nutso." -- Karley Gosch, of Mandan, braving the strong winds and pelting snow while walking across Main Street during the blizzard. q q q "This is a real, real, real, real blizzard." -- 7-year-old Kaitlyn Hanson, of Bismarck, comparing the blizzard to other snowstorms she has experienced. q q q Its hard to talk about sometimes. Its been 50-some years, but still ... -- Marvin Boehm, of Mandan, who went on the Western North Dakota Honor Flight and reminisced about his brother's death in Vietnam. q q q I want people to act like they expect their children to act. -- North Dakota Republican Party Chairman Perrie Schafer, saying he'd like to see better behavior from state convention delegates. q q q Ensuring children are up to date on routine wellness immunizations is the best way to keep children healthy and stop the spread of potentially serious illnesses in our child cares, schools and community. -- State Immunization Director Molly Howell, detailing how routine child immunization rates have declined in North Dakota during the COVID-19 pandemic. q q q "These kids are so capable, and they will not only meet your expectations, they will exceed them." -- David St. Peter, English teacher at the Bismarck Career Academy, on students working with organizations in the community. q q q "There's just so much opportunity out there. They can't fill the positions that are out there, so it's 'all hands on deck' right now." -- Matt Frohlich, assistant professor at the University of Mary, which is starting a cybersecurity administration program. q q q Hes still in Ukraine. But we have been able now to move him to a safer place. And, as we talked about earlier, our ultimate objective is to get him out of the country. So this is a really important step, moving him to Lviv, a safer location. -- U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., on jailed North Dakota farmer Kurt Groszhans being moved to a new facility in war-torn Ukraine. q q q "We all take this very seriously and try our best to keep our birds and farms safe. We have implemented increased biosecurity measures on farms and also limit the people who have access to our barns. We are also working with the wildlife services to have resources to try to keep migratory birds away from farms." -- North Dakota Turkey Federation Vice President David Rude, on the spread of bird flu in the nation and state. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, who loves wearing cowboy costumes on the campaign trail almost as much as he loves authoritarian ex-presidents, has been accused of groping a GOP state senator and seven other women, reports the Nebraska Examiner. During an event in 2019, for example, Republican State Sen. Julie Slama confirmed that as she walked by Herbster, he reached up her skirt, without her consent, and touched her inappropriately. The incident happened in the middle of a crowded ballroom at the Douglas County Republican Party's annual Elephant Remembers dinner. At the time, Slama had been recently appointed to the District 1 legislative seat representing southeast Nebraska. Herbster owns a farm and a house in the district. Another person attending the 2019 event saw Herbster reach up Slama's skirt and had told the Examiner about it. That witness and two others said they saw Herbster grope another young woman on her buttocks at the same event. The Nebraska Examiner said it "corroborated six of the women's accounts with at least one witness to each incident. The other two women told at least one person about the incident on the same day it occurred. Each witness and confidant confirmed the women's description of what happened." Herbster's campaign manager, Ellen Keast, said Slama and the other seven women are liars. In a statement she said, "this is a political hit-piece built on 100% false and baseless claims," she said, accusing the "political establishment" for "smearing and trying to destroy him with lies." ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) As a casino dealer, Shamikah Townsend knows when the odds are in her favor. And they definitely are right now. While working at one Atlantic City casino last year, she went to a job fair held by a different one, and was surprised at how instantly in-demand she was when the recruiter wanted to hire her as a craps dealer. She said, Ill pay you to move to Florida in two weeks,'" Townsend said. I didn't know craps, so I had to be honest and tell her, but I went out and I learned it. On Monday, Townsend made her move, getting hired on the spot at a job fair held by the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City. Townsend is part of a great hiring wave taking place at casinos across the nation as the gambling halls compete to add staff while recovering from the coronavirus pandemic that drove customers away and led to staff reductions. But casinos are just one of many industries struggling to add new workers, and they find themselves competing with each other not only for casino workers, but for people with experience in the hotel, restaurant and tourism industries, to name just a few. Gaming is facing the same labor issues that we see across the broader economy, said Casey Clark, senior vice president of the American Gaming Association, the casino industry's national trade group. "In our recent CEO survey, the labor shortage is a top concern across the country. Competition for talent is a huge impediment for growth, and we're also experiencing an expansion of gaming with customer demand increasing, he said. Those things are problematic when they happen together. That has led to some innovative tactics, including the use of virtual reality goggles at some MGM Resorts International job fairs to let applicants experience what the job will be like before signing on the dotted line. Atlantic City's casinos are also talking with state government agencies about funding new transit options to get people to jobs at casinos from farther-out places. One possibility: something like the contract the Borgata had with a state transit agency in 2008 for a daily shuttle bus between its Atlantic City casino and Camden an hour-long trip reaching clear across the state. In Clark County, Nevada, home to Las Vegas, an economic development official said last month more than 40,000 jobs have gone unfilled since the states casinos reopened after a temporary closure in 2020. During one job fair in February, Caesars Entertainment was looking to hire 500 people. On Friday in Las Vegas, about 6,000 people are expected to attend a jobs fair in which 105 casino and other employers will offer 13,000 jobs. Work is available whether you are a first-time job seeker, changing fields, newly relocated to the area or retired and wish to return to work," said Wanda Gispert, a vice president with MGM Resorts. Nationwide, there were about 1.65 million workers employed in the gambling, amusement and recreation sectors of the U.S. economy in March, representing about 91% of the pre-pandemic workforce, Clark said. The AGA said it does not have a figure for casino employment alone. Joe Lupo, president of Atlantic City's Hard Rock casino, is also president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. He estimates there are 2,000 full and part-time casino jobs open in Atlantic City right now, where the overall workforce of 22,000 is down from 49,000 in 2003. Coming out of COVID, especially last year, after the restrictions were lifted, the workforce supply just has not been available, he said. It's been difficult for all of us to find enough people. I certainly know after meeting with everyone last week that every property is hiring. That has very practical effects in casino resorts, which might not be able to open all their hotel rooms, or open all the craps or roulette tables they have. Restaurants that used to serve 700 tables a night may only be able to do 300, executives said. As they are in other industries, workers are reaping the benefits of switching jobs, or taking a new one after being unemployed for a time. Casinos are increasing wages and benefits, and are offering to train workers without the type of experience that was once required just to get a foot in the door for an interview. Everybody's looking to hire the same person, said Bill Callahan, general manager of the Ocean casino in Atlantic City. We always need people. In some departments, people that made $14 an hour a year ago might now be making $16 or $17, Callahan said. Ocean is starting an in-house training program to teach people how to become dealers, something most applicants had to learn on their own before, Callahan added. The Morongo casino in Cabazon, California, has been regularly holding job fairs since December, and has at least four more scheduled for this month. In North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians said last month it needed nearly 900 additional workers for its two casinos in the state. Tribal leaders are considering recruiting workers from other countries and housing them in dormitories. And in West Virginia, racetrack casinos told state regulators last month that a shortage of workers is preventing them from operating at full strength for a third year in a row. Townsend, the newly hired dealer in Atlantic City, says circumstances are coming together nicely for her. I wanted to move up and improve my situation," she said. "These places have to compete with everybody else for workers now, and there's money to be had. Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Robert C. Morgan didnt just plead guilty to a felony related to mortgage fraud this week. The developer and landlord also signed papers surrendering $16.3 million that prosecutors alleged stemmed from fraud by Morgan and others in his circle. Morgan signed the agreement Tuesday, the day he pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The document entered the court record Wednesday. No prison time expected as judge takes guilty plea from developer Robert Morgan After throwing the book at Robert C. Morgan, federal prosecutors let him plead guilty Tuesday to just one felony related to mortgage fraud and agreed he should have to serve no prison term. In this separate pact, Morgan admits to no guilt or wrongdoing. The prosecutors, meanwhile, agree the deal ends their various efforts to seize his properties or assets. The settlement sheds new light on the disposition of Morgans criminal case. His defense lawyers asserted that prosecutors were unable to bring the sweeping allegations contained in a 104-count indictment to trial, so they let him plead to a single felony with no jail time. Still, Morgan was hit with a financial penalty in the millions. Co-defendants won't have to cooperate in federal fraud case against Robert Morgan The misdemeanor plea deals this week for Robert C. Morgan's three co-defendants do not necessarily signal added troubles for the Rochester developer, who still faces the brunt of felony charges in what federal prosecutors once called a "wide-ranging mortgage fraud scheme." Morgans defense lawyer Joel Cohen points out, however, that the government had been seeking hundreds of millions. Morgans overall deal with the government his guilty plea and the negotiated forfeiture of $16.3 million are linked, Cohen said. The criminal and civil settlements are presented to the court for approval in their entirety, he said. If any part of those were not to be accepted by the court, Mr. Morgan reserves the right to withdraw from the entire deal. Prosecutors had sought hundreds of millions of dollars from Morgan through claims of criminal forfeiture and civil forfeiture. The $16.3 million settlement springs from a civil forfeiture proceeding initially focused on 13 Morgan properties apartment complexes extending generally from the Rochester area, where Morgan is based, into central and northern New York. In court papers, prosecutors contended the complexes could be seized because they were traceable to specified unlawful activity, including wire fraud and bank fraud. They said they could show that fictitious documents allowed Morgans companies to obtain loans on the properties they would not have been eligible for. Three Morgan defendants plead guilty to significantly reduced charges in surprise plea deals Four years after unveiling the first of three separate mortgage fraud indictments against Rochester real estate mogul Robert C. Morgan and several other defendants, the federal government has dropped almost all of its claims against most of the remaining defendants. Morgans guilty plea involved none of the 13 properties. But with civil forfeiture, prosecutors need not prove a crime to take an asset. While the case was pending, prosecutors dropped their claims on three of the properties that were sold to third parties and two that had negative value. The settlement signed Tuesday focused on the remaining eight apartment complexes named in the original civil forfeiture complaint. The eight were among 94 properties Morgan sold to a similarly named but unrelated company in King of Prussia, Pa., Morgan Properties. As described in court papers, the transaction was complicated, involving an array of companies controlled by Robert Morgan or his son, Todd, the formation of a new joint venture company and the issuance of a type of shares. The government had insisted Morgans proceeds be held in escrow, and the escrow amount related to the eight apartment complexes totaled $22.3 million, court papers show. Lawyers and Morgan then negotiated the sum to be turned over, $16.3 million. Morgan reserved the right to withdraw his guilty plea for other reasons, chiefly if U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford sentences Morgan to jail time on July 22, despite the agreement by prosecutors and Morgan lawyers to no time behind bars. But, as Cohen explained, the plea agreement put before Wolford says Morgan retains the right to withdraw the plea if she doesnt accept the forfeiture settlement. The terms of it, however, are not specified in that document. Morgan owned around 36,000 apartment units in 14 states and was investing heavily in the Buffalo area when The Buffalo News first reported in September 2017 that federal agents were focused on his transactions. During his years-long legal troubles, he sold around half of his empire. After pleading guilty Tuesday, Morgan, 65, left the federal courthouse in Rochester without speaking to reporters. He left it to Cohen to say what was next for him. Said Cohen: Morgan intends to rebuild his company. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Thomas Jasinski Jr. spends a few days each spring talking to Nardin Academy juniors and seniors about organ donation and transplantation. I tell them, Look, there is a likelihood at some point in your life, hopefully much further in the distance, that you may have to deal with these things,' said Jasinski, who has received a new kidney and pancreas during the last decade from a living and deceased donor, respectively. You almost certainly can become an organ donor An average of 20 Americans die each day awaiting an organ transplant. More than 114,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list, including more than 10,000 in New York State where organ donor rates lag behind those of most other states. Its not that the people in New York State dont care, its that they dont know He encourages his young audience to consider becoming an organ donor, talk to their parents about their wishes and encourage them to register if they have yet to do so. Five years ago, the Town of Tonawanda resident founded One8Fifty Partners in Transplant, a nonprofit designed to boost organ donation awareness and donor registration in New York State. The name is inspired by a little-known statistic: A single donor can provide up to eight people with lifesaving organs and greatly impact at least 50 others through tissue donation. April, National Donate Life Month, helps underline the need. Another person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list every nine minutes, and 17 people die each day awaiting a life-saving transplant, according to Donate Life America. New Yorkers make up about 10,000 people on the waiting list, accounting for 10% of the need nationwide. It's not that the general public doesn't care or doesn't view organ donation favorably, Jasinski said. It's just there is not an ease of entry or a significant enough call to action. We're trying to make this as easy as humanly possible. Answered prayers for priest in need of liver transplant amid pandemic "I believe that everybody has a gift," said Nancy Kaszynski, who gave her former priest, Father John Mack, part of her liver. State residents who signed up before 2008 to donate organs did so at an auto bureau and gave their intent, before the law changed to give consent. Jasinski encourages those who registered before that year, as well as those who have never registered, to do so online at one8fifty.org or donatelife.ny.gov. He expressed frustration that the state health department has yet to roll out public service announcements to encourage organ donation. He said his nonprofit has recorded some it can provide for free. It is also working on a QR code that can be used to sign up for the national organ donor registry by text message. This spring, Jasinski reached out to others to help his cause, including a dozen restaurants in the region that will provide proceeds to One8Fifty this month for those who purchase a signature cocktail. Frankie Primos +39 and Soho Burger Bar will donate the entire sales price of their Double R Crown Royal Manhattan in memory of a former manager who was an organ donor. The Irishman Pub & Eatery, Neat, Glen Park Tavern, Vice Restaurant, Juicy Burger Bar, Anchor Bar Amherst, Carte Blanche Hamburg, D'Avolio, Parkside Meadow and The Garage Bar will give $1 per signature drink. Jasinski hopes to make the promotion an annual event. He also is working to bring organ donation information to more schools in the region. I'm trying to make sure that people are making well-informed decisions, he said. My last statement to everybody is, no matter what your decision, please make sure your family is well informed and has an understanding of your wishes and desires. As the pandemic eases, Jasinski also encouraged understanding of those who continue to wear masks because they harbor a greater risk of hospitalization and death from a case of Covid-19. That includes those like him who have received donated organs. We compromise our immune system every single day by the immunosuppressants we take, he said. As a matter of fact, Johns Hopkins has shared information strongly recommending that immunocompromised people, especially organ transplant patients, continue to get vaccinated every six months. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Somewhere in the lower right section of the hull of the USS The Sullivans is a hole. Officials dont know how big of a problem it is, but say the worst of it is over. Right now, Im looking at levels that look like Im being optimistic here but it looks like she had reached its worst point about an hour ago, said Paul Marzello, president and CEO of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, Thursday afternoon. The WWII-era destroyer was leaning on its side and sinking Thursday in shallow waters in the Buffalo Inner Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard estimated Thursday afternoon there were more than 3 million gallons of water inside the ship. But Marzello and other stakeholders vowed that the ship will be repaired and reopened to visitors. Weve got some work to do. We are committed to making sure that shes fix that. This is not going to go down. Weve had a lot of inspirational messages from people around the country and other countries, and we just want to let people know this is a setback. This ship will rise again, and failure is not an option, said Marzello, who was joined by Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz at the park for an update Thursday afternoon. Photos: USS The Sullivans lists after taking on water The USS The Sullivans has taken on water after a failure of a deteriorating section of hull and is listing to one side as crews begin the proc The USS The Sullivans is a floating tribute to a working-class family that lost all five of its sons aboard the USS Juneau during World War II, when it was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of 687 men. Marzello said he discovered around 9 or 10 p.m. Wednesday that the ship was taking in water. The breach is aft of midship, on the starboard side of the ship, which is listing to one side. We tried to figure out at what rate it was coming in. It was tough to tell last night, he said. I came down here at about 5 in the morning just to assess the damage and saw a significant increase in the amount of water just by checking the water line. Somewhere in that lower right section of the hull, we have a problem, and we dont know what it is. Park staff put an emergency repair call into BIDCO Marine Group, the company hired to repair the hull of the decommissioned Fletcher-Class destroyer, Marzello said. Divers were in the water earlier Thursday at the spot of the breach trying to determine the cause of the problem but were pulled out because the water temperature was very cold and the water was not clear, Marzello said. Its more than a little bit dangerous to be swimming in through here, he said, pointing to the breach. As you can see, this is where the damage is. I cant see it but based on the listing of the ship ... the damage is here, whatever it is, and its just too dangerous to put them in the water. They checked it out, and we pulled them because it just wasnt safe. By Thursday afternoon, BIDCO crews were beginning to set up equipment and operations on the side of the ship where the damage is located to find the cause of the problem and repair the ship. Other equipment was being brought in, as well. Were coming into some industrial-size pumping now, Marzello said. Because we lost power; we dont have electrical power, theyre bringing in this industrial generator (to be hooked up) to these large size hoses, so well be able to pump out much greater and faster than we did earlier today and thats a good thing. Up to that point, crews had been pumping out about 13,000 gallons per minute. The ship was taking in more water, but workers were pumping out water faster than the ship was taking it in, he said. Officials said late Thursday that the ship is starting to slowly right itself as more water continues to be pumped out. Crews are expected to be working around the clock and into the overnight, said city spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge. We are all very, very saddened to see what has happened just in the last 24 hours, Poloncarz said. I think we all agree that were going to save this ship. Obviously, we are all very deeply concerned about the condition of USS The Sullivans. This is an important part of our U.S. Naval heritage. The boat is very important, not only to us here in Buffalo and Western New York but important to people across the country and internationally, as well, Brown said. Douglas Jemal, who spearheaded the fundraising efforts last year that brought in more than $1 million to repair the ships breached hull, said the latest incident is a bump in the water. But well get past this, said Jemal, who did not attend the news conference. We will have a moral obligation to pick her back up again, dust her off and stand her up, and thats exactly what were going to do. All of us have bumps in the water. Thats life. You have to dust yourself off and get back to work again, and lets get this situation fixed, which we can. BIDCO had been working on long-term repairs to the ship last year and discontinued operations in October for the winter because the water was too cold to do the work. They needed at least 54 degrees to have their epoxy adhere to the steel," Marzello said. Crews were to resume repairs Monday, Marzello said. Reach Aaron at abesecker[at]buffnews.com or 716-849-4602. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Deidre Williams I am the Buffalo City Hall reporter for The Buffalo News. I've been a staff reporter at The News since in 1999. Follow Deidre Williams 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 Tucked amid the butter lambs and the sausage and the flower crowns and chocolate bunnies and the pussy willows was something that has been in short supply for the past two years at the Broadway Market: smiles. I love it here, Kendra Degrafferneid said Wednesday, while her sons, 2-year-old Tru and 4-year-old Trent Rawls, danced to a live band Dave and Randy playing Polish music. Theyre just enjoying it. Weve been in the house all this time. Thats why theyre so happy, and they love music. Degrafferneid and her sons were among the scores of people at the iconic market Wednesday, many returning to the Easter tradition of shopping and visiting there for the first time since the year before the Covid-19 pandemic halted one of Buffalo's most revered traditions. Indeed, the number of people coming into the market during its busiest season has exceeded 2019 levels, according to the administration of Mayor Byron Brown. Based on the vendors in the market who are telling me that based on their sales, theyre higher than they were in 2019, said Kathleen Peterson, the citys market director. The market has seen more than 35,000 visitors since Brown kicked off the Easter holiday season there on April 1. Its been crazy busy at Pots Deli and Grill, said Sandi Sage, who works at the diner-style restaurant, which was nearly packed around lunchtime. It started very early this year, Sage said of the Easter crowds. This years first day open was the busiest ever for us in the nine years Pots has been operating in the building. And many of her customers are happy to be back and enjoying the Easter season at the market, she said. They love it. Everybody loves it, she said. Before the pandemic, Natalie Culkowski, her 16-year-old daughter, Nevada, and her mother, Rosemarie Haskell, would go together to the Broadway Market during the Easter season. On Wednesday the trio was back for the first time since the pandemic. They were laughing and reminiscing while sitting on a bench inside the building. It's great to be around people, said Culkowski of Colden. Were having fun walking around and remembering all the stuff they used to get like the flower crown," said Culkowski. "Its fun watching all that stuff. Were so glad to be back. Thank the Lord. Its like old home week," said Haskell, a West Falls resident. "Everythings familiar, and youre glad to see everything again." Theres clearly pent-up interest in renewing the tradition of Easter holiday shopping at the Broadway Market after two years of the pandemic, Brown said. This is great news for the market and all the vendors. In addition to the markets 27 year-round merchants, 37 seasonal sellers are on hand offering Easter foods, baked goods and butter lambs, as well as a mix of gift, clothing and wine and specialty food vendors. The Broadway Market is open through Saturday, with extended hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Guest chefs will be featured at the Kitchen @ The Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Friday, Pinoy Boi will feature Filipino fare. There is also live music every day on the markets main stage. The lineup for this week includes Docenko, 8 to 11:30 a.m. Friday; and New Direction Band, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Distributing cannabis-selling licenses to meet goals related to equity concerns has merit. But safety should be the public policy priority. I made this point during a recent New York Association of Towns meeting about how best to implement New Yorks cannabis laws. The increase in violent crime sweeping through cities and communities across the nation puts a premium on passing new laws to address this troubling trend. Focusing on prosecutions is one way to attack the problem. Another is passing common-sense measures to end incentives and opportunities to commit violent crime in the first place. Unfortunately, our archaic banking laws do just that. They have turned employees of Americas booming state-licensed cannabis industry into sitting ducks for violent, armed criminals. Cannabis dispensaries are cash-only, making them a prime target for armed robberies. Unless Congress votes to end the ridiculous laws that force cannabis purveyors to do business only with cash, the same type of violent crimes occurring in Washington State, California and elsewhere will surely happen in New York. Indeed, a recent Seattle Times editorial succinctly notes, No one should have to die over an obsolete federal law. Federal banking laws prevent most cannabis businesses from accessing and benefiting from the traditional banking services such as credit cards which other businesses take for granted. Financial transactions involving funds derived from manufacturing, distributing or selling cannabis are prohibited under federal law. A confusing patchwork of federal and state cannabis laws are to blame. They have conspired to isolate cannabis dispensaries, placing them outside the financial mainstream of America, and leaving them vulnerable, virtually advertising to violent criminals that their shops are stocked with cash. The status quo cannot continue. Lives are at risk. To protect the safety of employees, to bring Americas banking laws into the 21st century, and to once and for all move the regulated cannabis industry out of the shadows, Congress should move swiftly to pass the bipartisan Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2021. It would require federal banking regulators to provide uniform guidelines for cannabis-related business accounts. Depository institutions would be protected from civil and criminal sanctions for providing financial services to legitimate, cannabis-related firms. The collective impact would be to fully integrate state and federal laws. In so doing, the SAFE Banking Act would be a commercial and local economic game-changer because it would help legally operating, cannabis-related businesses raise capital, grow their services and collect more revenue for state priorities such as education. Congress should pass the SAFE Banking Act to foster a stable, well-regulated and safer cannabis industry. The U.S. House of Representatives has acted. Now it is time for Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and the U.S. Senate to deliver for New Yorkers to keep them safe. Stanley L. Garnett is a partner at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck in Denver and a former district attorney for Boulder County. Battered Russian flagship cruiser limps to port; Europe reportedly drafting ban on Russian oil: Live Ukraine updates A woman cries inside a bunker in Popasna, Donbas region, on April 14, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Editor's note: This page recaps the news from Ukraine on Thursday, April 14. Follow here for the latest updates and news from Saturday, April 15, as Russia's invasion continues. The storied Russian warship Moskva, whose proud history goes back to days of the Cold War, sank into the Black Sea on Thursday in the latest blow to Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. Losing the vessel, built in Ukraine during the Soviet era and named after the Russian capital, represents a military setback and symbolic defeat for Russia as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after stumbling in the north. The Russian Defense Ministry said the Moskva -- flagship of the country's Black Sea fleet -- was being towed to port when it "lost its stability due to damage to the hull received during the fire from the detonation of ammunition. In the conditions of stormy seas, the ship sank." The crew, usually totaling about 500, had been evacuated, the ministry said. The Pentagon couldn't confirm the source of the damage, but Odesa Gov. Maksym Marchenko said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser with two missiles. Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukraine's president, called the ship's sinking an event of colossal significance." The Moskva, a missile cruiser that was the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, was built in Ukraine and had a proud history before sinking Thursday after an explosion and fire. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said it mattered little whether the ship was hit by a missile or victimized by an unrelated fire. Theyve had to kind of choose between two stories: One story is that it was just incompetence, and the other was that they came under attack," Sullivan said. "Neither is a particularly good outcome for them." USA TODAY ON TELEGRAM: Join our new Russia-Ukraine war channel VISUAL EXPLAINER: Mapping and tracking Russia's invasion of Ukraine Latest developments Canada is sending up to 150 soldiers to Poland to help with the care, coordination and resettlement of Ukrainian refugees in Poland, including some who will come to Canada, Defense Minister Anita Anand announced Thursday. Story continues David Beasley, head of the U.N. World Food Program, said the residents of Mariupol are being starved to death by the Russian siege and warned that the war's impact on grain-exporting Ukraine risks destabilizing nations far from its shores and triggering mass migrations. Britains Foreign Office said it's freezing the assets worth up to 10 billion pounds ($13.1 billion) belonging to two Russian oligarchs -- Eugene Tenenbaum and David Davidovich -- described as longstanding business associates of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Russian news reports say a criminal case has been opened against Mikhail Afanasyev, a Siberian journalist who was arrested after his news website published content critical of Russias military operation in Ukraine. President Joe Biden said no decision has been made yet on sending a Cabinet-level U.S. official to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Leaders of several other nations have visited Kyiv in a show of support. 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. People walk on a boardwalk along the Black Sea in Odesa, Ukraine, on April 14, 2022. Two more children injured in Kramatorsk train strike have died, Ukraine says Two children who were injured last week when Russian forces attacked a train station in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk have died, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense said Thursday. Their deaths bring the toll from the attack to 59, including seven children, the ministry said. Dozens more were injured in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a "war crime." Russia's rocket strike came as thousands of Ukrainians were attempting to flee amid the invaders' new focus on the region. Russians denied targeting the train station after the attack. Photos of the train station after the attack showed luggage and other personal belongings scattered across the platform, bodies covered by tarps and blood on the ground. The ministry posted a photo of a bloody stuffed toy and said it would be sent to the United Nations "as proof of this barbaric crime." Two more children have died after being hit by a missile at the railway station in #Kramatorsk. The total number of victims reached 59, including 7 children. A bloody childrens toy will be sent by @NPU_GOV_UA to the @UN as proof of this barbaric crime. by Roman Kulyk pic.twitter.com/A4ZFjK2JzL Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 14, 2022 Europe drafting measure to ban Russian oil, report says European officials appear ready to grab the third rail of sanctions on Moscow for its assault on Ukraine. The continents' political leaders are drafting a measure to ban imports of Russian oil products, a move previously regarded as a non-starter because of Europe's heavy dependence on Russian energy, the New York Times reported. The European Union relies on Russia for 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil, and the group's 27 members would have to approve the measure. Germany, the EU's wealthiest country, has been considered the biggest opponent of the oil embargo, which would almost certainly fuel inflation in Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been playing up the likelihood the continent would suffer economically if it suddenly dispensed with his country's supply of energy, which would not be easily replaced. Russia threatens to move nukes closer if Finland, Sweden join NATO The entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO would force Russia to strengthen its northwestern borders and place nuclear weapons in the region, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday. Medvedev noted on his Telegram channel that the length of Russia's land border with the NATO alliance would more than double. One of Russia's explanations for its invasion of Ukraine was concern over possible NATO expansion there. Naturally, these borders will have to be strengthened. The grouping of ground forces and air defense will be seriously strengthened, and significant naval forces will be deployed in the waters of the Gulf of Finland, Medvedev wrote, adding that keeping the region's non-nuclear status is "out of the question." Flatter, wide-open terrain of east could aid Russian military push Russia has shipped more helicopters to eastern Ukraine, and the Pentagon anticipates more troops will be deployed there as the invading army turns its attention away from Kyiv and toward the disputed Donbas region, said a senior Pentagon official who described intelligence assessments on condition of anonymity. The terrain in eastern Ukraine is flatter and less forested than the northern part of the country, where local forces repelled the Russian invasion that began Feb. 24. Russian tanks and armored vehicles that were shredded around Kyiv should be better suited to eastern Ukraine, which the official compared to Kansas. However, with the spring thaw, muddy ground will hamper mobility there, the official said. Moreover, the Russian logistics, which have failed to supply troops with food, fuel and ammunition, are mostly restricted to existing roads and railroads, the official said. China dismisses US warning on Russia China said Thursday that it will reject any pressure or coercion" over its relationship with Russia. A day earlier, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that China and other nations that subvert the West's sanctions against 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. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said his nation had made considerable efforts to de-escalate the situation, defuse the crisis and rebuild peace." China has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine by strategic partner Russia, or even refer to the conflict as a war. It has abstained or sided with Moscow in votes at the U.N. following the start of the war in February. Biden commits another $800M in assistance during call with Zelenskyy 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. THE NEWS COMES TO YOU: Get the latest updates on the situation in Ukraine. Sign up here Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine recap: Battered Russian cruiser limps toward port Nexans Nexans receives approval from Colombias antitrust authority for Centelsa acquisition _PRESS RELEASE_ Paris, France / Monterrey, Mexico, March 21, 2022 Nexans SA (Euronext Paris: NEX) announced today that it has received antitrust clearance from Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) of Colombia, that will permit Nexans SA to proceed with the proposed acquisition, from Xignux SA, of Centelsa. We are very pleased that the SIC has approved this transaction as it demonstrates the Groups firepower to become a Pure Electrification player. This significant step forward in the process that will see Centelsa part of the Nexans Group will generate significant benefits for all stakeholders." said Christopher Guerin, Nexans Chief Executive Officer. About Centelsa CENTELSA is a manufacturing company of cables for energy and communications, which has been part of the industry since 1955, during which time it has retained its position as a recognized cable manufacturer in Colombia. It has a network of strategically located offices to cover the national and international markets, thus offering outstanding service levels. About Xignux Xignux is a Mexico-based company dedicated to the energy and food industries with sales in more than 40 countries. Xignux was founded 65 years ago and employs more than 28,000 people in five countries. Xignux manages companies that energize life and society to contribute to a better world. www.xignux.com About Nexans For over a century, Nexans has played a crucial role in the electrification of the planet and is committed to electrify the future. With around 25,000 people in 42 countries, the Group is leading the charge to the new world of electrification: safe, sustainable, renewable, decarbonized and accessible to everyone. In 2021, Nexans generated 6.1 billion euros in standard sales. The Group is a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services across four main business areas: Building & Territories, High Voltage & Projects, Industry & Solutions and Telecom & Data. Nexans is the first company of its industry to create a Foundation supporting sustainable initiatives bringing access to energy to disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Group pledged to contribute to carbon neutrality by 2030. Nexans. Electrify the future. Story continues Nexans is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A. For more information, please visit www.nexans.comwww.nexans.com Contacts: Communication Elyette Roux elyette.roux@nexans.com Minaa El Baz Tel.: +33 (0)1 78 15 04 65 minaa.el_baz@nexans.com Investor relations Aurelia Baudey-Vignaud Tel.: +33 (0)1 78 15 03 94 aurelia.baudey-vignaud@nexans.com Elodie Robbe-Mouillot Tel.: +33 (0)1 78 15 03 87 elodie.robbe-mouillot@nexans.com Xignux Contacts: Communication MediaContact@xignux.com Attachment Deputy FM To Anh Dung arrested for involvement in bribery case Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung has been arrested over allegations he received bribes when organising repatriation flights for Vietnamese citizens abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic. From left: To Anh Dung, Pham Trung Kien, Vu Anh Tuan (Photo: VNA) The Investigation Security Agency under the Ministry of Public Security launched criminal proceedings against the senior government official and searched his house and workplace, according Chief of the Office and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security Lieut. Gen. To An Xo. The arrest was the latest development in the investigation into the case of "giving and taking bribes" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Department, in Hanoi and other province and cities. Two other men were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the case. They are Pham Trung Kien, an employee of the Ministry of Health's Department of Medical Equipment and Projects, and Vu Anh Tuan, a former officer of the Ministry of Public Security's Department of Immigration. In January, the Investigation Security Agency launched an official investigation into the case of "taking bribes". It issued decisions to start criminal proceedings against and detained four other officials of the Consular Department for taking bribes in line with Article 354 of the Penal Code. They are Nguyen Thi Huong Lan, head of the Consular Department; Do Hoang Tung, deputy head of the department; Le Tuan Anh, chief of the departments office; and Luu Tuan Dung, deputy head of the citizen protection desk at the department. The agency then prosecuted and arrested Hoang Dieu Mo, born in 1980, General Director of An Binh Commercial, Tourism and Aviation Services Co., Ltd for giving bribes on March 25 after its further investigation. Vietnam organised nearly 800 flights since the beginning of the pandemic, repatriating more than 200,000 Vietnamese citizens from over 60 countries and territories. CCTV: We noticed that the National Urban League published its 2022 State of Black America report on April 12. One of the findings is that Black Americans right to political participation has been greatly restricted. In the past year alone, 20 states redrew congressional maps, which strip voting power away from communities with African American voters and other racial minorities. At the same time, many states adopted legislation that makes it harder for Black and other ethnic minority voters to cast their ballots. Does China have any comment? Zhao Lijian: I have also noted the report. It shows that African Americans get only 73.9% of the American pie of equality white people enjoy. Black people have slipped further behind white people in wealth, health, education, social justice and civic engagement. This again exposes the persistent systemic racial discrimination in the US, which has seeped into all aspects of social life. The utopia depicted by words is shattered by reality. The US claims to champion openness and inclusiveness. It declares that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights all men are endowed with, and that the American dream is out there for all who set out to chase it. Fifty-nine years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. said in his I Have a Dream speech that America has given its colored people a bad check, a check that has come back marked insufficient funds. More than half a century on, the situation remains the same. African Americans are still fighting a long and uphill battle in striving for equal rights with White people. The sufferings of African Americans are not unique to them, but experienced by other ethnic minority groups as well. Overshadowed by systemic racial discrimination featuring discriminatory treatment and violence in law enforcement, ethnic minorities in the US live under unease, inequality and fear. Instead of fulfilling their American dream, many of them end up having their dream shattered and even meeting their death. The US government should take a hard look at the countrys own human rights issues, earnestly protect the equal and lawful rights of African Americans and other ethnic minorities, and square rhetoric about human rights and equality with reality for the tangible benefits of each and every American people. China Daily: Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the accusation of Russias use of chemical weapons is unfounded and the goal is to divert the international communitys attention from the biological laboratories discovered in Ukraine. Does China have any comment? Zhao Lijian: I have noted the remarks. Indeed, the US has not yet given any convincing explanation for its bio-military activities. Undertaking consultation and cooperation to address concerns is a requirement of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The US has no right to reject discussions on the issue. The US remarks have so far been ambiguous and even self-contradictory, which aroused greater suspicion from the international community. People are asking: How many cooperation facilities is the US running across the world? How many biological samples did the US ship out of Ukraine according to bilateral agreement with the country and for what purpose? What is the sensitive information that Ukraine is not allowed to make public according to the agreement? Did the US conduct dangerous research overseas that is prohibited in the US? Moreover, although the US talked about the need to strengthen and revitalize the Convention mechanism when commemorating the 50th anniversary of the BWCs opening for signature as a depository state, it continued to ignore the appeal of the international community at the BWC PrepCom that concluded earlier this week. Why does the US stand alone in opposing the resumption of multilateral negotiations aimed at establishing a BWC verification mechanism? How can the US win the trust of the international community with such behavior? How can it restore the international communitys confidence in the US compliance? As one of the BWC depository states, the US ought to be an example, not an exception, when it comes to compliance. We once again urge the US to give comprehensive and detailed clarification of its bio-military activities and stop standing alone in opposing the establishment of a multilateral verification mechanism. Hubei Media Group: Some US media have frequently made suspected racist remarks when covering the Ukraine crisis and the ensuing refugee problem. These are not refugees from Syria ... Theyre Christian, theyre white, for example. What is your comment? Zhao Lijian: I also noted such remarks, which have been deplored by the people of relevant countries and regions. A spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency stressed that no matter where the displaced persons come from, Ukraine, Afghanistan or Syria, we must remember that they are all human. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, also questioned if the world really gives equal attention to black and white lives. He said not even a fraction of the attention is given to the ongoing crises in Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria and the rest of the world, in comparison with Ukraine. I want to stress that the differences in skin color and language can by no means become indicators for hierarchy or superiority. All human lives deserve equal attention and respect. Ranking different races based on self-imposed criteria and selectively demonstrating sympathies reflects nothing but typical racial discrimination and double standards. It again reveals white supremacy and civilization superiority ingrained in some countries mindset. I also want to emphasize that the historical merits of the Ukraine issue are crystal clear. A probe into the root cause of the humanitarian disasters in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria over the 30-plus years since the end of the Cold War can easily convict the culprit of the Ukraine issue, who destabilized regional situations, instigated opposition and confrontation and created human tragedies. The country that styles itself as the beacon of democracy and the role model of human rights has every reason to discard arrogance and prejudice under the pretext of justice, stop undermining peace and tranquility of other countries and the whole world, and earnestly make contributions to human civilization. Otherwise, it will only further disparage its own credibility and reputation in the international community. Macau Monthly: First question, yesterday you commented on the shooting incident in New York city, saying that there was no report of Chinese casualties at that time. Any update for that? Second question, the commandant of the US Marine Corps warns the China-Solomon Islands security cooperation deal is too good to be true. What is Chinas comment? Zhao Lijian: As to your first question, according to the latest situation learned by the Chinese Consulate-General in New York, one Chinese citizen was injured in the shooting at a New York subway. The Consulate-General contacted the families of the wounded immediately and provided assistance. The citizen is now being treated at a hospital for the injuries and is in stable conditions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate-General in New York will continue to monitor the situation relating to Chinese citizens, and provide consular protection and assistance on a timely basis. As to your second question, I need to start with correcting a factual error the commandant has made. Security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands, including the signing of the security agreement, is conducted on the premise of respecting Solomon Islands will and actual needs and based on equal-footed consultation. When cooperating with Solomon Islands and other Pacific island countries, China is committed to equality of all countries regardless of their size. It has never attached any political strings or imposed its will onto others. The people of Pacific island countries are in a better position than anyone else to tell whether their cooperation with China is good or not. The above-mentioned remarks on the US side have exposed that some people are bossing the Pacific island countries around in disregard of the latters need for diversifying cooperation. The relevant side should stop making irresponsible remarks and do more for peace, development and stability in the South Pacific region. Xinhua News Agency: The newly-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif said the other day when meeting the charge daffaires ad interim of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan that the new government of Pakistan attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and is ready to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with stronger initiative and higher efficiency. What is your comment? Zhao Lijian: China appreciates the remarks of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad brothers true to the name. China will give priority to Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy as always and firmly support Pakistan in realizing prosperity and revitalization. We are ready to work with the new Pakistani government to have close exchange at all levels, substantiate and expand practical cooperation, build CPEC toward the sustainable, livelihood-oriented and high-standard objectives, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era for the well-being of the two countries and the two peoples. Radio Television Hong Kong: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged China to take actions to end Russias military operations in Ukraine, otherwise Chinas international standing will be at stake. What is Chinas response? Zhao Lijian: China holds an objective and just position on the Ukraine issue. We support dialogue and negotiation, and actively provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and other affected countries. We have made great efforts to help deescalate the situation, resolve the crisis and rebuild peace. We believe that all countries sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected and upheld, and that theres no place for double standards in international relations. Ukraines sovereignty and security should be upheld. Russias legitimate security concerns should also be respected. Europes peace and stability should be defended, and the same goes for other countries. We firmly oppose any distortion and smearing of Chinas position. China plays a constructive role on the Ukraine issue. We speak for justice and work for peace with a long-term vision. Our position is in line with the stance and wishes of most countries. We stand against groundless accusations and suspicions targeting China, and never accept any pressure and coercion. Time will prove that Chinas position is on the right side of history. AFP: A Uyghur woman held in Saudi Arabia told AFP she feared being deported to China. Do you have any details about this case? Zhao Lijian: I suppose it is a report by the AFP. I have not heard of such thing. Macau Monthly: It is reported that Democrat Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham are leading a delegation to Taiwan on April 14 and will meet with Tsai Ing-wen. Do you have any comment? Zhao Lijian: China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region. Members of the US Congress should act in consistence with the US governments one-China policy. The US side should abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, stop official exchanges with Taiwan and avoid going further down the dangerous path. The Chinese side will continue to take strong measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Campus Activities Details SEV1TECH, founded by Mount alumnus Bob Lohfeld, is a leading consultant service with the federal government as one of their main clients. They are looking to hire strong writers in their proposal-writing department. This information session will be a good opportunity for all students interested in career opportunities involving writing skills as well as students interested in other types of internships as well. For my annual show before Good Friday, I draw upon the incredibly rich tradition of music for and inspired by the Passion story, as well as unexpected music which I find fits the theme. This year, the program is based around the Lutheran hymn "Christ Lag in Todesbanden" (Christ lay in death's bond) as used by Bach. The first hour begins with a straight setting originally thought to be by Bach, but actually by Pachelbel, arranged for the piano, and ends with his wonderfully intense early cantata based on the hymn. It is a strict chorale cantata in that the hymn is heard in every movement. This is a very dramatic and grief-laden cantata with tremendous momentum driving it forwards. In between, we hear Anna Thorvalsdottir's exquisite Passion-based work "Ad genua" based on Bach's hero Deiterich Buxtehude's 1680 Passion cantata "Membra Jesu Nostri". This work "To the knees" recounts Christ's fear as he is marched to the site of his crucifixion. The text is by Icelandic writer Gurun Eva Minervudottir: I fall to my knees I fall I fall I fall to my knees and ask forgiveness for lazy thoughts, unseemly hunger and the beautiful, wild stampede of my fear I fall to my knees I fall I fall I fall to my knees and into the dark haze of the purple, innocent sky I fall deep into the sky and beg for clarity, true satisfaction and union of the soul I give myself up I give I give up I fall to my knees I fall I fall As a hidden Easter egg, I submerged Bach's chorale in the first set underlying some of the other music. Christ lag in Todesbanden BWV anh. 171 Johann Pachelbel arr. Max Reger/Markus Becker - Bach Piano Transcriptions vol. 7 - Hyperion Ad genua Anna Thorvaldsdottir/Choir of Clare College Cambridge, The Dmitri Ensemble, Graham Ross - Iceland: The Eternal Music - Harmonia Mundi - Iceland: The Eternal Music - The Temple Stephan Micus - Life - ECM Amen hayr soup Levon MInassian & Armand Amar - Songs from a world apart - Long Distance Crucifixus a 8 Antonio Lotti/Choir of Clare College Cambridge, Graham Ross - Stabat Mater Dolorosa - Harmonia Mundi Cantata BWV 4 Christ lag in Todesbanden Johann Sebastien Bach/Paul Esswood, Kurt Equiluz, Max van Egmond, Chorus Viennensis, Concentus musicas Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt - Cantatas BWV 4-6 - Teldec Fljotavik Sigur Ros arr. Guy Button/The Dmitri Ensemble, Graham Ross - Iceland: The Eternal Music - Harmonia Mundi - Iceland: The Eternal Music - Al Qalima Al Qadima Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tuni - The Sultan of All Munshidin - Long Distance Adela Stephan Micus - Desert Poems - ECM Taksim arghoul (petit) The Musicians of the Nile - Egypte - Ocora Taksim arghoul (tayaram) The Musicians of the Nile - Egypte - Ocora Taksim (mizmar) The Musicians of the Nile - Egypte - Ocora Christ Lag In Todesbanden BWV625 Johann Sebastien Bach/Christopher Herrick - The Complete Organ Music of Johann Sebastian Bach vol. 9 The Orgelbuchlein - Hyperion 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The 107th Legislature is winding down, and we have finished most of our business for the 2022 session. Only one legislative day remains, which is scheduled to be Wednesday, April 20th. This last day we will convene to pass remaining bills on Final Reading, and then adjourn Sine Die until next year. Governor Ricketts signed, but line-item vetoed portions of all three budget bills, LBs 1011, 1012, and 1013, removing certain appropriations from the bills, including increased funding for healthcare provider rates. Last week, the legislature debated motions to override the Governors vetoes, and all three were successful. The budget bills will now become law as initially passed by the legislature. LB1014 also passed on Final Reading. This bill appropriates federal funds allocated to Nebraska as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Over the course of this session, the Appropriations Committee has worked with senators to divide up these one-time funds for various projects across the state. LB873 passed on Final Reading and was sent to Governor Ricketts for his signature. LB873 is one of the largest tax relief bills in recent Nebraska history, reducing the top Nebraska state individual income tax rate by 1%, lowering the corporate income tax rates by approximately 2% on all taxable income in excess of $100,000 by 2027, and phasing out the state income tax on social security benefits by 2025. Nebraska is currently one of only a few states that still taxes these benefits. LB873 also ensures that at least $560 million will be allocated for property tax relief going forward into the future, and creates a new income tax credit for property taxes paid to community colleges, in addition to the existing credit available for K-12 schools. This credit you will be able to claim starting next year on your state income taxes. If you are interested in an opportunity to serve, and are interested in being considered for an appointment to a state board or commission by the Governor, there may be an opening for you. These are great opportunities for citizens across Nebraska to bring their experience or expertise in a particular field to our state government. I would highly encourage those interested to apply. Gubernatorial appointments are confirmed by committee members during a hearing, and then by the full legislature. During the hearing, the appointee has an opportunity to testify, and members of the public can express their support, opposition, or neutral stance. A list of these openings, as well as information on how to apply, can be found on the Governors website which I have linked here: https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req I hope everyone has a blessed Easter weekend and is able to spend time with family and loved ones celebrating the joy of Christs resurrection. As we transition into interim, my office remains open and we look forward to continuing our work on issues that affect District 23 and Nebraska. I appreciate hearing from constituents and encourage you to contact my office on legislation at 402-471-2719 or bbostelman@leg.ne.gov. On April 7, over 320 children and parents alike packed the Schuyler Central High School cafeteria for Cookies with Cops, a social event organized by the Schuyler Communities for Kids as a capstone to the Week of the Young Child. The event aimed to introduce young children to law enforcement professionals in an environment that doesnt involve some manner of negative interaction. Representatives from the Colfax County Sheriffs Office, Schuyler Police Department and Nebraska Game and Parks were there to educate children on not only law enforcement and who they are but general safety. Many were bilingual, to accommodate children who may not speak English well. That way when approach someone like Deputy Ledon who can speak Spanish, its more comforting for them, Colfax County Sheriff Shawn Messerlie said. Messerlie and several deputies handed out materials and had a photo booth with the sheriff. Children could wear a hat and vest while Sheriff Messerlie donned a cookie costume. We want to humanize the badge as much as possible. That way they know were human, theyre able to talk to us and have fun with us. Thats very important, Messerlie said. Conservation Officer Kyler Prochaska had a table of furs, bones and antlers from Nebraska wildlife to see and touch. He said these events are important for community relations because children often only interact with law enforcement when theres a problem. It's also an opportunity to provide kids with a unique educational experience. Its just to teach kids about stuff they might not see every day, like a mountain lion skull or a river otter fur. They dont see that on this side of Nebraska, Prochaska said. The Schuyler Police Department had packets for kids and parents about car seat safety, bullying, internet safety and a myriad of topics, as well as badges and trinkets for the kids. Police Chief Robert Farber said he loves doing these types of events because its an easy way to interact with and educate children in a setting they enjoy. Theres a whole range of educational materials and we have the time to explain it. We can do a tremendous amount of community service and community policing by just providing materials, Farber said. Those types of things only improve the quality of life in your community, by providing information that makes the town safe. There were several non-law-enforcement organizations at the event as well, including the Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership, an organization that has been providing Nebraskans with health solutions since 1965. Their table was represented by Teresa Jackson, executive assistant with the organization. Seeing all the kids, we only get to see a small portion normally, and its great to see the community come together for events like this, Jackson said. Their table was also crewed by the organizations mascot, a large red heart. The heart had no comment aside from waving their hands wildly. The event was organized as an end to the Week of the Young Child in 2022, a week-long education and awareness campaign organized by Schuyler Communities for Kids, and more specifically, Kim Parsons, early childhood community coordinator for the group. This is to create awareness of the Week of the Young Child and honor the children of our community and those who love our kids, Parsons said. The involvement of the community and so many people here; its been a joy. Parsons added this would not have been possible without all the hard work from her team and the other groups involved. "A big thank you to all our area law enforcement, all the volunteers, and Schuyler Central High School for allowing us to use their cafeteria," Parsons said. The Week of the Young Child is meant to raise awareness of early childhood education through fun activities for children and parents alike. This event was preceded by several reading days at the library and the showing of "No Small Matter", a documentary about early childhood education. Tuesday, April 5, Mayor Jon Knutson made a proclamation marking the first week of April to be the Week of the Young Child in Schuyler. Communities for Kids has used the week this year to bring awareness to the lack of registered early childhood educators in Schuyler and provide resources for those who would like to register. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Last Saturday, an open house was held for Schuyler residents to see the changes made to the Oak Ballroom. The first priority was the removal of the booths and flooring. The booths, which many associate with the building, are not original. Their removal allows for up to 570 people in the building at a time. It also opens up the area by the fireplace for parties, weddings and quinceaneras. The flooring was past its expiration date bordering on 50-years-old, according to City Administrator Will De Roos, and well-past the 20-year lifespan attributed to these types of gymnasium or dance hall floors. For cosmetic changes, strings of Edison bulbs were draped along the support ties crisscrossing the ceiling, the stage was painted and the bathrooms were almost completely gutted. The ballroom was designed by Nebraska native Emiel Christensen. Construction began in 1937 using oak trees from the Platte River and stone from the local Wells, Abbott, Neiman Mill which was lost in a fire four years prior to construction. According to the National Register of Historic Places, these factors contributed to the "vernacular" style of the building. At its 1939 opening, the attendees were treated to a performance by Lawrence Welk and his orchestra. Welk later praised the buildings regality and its significance in his bands history in what he described as a lean time for them. In 1983 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its local interpretation of English Tudor Revival architecture. Its exposed oak timbers, white panel walls and barn-like trusses make it unique in Eastern Nebraska, and earned it its place on the register. The building came from the Work Progress Administration, an initiative by Franklin Roosevelt to both build infrastructure and build back jobs in the late '30s. Greg Hajeks father was one of the men employed to help build the ball room. At the time there was no jobs to be found, but he said that they were hiring here to build this place, so he got on here, Hajek said. Since then, it has hosted many weddings, birthdays, Christmas parties, reunions, quinceaneras and dances, and carried many memories with them. Theres been dances, Christmas parties Cargill, I worked for them for 22 years, went to every Christmas party here, all the dances I went to here, Hajek said. The buildings historical significance is amplified by its location, with the entrance passing through the Mormon Trail, a prominent historical feature in Nebraska. The mural by Jim Ridgeway above the fireplace commemorates this with a gold leaf impression of a covered wagon crossing the prairie. The open house had a solid attendance, with visitors filtering in from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to see the changes made. One such visitor was Jim Mejstrik, whose father was manager at the ballroom for years. He recalled when he had to cover for his father while he dealt with a family matter. When my dad was managing, it was funny because my uncle got sick in Oklahoma, so mom and dad left and we had prom, so I had to work the prom. It was not a good prom. The band was horrible. I had to unplug their equipment, Mejstrik chuckled. The final additions, custom floor trim and painting the stages acoustic tiles, have yet to be completed but the ballroom is functional without them. Ballroom Manager Daniele Baete-Kozisek said she will be painting the tiles on her own when she isnt busy, so it will take a while. The event center is booked on weekends for the foreseeable future. We do it in house, and its me that does it, so I kind of do it around my schedule. Right now we have no openings until March, Baete-Kozisek said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Spanish Crypto Investors Fleeing to Portugal to Escape Taxes, Say Lawyers Source: Adobe/Oleksii Increasing levels of scrutiny from the Spanish taxman are forcing Spaniards to flock to Portugal or at least declare their legal residence of their Iberian neighbor nation. And it is a phenomenon that could one day turn Spain into what legal experts have called a crypto desert. Portugal is known among crypto investors as a tax-free haven, where taxes are not imposed on cryptoasset holders and traders. Business Insider Spain reported that this contrasts with the situation across the border in Spain, where regulations continue to become stricter and stricter. Although a recent attempt to tax citizens on their crypto holdings held abroad as part of the controversial Modelo 720 system ended in something akin to farce, the taxman is likely to tweak declaration protocols to ensure that they get a cut of trading profits in the near future. The report quoted the lawyers Teresa Novo and Luisa Cinca, both from the Belzuz Abogados law firm which operates in both Spain and Portugal, and specializes in corporate and tax-related matters as stating that crypto investors residing in Spain are transferring their official residence to Portugal. The lawyers warned that this group included highly qualified people, many of whom have training in the areas of IT, computer engineering, and or economics, who were specifically looking for a country where they do not have to pay tax on all or part of their income. Although Portuguese law does not contain any specific rules pertaining to the taxation of income from the sale of cryptoassets, the legal experts stated that the situation is slightly more nuanced, to the extent that it is debatable whether token sales should be subject to taxation in Portugal, as they do not result from a legally recognized professional activity. Novo and Cinca noted that the only cases whereby the Portuguese tax authority has taken money from crypto traders are cases whereby crypto traders actively chose to declare that they were working as full-time traders and volunteered information about their earnings. A partner at another legal firm, Minoabogados y Agalbit, noted that while capital gains and income tax laws in Spain seek to charge individuals with tax rates of between 19% and 26%, the same operations in Portugal were taxed at 0%, as they do not constitute an economic activity in Portugal. Yet another lawyer was quoted as stating that an exodus of talent and digital investment was taking place from Spain to Portugal, whereby crypto folk felt that in Spain, there is a persecution of crypto and that in Portugal, the opposite is true. The lawyer was quoted as saying: Portugal is attracting digital nomads with different nationalities. These people often work in the crypto ecosystem and are coming together in the technological hub of Lisbon. [The city is becoming] increasingly relevant, with a very attractive international environment in which to do business. Some of the legal experts concluded that Spain was running the risk of becoming a crypto desert, with lawyers warning that if Spain failed to listen to the needs of crypto advocates and provide them greater legal certainty, it would lose out to countries who offer more favorable conditions for crypto growth. ____ Learn more: - How the Crypto Industry is Increasingly Paying Its Share of Tax - A Small Survey Shows that US Crypto Investors Have Big Problems with Taxes - Crypto Tax Trends in 2022: Increased Reporting, Updated Rules, and a Wealth Tax Debate - US Proposed Unrealized Gains Tax May Become 'Penalty for Being Successful' in Crypto - India Confirms Discriminatory Tax Rate for Crypto Investors - Spanish Retail Giant El Corte Ingles to Open Crypto Exchange Report - Spanish Telecom Behemoth Telefonica Weighs up Crypto Pay Options Stacey Gould might be new to Carlisle, but shes already well acquainted with the duties of a Main Street manager. The Downtown Carlisle Association announced on April 8 that Gould was hired for the position. As the DCAs Main Street manager, Gould will be responsible for creating and managing programs and projects that continually promote quality civic, economic, commercial and cultural development of the downtown business district in Carlisle Borough, according to the DCA. Her efforts will help cultivate a support system for businesses, advocate for the downtown area, work with the community to enhance the beauty of Carlisle and develop strategies to create an atmosphere that is both inviting and inclusive, the group said. Its a job Gould knows well, since shes served as the Main Street manager of Downtown Bedford Inc. since 2019. Gould brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and sales to the table and has a bachelors in communications media with a minor in journalism, according to the DCA. Her accomplishments as Bedfords Main Street manager include reinventing a variety of events and programs during the COVID pandemic, completing the Main Street designation application process and securing several grants. The selection of Stacey concludes an extensive search that began in January 2022 following the resignation of the former manager, DCA President Robin Burtner said. Following the interview process, it was clear to the search committee that Stacey was the ideal candidate for this role. Aside from her education and experience as a Main Street manager, her energy, self-motivation and passion to support and strengthen the business community as well as her understanding of the importance of establishing mutually beneficial partnerships was evident. The Sentinel gave Gould a chance to share her thoughts as she transitions into her new role. Q1: Why did you decide to pursue this role? A: Carlisle has an established and successful Main Street program, a beautiful downtown, a thriving business district and lots of opportunity for growth. Q2: What changes can residents expect to see in Downtown Carlisle under your leadership? A: Stay tuned. ... The DCA chose me for this role because they liked my ideas. Q3: What do you expect to continue with or keep the same? A: I imagine that DCAs signature events, such as the Ice Art Fest and Harvest of the Arts are traditions that will be kept the same for many years to come. Q4: How has serving as the Main Street manager in Bedford prepared you for this role in Carlisle? A: Not only am I familiar with the Main Street approach on how day-to-day business is conducted, I also have an understanding of how essential it is to build relationships and partnerships within the downtown community. Additionally, I have experience working with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and the Department of Community and Economic Development, which are integral associations for any successful revitalization program. Q5: What event or program are you most looking forward to participating in this year? A: Im excited to be involved with all of it. ... I cant wait to emerge into the culture of Carlisle. Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Awareness. Its the word Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack emphasized during a news conference Wednesday morning about Child Abuse Prevention Month. Its the reason 92 pinwheels spin outside the Cumberland County Courthouse at 1 Courthouse Square. Its the concept that, put into practice, might have saved Onyx Daw. In his two minutes at the podium, McCormack spoke of the second-grade boy in Harrisburg who stopped going to classes in January 2002, and whom nobody checked on or asked about but who died a month later. The boy was brutalized and beaten to death by his mothers boyfriend, McCormack said, and he is only one of many local child abuse victims. A series of Cumberland County officials broached the topic at the podium Wednesday, and pinwheels were placed outside of the courthouse. A total of 92 pinwheels spin in the breeze, each honoring a victim of 2020 child abuse in Cumberland County. One case of child abuse is one too many, McCormack said. As you watch the blue pinwheels spin in front of our county courthouse, youll notice one black one, signifying a fatality. Nikki McElwee, director of Children & Youth Services, also spoke at the conference. When we receive a child abuse call, staff responds immediately, she said. Our caseworkers respond by going into homes [to] assess the safety and risk of children while trying to deescalate a crisis. The county said an announcement came in January that Cumberland County Children and Youth Services is eligible for the First Responder Assistance Program due to the traumatic stress that case workers experience in their field. Along with Children and Youth Services many of our county departments work directly or indirectly with the effects of child abuse in our county, Cumberland County Commissioner Gary Eichelberger said. The effects of abuse on a child can cause toxic stress, the most medically serious form of stress which often effects learning, behavior, and the overall health of a child during their life. These impacts not only degrade the well-being of a child, but sets the stage for ongoing future support needs, often with enormous human and financial costs throughout a lifetime. The county identified the Child Advocacy Center as the first step of a childs healing. Lynn Carson, operations director at UPMC Child Advocacy Center of Central PA, said the organization has a safe environment for children ages zero to 18 that allows them to speak about their worst experiences in a way that doesnt traumatize them or make them have to repeat their story multiple times. Kids often tell us that after their appointment at CAC, a huge weight has been lifted from their shoulders, Carson said. They are reassured that they are not at fault, that they arent the only ones who have experienced abuse, and that they can heal and move forward. She said CAC plans to open a satellite office on Brookwood Drive in August. Commissioner Jean Foschi outlined some of the signs of child abuse. These include changes in behavior or school performance, a child who has not received health for medical care for physical issues that parents have been made aware of and learning difficulties that arent related to physical or psychological causes. As a mother of two children, this is an issue I take very seriously, Foschi said. We need to protect our children, so they grow up healthy and happy. As parents, it is our duty to keep our children safe. Commissioner Vince DiFilippo said the community, county government and residents need to work together to help children. It is vitally important that we bring attention to the violence against children in our county and country, and families and communities work together to prevent child abuse and neglect, he said. The county will fly the Childrens Memorial Flag, created by a California teen to raise national awareness about child abuse, at the courthouse during the month of April. The Childline hotline is 1-800-932-0313. McCormack said that Wednesdays message was one of awareness. Think of the kids and think of what you can do when you see these pinwheels, he said. ... Literally, our kids lives do depend on this. Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Lower Allen Township Development Authority was recognized during the 26th Annual Governors Awards for Local Government Excellence Wednesday. The authority and the township partnered to bring the stability of government and the flexibility of an authority to help guide development of the Lower Allen Commons site that houses Trader Joes in the township. The former Bon-Ton site features three smaller tenant retail spaces along with Trader Joes, which just recently opened. The project also includes a 124-room Spring Hill Suites by Marriot, which is also scheduled to open in 2022. As part of its 2018 comprehensive plan, Lower Allen purchased and redeveloped the site in the townships business district. With no state or federal funding, the authority secured a loan and purchased the site with the goal to create an economic anchor and remove a blighted space. Its an honor to recognize all of these local officials, governments and organizations for their achievements over the past year, Department of Community and Economic Development acting Secretary Neil Weaver said. More than any other level of government, local government has the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives. The projects and individuals recognized today help continue to make Pennsylvania the best place in the world to live, work and play. Eleven communities, two organizations, and eight individuals from across the state were recognized during the awards ceremony. Email Jeff at jpratt@cumberlink.com or follow him on Twitter @SentinelPratt. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The crew is officially halfway into the mission, but there is more to be done before returning to Earth. Today was another busy day for the crew members as they continued conducting groundbreaking research and participating in outreach activities to inspire the global public. The entire Ax-1 crew participated in an Earth-to-space call with local Houston students ages 8 to 18 attending a special event at Space Center Houston in Texas. The event served as a mid-way checkpoint for the crew and is one out of a series of in-flight events the Ax-1 astronauts are hosting with educational organizations to inspire and teach science, technology, engineering, art, and math to students around the globe. These STEAM-focused efforts are integral to each crew member's desire to promote learning opportunities during the first private astronaut mission to the ISS. Earlier today Larry Connor shared personal reflections and explained the effects of microgravity on the body with Dr. Steven Nissen and his Cleveland Clinic colleagues. Connor is carrying out several research projects aboard the ISS to better understand aging and heart health in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Connor also spoke with students to foster interest in STEAM and space careers from the Dayton Early College Academy, a public charter school in Ohio serving 1,300 students, K-12, who live in Dayton's most underserved communities. Mark Pathy spoke with students from the Wikwemikong Pontiac School, a first nation education school serving students for the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Pathy explained how drinking water is processed on the ISS and what happens to your organs and blood when moving in an environment without gravity. Recently, Pathy unveiled a winning piece of artwork from Indigenous schools. The artwork, inspired by Turtle Island, provides a message about the importance of Earth preservation for future generations. The effort is in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Geographical society. Ax-1 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria is currently on his fifth space mission. As commander, he assists the new astronauts in experiments, serves as a guide to life in microgravity, and ensures mission success. He also participates in several outreach efforts talking to journalists and organizations around the globe. Stibbe completed a space observation experiment (ILAN-ES) from the Cupola to study the electrical phenomena above thunderstorms, known as Transient Luminous Events. As part of the experiment, Stibbe photographed a lightning storm over Darwin, Australia, while the researcher leading the study, Prof. Yoav Yair, dean of the Reichman University School of Sustainability, accompanied him from the Rakia Mission Control Center in Tel Aviv. Daily predictions about the location of the storm are transmitted to Stibbe at the ISS by a team of scientists that guides him on where to point the camera. This protocol is similar to procedures of the MEIDEX experiment, which was conducted onboard the Columbia space shuttle in 2003, by the late Col. Ilan Ramon. Observations of these events from space will be compared with imagery taken of the same events from the ground to enhance understanding of the electrical processes in the atmosphere and to determine whether there's a connection with climate change. As part of the Rakia Mission, four scientific experiments that were developed by Israeli middle school students and as part of the SpaceLab project will be conducted at the ISS. SpaceLab, led by the Ramon Foundation, is the leading educational project in Israel in the field of space. The project gives students a unique opportunity to submit an experiment to the ISS after they have completed a project-based learning program. The experiments that are part of Stibbe's Rakia Mission are examining the effect of microgravity on microbiota, microbiota reaction to antibiotics, and how microgravity affects the speed of biodegradation of PET plastic by Ideonella Sakaiensis bacteria. These experiments also examine the effect of adding Moringa seed powder and copper pieces on the growth of E. coli germs under microgravity conditions and how microgravity affects the transfection rate of nano-ghosts to lung cancer cells. Pathy successfully completed the third and final session of holoportation by evaluating the use of augmented reality technology to create a holo-presence of the crew on Earth and its Earth-based counterpart back up to space. This behavioral support activity can immediately improve the ISS crew member's feeling of connectedness to loved ones and confidants on Earth. All of the astronauts are completing daily sessions to evaluate whether the development of emotional distress can be detected by continuous app-based monitoring of basic Central Nervous System (CNS) functions. A combination of wearable sensors along with a self-report questionnaire and functional testing mobile application will allow accurate monitoring of stress levels among crew members throughout their space journey. As the crew inches closer to its final days on the ISS, each astronaut will continue working around the clock to ensure the appropriate measures and preparations are being made to finalize the more than 25 scientific experiments currently being conducted aboard the space station as part of the world's first all-private astronaut mission on the ISS. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Ann Lemons Pollack, a Desloge native who became a noted food writer and restaurant critic, died Wednesday from injuries sustained in a fall at her home in Clayton. She was 76. Ann Lemons Pollack was born July 14, 1945, in St. Francois County, Missouri, the daughter of two school teachers from Desloge. Her son, Terry Lemons, noted that her first profession was that of a nurse. "She put herself through Mineral Area College, got an associate's degree and then became a registered nurse all while being a single mom and raising two kids," said Terry Lemons. "Few people I know could've pulled all that together, building a career and raising two children," he said. Moving to St. Louis in 1974, she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Louis University. "She was always proud of that fact. And no matter what else she did (in life), she always spoke highly, and often, of the sisterhood of nurses," her son said. While working as a nurse, Pollack began traveling and writing food stories for Menu, a New Orleans publication. Her stories drew the attention of the higher-ups at St. Louis Dining, for whom she began writing in 1984. While covering the restaurant beat for St. Louis Dining, she met Joe Pollack and the two were married in 1994. He died in 2012. Spending almost 30 years writing about the St. Louis dining environment, Pollack was a well-known guest at most St. Louis eateries. Those meals provided her with enough material to write two books about local eating landmarks: "Lost Restaurants of St. Louis" and "Iconic Restaurants of St. Louis." She also wrote three guide books about local restaurants with her late husband Joe, a longtime Post-Dispatch food critic. When she could, she returned to the place of her roots, visiting family and friends. In 2007, she and her husband Joe returned to the area and visited her alma mater, MAC, to join a panel of Missouri authors that included Joe Harte, Bill McClellan, Cheree Berry, Rachel Neumeier and Jim Kellogg, among others. As a panel member, she was asked by an audience member what her favorite restaurant or meal might be, and while she said she couldnt give a single answer, she experienced an unforgettable Christmas Eve in Singapore where she was served fish head curry. I grew up in Desloge before pizza came to St. Francois County, she said. I was always a timid eater. In Singapore, we ordered fish head curry. They don't revere women there as much as men, so I was so relieved when they took the eye out of the fish and put it on my husband's plate! She was a board member of the St. Louis Media History Foundation. Foundation president Frank Absher noted that he always enjoyed "just being around her." "She could tell great stories, and she could tell them for hours," Absher said. Pollack's son was in agreement on that point. "I think if there was one thing my mom liked more than food, it was talking," he said with a laugh. Terry Lemons said that a memorial service likely will be held this summer. "She and Joe's family were very close, but they're spread out from Norway to Arizona. So we'll get everyone together later," he said. Along with her son, who lives in Virginia, she is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Lemons of Georgia, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Sarah Haas is the assistant editor for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-518-3617 or at shaas@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. During their Wednesday meeting, members of the St. Francois County Joint Communications Center Board of Directors honored the dispatchers who handled a recent spate of shootings in the area, including the ambush that killed Bonne Terre Patrolman Lane Burns and wounded Corporal Garrett Worley on March 17. Executive Director Alan Wells observed that this week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators week, which recognizes those who work at the agencies that take 911 emergency calls. It's a hard job, it's a tough job for these folks, because a lot of times they don't even have the finality of calls and situations and of course, then the brains are left fill in the blank sometimes, he said. It's an emotional job. And then when you end up working incidents that involve your our own family and our own first responders, it's even tougher. Six dispatch staff members were particularly honored: Dispatchers Karlie Blankenship, Brody Johnson, Rikki Mayberry, Ashley Richard, Supervisors Doug Graham and Dispatcher Justin Barton. The board also recognized staff who came in to help during the March 17 tragedy, Deputy Director Chuck Farr, IT Director Allen Stegall and Quality Control and Training Supervisor Gary Fryman, who gave the last call for Officer Burns during the funeral service. This team here, who we specifically invited today to honor, has been getting beaten up lately, they've had a lot of incidents, Well said, referring to the intensity and number of emergency calls received. Most of the major incidents we've had in the last two years have landed on this team. They've done an excellent job, they still show up every day to sit down in their chairs and continue taking calls and working with our responders, our police and our fire and EMS family. So we just want to say thank you to them and our hat goes off to you every day for the job that you do. Before handing plaques of proclamation or certificates of appreciation to the recipients, board member James Jebo Bullock, who is also Desloge chief of police and the 911 centers Personnel Law Committee chair, had a few words to say. Oftentimes, those people sitting in that chair are not really getting recognition and they should because of the mere fact of what they've done for the officer out there. It's something people should think about, theyre the lifeline for that police officer, he said. I think about what those dispatchers are doing in there, when they're really putting out just as much effort and its as important as what is happening out on the street. I just want to make sure that our dispatchers understand that I understand it, and I know it and I hope that the police officers out there on the street understand and know that you're such an important part of their day-to-day job, every time they go on call. Bonne Terre Police Chief Doug Calvert, who had been honored by his city for 30 years in law enforcement just a few days before the March 17 incident, said since his daughter is a dispatcher, hes well aware of how hard the job can be, to keep a calm, controlled tone while responding to intense emergency situations. I know how hard it was that night for whoever gave me that call on this team, and it was probably one of the hardest things you ever had to do, Calvert said. It certainly was one of the hardest times I've ever had to pick up the phone. But it was handled with so much professionalism, dedication and grace, you did the best you could with bad situation. I sat in that chair one day next to my daughter and watched her (dispatch) for 10 minutes and I was like, you can have this, I'm out. I mean, it's just unbelievable. Seven screens and the phones going and multitasking everything. You're the face behind the screen that makes it happen, that people don't really get to see. Yes, it seems like everybody wants to honor police and stuff, but youre part of that. If not for the work you guys do here, we can't do anything. Fire, police, EMS, and the work that this board does to see that you guys get what you need. I think you should be thanked and I cannot begin to express my heartfelt appreciation for the way you do what you do. Board Chairman Ron Bockenkamp pointed out Bonne Terre is not only his hometown, he hinted he came by his own, longtime career in law enforcement honestly as his grandfather was chief of Bonne Terre police back in the day. And so needless to say, I'm very proud of your department and the community, he told Calvert. Yes, we have appropriately here this morning recognized our staff and made sure our dispatchers were appropriately recognized. But we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge, how did they get there? How did they attain the professionalism that was demonstrated? And that was due to the leadership of our director. While there's not a proclamation for him to hang on his wall, he's got plenty of those already. I do think that it would be appropriate that we do recognize that the professionalism of this staff and the operation of this facility is a direct result of the guidance of our executive director, Alan wells. Wells said he appreciated the call-out. Thank you, but it's certainly everyone here that does this job, they're the ones that deserve all this recognition. The team that put it together and work it every day. Thank you very much, he said. Board member Tim Porter said early in his career, he once filled in on Farmingtons emergency dispatch service one Sunday morning, and it was a lesson he never forgot on how difficult dispatching can be. Nothing critical happened, but I developed an appreciation very early in my career for what dispatch had to go through, their ability to communicate and to multitask, and to remain calm while helping people through whats oftentimes the most awful day that they've ever had, he said. Its just a credit to the professionalism of this group and the dispatchers before this. So thank you all very much for what you do. And those of us that know... Well, it's the old saying, if you know, you know, and we know. Board member Mark Allen said he remembered, before the 911 center was formed, emergency services had to dispatch for themselves, so he also had some familiarity with the challenges of the job. They're an integral part of any public safety organization and knowing how important they are, it's awesome to see where the district has been, where we've gone and where were going. You're also only as good as the employees that you have working for you, and obviously, we have great people working here. Bonne Terre/Big River Fire Chief David Pratte, who is also on the board, marveled at the number of calls dispatch had to take the night of March 17. They not only had multiple (police departments) moving that night, they had multiple ambulances. They had my fire department and move-ups cover us, Pratte said. I mean, I'm not saying there was one police car, there was 30 police cars so there were 30 units moving there. Everybody knows when fire gets on, there we got 100 people talking and then with three helicopters landing. Bless your hearts, is all I can say. Porter noted, to add on to Prattes observation, emergencies didn't stop around the county. There were shootings, there was a shooting in Farmington the same night, plus just their normal course of duty and their ability to keep going. It's just a credit to the individuals in this room and Alans staff Pratte agreed, .and the information between the departments and police and fire and EMS, I mean all that information. In a very few minutes there was a tremendous amount. I don't know how they kept up with all of it, but thats what they do. Allen picked up the thread. The multitasking is not something everyone can do. I can attest, I've seen it over the years and very few people have the ability to sit behind a console and dispatch multiple things at the same time and try to keep it straight, he said. That is a very hard job and requires a level of multitasking just anybody cannot do it. Thats why theres often turnover in dispatching because of the stress of what they go through, so it's always good when you have people that deal with that in the way that these guys do. Wells said he appreciated hearing all the comments of recognition from the chiefs and board members, and he also wanted to thank local businesses who were helping to recognize 911 staff this week, too. Buckley Towing, Marlers Towing, Rhodes, Coltons and Save A Lot all contributed to the meals, small gifts or items of recognition for the employees of the 911 center. In other news, the board: Heard a report on Marchs sales tax revenue, which was $293,261.72, higher than last years revenue which was $275,483.42. Heard Wells inform them that the Simms Mountain Tower project is progressing, although theyre taking a slight detour to connect the new and old towers to guard against a single point of failure. Urged Wells to contact EMS personnel for their input on the centers consultation initiative. Sarah Haas is the assistant editor for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-518-3617 or at shaas@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. What seemed undoable when Russia invaded Ukrainebanning Russian oil and gas sales in a Europe that depends heavily on Russian energyis becoming increasingly likely. But it will need to be done right if it is going to work.Sanctions imposed against Russia in February after the war began notably excluded energy because it was feared that Europe is so dependent on Russia energy imports that severing the ties would result in skyrocketing prices, shortages and economic hardship. The European publics support for the concerted Western response to the invasion might be undermined. Then came almost two months of wardevastating attacks against civilians, the horrors revealed by the Russian retreat from Kyiv, the imminence of massive battles in the Donbas region. European governments have vowed to wean themselves off Russian energy over several years; but now, amid mounting revulsion over Russian President Vladimir Putins tactics, momentum is accelerating for European Union energy sanctions. It has already begun with Russian coal. But gas and oil are the big-money sources for Russias war financing. If Europe cut off shipments completely, we calculate that it would cost the Kremlin, at current prices, more than $250 billion a year. Is it possible to do so without causing massive, destabilizing economic pain? Self-sanctioningrefineries refusing to use Russian oil, banks not providing financingis already reducing European purchases of Russian energy. High import tariffs on Russian energy, intended to force Russia to take massive discounts to make its oil competitive, are now under discussion. Completely severing Europe from Russian energy, though, will depend on skillfully managing the resulting energy shortages and turbulence. To succeed requires something that has until now been largely missing: collaboration between government and industry. Politics needs to be put aside, along with recycled sound bites about price gouging that ignore the realities of shortages in the global market and discourage cooperation. U.S. and European governments need to collaborate with companies on a daily basis, sharing information, to coordinate the complex logistics and supply chains of a nearly 100 million barrel per day oil market. This is wartime, and that means reaching back to the government-industry collaboration of World War II and the voluntary agreements of the Korean War and emergency committees of the 1956 Suez Crisis, which at the time included temporary antitrust exemptions to permit critical information flow among government and companies. With such cooperation, sanctions against Europe-bound Russian oil may just be manageable. According to our figures, about half of Russias 7.5 million barrels per day of crude and product exports go to Europemeeting about 35 percent of total demand. President Bidens recent announcement of a huge release from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve was a major step to help offset shortages. U.S. oil production will increase substantially this year. Middle East producers could add more oil quickly, but that would mean jettisoning their OPEC Plus agreement and getting beyond the tensions in U.S.-Saudi relations. An Iran nuclear deal, with sanctions lifted, could quickly bring more oil to market. But Russia, a party to the deal, may not support an agreement that would add competitive oil to the market. Some of the Russian barrels rejected by Europe would move to Asia, but sold at big discounts, and their passage would be impeded by sanctions, limits on insurance and finance, and the physical availability of ships. Here, lessons need to be applied from the 2012-2014 sanctions on Iran. Natural gas is the biggest challenge, because of Europes high dependence on pipeline delivery from Russianormally about 35% of E.U. demand, but fluctuating down to 25%. While liquefied natural gas (LNG) has brought much additional gas to Europe and with more to come, there is not enough additional LNG capacity globally or sufficient LNG infrastructure in Europe to offset a shortfall from turning off the Russian spigot. Significantly expanding renewable energy will take years. But there are immediate steps that could reduce Europes gas dependency: temporarily using more coal; if possible technically, not shuttering Germanys last three operating nuclear reactors; energy conservation; behavioral changes (e.g., adjusting building temperatures); and possibly some form of rationing. These steps would be heavy lifts politically, especially in Germany, but as horrors continue to emerge from Ukraine, people may be more accepting of the moves than their leaders anticipate. To soften the economic impact, governments may look hard at Russian financial assets in Europe to compensate consumers and companies. A decade ago, Putin denounced the fracking shale revolution, recognizing it as a threat. He was right to worry. If the United States had not gone from importing 60 percent of its oil to becoming the worlds No. 1 producer and, this year, the worlds largest exporter of LNG, Europe might now be his hostage. Now, Putin has revealed just how formidable a strategic asset U.S. oil and gas isnot only for the United States but also, in this deepening crisis, for Europe. Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global, is the author of The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. Carlos Pascual, a senior vice president at S&P Global, is a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and Ukraine. Adapted from an April 13 speech at the Old North Church Foundations Lantern2022 event. When I was growing up in Medford, Massachusetts, in the 1950s, I was asked to read Paul Reveres Ride at the Patriots Day celebration in Medford Square. I can picture the scene today: a raised platform in front of Gaffeys Funeral Homethe same house where Revere reportedly hitched his horse to wake up Isaac Hall, a captain of the Minutemen. Hundreds of people looking on with excitement. A brass band blaring John Philip Sousas The Stars and Stripes Forever. And mea Cub Scout, amazed that I had the chance to be part of such an important occasion.It was the most exciting moment of my young life. And its probably what inspired me to pick up a novel set in colonial Boston titled Johnny Tremain. I must have read it hundreds of times. In my bedroom. On the bus to school. Id even bring it on the Talthough it wasnt called the T back thenwhen I would go to the North End to see Revolutionary War sites. As a child, I didnt know that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote Paul Reveres Ride in 1860 to rally public support for the Union and against secession and slavery. And I didnt know that Esther Forbes wrote Johnny Tremain after hearing of the attack on Pearl Harbor, to rally public support for the young soldiers and sailors going off to war. Both writers used history to inspire a new generation of Americans to believe in the ideals that gave birth to our nationso that they would propel us forward. Those ideals were captured in a single sentence that began, We hold these truths to be self-evident. The truths may have been self-evident back when those words were written, but how to apply them was not. The Founders fiercely debated that question, and so has every generation since. That never-ending debateover the meaning of equality, and of life, liberty and the pursuit of happinesslies at the heart of the American experience. In that debate, we can see all of our national greatnessand all of our failures, too. We can see the slave ownerand Frederick Douglass. We can see womens subjugationand Susan B. Anthony. We can see the Trail of Tearsand Chief Joseph. We can see Jim Crowand the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. We can see No Irish Need Apply signsand John Fitzgerald Kennedy. We can see Asian exclusionand Michelle Wu. We can see Mexican exploitationand Cesar Chavez. We can see the assassination of Harvey Milkand the marriage of Barney Frank. And we can hear Father Coughlins antisemitic radio programjust as we can hear a song written by a Jewish refugee, Irving Berlin, called God Bless America. We can see and hear all of that, and so much more, in the argument weve been carrying on for 246 years about the meaning of those self-evident truths. We have settled many of the arguments, thankfullynever without a long and hard struggle. But many more remain, and always will. Because this is our calling as Americans: to engage in this debatecivilly, democratically and peacefullynot as enemies, but as fellow citizens. It is our birthrightour civic dutyand our most sacred tradition. But sadly, I must stand before you tonight and say that it is being jeopardized by one of the gravest dangers any democracy can face: righteous intolerance. In our ongoing debate over self-evident truths, American history has always been contested ground. On every issue, each side has always claimed to be the true voice of Americas founding ideals. But in recent years, the debate has taken a turn. More and more, there are people who look at U.S. leaders from earlier generations and see flaws that should disqualify their statues from places of honor. To continue to honor them, these critics say, is to condone racism. Or sexism. Or homophobia. And they believe we should cleanse our public spaces of them. On the other side, there are people who look at the same leaders and see virtues that should shield them from criticism. To call attention to their flaws, they say, is to hate America, and they are trying to cleanse schools of books that might make students feel uncomfortable, if they were to learn about these flaws and other dark chapters in our history. Each side scorns the other with righteous intolerance. But I think most of us would agree that there is a reasonable middle ground. Because the fact is: We can honor a persons good deeds and be critical of their failings. Its not one or the other. And doing both is a matter of national survivalbecause a nation that shares no heroes will not long be a nation. And a democracy that demands blind devotion to heroes will not long be a democracy. We are not a perfect country. Never have been, never will be. But while we arent batting a thousand, were still doing better than Ted Williams ever did, which isnt too shabby. And every time we face up to our mistakes and failures, we grow strongerbecause patriotism doesnt require perfection from the past. It requires honesty in the present. Its great to see the Old North Church Foundation acknowledging the fullness of its history. Not just the light of freedom in the steeplebut the darkness of slavery in the wood that surrounds us, which was logged by people held in bondage. Talking about that history doesnt diminish the sacredness of this place. It enriches our understanding of it. The same is true with the story of Paul Reveres ride. Neither Longfellow nor Forbes mention what Revere told us he saw as he rode from Charlestown to Medford on that famous night, and on to Lexington and Concord: the skeletal remains of an enslaved man, who had been hanged from a tree years earlier. Revere went galloping pastjust as freedom would gallop past generations of Black Americans to come. That doesnt mean we should stop reading Longfellows poem, or Forbess novel. It just means that we should create our own poems and novels, for our own time. Each generation is called to refresh the story of America. Not to rewrite history, but to revisit it; and recast it; and reclaim it; and pass it down to the next generation, by teaching them about our civic foundationscracks and allso that they can continue the work of building a more perfect union. Sadly, there is growing evidence that we are failing to meet that responsibilityand we can see the failure on both sides of the political aisle. And again, the problem is the same: righteous intolerance. Today, there are militant groups that harken back to the American Revolution, with names like the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters. They see themselves as the heirs of the Sons of Liberty, even though their anti-government and often racist ideologies have far more in common with the old Confederates. There will always be extremists in politics, but before Jan. 6, 2021, we had never seen a mob storm the Capitol to block the peaceful transfer of power after an election. And what happened in the days and months that followed was no less disturbing. Far too many people in the former presidents party downplayed the attack, as if it were just another peaceful protest march. There have been important exceptions to that in Washington, including a former Massachusetts governor, Senator Mitt Romney. And one of the strongest voices of all has been Massachusetts great current governor, Charlie Baker. Nevertheless, polls show that the majority of Republicans believe not only that the 2020 election was stolen, but also that the members of the mob who stormed the Capitol were actually protecting democracyrather than attempting to overthrow it. My fellow citizens, that is a five-alarm fire, and it is burning with the kind of fuel that can consume a democracy: anger, distrust and conspiracy. When righteous intolerance is expressed in apocalyptic terms, like the end of liberty and the end of America, it can become a justification for doing anything, no matter how extreme or unlawful. Unless we do more to extinguish this raging fire, the flames will spread. And instead of the torch of liberty that shines from New York Harborlit from the same flame that appeared here in the steeplewe will again see the torches of mobs, just as we did in Charlottesville five years ago. In that same city of Charlottesville, we can also see how the righteous intolerance threatening our democracy is a bipartisan problem. This week, former vice president Mike Pence gave a speech at the University of Virginia over the objections of the student newspaper, which argued that he should not be allowed to speak. Now, it will not come as a surprise to you that the former vice president and I dont agree on just about anything. And that is exactly why its my obligation to defend his right to speak. Because when we do not uphold the rights of our political opponents, we should not be surprised when they fail to uphold ours. To their credit, the universitys leadership stood up and ensured that the lecture could go on. But the problem of intolerance for free expression and the civil exchange of ideas has gotten much worse since 2014, when I gave a commencement speech on the topic across the river at Harvard. And it has spread far beyond college campuses. Today, in addition to academics and students, people of all walks of life are increasingly afraid to speak their minds. They fear they might say something that could be taken the wrong wayleading them to be publicly humiliated, socially ostracized and even fired from their jobs. This is another form of mob rule. And while the danger is not of the same magnitude as a mob attacking the Capitol to overturn an election, it is born of the same spirit of righteous intolerance. In both cases, the populist wings of our parties are taking a page from the Salem witch trials. They are convinced they know what justice requires based on their own morally absolute viewsheretics be damned. And sadly, many elected officials in both parties quietly go along with them to preserve their political careers. Although neither side wants to admit it, the challenges to democracy from the right and left are closely related. Because the spirit of righteous intolerance that silences speakers is the same spirit that bans books, and even bans certain words and topics. The impulse to nullify other peoples speech is the same impulse that led people to try to nullify an election. Because when people can cancel opinions, they begin to think they can cancel votes, too. In all its forms, left and right, cancel culture is a cancer on our democracyand all of us in both parties need to stand up and fight it. The human tendency to suppress free expression reminds me of a scene from Johnny Tremain. As Johnny looks on at a Sons of Liberty meeting, one of the senior leadersJames Otis Jr.asks the others why they might go to war. To free Boston from the Red Coats, said one. To prevent taxation without representation, said another. For the rights of Englishmen the world over, said a third. No, said Otis. They would fight for a much simpler idea: Only that a person can stand up. To stand up. And be heard. And be counted. And be free to pursue our ambitions and express our beliefs. That has always been Americas fight, and its why those self-evident truths have changed so much since 1776. Because every generation has fought to stand upto expand the definition of equality and liberty. And time and again, we have supported other nations in their fights to stand up, including the courageous people of Ukraine, who have inspired the world. Our commitment to the good fightthe fight against tyranny and intolerance in all their formsis why America has always been the place where people come when they vote with their feetincluding, I will note, Paul Reveres father. He was born Apollos Rivoire, and his family was among the many Huguenots who fled France to escape persecution. As a child, his family sent him here, so he would have the chance to stand up. His story is as much the story of America as his sons. And its just as important that we teach that story to our childrenof refugees and immigrants seeking freedom and opportunitybecause its impossible to understand the genius of America without it. The last time I was in Medford, shortly before the pandemic, I passed by Gaffeys Funeral Homeand I was surprised to see it had closed. But the building was still there. And right next to the rock with the historical plaque about Paul Revere hitching his horse at that spot, there was a sign for the buildings new occupant: the Islamic Cultural Center of Medfordthe communitys first mosque. So the house where the son of a religious refugee sparked the American Revolution is now a house of worship for another religious group that has faced intolerance here, and whose members are making their own important contributions to their community and country. If that isnt the most quintessentially American story, I dont know what is. And I couldnt be prouder to say that its just a mile down the road from the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Jewish Community Center. The legend of Paul Revere endures because the fight for freedom and equality for all has never ended. In 1967, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said, We still need some Paul Revere of conscience to alert every hamlet and every village of America that revolution is still at hand. It was true then. It is true today. And it will be true tomorrow. Michael R. Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, and UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions. Opportunity Beckons in the Mideast, was the headline of an op-ed by Jared Kushner in the March 15, 2021, edition of the Wall Street Journal. The high-minded article about prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, sprinkled with free advice for the then-new Biden administration, cast former president Donald Trumps son-in-law and erstwhile Middle East envoy as an elder statesman of sorts. Recent news puts himand his definition of opportunityin a rather different light. The New York Times reports that Kushners new real estate private equity venture took a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund in 2021. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, reportedly ordered the investment personally, over the objections of the wealth funds experts, who saw Kushner as too inexperienced and his business plan too risky. Other Gulf states had rebuffed Kushner, for similar reasons. Thus, the Saudi stake represents the vast majority of his firms $2.5 billion capital. Kushner, and partners, stand to get a $25 million per year management fee, plus a share of any profits, according to the Times. Its a troubling arrangementin many ways. Kushner is well-known as having been the crown princes top advocate within the White House during the four years Trump occupied it. His ostensible rationale for courting MBS was to win Saudi backing for Arab recognition of Israel, which several countries did conferthough not Saudi Arabia. Kushners solicitude continued even after it became evident that MBS ordered the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a regime critic and Post Global Opinions contributing columnist, at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Playing down that crime and the MBS regimes cover-up, the Trump administration later blocked efforts in the United Nations and Congress to curb Saudi excesses in its proxy war with Iran over Yemen. Instead, Trump boosted U.S. arms sales to Riyadh. The crown princes financial backing despite contrary business considerations looks to all the world like a lucrative reward to Kushner. And it creates the additional impression that what MBS is really investing in is not some real estate venture but the Trump familys political futurespecifically, a possible White House comeback by Kushners father-in-law if he runs again, and wins, in the 2024 presidential election. It is yet another signalong with his refusal to raise crude oil production when the Biden administration sought help tamping down gas pricesthat MBS sees his government not as a U.S. ally, but as the ally of one side in domestic partisan politics. Mr. Kushners dealings are, to be sure, similar in kind to the influence-peddling in Ukraine and China of President Bidens son, Hunter. The important difference is that Mr. Kushner, unlike the younger Mr. Biden, was not just a high officials family member, but a high official himself: assistant to the president and senior advisor. We look forward, though not with bated breath, to Republican outrage over the Saudi-Kushner connection being at least equal to that being vented over Hunter Biden. There should be nothing partisan about ridding U.S. foreign policy of even the appearance of self-interest by those who conduct it. The question of whether Gen. Robert E. Lee will have a meltdown is still unresolved. The seemingly never-ending legal saga over Charlottesvilles Confederate statues began a new chapter Wednesday as attorneys for bidders connected to the Monument Fund attempted to defend their lawsuit that, in part, seeks to prevent the destruction of the citys statue of Lee. The hearing in Charlottesville Circuit Court was spurred by a lawsuit filed by two plaintiffs Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation and the Ratcliffe Foundation, on behalf of its subsidiary Ellenbrook Museum. The two allege the city violated the Freedom of Information Act, Virginia Public Procurement Act and state code when it awarded the Lee statue to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center in December. The Jefferson School Center is also named as a defendant. Much of the lawsuit appears to be in response to the Centers intentions for the monument, which notably includes a plan to melt down the statue and recast the ingots into a new work of art devoid of the controversies of the Confederacy. According to previous documents filed in the case, the statue may have already been taken apart as the foundry began the smelting process prior to the lawsuit being filed. The foundations are represented by attorneys Ralph Main, Jock Yellott and S. Braxton Puryear. They also represented Charlottesville area residents in a previous Monument Fund-backed lawsuit against the city over votes to remove the Lee and Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jackson statues. The Lee statue has been in a city storage facility since its removal on July 10. The city called for proposals on what to do with Lee in July and again in September. The Center submitted a proposal for the statue to be melted into ingots and transformed into a work of art that reflects the communitys values. The statue would then be given back to the city for public display. The process would include a comprehensive six-month community engagement process. In city Circuit Court on Wednesday, attorneys representing the defendants argued in favor of a demurrer a legal term used to describe a dismissal based on the argument that a partys lawsuit cannot succeed. During an early stage of a lawsuit, a court must consider legal matters in a light most favorable to the plaintiffs and assume alleged facts are correct. That means defendants must prove that the lawsuit cannot succeed even within this perspective. Representing the city, Robinson J. Hubbard argued in part that the lawsuit hinged on the courts interpretation of the preceding Payne v. Charlottesville case. Much like the current lawsuit, that case saw the plaintiffs sue the city and City Council in 2017 for voting to remove the statues. After years of legal back and forth, last year the Supreme Court of Virginia overturned a 2019 Circuit Court decision that ruled the city violated a state code section that, at the time, prevented localities from removing war monuments. The state Supreme Court agreed with the citys argument that the law only applied to monuments erected in counties prior to 1997, when it was amended to include cities as well. Prohibitions on removal only apply to statues erected through the statute, which the Payne ruling found the Charlottesville statues were not, Hubbard said. The state code did not permit the city to erect the statues and thus does not prevent them from removing them. Hubbard also pushed back against claims that the city did not give proper notice of the December meeting in which the City Council voted to give the statue to the Center. Though the city had given less than the typical three working days notice, this was not a violation of FOIA law, he said. Handling most of the FOIA law arguments for the city, attorney Elizabeth Southall argued in part that the plaintiffs are not entitled to any remedies under the guiding law. According to Southall, the only injunctive remedies available to the court via FOIA are injunctions that prevent the city from making the same FOIA violation in the future. All the court can do is issue an injunction that says city, you cant do this again, you are enjoined from doing this again, she said. The last of the defendants counsel, Christopher R. Tate, focused his arguments on the plaintiffs claims that the Center violated the Virginia Public Procurement Act. According to Tate, no such violation had taken place and the Center cannot be held liable for the citys decision. Although the state law offers remedies such as a bid protest letter, Tate argued that the plaintiffs do not have access to the remedies theyre requesting, including forcing the Center to return the statue to the city and restart the bidding process. Tate said it would be like the city giving a landscaping contract to a company. If another bidder protested the award after the company had done the work, the court would not order the company to undo the work it had done. Sometimes the [law] creates rights without remedies, he said. It may not seem ideal to some but the Act is very narrow in what it allows. Tate said state law allows a locality to remove or relocate a statue or monument. By including both of these words, he argued that the words must be interpreted as different acts. On behalf of the plaintiffs, Puryear worked to defend the lawsuits arguments, arguing that the city violated the procurement process by not considering the bid proposals from his clients. Puryear also argued that the city violated FOIA law when it gave notice of the vote to decide the disposition of the statue on the Friday prior to the vote. He also claimed that the City Council removed the issue from its agenda the day of the meeting and then added it back. That claim elicited reactions from supporters of the defendants in the courtroom gallery, who silently shook their heads in disagreement. Puryear argued that there had to be an equitable injunction and consequence for what he viewed as a violation of FOIA, the law and state code. Puryear also argued that the city was not allowed to alter or destroy monuments. Because the Center had written in its bid that it planned to melt down the Lee statue and the city had agreed to the bid, he likened the agreement to collusion. If someone hands someone else a gun and asks them to go kill someone and they go do it, then the person who gave them the gun is considered an accessory, he said. In this case the Center told the city that it planned to melt down the monument and the city still agreed to it. Following nearly three hours of arguments and questions, the issue and the statue are in the hands of Judge Paul M. Peatross. Although he told the parties that he was nearly ready to rule from the bench, he said he wanted look closer at the issues and expected to issue an order very soon. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The spring mornings beauty was stunning as the sun climbed up a soft blue sky and new spring-green grass balanced natures palette of pinks, reds and yellows from the thousands of tulips lining the lawn behind Thomas Jeffersons Monticello. Wednesday was the 279th anniversary of Jeffersons birth, and Harriet Kuhr took in the landscape as she accepted the first annual Thomas Jefferson Foundation Award in Citizen Service on behalf of the International Rescue Committee of Charlottesville. I was trying to imagine what the world looked like from this mountaintop then, Kuhr, executive director of the Charlottesville and Richmond International Rescue Committee, told a crowd assembled on the West Lawn to celebrate Founders Day. What Kuhr could recall were the changes in the world and in Charlottesville since 1998, when the committee welcomed its first refugee families, from the Balkans. Since that time, the refugee resettlement group has helped more than 5,000 people from 30 different countries, Kuhr said, showing that even a small city has a large role to play on the international stage. Kuhr noted that more people are being displaced from their homes now than at any time in history. Were not asked to fix the whole world, just whatever corner of it we can, Kuhr said. About 200 people attended Wednesdays event, which also featured music by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, birthday buttercream cupcakes and the Pledge of Allegiance. Sherrie Rollins Westin, a University of Virginia alumna and winner of the 2022 Thomas Jefferson Medal in Citizen Leadership awarded by UVa and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, gave keynote remarks. Westin is president of Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational group behind Sesame Street. As many parents who watch Sesame Street with their children know, theres a lot more going on in the shows than meets the ear and eye, Westin said. They dont just [teach] the number of the day or the letter of the day, but they open the hearts and minds of children, Westin said. On Founders Day, UVa joins with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation to present the Thomas Jefferson Medals. This years medal for architecture went to Kenneth Frampton, professor of architecture at Columbia University. He is considered one of the worlds foremost experts in modern architecture. The medal for law was awarded to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. He was appointed a Supreme Court Justice by President Bill Clinton and is retiring at the end of the 2021-22 term. Walt Tobin, president of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in South Carolina, told a crowd at Piedmont Virginia Community College that hes honest, humble, a consensus builder, a problem solver and that he wants to be the PVCCs next president. I would love to be part of what you all are doing, he said at a forum Thursday. I think I bring a passion, and Im a lifelong learner, lifelong educator, and I think collectively we could do some great things. Tobin is one of four finalists seeking to succeed Frank Friedman as PVCC president. Friedman is retiring at the end of this school year after more than 20 years as president. Tobin is the fourth finalist to visit PVCC this month for interviews, a tour and forums with students, staff and faculty. The PVCC board will recommend a candidate to the Virginia Community College System Chancellor, who will make the final decision. Tobins forum was the last public event as part of the PVCC presidential search. No timeline has been announced for when a decision will be made. Tobin currently is president of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in South Carolina, which he has led since 2011. Before becoming president, he was the colleges vice president for academic affairs for nine years. If theres one thing I think that folks would say about us is about that whole notion that we are changing lives of our students, but were also changing the lives of their families, he said. Tobin said hes the only true CEO among the finalists. That means hes worked directly with a board, foundation and been accountable by employees and students, which has prepared him to take over PVCC. During his opening remarks, he shared his impressions of PVCC and said he could help take the college to the next level. I do believe though, that in three years that this college could be an Aspen finalist, he said, referring to the Aspen Institutes prize for Community College Excellence, given every two years. I think in five years, given what Ive seen, I think you could be, or we rather, could be a winner. Excellence starts with good data, he said, adding that he would propose setting goals relating to the data around enrollment, retention and completion. You all have great outcomes, and I think that being able to just look at data and dig a little deeper allows us to elevate what were doing and head towards that Aspen Prize in no more than five years, he said. At PVCC, he sees an opportunity to grow student enrollment, which has been declining. In spring 2021, about 4,223 students were enrolled at PVCC, while in spring 2020, about 4,724 students were enrolled. Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College had approximately 2,195 students in spring 2020, according to its website. Enrollment is down across the country at universities, as well as community colleges, says the recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse. Virginia community colleges have also seen a decline, according to Virginia Community College System data. Tobin said boosting enrollment starts by working with students as young as fifth graders and exposing them to this notion that they are college-bound and they can be college ready. As part of that effort at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, he said the college invited 70 fifth-grade students to campus, so they had a chance to see what they could do. As students get older, Tobin said the college should work with families to ensure the children are taking the necessary courses to stay on track for a post-secondary education. Tobin said Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College also created an institute to teach high school guidance counselors about the campus so that they could better inform their students about the school. Much of his current time as president is spent meeting with local employers and ensuring the college is meeting their needs. As a result of those conversations, the college worked with the local Chamber of Commerce to create a customer service certification. The college developed the program, and the chamber marketed it and offered its members a discount. Hes also worked with businesses to meet their needs on economic development projects, Tobin said. The other thing that Ive discovered is not just for students, but also for economic development prospects, to get folks on our campus, he said. The college sells itself, and I think the same thing applies here. If we can get people here, show them whos sitting in front of students, what students are learning, the kind of equipment that theyre operating on. I think thats how you sell a college. Daily Progress reporter Katherine Knott contributed to this report. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner is urging the U.S. Postal Service to raise pay in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. After his third meeting with USPS officials at the Charlottesville Post Office on U.S. 29, Warner held a roundtable Wednesday with community members who contacted him about mail issues. He was joined by representatives from the Virginia branch of the National Association of Postal Supervisors, Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath. Theres gonna be a national meeting in Charlottesville on Friday, Im told, and Im putting in a specific request to the post office to raise the salaries in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area to stay competitive, Warner said. I want them to hear that from a U.S. Senator and I hope we will see action on that very shortly. When asked for more specifics on who was meeting Friday and why, Warner joked that he shouldnt have been talking about that. I am sure that the post office, and not just at the local or state or even regional basis, understands weve got a problem here, and now weve just got to get a solution. And a big piece of that will be personnel, he said. Postal service nationwide slowed during the last few years, but Charlottesville-area residents have been reporting mail issues for years. This past spring and summer, some residents reported going weeks without any mail or getting mail, including bills, months past due. The U.S. Postal Service has not given specifics about what caused the delays last year, other than staffing problems due to the pandemic. Officials have repeatedly not answered specific questions. Many residents said they didnt experience widespread issues over the holidays, after Warner told media at a November press conference that USPS was bringing additional carriers in to help with the holiday surge. But residents have since reported issues cropping up again in the first part of 2022. I would say that our service has gotten better in the last month or maybe even two months but it still comes infrequently. We never know when were going to get mail, said Drew Trotter, one of the roundtable participants. We get 22 pieces one day and nothing for two more days. Susan, who didnt give her last name, said the mail service comes and goes in her neighborhood. It depends on whether our regular carrier is on, she said. Shes great. Its when shes off that we have the problems. Warner said the Postal Service Reform Act will help the long-term financial health of the post office but it wont improve somebodys mail tomorrow. Signed into law by President Joe Biden last week, it ends a requirement that the Postal Service finance workers health care benefits ahead of time, requires it to maintain its standard of delivering mail at least six days a week and requires the publication of weekly service data on its website. Warners office said he was meeting with Gerald Roane, a USPS district manager, on Wednesday. He said theres a workforce shortage crisis. The bottom-line problem, and its still the problem going forward, is that in a market like Charlottesville, the post office in terms of salaries just is not competitive anymore and keeping people is really hard, Warner said. He said the local post office is short approximately 10 to 15 city carriers, who mainly work in the city limits, and another approximately 10 to 15 rural carriers, who work Charlottesville-addressed routes in Albemarle. They currently have between six and 10 people virtually every week coming in from other post offices around Virginia, sometimes paying them overtime and putting them up in a hotel to do the work, Warner said. Only a city carrier assistant job is currently listed for the Charlottesville Post Office on the USPS job website. The $18.92 per hour job is listed as a non-career, 360-day term with the possibility of reappointment and chance of it leading to a career position. The last time the Charlottesville Post Office had a full-time postmaster was in 2018. Cloteal Farmer, who became the Charlottesville postmaster in 2017, is still listed as the Charlottesville postmaster on the webpage. When Farmer is looked up by her name, the website indicates she moved to the Glen Allen Post Office in late 2018. Warner said he was told there will be a new postmaster at the Charlottesville Post Office soon. Lloyd Cox, president of the National Association of Postal Supervisors Associations Virginia branch, said morale could be better. He said carriers and supervisors get very frustrated at having to follow instructions that they deem unreasonable. But as in any business or any job you have, you have to follow the instructions of your leader or manager, he said. So theres been a lot of frustration with upper management on how things are run, but they do what theyre told. Fewer employees are now going beyond the call of duty that the post office has been known for, he said. We do apologize for that poor service; its not in their DNA, he said. They are struggling to try to serve you with the parameters and changes that have been put in place. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Groundbreaking Near-Culture Missions Leaders Release New Book Stories of risk-taking obedience exemplify simple components for becoming Christ-like disciples About the Authors GALEN BURKHOLDER is the founder and CEO of Global Disciples, a near-culture missions organization which assists in the development of locally-sustainable trainings in discipleship-mission, small business, and leadership. Galen started in youth ministry while in college. He invested seventeen years in youth and young adult ministry, discipleship-mission training, and sending teams cross-culturally before launching Global Disciples in 1996. BROTHER TEFERA grew up in Ethiopia, embracing atheism and chairing the Young Communists Party in high school before coming to faith in Christ at university. His math degree earned him a teaching position in an unreached area. While teaching high school math, he helped to plan twenty-seven new fellowships of believers in eleven years and was imprisoned for his faith three times. Both Galen and Brother Tefera hold graduate degrees in evangelism and church planting. They have worked side by side as leaders in Global Disciples since 2007. They serve over 1,450 clusters of churches in 62 countries and have helped launch more than 2,000 training programs, mainly among people least-reached with the gospel. About Global Disciples Global Disciples assists in the development of locally-sustainable trainings in discipleship-mission, small business, and leadership, which result in reproducing fellowships of believers. We equip, connect, and facilitate cooperation in the global Body of Christ among clusters of churches in 62 nations focused on reaching those least-reached with the Gospel. We believe that local expressions of the Body of Christ in close proximity to least-reached people are best able to reach them to see every person have an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus Christ. For more information, go to GALEN BURKHOLDER is the founder and CEO of Global Disciples, a near-culture missions organization which assists in the development of locally-sustainable trainings in discipleship-mission, small business, and leadership. Galen started in youth ministry while in college. He invested seventeen years in youth and young adult ministry, discipleship-mission training, and sending teams cross-culturally before launching Global Disciples in 1996.BROTHER TEFERA grew up in Ethiopia, embracing atheism and chairing the Young Communists Party in high school before coming to faith in Christ at university. His math degree earned him a teaching position in an unreached area. While teaching high school math, he helped to plan twenty-seven new fellowships of believers in eleven years and was imprisoned for his faith three times.Both Galen and Brother Tefera hold graduate degrees in evangelism and church planting. They have worked side by side as leaders in Global Disciples since 2007. They serve over 1,450 clusters of churches in 62 countries and have helped launch more than 2,000 training programs, mainly among people least-reached with the gospel.Global Disciples assists in the development of locally-sustainable trainings in discipleship-mission, small business, and leadership, which result in reproducing fellowships of believers. We equip, connect, and facilitate cooperation in the global Body of Christ among clusters of churches in 62 nations focused on reaching those least-reached with the Gospel. We believe that local expressions of the Body of Christ in close proximity to least-reached people are best able to reach them to see every person have an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus Christ. For more information, go to globaldisciples.org NEWS PROVIDED BYApril, 14, 2022LANCASTER, Penn., April 14, 2022 / Standard Newswire / -- The man on the phone identified himself as Ahmed. Just his name and the sound of his voice made Pastor Kofi anxious and unsettled. Ahmed was an imam and known for inciting violence and brutality against Christians. Kofi knew what was going on. This was a setup.Except that it wasn't. Ahmed had experienced Christ in a powerful vision and was searching for someone to instruct him in the Christian faith. Pastor Kofi agreed to disciple Ahmed. One miracle led to another: everyone in Ahmed's mosque became a baptized followers of Jesus Christ; Ahmed's fellow imams also accepted Christ; and soon the mosques in the region became known as "Jesus mosques.""Galen and Tefera share what God is doing through the work of Global Disciples in the southern hemisphere, work that is normally beyond our frame of reference," says Alan Hirsch, award-winning author and thought leader in missional leadership. "These are real stories from real disciples; people with names, faces, and narratives that have the potential to wake us from our somewhat anaesthetized forms of Western Christianity.""Ordinary Disciples, Extraordinary Influence," the new book by Global Disciples founder Galen Burkholder and Brother Tefera, is an invitation to respond to Jesus' simple call. The call to step away from familiar ways, risk obedience, and follow Christ into a vibrant, faith-filled life as his disciples. Drawing on biblical insights and the miraculous stories of ordinary disciples, this book reveals the simple components undergirding Global Disciples' approach. Stories of radical obedience to Christ exemplify the essential components underlying a life of unshakable faith and extraordinary influence.Although the book will officially be released on April 21, 2022 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, books can be purchased now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Imprint: 100 Movements PublishingOn sale: April 2022Price: $14.95ISBN: 978-1-955142-10-6SOURCE Global DisciplesCONTACT: Sherry Lee, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, 404-903-0380, sherry.lee@globaldisciples.org Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. Coronavirus restrictions are disappearing by the week in much of the world, as more Western countries scale back their remaining restrictions and inch toward a policy of living with Covid-19. The more transmissible but less severe Omicron variant -- and its subvariant, BA.2 -- have played a large role in that calculation, convincing many leaders that endemic Covid is in sight. But what does that mean? Some top scientists are concerned that our understanding of "endemic" is wide of the mark. "I think we've done a huge disservice using the word 'endemic,' frankly," Michael Fraser, executive director of the US Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, told an audience of mostly public health officers during a panel discussion at the 2022 Preparedness Summit in Atlanta on Thursday. "It's not well-understood. It's not precise," he said. "There are endemic diseases that kill 400,000 people a year, like malaria ... and there are endemic diseases like herpes or HSV-1 that are in half the population and maybe you get a cold sore." Endemic refers to the constant presence or "usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent" among a population within a geographic area, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But it might be too simplistic a term to apply to Covid right now. "It doesn't seem to fit," Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, told CNN at the event. "No term really can just be plugged and played." "We don't have all the pieces to this puzzle of Covid," she said. "It seems like a false narrative to talk about the end. We can plan for it, but we have to be ready to go back to measures if we see another variant or another wave." It's a pressing discussion, given that the Western world is moving -- albeit at different speeds -- toward a pre-pandemic set of measures and rules. European countries "brutally" ended their restrictions in the early part of this year, the World Health Organization said, and April has seen Germany scale back mask rules and the UK scrap all of its prevention measures. The US, meanwhile, could let its mask mandate in airports and on flights lapse on Monday. So what's the answer, according to the experts? Instead of using "endemic," Fraser said, public health leaders should focus on what "sustained management" of Covid-19 might look like. That means exploring options like annual booster shots, keeping some prevention measures in reserve for future outbreaks -- and constant monitoring of where, when and how the virus is spreading. "We tend to think of endemic as really just an expected disease that's out there circulating," Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, said during the panel. "That's definitely what Covid is going to be -- but the 'expected' part is still, I think, such a big question on the table," she said. CNN Health's Jacqueline Howard contributed reporting. YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED. Q: Will boosters be needed more than once a year? A: It's possible that some people will be offered frequent Covid-19 vaccine boosters, according to Dr. Leana Wen, CNN medical analyst and an emergency room physician. But there is "a lot we don't know," she said. "Certain groups of people may need more frequent vaccines," Wen said, referring to immunocompromised people. "It's possible that, going forward, certain more vulnerable populations will be recommended to get vaccines at a higher frequency than the general population." Wen added that there would need to be contingencies in place so that if a new variant that evaded prior immunity arose, the option to develop, manufacture and distribute variant-specific vaccines would be available, which could bring vaccine frequency up for that particular time period. Send your questions here. Are you a health care worker fighting Covid-19? Message us on WhatsApp about the challenges you're facing: +1 347-322-0415. READS OF THE WEEK Much of Europe remains at the CDC's highest travel risk level as other regions improve For three weeks in a row, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not added a single new destination to its highest-risk Level 4 category for travel, Forrest Brown and Marnie Hunter report. But as more territories come off the list, much of Europe -- including its popular travel hotspots -- remain stubbornly lodged at Level 4. The United Kingdom, for example, has been at Level 4 since July 19, 2021. That puts England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all in the "Very High" risk category for Covid-19. Other European countries at Level 4 include France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Covid lockdowns are causing chaos in the world's biggest car market Factories shut down, new model launches delayed and sales plunging. China's huge car market has been thrown into disarray by the country's latest Covid surge, with stringent lockdowns across several cities hitting vehicle production. China's worst outbreak in two years has prompted authorities to ramp up the country's "zero-Covid" policy, locking down several major cities and tens of millions of people. The strict lockdown measures in places such as Shanghai and Jilin province have forced automakers to shut down manufacturing and risk delayed shipments at a time when global demand for vehicles is strong, writes Laura He. BA.2, where are you? Dominant strain hasn't shown signs of starting a surge in the US Maybe BA.2 really is the "stealth variant." The Omicron subvariant caused as many as 3 in 4 cases of Covid-19 in the United States last week, according to the latest genomic surveillance from the CDC, but so far, there are no signs of a looming surge in the US. Even as BA.2 has become dominant, overall numbers of cases are still decreasing, Brenda Goodman writes. If things stay quiet, as some models predict, it will mark the first time a viral strain has taken over in the US without causing an increase in Covid-19 cases. TOP TIP Ventilated spaces help reduce the risk of transmission We spend most of our days indoors -- so the "air we breathe indoors has a massive impact on our health," Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told CNN. A good rule of thumb, he advised, is to look at how well-ventilated a space might be. The better the ventilation, the more the air is diluted -- similar to how it is outdoors. But tasking people with assessing their own risk can be a challenge, so having the basics of vaccinations and knowing Covid-19 infection rates is important. TODAY'S PODCAST Learning a new language can be really difficult, so how did we do it as children? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Professor John Schwieter about what's happening in the brain when we learn a new language and the potential health benefits of being bilingual. Listen here. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another. The message behind Vietnam Veterans of Americas national slogan was felt by dozens who gathered at an honors burial for seven unclaimed servicemen at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, giving those veterans a pr Statement at the UNSC Briefing on Yemen Statement Thank you President, and my thanks also to Special Envoy Grundberg and Under Secretary General Griffiths. It has been rare that we have had opportunities at this Council to hear positive news on the situation in Yemen, so we very much welcome what we heard in your briefings this morning. President, I join others in welcoming the UN-brokered, two-month truce, which presents a precious opportunity to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of Yemenis and to improve regional stability. We sincerely hope that the parties will seize this opportunity, to build trust, and to move forward towards resuming an inclusive political process. We also strongly welcome the commitment to allow the entry of fuel ships into Hodeidah Port, and to resume commercial flights in and out of Sanaa, as well as opening important roads in several governorates. Now more than ever, as we grapple with increased food insecurity across the globe, the free movement of life-saving commodities and fuel into Yemen is essential. The significant reduction in violence, as reported by the Special Envoy, is long overdue and will be welcomed by the many innocent Yemenis who have lost loved ones or whose lives have been uprooted by conflict. However, we share the concern expressed by the Special Envoy about reports of some hostile military activities, even if at a lower intensity. We urge all parties to continue to respect in full their commitments to the truce and to engage with the Special Envoy, and his UN-led consultations process. The Special Envoys first meeting with the Houthis in Sanaa earlier this week was another significant development, which we hope signals the beginning of a period of increased engagement. It is important that these de-escalation efforts are coupled with the pursuit of accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. President, Ireland also welcomes the Yemeni-Yemeni talks hosted by the Gulf Cooperation Council, which began in Riyadh at the end of March and ended last week, in support of UN efforts. We welcome the participation of women in the talks, and hope future dialogues will have a minimum of 30% participation by women. We hope that the Presidential Leadership Council brings a new focus to collective efforts towards finding a truly inclusive solution to the conflict, and building a peaceful, prosperous Yemen for future generations. It is, however, deeply regrettable that no women were included in this eight- member Council another missed opportunity to ensure Yemeni women have their rightful place at the negotiating table. President, While we welcome the generosity of many donors at the Yemen High Level Pledging Conference last month, where Ireland was pleased to participate, and additional pledges since, the total amount pledged falls short of what is needed. Against the backdrop of the most recent IPC hunger projection, this shortfall is troubling. The economic assistance announced by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is a welcome measure to stabilize the Yemeni economy. We hope that it will bolster efforts to implement the UNs Economic Framework Plan. We encourage all parties, as well as International Financial Institutions, to engage constructively with this Plan. President, The Safer oil tanker has been a disaster waiting to happen for far too long. Ireland welcomes progress in efforts to address the grave humanitarian and ecological threat, which it poses. A sustainable, long-term solution appears to finally be within reach. With the committed engagement of the parties, the support of member states and the private sector, and the efforts of the UN on the ground, we have an opportunity to avert a catastrophe. To conclude, President, The developments of recent weeks have marked a moment of hope and expectation for Yemenis, who have suffered more than seven years of grueling conflict. While this deserves recognition, it is crucial, as our briefers have said this morning, that momentum is sustained and the parties continue their engagement towards the realization of inclusive and sustainable peace in Yemen. Thank you. Previous Item | Next Item Statement at the UNSC Debate on Conflict Related Sexual Violence Statement Thank you President, And thank you for convening todays debate, and in particular for bringing to the table such strong voices from civil society. Nadia, Mariana, Hilina, the work that you do to protect and advocate for survivors of sexual violence is invaluable. Thank you for your courage. Courage we here need to take heed of, as you said Nadia. I also want to thank Special Representative Patten and her team. Your tireless work in documenting these heinous crimes is critical. President, The Secretary-Generals report is brutally clear. Conflict-related sexual violence is rampant, it is going unpunished and it is destroying lives and communities. It continues to be wielded as an appalling and illegal weapon of war, torture and terrorism. And with widespread impunity the norm, perpetrators are acting without fear of consequence. We are deeply concerned that sexual violence is increasingly being used to silence women, especially women human rights defenders and those who speak out politically. The horrific reports from Afghanistan and Myanmar are grave testament to this. The constraining of civil society space, coupled with misogynistic threats and violence, is not only unacceptable, but outright dangerous. Anywhere women cannot freely participate in public life, they are not only deprived of their rights but society is prevented from reaching its full potential and achieving sustainable peace. President, We agree with the Secretary-General that adequate attention is not being paid to prevention. Time and again we have failed to prevent the escalation of sexual violence and to protect survivors. The shocking examples documented from Ethiopia by the joint UN-Ethiopian Human Rights Commission report clearly tell us this. And, as we have just heard from Hilina, these are just a sample of the widespread and systemic use of sexual violence that has defined the conflict in Ethiopia. All parties to this conflict are accused of egregious acts of sexual violence. We are deeply concerned that this time next year we will be discussing similar testimonies arising from Russias invasion of Ukraine, where we have seen enough credible reports to believe that widespread sexual violence is already occurring. The roadmap to prevention is clear. There exists a robust framework, including resolutions by this Council, which outlaws conflict-related sexual violence and which can hold perpetrators to account; which prevents future violations; and, importantly, ensures justice for survivors. The real gap is in implementation. As the SRSG put it this morning, what do resolutions of this Council mean to victims and survivors of conflict related sexual violence? Parties to conflict must have at the forefront of their minds that sexual and gender-based violence can amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Perpetrators must be held accountable. Domestic, regional and international courts all play an essential role in this. For instance, the Bemba and Ongwen convictions by the International Criminal Court demonstrated that sexual violence will no longer be treated as a collateral crime. However, as the Secretary-General has highlighted, too few situations, including where widespread conflict-related sexual violence has been reported, have been referred to the ICC by this Council. In Syria, the IIIM and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry have played an instrumental role in bridging the accountability gap left by Council inaction. The gathering and preservation of evidence is fundamental for ensuring accountability and has enabled convictions for sexual violence crimes at the domestic level. We saw this recently in the watershed Koblenz proceedings in Germany, as others have referenced. We also need to ensure that we embed the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence in operational provisions of all mandates agreed by this Council. As recommended by the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, we should integrate Womens Protection Advisers into the budgets of UN peace operations, particularly during transition processes. The use of targeted sanctions on grounds of conflict-related sexual violence is another important but underutilised tool at this Councils disposal. Alongside our pursuit of justice, we need to prioritise a survivor-centered approach for all, including men and boys, as well as members of the LGBTI+ community. Access to gender- and age-sensitive services, including sexual and reproductive health services and psycho-social support, is essential. President, Many factors exacerbate conflict-related sexual violence. However, the fundamental root cause is inequality. Conflict-related sexual violence is the most horrific abuse of power. It is a shameful scourge that will only end when we do the right thing and embrace gender equality. President, This Council has made countless commitments to address conflict-related sexual violence, now lets implement them. Thank you. Previous Item | Next Item By Trend Azerbaijans schoolchildren will present a renewable energy project within the TEKNOFEST International Aviation, Space and Technology Festival in Baku, Advisor to the Young Talents team, participating in the TEKNOFEST, Orkhan Gulahmadov told Trend. According to him, an alternative energy source is one of the global development priorities, and the project of the Young Talents team is also related to this area. "Our project is aimed at the electric power generation and its safe use. We plan to develop touch panels that can produce electricity to power devices in everyday life of Azerbaijani citizens. Furthermore, we intend to create a model that could charge mobile devices and tablets," Gulahmadov said. Tamilla Suleymanova, a member of the Young Talents team, said in turn that the TEKNOFEST International Aviation, Space and Technology Festival would give the team the chance to exchange views with industry experts, as well as gain experience and develop in the field of innovation and technology. Another member of the Young Talents Misir Huseynli expressed confidence that the team would be able to take high positions in the final stage of the competition. "I do hope that our team will manage to take an honorable place in the top three. I think a wide range of innovations and technologies used in our project will be of interest to people," Huseynli said. According to him, in case of success, grant funds will be directed to the further development of the project. "The successful presentation of our project at the TEKNOFEST festival will not only allow us to develop in the local market, but also will encourage to enter international markets," he added. The upcoming festival will be held in Azerbaijan on May 26-29, 2022. TEKNOFEST in Baku is held by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan. At the same time, the TEKNOFEST production office operates in Baku. The full staff of the office consists of Azerbaijani specialists. The event has been held annually since 2018, with the joint organization of the Turkish Technology Team Foundation, which is managed by the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology and the technical director of Baykar Makina, in partnership with more than 60 Turkish state institutions, universities and private companies. The goal is to popularize such areas as aviation, space industry and digital economy, to encourage entrepreneurship in these areas, to identify the knowledge and skills of young engineers through competitions organized within the framework of the festival, as well as to present national technologies to the general public. Trend News Agency, Day.Az, Milli.Az, Azernews, Eastweststream, Today.Az and Turkic.World are official media partners of TEKNOFEST. Moscow, ID (83843) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers and windy conditions developing for the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 48F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 34F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Each year, Alabama 4-H offers students an opportunity to enter the 4-H Peanut Essay Awards Program, sponsored locally by Alabama 4-H and the Alabama Cooperative Extension system, and statewide by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association. The theme for Fall 2021 was Nuts about Peanuts! Two Houston County 4-H youth were recognized for their outstanding essays, Isabella Beaty and Lucy McCraney. Both students placed first in the county contest and received blue rosettes. Based on winning at the county level, their essays were then forwarded for entry in the state competition, where Isabella Beaty placed first in the Senior I age division, and received a $50 check and T-shirt from the Alabama Peanut Producers; and Lucy McCraney placed second in the Junior age division, and received a $35 check and T-shirt from the Alabama Peanut Producers. The objectives of the 4-H Peanut Essay Awards Program are to make 4-Hers aware of the important contribution that peanuts make to the world, to stimulate interest in peanuts, and to help develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will be useful to these youth in later life. For more information on 4-H, contact your countys Extension office. To learn more about peanuts, visit the Alabama Peanut Producers website at www.alpeanuts.com. The Baptist College of Florida is honored to host the Florida Bandmasters Association District Solo & Ensemble Festival every year for area middle and high school students. This year on April 1, the festival featured between 100-150 students from grades 6-12 representing six surrounding counties from District 2. There were approximately 12-15 schools present that participated in this year's festival. During the festival, students play their solo or ensemble pieces for one of the FBA certified adjudicators on-site for an evaluation of their performance. Students select their music from a state adopted list that is arranged according to the students grade level and the difficulty of the composition. The performances were scheduled every 10 minutes with the adjudicators providing a written and oral evaluation, as well as, an overall rating. The rating scale for student performances range from 1 to 5, with 1 being a superior rating. The festival is always a high energy time on the BCF campus allowing staff and current BCF students to introduce visiting students to the campus and expose them to all of the music degree opportunities available. BCF offers an Associate of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in Worship Leadership, Bachelor of Music Education, and Master of Arts in Music and Worship Leadership. The BCF Music Faculty were thrilled to have the performers on campus checking out the many degrees available at BCF. For more information about the Music and Worship Division at The Baptist College of Florida, call 800.328.2660 or visit the website at www.baptistcollege.edu. The City of Dothan has proclaimed the month of April as Community College Month, and Mayor Mark Saliba presented Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD) with a proclamation on April 5. The proclamation was accepted by Dr. Linda C. Young, WCCD President. Wallace Community College is extremely grateful for the support and partnership of the City of Dothan, said Dr. Young. The importance of community colleges cannot be understated, and our impact on the communities we serve is substantial. Every day we work to improve the lives of our students and their families because we believe that we succeed when our students succeed. We appreciate the City of Dothan for their recognition of the importance of community colleges. Dothan High School ranked 1st in the Top Five High Schools for Wallace enrollment for Fall 2021. Approximately 40% of Wallace students enrolled in the Fall 2021 semester were from Houston County. Community College Month acknowledges the importance of community colleges and their impact on the communities they serve. Community colleges attract students from all backgrounds and educational levels with their mission of providing open access and affordability to those seeking a post-secondary degree or credential, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed. Community colleges provide students with the ability to increase their earning potential and assist the community in economic development and industry recruitment by producing a highly skilled and highly trained workforce. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, over 10 million students are enrolled at community colleges across the country, and 39 percent of all undergraduates in the United States are enrolled at community colleges. Attending a public, in-state, four-year college costs on average $10,740 a year, compared to $3,800 a year at a community college, and the median national earning of full-time employees with an associate degree is $48,776. Wallace Community College enrolls approximately 5,000 credit students in its academic, health science and career technical education programs each year, and serves approximately 3,000 students annually through its adult education, workforce training programs, and continuing education programs. For more information about programs and services offered by WCCD, visit wallace.edu. The Wiregrass-Enterprise Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees held its monthly Lunch Program March 24 at the Enterprise Country Club. Frank Zerbinos, right, Enterprise NARFE president, welcomed guest speaker Steve Flowers, former state representative for 16 years in the Alabama State Legislature and currently a political columnist, commentator, and historian. His Inside the Statehouse is published weekly in more than 60 Alabama newspapers with a circulation of more than 360,000. His column takes readers down Memory Lane with Alabamas rich and colorful political history. All current and retired federal employees are most welcome and invited to attend the Enterprise NARFE Lunch Programs regularly scheduled at 11 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Enterprise Country Club. MONTGOMERY Jacob Meadows was awarded the Harlice E. and Sara W. Kirby Scholarship at the Alabama Cattlemens Foundation Scholarship Banquet held Friday, April 1, in Wetumpka. Jacob is the son of Richard and Kathy Meadows of Columbia. Meadows is pursuing his degree in Biosystems Engineering at Mississippi State University. He was one of 60 scholarship recipients awarded over $80,000 in scholarship by the Alabama Cattlemens Foundation (ACF). The ACF serves to engage in educational and scientific activities to improve the beef cattle industry in Alabama and educate youth on the importance of beef cattle in Alabama. It provides the opportunity to make tax deductible donations for the educational work of the foundation and is largely funded by the sale of the Cowboy Tag vanity license plate. Throughout the year, the ACF supports numerous organizations and events which help to educate and train future generations of the livestock industry. The ACF has awarded scholarship money each year to Alabama youth with over a quarter of a million dollars being awarded to date. The Wiregrass Museum of Art in partnership with the Alabama Artistic Literacy Consortium will host a training workshop for artists who currently work in schools, and for those who may wish to. The workshop will be held at the Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) in downtown Dothan on Saturday, May 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the museums classrooms. During the workshop, artists will explore school culture, collaborate with other artists, and role-play school interactions to build a better understanding of how to apply their artistic practice in a teaching environment. The workshop will also offer opportunities to ask and answer questions about working in school settings, and to connect and network with other teaching artists. "The Wiregrass is incredibly lucky to have many passionate and talented artists living in the area," Brook McGinnis, WMAs education director, said. "Imagine if these artists were able to share their gifts and knowledge with area students in a way that enhanced the curriculum and aligned with state standards. This workshop aims to give artists the knowledge and confidence to take their practice into the K-12 classroom and WMA is thrilled to host this incredible opportunity." The Artistic Literacy Consortium is the first statewide initiative for arts education. The workshop is a statewide pilot program launching first at the Wiregrass Museum of Art, and is open to artists living and working in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia who are interested in artist residencies in Alabama schools. Artists of all disciplines, including visual and performing arts, may register for the opportunity. There is no cost for this workshop, but registration is required and limited to up to 20 participants. Additionally, participants will receive a $60 stipend for their time. "At the Alabama Artistic Literacy Consortium, we are excited to partner with the Wiregrass Museum of Art on this workshop," said Randy Foster, executive director of the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts. "WMA is a perfect setting for this facilitated conversation about working in and with schools because of the work they are already doing in this area and because we hope to inspire more collaborations between teaching artists and schools. This is the first of a proposed series of five such workshops across the state of Alabama." For more information or to register for the workshop, call Foster with the Alabama Artistic Literacy Consortium at 334-396-2432, or email at rfoster@asf.net by May 9. By Azernews Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and Saudi Arabia's Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim have discussed the expansion of economic relations between the two countries. "During the meeting with Faisal Al-Ibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we had fruitful discussions on the expansion of economic relations between our countries, the sustainable development of our trade relations and new opportunities for cooperation in the field of investment," the minister wrote on his official Twitter page. Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia established a diplomatic relationship on February 24, 1992. Saudi Arabia was among the first countries that recognized Azerbaijan's independence on December 30, 1991. Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Riyadh in April 1994 and the Saudi Arabia embassy operates in Baku since June 1999. The two countries are successfully cooperation in various fields of economy. On January 13, a groundbreaking ceremony for the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind farm, which will be built by Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, was held. After the construction, it is expected to supply 300,000 households, save 220 million cubic meters of gas, and reduce 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the year. Additionally, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia have fruitful cooperation within the international organizations, particularly the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and the OPEC+. The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $27 million in 2021. A high-speed chase that began near Ozark on Thursday ended on Honeysuckle Road in Dothan. Around 1 p.m., Alabama State Troopers started pursuing the driver of a red and white sport motorcycle as the driver attempted to elude troopers, according to a news release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division. The high-speed chase traveled down U.S. 231 and crossed from Dale County into Houston County with other local law enforcement agencies joining in the pursuit. Devin J. Edwards, 25, of Dade City, Florida, now faces charges of Attempting to Elude and Reckless Endangerment, according to ALEA. Edwards was placed in the Dale County Jail without a bond. The chase reached speeds of at least 90 mph. As the chase moved through Dothan, it continued down Westgate Parkway, crossing over intersections at Burbank, Whatley and Choctaw before the suspect crossed the busy intersection at U.S. 84 West and drove straight onto Honeysuckle Road. Edwards was taken into custody when the chase ended near Dothan First Church of the Nazarene between Alderbrook Road and Candlewood Drive. The 1000 block of Honeysuckle Road was closed for a short time following the chase. Officers with the Midland City Police Department, Dothan Police Department and deputies with the Dale County and Houston County sheriffs offices assisted in the pursuit, according to ALEA. MONTGOMERY Will Meadows was awarded the Two-Year Attending Four-Year Scholarship at the Alabama Cattlemens Foundation Scholarship Banquet held Friday, April 1, in Wetumpka. Will is the son of Richards and Kathy Meadows of Columbia. Meadows will soon earn his associates degree from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas and plans to attend Auburn University to major in Agribusiness. He was one of 60 scholarship recipients awarded over $80,000 in scholarship by the Alabama Cattlemens Foundation (ACF). The ACF serves to engage in educational and scientific activities to improve the beef cattle industry in Alabama and educate youth on the importance of beef cattle in Alabama. It provides the opportunity to make tax deductible donations for the educational work of the foundation and is largely funded by the sale of the Cowboy Tag vanity license plate. Throughout the year, the ACF supports numerous organizations and events which help to educate and train future generations of the livestock industry. The ACF has awarded scholarship money each year to Alabama youth with over a quarter of a million dollars being awarded to date. Adib Kouteili, co-founder and Director of PEB Steel Buildings Co., Ltd. (Pebsteel) believes in the prospects of pre-engineered industry in 2022, given two driving forces of industrialization and urbanization post-Covid. With nearly 40 years of experience in the pre-engineered steel industry, Adib Kouteili is one of the pioneers who brought the concept to Vietnam. He and Sami Kteily co-founded Pebsteel in 1994 in Europe to provide solutions for pre-engineered buildings and steel structures. Adib Kouteili, co-founder and Director of PEB Steel Buildings Co., Ltd. (Pebsteel). As a "top-tier company" in the pre-engineered buildings industry, how do you assess this market? Pre-engineering buildings were first made in the 1960s in the United States, then expanded to Europe. According to Global Industry Analysts, the global market for Pre-Engineered Building/PEB reached $27.1 billion in 2020 despite the Covid-19 crisis. It is projected that revenue from this market will reach $49.1 billion by 2026 with a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 10.1 percent over the analysis period. High-tensile steel is the dominant material in pre-engineered buildings. I am optimistic that despite being a niche market, pre-engineered buildings will become more and more popular with an expanded market share in the future. Besides the diversified product advantages, industrialization and urbanization are two motives for this industry to make a breakthrough. Could you explain how these two motives impact the prospect of the pre-engineered buildings industry? Firstly, pre-engineered buildings meet three key requirements, "Durability - Time Savings - Cost Savings and Flexibility" in the industrialization trend. According to statistics, 80 percent of warehouses worldwide are pre-engineered buildings. With advantages of fast construction, cost savings, easy expansion, and product lifespan of up to 100 years, pre-engineered buildings have proven its advantages, making good shortcomings of conventional reinforced concrete houses. Pre-engineered buildings nowadays become more and more popular and widely used in civil, to commercial, and public works. We have made breakthroughs with the highest Unilever palm-oil refinery plant with a height of 68 meters in Indonesia; the largest clear span of 128 meters for the Lufthansa hangar in the Philippines; the longest FCB Warehouse building in Thailand with a total length of more than one kilometer. The VinFast Hai Phong automotive factory with an area of 222,000 square meters was completed within five months. Secondly, in the industrialization trend, public investment in infrastructure and private investment in civil, commercial, and service construction projects have seen a spike. Pre-engineered buildings win the hearts of investors, contractors, and architects thanks to their innovations in improved material - design - construction techniques. At Pebsteel, we are constantly breaking beyond what we previously thought to be our limits. For some examples we may refer to the 14-story office tower in Manila (Philippines) and the unique curved corridor for the Okada Manila hotel and resort complex (formerly Manila Bay Resorts). Where is Vietnam on the map of the pre-engineered buildings industry now and in the future? In 1993, I set foot in Vietnam for the first time. At that time, very few investors realized that there was a sleeping Asian tiger in this country. We did not miss out on this opportunity, we promptly started to invest in and develop pre-engineered buildings in Vietnam. The steel industry in general currently has more than 200 enterprises, creating jobs for nearly 750,000 workers, and about 85 percent of construction works in Vietnam are applied pre-engineered steel technology, the product that Pebsteel pioneers in Vietnam's steel market. About 85 percent of construction works in Vietnam include pre-engineered steel technology. Photo by Pebsteel Pebsteel mainly focuses on the Vietnamese market. We currently have seven large-scale factories, of which six are in Vietnam and one in Myanmar. From our headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City, Pebsteel has so far expanded to 10 regional sales offices in six Southeast Asian countries as well as a network of partners in 15 countries in Africa and the Middle East. In addition, Pebsteel has completed over 6,000 construction works for customers from more than 50 countries, bringing in over $100 million in annual revenue. The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the construction industry in general and pre-engineered buildings in particular. How do you assess the industry outlook in 2022? 2020-2021 is a difficult period for all industries and many enterprises have been "severely struck" by the pandemic. The construction industry is also not an exception in this period, growth fell to 6.76 percent in 2020 and only 0.63 percent in 2021, compared to 9.1 percent in 2019, according to the General Statistics Office. However, overcoming common challenges, the steel industry is still moving upstream with a growth rate of more than 16 percent in 2021, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA). Closely related to the above-mentioned industries, pre-engineered buildings also achieved positive results with strong growth expectations this year. 2022 will certainly be a promising year when the epidemic is under control, construction demand recovers, industrial and urban investment increases, and consumption of pre-engineered steel buildings continues to maintain its growth momentum. Adib Kouteili (L), co-founder and director of PEB Steel Building Co., Ltd. and Sami Kteily, its co-founder and executive chairman. Photo by Pebsteel What is Pebsteel going to do in this potential market to stay ahead of the industry post-Covid? We have set out a long-term business strategy, for not only the post-Covid period but also until 2030. In early 2022, Pebsteel completed its new brand identity, asserting itself as a leading company in pre-engineered steel buildings with a series of optimal, sustainable, and safe advanced solutions. Our website, logo, slogan, etc., all "wear a new cloak" to fully convey our brand spirit and vision, aiming at corporate success by going abreast with that of all clients, partners, and staff. Besides that, Pebsteel continues to strongly invest in QRD (Quality Research & Development), empowering employees to pursue unprecedented innovative ideas to maintain a competitive edge. We constantly come up with pioneering ideas for innovative products such as PebHybrid truss frame, PebINSUL special insulation, PebWall wall panels, PebLiner cladding panels, fiberglass insulation panels PebFoam, etc. Additionally, the capacity of 100,000 tons per year and the high reserve of 15,000 tons of materials are also an advantage in helping Pebsteel to undertake large-scale projects. Pebsteel focuses on quality research and development with an aim to bring out optimal, sustainable, and safe advanced solutions. Photo by Pebsteel With the support from two major Japanese shareholders (Nippon Steel and Okaya & Co., Ltd.) since 2009, Pebsteel has set a new standard for the pre-engineered buildings industry through effective solutions, dynamic teamwork, and committed partnerships. Improving technical design and building components, creating new materials, and reducing construction waste are Pebsteel's efforts toward a more sustainable development. Through environment-friendly material technology and energy-efficient design, Pebsteel is proud to pioneer LEED Green Building as well as helps partners successfully operate their factories meeting sustainable standard LEED by the United States Green Building Council. Moreover, we always conform to the latest international design rules when designing and executing buildings. The multipurpose materials at Pebsteel are imported from Japan, South Korea, and China, ensuring the quality standards of the American Standard Testing and Material (ASTM). With over 1,400 experienced employees and experienced engineers, we are committed to providing services that exceed customers' expectations, provide the best solutions in technical operation, and proudly pioneer in leading quality standards of pre-engineered buildings in Vietnam. 160 sixth graders in the northern Quang Ninh were the first in the 5-11 age group to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Vietnam on Thursday. The students of Tran Quoc Toan Secondary School in Ha Long were vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine donated by the Australian government. All classrooms on the school's first floor have been used as vaccination sites, divided into separate areas for pre-vaccination checkups, vaccination and post-vaccination monitoring. After getting their shots, the students were monitored for 60 minutes instead of the usual 30 minutes for adults. Pham Tam An, 11, said she felt nothing unusual 30 minutes after she received her shot. "I'm happy to be vaccinated because it would protect me, allowing me to enjoy activities freely, especially as summer's coming," she said. Phan Thi Hao, 46, brought her son Trieu Huu Phuoc to the school for vaccination Thursday morning. She said she and her husband already received their third Covid-19 vaccine shots, so when they had Covid-19 recently, they only suffered mild symptons. "I know many children who are a little older than my son have got vaccinated and have been fine, so I'm not worried. When my son is vaccinated, a Covid-19 infection might be mild," Hao said. Nguyen Trong Dien, director of the Quang Ninh Department of Health, said the province has around 181,190 children aged 5-11 eligible for vaccination. 39,953 of them will have their vaccination suspended as they were already infected with Covid-19 within the last three months. The province will prioritize areas with high populations of children, many large events and socio-economic and tourism activities like Ha Long. Sixth graders, the oldest in the age group, are prioritized before moving down to younger children. 99 percent of people aged 12 and above have been fully vaccinated in Quang Ninh, and 95.86 percent of adults have received their third Covid-19 vaccine shots. Hanoi is expected to follow Quang Ninh's lead in vaccinating children aged 5-11 against Covid-19, said Ninh Van Chu, director of the Quang Ninh Center for Disease Control (CDC). Other cities and provinces will follow suit next week, he said. Vietnam has fully vaccinated 80.1 percent of its population, and 53.3 percent of the population have received their third Covid-19 vaccine shots. Vietnam will implement a plan to eliminate fossil-fuel vehicles, tighten emission control and add more green spaces to urban areas. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday approved the National Strategy for Environmental Protection to 2030 with a vision until 2050, in which the government sets targets to prevent the increasing trend of environmental pollution, solve urgent environmental problems, and step by step improve and restore environmental quality. Aside from developing a roadmap to phase out fossil fuel vehicles, which mean those running on gasoline, diesel or other fossil fuels, the plan will promote the use of non-motorized, eco-friendly means of transport like bicycles, electric vehicles and those run on clean and renewable energy. Public transport systems and mass passenger transportation will be accelerated. Private vehicles in urban areas will be restricted. Authorities will strengthen motor vehicle emission control, complete and promulgate a roadmap for the application of national technical regulations on emissions of road motor vehicles. Fuel consumption standards will be enhanced while biofuels, as well as clean and environmentally friendly fuels, will be promoted. Big cities will have to expand green space areas, improve air quality and reduce noise pollution. The green space coverage in Vietnam's major cities is two-three sq.m per person, according to the Vietnam Administration of Forestry. The ratio is only a fifth of the mininum coverage set by the United Nations - 10 sq.m per person. The new environment plan also states that the burning of crop by-products in suburban areas will be controlled while the burning of honeycomb charcoal, which creates carbon monoxide, will be eliminated. The government also encourages localities, especially the two biggest cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, to apply environmental protection regulations that are even stricter than national environmental standards. In January last year, the government ordered the two cities to take dilapidated vehicles off their roads while the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment was instructed to create national standards for vehicle emissions and suggest how they could be applied, and create a certification system to determine if a vehicle is environment-friendly. Last week, the government stated in a resolution that HCMC, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho, Vietnams five biggest cities and currently the only centrally controlled municipalities, work on a motorbike restriction plan after 2030. As requested, they must either ban or restrict motorbikes in certain districts after 2030, as well as study and develop a scheme on charging motor vehicle fees in some areas at risk of congestion and environmental pollution. Why HCMC's metro line is yet to get on track HCMC's first metro line has been a long time coming, and it is yet to arrive, a full decade after work began on the project. The primary factor in this prolonged delay has been the failure of stakeholders to anticipate problems, identify solutions and implement them in a timely manner. Work began on Metro Line No.1, the first such project in Ho Chi Minh City, in August 2012. It was set to be completed in six years. The line, running 19.7km between Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City, has carried with it high hopes of opening up a new mode of mass transportation and solving travel needs from the downtown area to the city's eastern gateway. The project was also seen as a foundation for the development of other metro lines, but 10 years on, it is still incomplete and the city is hoping that it will become operational next year. A metro train is installed on tracks at Long Binh Depot in HCMC's Thu Duc City in 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Financial hiccups have been a major part of project snags to date. To keep the project going, HCMC has had to extract fund from its budget to make advance payments more than once so that the investor, the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), could pay contractors and staff. The tardiness in capital disbursement for the project resulted from adjustments to the project's total investment. At the time the city approved the project (2007), the project cost more than VND17 trillion ($743 million), which meant that it did not have to be approved by the parliament, the National Assembly. However, two years later, its cost was raised to VND47.3 trillion, including VND41.8 trillion in official development assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The then prime minister allowed the city to adjust the project's total investment in 2011, but with the new cost, the project had to be approved by the parliament. It was only in 2019 that the National Assembly approved the new investment estimate for the project, reducing the proposed sum by more than VND3 trillion to VND43.7 trillion. Without the NAs approval, the central government could not allow the city to access ODA loans. The lack of funds had caused the projects consultant, NJPT, a consortium led by Japan's Nippon Koei, to put on hold several services, including a course to train drivers and staff for the metro that it was to organize in collaboration with Hanoi's Vietnam Railway College. It had no money to pay the teachers and the school, the consortium said. Technical snags Apart from financial woes, the construction process of Metro No. 1 encountered several technical problems that affected the projects progress. In October 2020, one of the Elastomeric Laminated Bearing pads was found to have fallen from its position between two beams on the elevated section in Thu Duc City. These pads are made from high-purity elastomers that encapsulate layered internal steel reinforcing plates and are designed for use in bridge and building construction for beam support. The incident was detected after cracks were seen along the elevated section. Then in January last year, as inspectors studied the problem, another pad was found to have deviated from its position. Later in the year, four more pads had deviated. Soon after, the contractor, a consortium comprising Vietnam's Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No. 6 (Cienco 6) and Japan's Sumitomo Corporation, said they had fixed the issue, but did not clarify how and why the pad had fallen and deviated and what the impacts would be on the life and safety of the project. Late last year, the investor MAUR proposed that JICA, which funds the project, has one more independent consultant to ensure objectivity while investigating the beam faults. Until now, it is not clear if such a consultant has been appointed. Personnel problems Another roadblock in the projects progress was a crisis in human resources. Between 2018 and 2019, 55 people at the MAUR, including its head Le Nguyen Minh Quang and deputy head Hoang Nhu Cuong, quit their jobs, citing personal reasons. The city then assigned Bui Xuan Cuong, director of the municipal Transport Department, to work as head of the board to continue the project. And around this time, the appearance of Covid-19 applied some heavy brakes. According to the MAUR, because of the pandemic, Vietnam tightened border controls; and as a result, Japanese experts could not travel to Vietnam; and the import of building materials was interrupted. Then, during the fourth outbreak last year, HCMC imposed city-wide social distancing for four months from May to September, which caused further delays. In the latest move, HCMC's chairman Phan Van Mai signed a decision last week to resume work with the metro line's consulting unit, NJPT, so that the project can continue. He has requested that the project's investor, MAUR, must boost progress and prevent the project from falling behind schedule again. Vo Kim Cuong, former deputy chief architect for HCMC, said since metro line No.1 was the first project of its kind in the city, many policies and regulations had to be adjusted at various junctures, and this was a lesson that need to be learned well, so as to avoid similar mistakes for other metro lines that are still under construction. HCMC plans to build eight metro lines running a total of 220 kilometers. I-80 Gold Corp. announced it has completed the closing of the gold prepay and silver purchase and sale portions of a financing package with Orion Mine Finance. With these last components of the financing package completed and when combined with the previously completed segments, i-80 Gold said it currently has approximately $165 million in cash and restricted cash. The financing package also provides for access to an additional $100 million potentially available via an accordion feature subject to certain conditions being satisfied. A $45 million gold prepay purchase and sale agreement entered into with affiliates of Orion includes an accordion feature potentially to access up to an additional $50 million at i-80s option. Also, a $30 million silver purchase and sale agreement entered into with affiliates of Orion includes an accordion feature to potentially access an additional $50 million at i-80s 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, said Ryan Snow, i-80 Golds chief financial officer. Our current strong balance sheet allows us to aggressively pursue our 2022 scorecard key goals and catalysts as disclosed in early January. i-80 Gold marked its first anniversary as a publicly traded company on April 7, 2022. The Reno-based company was created when Equinox Gold acquired Premier Gold and spun off i-80 Gold. The companys goal is to achieve mid-tier gold producer status through the development of its multiple deposits in northern Nevada. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELKO A group of medical providers from northeastern Nevada gathered recently for a meet and greet. About 60 providers met at the Western Folklife Center for finger foods from Dreez and music from Southwind. Elko Mayor Reece Keener welcomed the group and talked about the citys healthcare needs. The Elko Chamber of Commerce provided a nice Elko-themed gift basket as a door prize. The goal of the event was to say thank you to medical providers for practicing in Nevada. The event was hosted by two local groups, Medicare in Elko Workgroup and Frontier Nevada Healthcare. Support for the event came from the Nevada Health Center, Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, Pace Coalition, Full Range Physical Therapy, and UNR School of Medicine. The evening event was followed by Saturday morning CME classes set up by UNR School of Medicine. Medical Providers in Elko and on Zoom heard about Ethics and Medical Decision Making During the COVID-19 Epidemic and The Impact of Moral Injury. The Saturday event was hosted by Frontier Nevada Healthcare and Frontier Nevada AHEC Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELKO Elko County School District Superintendent Clayton Anderson now has a two-year contract with the school board that provides an annual salary of $175,000, after serving as the interim superintendent since December. The action to approve the contract followed negotiations with three trustees. The school board president, Teresa Dastrup, and trustees Susan Neal and Ira Hansen worked on the contract with Anderson that expires June 30, 2024. The contract replaces the interim contract he had signed on Dec. 21, 2021. We looked at superintendent salaries nationwide, as well as the state of Nevada, Dastrup said on April 12. Elko County has a very large district in a lot of respects, both geographically and student wise. We are not like Clark County or Washoe County, but we are still a very large district in a lot of ways. She said some districts across the country have 500 students, while others have many more students, so it was difficult to compare. The Elko County School Districts enrollment as of April 11 is 9,938 students, according to figures provided to the board. The team also looked at a variety of data to come up with Andersons contract, Dastrup said. Anderson will be entitled under the new contract to a $10,000 bonus upon receipt of a satisfactory evaluation. He wont have an evaluation again this year, however, according to the contract. Trustees evaluated Anderson as interim superintendent earlier this year before he was offered the permanent job. The first board action to offer him the post received criticism due to the wording of the agenda, so the trustees held a special meeting in March with a more complete agenda description to consider Anderson as superintendent. The contract also states that upon a satisfactory evaluation the annual salary will increase by 3%. Anderson will also receive 2.0833 days of vacation for each month of service, as well as sick leave and insurance benefits, the contract states, as well as transportation. The new contract outlines the superintendents authority to carry out decisions in the best interests of the district, operate the district on behalf of the board, employ or dismiss employees, enter contracts, file and defend lawsuits, develop and monitor the districts improvement plan and administer the instruction and business affairs of the district. In turn, the board must evaluate his performance each year, and an unsatisfactory review could lead to discharge or a request for resignation for cause prior to the contract expiring, after a second evaluation roughly 90 days after the first one is also unsatisfactory. In addition, the contract states that the board has the option with a minimum of 90 days written notice, to unilaterally terminate the contract but would be required to pay severance up to the date of the end of the contract. The superintendent would be subject to pay the school district back should he fail to provide timely notice of resignation, such as 10% of his annual salary if less than 15 days of notice, or 6.5% of his salary if within 15 to 29 days of notice, 3.5% for 30 to 59 days of notice, and 1.5% for 60 to 89 days of notice. In a letter to the board as public comment, Lee Hoffman questioned language in two paragraphs of Andersons contract concerning requirements for a personnel session over a boards action and board restrictions. Paragraph nine states that all board members must promptly refer to the superintendent all criticisms, complaints, questions and suggestions from trustees, students, staff, parents or the public, and the superintendent must investigate. The 10th paragraph says if the superintendent in good faith believes that a board member has violated provisions of the contract, the superintendent must provide written notice to the board and if it happens a second time, he must put it on the board agenda for a personnel session. Trustee Matt McCarty said he had no problem with paragraphs 9 and 10 because it is the superintendents job to protect the school district, and if the board is doing something wrongful or illegal, it needs to be brought to the boards attention. Dastrup said that the board hires the superintendent to do the business of the district and he needs to know what is going on. She said the board isnt limited but the superintendent needs to be in the loop. Our job is oversight and policy, not day-to-day business. The contract wording mirrors wording in prior contracts for superintendents. Anderson said the negotiating team looked at contracts going back to 2010, and we didnt feel the need to look back more than 12 years. That felt like enough. Trustee Jeff Durham said he felt nothing in the contract stands out from anything written in the past, and he made the motion to approve the contract. McCarty said, however, that he felt in paragraphs 14 and 16 there was disparity between what happens if the superintendent has unsatisfactory performance or the superintendent decides to resign, and he wondered if that might be looked at in future contracts for more buy-in for both parties. Trustee Dr. Joshua Byers told Anderson I feel for you, buddy as he had to listen to the board talk about superintendent pay and contract details. The big thing is, we do live in weird times, unsettling times, and there are risks. We are taking a risk with Anderson, and hes taking a risk in the current climate, Byers said, adding that he agreed the contract gave Anderson the tools to succeed with the job. Anderson took over as interim superintendent to replace another interim superintendent, Jeff Zander, a retired superintendent who came back temporarily when former Superintendent Michele Robinson resigned last year. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 1 By Azernews Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the implementation of joint projects in the logistics field. The document was signed by Azerbaijan Railways CJSC chairman Javid Gurbanov and Kazakhstan Railways JSC board chairman Nurlan Sauranbayev. During the meeting, the parties also discussed the further development of multimodal transportation along the Trans-Caspian international transport route. They stressed the need to increase capacity on this route and reduce transit time. It should be noted that the volume of transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route for 2021 amounted to 586,200 tons, container transportation 25,270 TEU. In January-March 2022, 266,300 tons of cargo were transported along this route, which is 123 percent more than the same period last year. Container traffic amounted to 5847 TEU. This is 19 percent more than in January-March last year. The Trans-Caspian international transport corridor was established in February 2014 with the participation of relevant Azerbaijani, Kazakh, and Georgian cargo transportation agencies. It is an important integrated trade corridor in China's Belt and Road Initiative. This 6,500-km corridor promotes Central Asia's and the Caucasus' development and growth by increasing regional trade, investment, and infrastructure. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan amounted to $135.7 million in 2021. Son Dong Cave honoured by Google Doodle (Photo: Google) The cave was hounoured on the Vietnamese Google homepage together with 17 nations around the world, including the UK, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Sweden, Greece, Romania, Argentina, and Chile. The cave, which has a large, fast-flowing underground river inside, had its entrance discovered by local resident Ho Khanh in 1990. Professional geologists estimate that the cave was formed about 2 to 5 million years ago. (Photo: VNA) In 2009, the BCRA expedition team (British Cave Research Association) officially announced Son Doong as the world's largest natural cave. Shortly afterward, it completed the survey and measurement of the entire Son Doong Cave with a length of over 9km and a space of 38.5 million cu.m. Therefore, to mark this special event, Google Doodle has chosen April 14 as Hang (cave) Son Doong's Day. Professional geologists estimate that the cave was formed about 2 to 5 million years ago. The cave is large enough for an entire 40-story skyscraper. Scientists have discovered remarkable geological formations in the cave, including the world's tallest stalactite. The giant dolines in the cave allow sunlight to penetrate into them forming the lush tropical jungle and a unique ecosystem, which are home to many rare species, according to Google. Son Doong Cave has drawn international attention and become a staple on adventure bucket lists for travellers from around the world. World-renowned travel magazines and newspapers have repeatedly named Son Doong Cave as one of the best natural wonders and dream destinations for travellers. Vietnam kick-starts COVID-19 vaccination campaign for kids aged 5-12 Vietnam on April 14 kick-started a COVID-19 vaccination campaign for children aged 5 to under 12 in Quang Ninh province, using the Moderna vaccine, reported the Voice of Vietnam. A person gets vaccinated against COVID-19 (Photo: VNA) Nearly 12 million children aged 5 -12 will be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the second quater of 2022. The campaign is set to be launched in other localities across the country next week, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH). A MoH representative said approximately 11.8 million children aged from 5 to 12 will be vaccinated against COVID-19 this time. They will be given two shots and the campaign will be completed by the end of the second quarter. Priority will be given to graders 6 (12 years old). Those infected with COVID-19 will be inoculated in July and August. Vietnam is scheduled to receive approximately 7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by the Australian government this April. The first batch comprising 921,600 doses arrived in Hanoi on April 9. Child vaccination against COVID-19 is part of the ongoing national vaccination campaign aimed at achieving herd immunity. Ministry issues two scenarios for COVID-19 pandemic The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued two scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic based on the World Health Organisation (WHO)s studies and scientific grounds, reported Vietnam News Agency. High school students get vaccinated against COVID-19. (Photo: VNA) Phan Trong Lan, Director of the MoHs General Department of Preventive Medicine, said the first scenario is that the virulence of the Omicron variant will gradually ease while the immunity obtained thanks to COVID-19 vaccination and infections will help bring down the numbers of new and severe cases, as well as fatalities. In that case, Vietnam will shift to the new normal, which means COVID-19 will become an endemic disease, he noted, adding that if every people is aware of their risks and adopts anti-pandemic measures well, the life will be back to normal, and focus will be put on the elderly and those with comorbidities. In the second scenario, new variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 will continually appear and many reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, spread more quickly, and raise the risk of severity. If that is the case, urgent anti-pandemic measures will be taken like what were done in the past, Lan went on. Vietnam now has many weapons like vaccines, drugs, treatment experience, and anti-pandemic measures against the pandemic. However, it is necessary to further stay updated with new medications and especially vaccine technology, according to the official. The MoH said COVID-19 has been basically brought under control nationwide. So far, the country has recorded more than 10 million infections, including 42,878 deaths - equivalent to 0.4 percent of the total. The ratio of fatality to morbidity has fallen sharply over the last 30 days, from 0.13 percent to 0.03 percent. Given the decreased severe cases and deaths, the expanded vaccination coverage, and the continuous drop in new infections worldwide, WHO perceived that COVID-19 will not disappear completely but may soon become an endemic disease. Nearly USD1.5 bln in trade surplus for Vietnam in Q1 Vietnam continued to expand foreign trade in the first quarter of 2022, producing a trade surplus of USD1.46 billion, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to the latest data unveiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Vietnam enjoys a trade surplus of nearly USD1.5 billion in Q1, 2022. (Photo: vneconomy.vn) Statistics show the export-import value rose 20% to USD36.66 billion in the second half of March compared to the first half of the same month. The additional figure helped raise the countrys total foreign trade value in the first quarter to USD176.75 billion, an increase of 14.3% year on year. Of the three-month total, exports brought back USD89.1 billion, up 13.4%, while imports inched up 15.2% to USD87.64 billion, helping Vietnam secure a trade surplus of USD1.46 billion. The General Statistics Office reported that five groups of commodities raking in more than USD5 billion in export each were phones and components (>14 billion), electronics, computers and appliances (>13 billion), machinery and equipment (nearly 10 billion), garments (nearly 9 billion), and footwear (>5 billion). Meanwhile, several groups of commodities having an import value of more than USD5 billion each were electronics, computers and appliances (>21 billion), machinery and equipment (>10 billion) and phones and components (>5 billion). The FDI sector generated USD123.05 billion of the countrys total foreign trade value, up 12.8%, while the domestic business sector contributed nearly USD53.7 billion, up 17.9%. The United States was Vietnams largest export market in the first quarter with an estimated turnover of USD25.2 billion. China was Vietnams largest import market with an estimated turnover of USD27.6 billion. Notably, Vietnam enjoyed an estimated trade surplus of USD7 billion with the European Union. However, it slipped into an estimated trade deficit of USD14.3 billion with China, USD10.4 billion with the Republic of Korea, USD3.3 billion with ASEAN, and USD434 million with Japan./. Awarding the insignia "For the cause of agriculture and rural development" to Dr. McGrath (Photo: phongchongthientai.mard.gov.vn) MARD leaders are touched by the affection and enthusiasm that Dr. Timothy Edward McGrath has devoted to sustainable development projects in Vietnam in general and the Mekong Delta in particular, said Tran Quang Hoai, Head of the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority, adding that the expert is not only a senior expert but also a soul friend. The above award is also a recognition of Dr. Timothy Edward McGrath for his contributions and dedication in the field of agriculture and rural development in Vietnam. In 1993, Dr. McGrath first came to Vietnam to serve a research project related to agricultural policy. After returning to Australia for 4 years, he spent the next 25 years of his life working in Vietnam. He loves Vietnamese culture and speaks Vietnamese fluently. Currently, he is the Deputy Director of the project on adapting to climate change in the Mekong Delta. Dr. Mcgrath has made many contributions to promote the development of Vietnam, especially for rural areas, from projects on poverty alleviation, to clean water, sanitation, flood control, and response to climate change, disaster prevention and waste management and treatment. During the period of 2019-2021, he assisted in the development of Decree 50/2020 of the Government regulating the receipt, management and use of emergency international aid for disaster relief and recovery in Vietnam. In addition, Dr. McGrath also supported the amendment of Decree 160/2018/ND-CP detailing the implementation of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and the draft Decree on establishing and managing funds for natural disaster prevention and control. He is also a consultant for the Mekong Delta provinces in provincial planning under the Law on Planning. He has actively participated in providing technical assistance for the establishment of the Mekong Delta Coordinating Council, as well as promoting regional linkage activities. Dr. McGrath also directly advises the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) to participate as a member of the disaster risk reduction partnership chaired by the MARD. In addition, he has also chaired many delegations between Vietnam and Germany to exchange and learn from experience, organize bilateral meetings between leaders of the MARD and the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) and leaders of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ). The results and achievements that the projects with the participation of Dr. Timothy Edward McGrath have achieved are not only meaningful in the short term, but also an important premise for strong development in the next period in the Mekong Delta. He is respected by friends and colleagues for his tireless and enthusiastic dedication to his second homeland, Vietnam. In the days of struggling with a serious illness, he still had heartaches and a wish to send back a part of his ashes in the Mekong River. Previously, in 2017, he was also awarded an insignia for the cause of Vietnam's Water Supply and Sewerage. In 2020, he was awarded the medal for the cause of construction by the Ministry of Construction./. Assistant Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet co-chairs the 2nd Session of the EU-Vietnam Political Affairs Sub-Committee. (Photo: baoquocte.vn) On April 13, Assistant Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet and Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Director General for Asia-Pacific, the European External Action Service (EEAS) co-chaired the 2nd session of the Sub-General Committee on political issues within the framework of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Vietnam - EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in an online form. This session took place as Vietnam and the EU are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the signing of the PCA (June 2012 - June 2022). In an open and trustful atmosphere, the two sides discussed the recent outstanding situations in Vietnam and the European region, as well as some important policy directions on socio-economic development and international cooperation of the two sides. The two sides assessed that the Vietnam-EU relationship in recent years has developed positively despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as demonstrated by the results of high-level visits, the growth of trade and investment cooperation, while effective disease prevention cooperation with the European Commission (EC) and the Governments of EU member countries have timely supported COVID-19 prevention vaccines and many medical equipment and supplies for Vietnam. In the context that the EU and Vietnam's economies are gradually recovering and reopening, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen and expand cooperation in priority areas such as trade and investment, science and technology, and transformation of green innovation, digital transformation, innovation, agriculture, and security - defense. The two sides also discussed promoting cooperation at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Forum (ASEM), Mekong sub-regional cooperation and the framework of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, as well as sharing information and views on regional and international issues of mutual concern./. Argentina supports Vietnam with 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in early December 2021. (Photo: VnExpress) He made the statement during his reception for Mr. Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino, Argentina Ambassador to Vietnam, on April 13. Appreciating Argentina's achievements in pandemic control as well as in economic recovery and reopening the tourism industry, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Chairman said that the city has learned a lot from Argentina's experience. Expressing his appreciation for the good cooperation relationship between Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City and Argentina, he said that with his responsibility, Ho Chi Minh City will make many contributions to promote friendly cooperative relations between the two countries. Ho Chi Minh City wishes to strengthen cooperation with Argentina, in which to promote stronger business cooperation between the two sides in production and trade, tourism, cultural exchange activities and agriculture. Ho Chi Minh City is ready to work with the Argentine Embassy in Vietnam to organize activities towards the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2023, including the business exchange week between Argentina and Ho Chi Minh City and the Argentinean Cultural Festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Chairman of the City People's Committee Phan Van Mai believes that Ambassador Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino will have a successful term in Vietnam with many contributions to enhancing cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina. Ambassador Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino expressed his honor to visit and work in Ho Chi Minh City and thanked the Vietnamese Government for giving Argentina medical masks to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. Appreciating the friendly cooperation between the two countries Argentina and Vietnam, established 49 years ago, Ambassador Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino informed about some activities of the Argentine Embassy in Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He said that cooperation projects between Argentina and Vietnam in many fields have achieved positive results; and shared the results of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of technology and agriculture. He wishes to enhance cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City in the fields of trade, agriculture and sharing technology for preserving agricultural products./. On April 13, Secretary of Can Tho City Party Committee Le Quang Manh and leaders of the City People's Committee and representatives of departments and agencies had a meeting and worked with the delegation of the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City led by Mr. Watanabe Nobuhiro, Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City. Illustrative photo (Source: vccinews.vn) The two sides exchanged cooperation in fields of education and training, ODA projects, investment promotion, people-to-people diplomacy and foreign investment attraction; in which, the focus is on economic development cooperation. At the meeting, Secretary Manh wished to continue receiving support from the Japanese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to cooperate in developing many fields, especially economic development, transport infrastructure, education and training. Can Tho city hopes that Japanese investors will soon accelerate the implementation of high-speed railway from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, because this is a project that has a great impact on the life and economy of the Mekong River Delta. Currently, Can Tho city has 6 FDI projects from Japan with a total registered investment capital of about USD1.35 billion. Investment promotion results from FDI projects in Can Tho recently have not met expectations, as many projects cannot be promoted further. Wishing that Japanese businesses will continue to invest in Can Tho after the highways from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho are completed, Mr. Le Quang Manh suggested that the Japanese Consul General this year continue to pay attention to maintaining forums to attract Japanese investors to Can Tho to create opportunities to inform investors about the investment environment in the city. Mr. Le Quang Manh also wished that the cooperation in science education between Japan and Can Tho could be exploited and expanded, especially supporting academic exchanges and creating favorable conditions for young scientists to exchange and access new scientific knowledge from Japan. It is expected that in 2022, Can Tho will create favorable conditions for airlines to connect routes from Can Tho to Tokyo and Osaka to promote relations and economic development cooperation with Japan. Appreciating the close relationship between Vietnam and Japan, Mr. Watanabe Nobuhiro said that in 2021, the Prime Ministers of the two countries agreed to continue maintaining the cooperation and development relationship in the coming time; and economic relations are the key relationship between the two countries. Japan is the second country in FDI investment in Vietnam. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, Japanese businesses continue to maintain investment in Vietnam; including Can Tho. The results of surveys of parent companies in Japan show that nearly 50% of Japanese enterprises want to invest in expanding their business in Vietnam. Japanese businesses in Can Tho wish to continue to invest and expand their business locally. According to the Consul General of Japan, Can Tho is a large city of the Mekong Delta. If the expressway is completed from Ho Chi Minh City to the provinces of the Mekong Delta, synchronized transport infrastructure will have the potential to attract FDI in the region in general and Can Tho in particular. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, FDI investment in Can Tho in particular and Vietnam in general is still not as expected, but it is predicted that in the near future, investors will return to Vietnam. Wishing to accompany Can Tho to attract more Japanese investors to the locality in the near future, Mr. Watanabe Nobuhiro suggested that Can Tho actively organize investment promotion conferences in Ho Chi Minh City, and create favorable conditions for Japanese investors and businesses to meet directly with the city's government and authorities. According to information from the Can Tho Department of Foreign Affairs, in 2021, the export turnover of Can Tho to Japan was at USD169.34 million. The main export items were rice, seafood, garments, feathers, processed agricultural products, chemicals and some other items. Particularly in the first two months of 2022, the export turnover of Can Tho to Japan was USD23.49 million. Major export items were seafood, garments, agricultural products, processed agricultural products, chemicals and some other items./. Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang congratulates Lao Ambassador Kham-Inh Khitchadeth to France on the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay Festival (Photo: baoquocte.vn) On behalf of the Vietnamese Embassy in France, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang sent his best wishes to Lao Ambassador Kham-Inh Khitchadeth, all officers and employees of the Lao Embassy in France and their families on the occasion of the new year. He suggested that the two embassies soon make a plan to organize joint activities and events to contribute to the success of the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, practically celebrating the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations and 45 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Lao Ambassador Kham-Inh Khitchadeth expressed his gratitude for the good wishes of Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in France. Mr. Kham-Inh Khitchadeth said that the two embassies need to create conditions for young diplomats of the two sides to increase contact and exchange information in order to understand and have deeper insight, thereby being aware of their responsibilities to protect and preserve this priceless relationship. The two sides agreed on a number of exchange and cooperation activities in the near future within the framework of the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year, and will mutually support to complete their missions, serving the benefits of each nation, people and the ASEAN community./. Hanoi among popular Internet search destinations by international tourists. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) In particular, the most searched destinations in Vietnam are Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc Island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, the central coastal city of Da Nang, Nha Trang in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, Hoi An in the central coastal province of Quang Nam, Hue in the central province of Thua Thien - Hue, Da Lat in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, and Vung Tau in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau. These are all famous tourist centers and destinations in the country. Notably, Google Destination Insights also shows that the highest number of searches for Vietnam tourism come from the US, Australia, France, Canada, Japan, Germany, Singapore, the UK, India and Thailand. Accordingly, the search volume of international visitors from the US on Vietnam tourism increased sharply at the beginning of February 2022, to about 480% compared to the same period last year, while the Australian visitor market remained at a high level in the first three months of 2022, with an increase of 760% over the same period last year. Some countries in the European market also show interest in Vietnams tourism, such as France with an increase of 376% in search volume over the same period last year; and Germany with a 350% increase at the beginning of February 2022. In Southeast Asia, the number of searches on Vietnamese tourism from the Singapore market has been skyrocketing since the beginning of March. Search volume at the beginning of January 2022 only increased by 22% but the volume increased by 400% in March 2022./. BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign trade maintained its growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2022 despite increasingly complex internal and external challenges and risks. The country's total imports and exports expanded 10.7 percent year on year to 9.42 trillion yuan in the first three months, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed Wednesday. In U.S. dollar terms, total foreign trade came in at 1.48 trillion U.S. dollars in the period, up 13 percent year on year, the data showed. Exports surged 13.4 percent year on year to 5.23 trillion yuan, while imports rose 7.5 percent to 4.19 trillion yuan during the period, leading to a trade surplus of 1.04 trillion yuan, the data showed. In terms of goods types, exports of mechanical and electrical products expanded by 9.8 percent to account for 58.4 percent of the total, while exports of labor-intensive products increased 10.9 percent in the first quarter, GAC data showed. "China's foreign trade has sustained growth momentum and posted positive year-on-year expansion for seven consecutive quarters, which shows its great resilience and potential," Li Kuiwen, a spokesperson for GAC, said at a press conference. China's imports and exports with its major trading partners -- ASEAN, the European Union and the United States -- gained 8.4 percent, 10.2 percent and 9.9 percent from a year ago, respectively, in the first three months. China's trade with Belt and Road countries saw an impressive jump by 16.7 percent from a year ago to 2.93 trillion yuan in the January-March period. Trade between China and the 14 other members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership expanded 6.9 percent year on year to 2.86 trillion yuan, accounting for 30.4 percent of China's total foreign trade in the period. Li attributes China's stable growth in imports and exports to the country's resilient economy and increasing global demand for Chinese goods amid recovery. "The overall recovery trend of the world economy remains unchanged, and the global demand for Chinese products is still expanding," Li said. Government remedy policies also helped to stimulate the vitality and strengthen the resilience of market entities dealing in foreign trade, Li added, citing that the number of enterprises engaging in foreign trade in the country increased to 432,000 in the first quarter of the year. "China's foreign trade achieved a stable start in the first quarter of the year, laying a good foundation for beating the whole-year target," Li said. He cautioned that greater efforts should be made to achieve the goal as the country faces multiple challenges and risks, a high base from last year, as well as some "sudden internal and external factors which have exceeded expectations." Editor: JYZ Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows trash piled on a beach after heavy rains in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) JOHANNESBURG, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council for Health Nomagugu Simelane announced the death toll while speaking to the television station ENCA on Wednesday. Simelane was speaking on the sidelines of the visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to areas affected by the rains to console bereaved families. "We are concerned about the waters...Our biggest worry is about the number of bodies we are finding. Our mortuaries are under pressure, but we are coping. As of last night, we received 253 bodies from two of our mortuaries, that is Phoenix and Pine town. It's a serious concern, a serious worry," said Simelane. Ramaphosa moved to many areas in KwaZulu-Natal, addressing people, and consoling them on the loss of their relatives. He said the government will help those affected by rains. "The most painful effect of these floods is that many lives have been lost, people's homes have been destroyed, streets, bridges and churches have been destroyed. We know that your hearts are broken because of what has happened but we are here to say that we are with you," he said. KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council for Education Kwazi Mshengu said they have temporarily closed schools in the provinces as it is dangerous for teachers and learners to travel. He said some schools are not accessible with bridges washed away and water still flowing. Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows the scene after heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) People collect trash on a beach after heavy rains in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, April 13, 2022. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows containers swept down by floods in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows a damaged vehicle after heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) People cross a bridge after heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, on April 13, 2022. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) People stand on a damaged bridge after heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, on April 13, 2022. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows containers swept down by floods in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows damaged vehicles after heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official on Wednesday. (Photo by Lebohang Motaung/Xinhua) Editor: WXL 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. Xi on Sunday inspected the city of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) On an inspection tour in Hainan Province in recent days, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, president of the Peoples Republic of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that decisions and policies of the CPC Central Committee must be carried out to the letter. The general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability must be adhered to and the new development philosophy must be carried out in a complete, precise and all-round manner, Xi said. Reform and opening up must be deepened in all respects and innovation must be pursued as a driving force for development, he said. Prevention and control of the epidemic must be coordinated with economic and social development and so must be development and security, he stressed. We must emancipate mind, break new ground, strive for innovation, work hard together, overcome difficulties squarely, and accelerate the construction of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics and global influence so that Hainan will be become a model to follow for Chinas reform and opening up in the new era, with a view to setting the stage with concrete action for the 20th National Congress of the CPC. From Sunday to Wednesday, accompanied by Shen Xiaoming, Party committee secretary of Hainan and the governor Feng Fei, Xi went to Sanya, Wuzhishan and Danzhou where he visited scientific research institutes, a national park, a village of the Li people and a port wharf. 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. Xi on Sunday inspected the city of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) On Sunday afternoon, Xi first visited the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya. Xi was briefed on the science and technology city and the laboratory, watched how the labs platforms supported seed industry innovation. He approved of Hainans efforts in exploring an innovative mode for agricultural science and technology to support and guarantee national food security. Xi visited the labs large instrument public service center and a center of precision molecular design breeding and talked with the research staff working there. Xi pointed out that if we Chinese people want to hold tight in hands our rice bowl, we must develop the seed industry on our own. He urged efforts to focus on making breakthroughs when it comes to ensuring food security and securing the supply of important agricultural produce. Efforts must be made to realize self-reliance in seed technology and make sure that sources of seeds are under our own control, Xi said. We must secure China's food supply with our own seeds, he said. Xi called on local scientists and staff to keep the motherland in mind and serve the people wholeheartedly as the older generation of agricultural scientists did and make painstaking efforts with perseverance to achieve even more in agricultural science and technology. Then, Xi went to Sanya Oceanographic Institute under Ocean University of China to learn about the research and application of oceanographic instruments and information services system. When talking via video link with the frontline staff working for the Deep Sea No.1 gas field and hearing about their work, Xi extended sincere greetings to them and asked them to watch out and take care of themselves. Xi stressed that building China into a strong maritime country is a major strategic task for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Efforts must be made to strive for high-level independence and self-reliance in marine science and technology, and to make breakthroughs in original and leading technologies, he said. Xi underlined the importance of using equipment manufactured on our own to exploit gas and oil resources and to increase energy self-sufficiency so as to guarantee the national energy security. On his way of inspection, Xi got off the vehicle to take a look at how the environmental protection work is conducted along the coast. He also fertilized and watered a pine tree he had planted 12 years ago. Xi called on local officials to coordinate land and marine development and take ecological protection as an important task. 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) An offshore duty-free program has been piloted in Hainan as of April 20, 2011. On Monday morning, Xi arrived at the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex to learn about how the offshore duty-free policy was implemented. Xi pointed out that the fundamental role of consumption in driving economic growth should be better leveraged, a favorable market environment and a sound legal environment should be created based on the countrys huge market. Retailers should attract consumers by doing business in good faith and providing quality services, so as to make greater contributions to building a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, he added. On Monday afternoon, Xi began his inspection tour in the city of Wuzhishan in the central and southern parts of Hainan island. The Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park is among the first five national parks established in China. In the park, Xi walked along a boardwalk to inspect its ecological environment. He stopped from time to time to inquire about the growth of trees, the conservation of water and the protection of animals and plants. Xi pointed out that Hainan must remain committed to building an ecological province and place ecological conservation high on its agenda. He added that rainforests must be strictly protected, and that the efforts to protect the ecosystem, pursue green development and improve peoples lives must go hand in hand, so as to demonstrate to the world the fruitful results China has achieved in building national parks and protecting biodiversity. 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) Maona Village of Shuiman Township is a Li ethnic village in the city of Wuzhishan. It has been building a beautiful countryside and developing rural tourism in recent years. Upon his arrival at Maona, Xi walked along the village road and looked around. He visited the home of Wang Bohe, a Li ethnic villager. Wang and his family greeted him warmly, and showed him the yard, the living room and the bedrooms. Xi also took part in the frying process of tea leaves at their handmade tea workshop, and bought two packets of tea. He encouraged Wang and his family to run the tea business well and become more and more well-off. 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) Under a pavilion, Xi talked with the first secretary stationed in the village, leader of the rural revitalization work team, secretary of the village's Party branch, veteran Party members and representatives of entrepreneurial individuals. He learned about how the villagers developed industries based on local conditions, and protected and kept alive their traditional ethnic culture. Human resources are the key to promoting all-round rural revitalization, Xi stressed. He called for fostering a contingent of officials that are politically upright, professionally competent and strictly disciplined in conduct, and encouraging talented people of all types, including entrepreneurial individuals, college graduates returning to their hometowns to start businesses as well as ex-servicemen, to commit themselves to advancing rural revitalization. The primary-level Party branches in rural areas must be strengthened to ensure that they play a crucial role in this endeavor, he said. 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) Xi viewed an exhibition of agricultural products with Li ethnic features, as well as intangible cultural heritage such as Li brocade and rattan weaving, along a corridor. On a public square, villagers welcomed the guests from afar with singing, folk music and bamboo pole dance. It was a great pleasure to visit the fellow Li villagers, Xi told them amiably, adding that he was glad to see them enjoying a happy life. After achieving moderate prosperity in all respects, we are striving towards common prosperity and socialist modernization, he said. Xi said rural revitalization should focus on integrating industries and ecosystems, and efforts should be made to develop industries such as organic farming, rural tourism and leisure agriculture, preserve the intangible cultural heritage, and consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation to promote rural revitalization. Officials at all levels must follow the mass line, keep in mind the Partys fundamental purpose, think from the peoples perspective, respond to their needs, and put all efforts into ensuring a better life for the people. 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) On Tuesday morning, Xi went to Danzhou, a city in the northwestern part of the island. In an exhibition hall, Xi learned about the general development of the Yangpu Economic Development Zone, and looked carefully into the zones development path, achievements and plans, as well as outcomes of enterprises located in the zone. Yangpu Economic Development Zone is a pioneer and demonstration area for the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), Xi noted, calling for summing up Hainans experience from developing special economic zone, leveraging the preferential policy of Yangpu as a port of registry, and being bold to pursue innovation and test new initiatives. 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) Xi then arrived at the Xiaochantan wharf of the Yangpu International Container Port to learn about the ports development. He had a cordial exchange with workers and the representatives of the officials assigned to work here from the central agencies. Xi stressed that in revitalizing the port and developing the transportation industry Hainan should get a clear understanding of its position and improve adaptability. The island province should pursue green development, prioritize ecological protection, and enhance synergy between port development and the construction of the Yangpu Economic Development Zone and the Hainan FTP in order to better contribute to the development of the new land-sea transit routes for the western region and the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi pointed out that the central authorities have selected and dispatched officials to Hainan, which shows the care and support of the CPC Central Committee for the FTPs development, and also provides an opportunity for these officials to accumulate practical experience. Full play should be given to their positive role so that their ability will be strengthened during frontline work. On Wednesday morning, after a visit to an exhibition featuring the achievements made by Hainan in comprehensively deepening reform and opening up and developing a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, Xi heard the work report from the CPC Hainan provincial committee and the Hainan government. Xi acknowledged their achievements and expressed his hope that the province, with a sense of historical responsibility that with no thought to claim credit, but with resolve to contribute, will build the Hainan FTP into a shining brand name of China. Xi pointed out that we should fully prepare ourselves, both in thinking and in our work, for a protracted endeavor as it is a complex and systematic project to advance the development of the Hainan FTP. Hainan will continue to deliver in implementing the master plan for the Hainan FTP and the Hainan Free Trade Port Law. Hainan will set great store by integrated innovation in institutions and bolster the mechanism featuring central planning, departmental support and provincial implementation, so that the Hainan FTP will initiate independent customs operations on schedule. We must unswervingly uphold the Partys leadership, bear in mind the overall interests of the Party and the state in our work, and always keep to the correct political course. We must unswervingly uphold the Chinese socialist system and remain committed to socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must never falter in safeguarding national security, better identify and guard against major risks, coordinate reform, development and stability, and stick to the principle of establishing the new before dissolving the old. Xi emphasized that implementing the new development philosophy and promoting high-quality growth is the fundamental way for Hainan to achieve better development. He called on Hainan to develop tourism, modern services, high-tech industries, high-efficiency tropical agriculture, and accelerate the building of a modern industrial system. Hainan needs to accelerate the reform of systems and mechanisms for science and technology, and intensify efforts to promote scientific and technological innovations and the application of their results, Xi said. Hainan should promote land and marine planning in a comprehensive way, coordinate the development of mountainous and coastal areas, and integrate resources to promote balanced development between urban and rural areas and between regions, he said, adding that efforts must be made to eliminate institutional drawbacks in all areas and form the pattern of opening up on a larger scale, across more areas, and in greater depth. Xi noted that Hainan should deepen supply-side structural reform in agriculture, strengthen the agriculture industrial chain, and hold firm to the red lines for ecological protection, permanent basic cropland, and urban development boundary. It is necessary to promote the integrated and coordinated development of urban and rural areas and reclamation areas, accelerate the building of the national seed breeding base in Hainan, and improve the policy for supporting the natural rubber industry, he added. He said Hainan should intensify efforts to prevent and control pollution and implement the strictest possible measures to regulate reclamation and coastal development. Hainan must also make solid progress in developing the national pilot zone for ecological conservation. Xi added that the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park is a national treasure, which helps conserve water sources, boost grain production and bring in economic benefits, and serves well as a carbon sink in particular. Hainan should fully understand its strategic significance to the country and strive to make it bear fruitful results. He stressed that the more we deepen the reform and open wider to the world, the more important it is to advance cultural and ethical progress. We need to persistently step up the education on ideals and convictions, foster and promote core socialist values, carry out extensive campaigns for the public to promote cultural and ethical progress, and raise the level of social etiquettes and civility. Xi said that we should also strengthen the building of credibility and advocate the social norm of abiding by disciplines and laws and being honest and trustworthy. He noted that we need to take more effective measures and actions to warm the hearts of the people. We need to work hard to address the pressing problems and worries of the people, and actively explore ways to achieve common prosperity. We will continue to implement policies to reduce burdens, stabilize and increase employment, and improve the mechanism for ensuring supply and price stability of important commodities for people's lives, he added. Xi noted that we will fully implement the Party's education policy and promote balanced development and urban-rural integration in compulsory education. We will perform social governance in an all-round way, ensure workplace safety, carry out regular campaigns to eradicate gang crimes, and crack down on all kinds of maritime related illegal activities. Strict enforcement of Party rules and discipline will remain an abiding principle, Xi stressed. We must ensure full, rigorous governance of the Party and promote the overall development of the Party with a focus on political work. We will consolidate and build on the results of the initiatives to study the CPC history and carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party. By making full use of revolution-related resources in Hainan such as memorial sites for the Qiongya Column and the Red Detachment of Women, we will guide Party members and officials in strengthening beliefs and convictions, pass on the traditions of revolution, and sustain our revolutionary legacy, Xi said. We will strengthen training of officials and help Party members and officials to equip themselves with the Partys new theories and consciously put into practice the Partys founding mission. They need to redouble their efforts to overcome the problem of inadequate ability and anxieties it creates and address pointless formalities and bureaucratism. We will build solid communities, continue to expand Party organizations effective coverage, and ensure primary-level Party organizations play their key role in all sectors. We must maintain a tough stance against corruption, accurately grasp the new features of anti-corruption endeavors in the current stage, and adopt a holistic approach to see that officials do not have the opportunity, desire, or audacity to engage in corruption. We should also refine systems and close loopholes in approval of land leasing, real estate development, investment solicitation and project launching. All these will help foster a healthy political atmosphere. Given that the global COVID pandemic situation is still grave, we must never relax our response, Xi noted. Victory comes from perseverance. We must always put the people and their lives first, adhere to the principle of guarding against imported cases and domestic resurgences, and follow a science-based, targeted approach and zero-COVID policy. All epidemic response measures must be implemented in a solid and meticulous manner. We must not drop our guard, lose drive, take chances or slacken efforts. We should respond to the new features of virus variants and make our response measures more judicious and targeted. We will improve planning for various contingencies, strictly implement routine prevention and control measures, and reduce the epidemics impact on economic and social development to the minimum. Ding Xuexiang, Liu He, Chen Xi, He Lifeng and leading officials of related central authorities also joined the inspection. Editor: WRX By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova Munis Sharifov, known as a brilliant kamancha and chagan performer, has contributed to Azerbaijani musical culture. For many years he has been the artistic director and accompanist of the State Ensemble of Ancient Musical Instruments, as well as the only chagan performer in Azerbaijan. The musician's 60th anniversary will be celebrated at the International Mugham Center on April 19. The soloists of the International Mugham Center, the State Ensemble of Ancient Musical Instruments, as well as students of the People's Artist will perform at the concert. Entrance to the event is free. The Mugham Center is constantly expanding its activities, holding numerous international projects, concert programs, seminars and conferences aimed at promoting mugham art. The musical institution is actively expanding international ties with cultural institutions. The Mugham Center discussed prospects of cooperation with the Uzbek National Center of Makom. The Center also signed a memorandum on cultural cooperation with Hungary. The memorandum will contribute to the expansion of cultural ties between the countries and the promotion of mugham art and Azerbaijani music. Over the past years, the Center has successfully implemented multiple cultural projects aimed at promotion of national music: "Evenings of ashug music", "Treasury of Secrets", "Unforgettable", "Pearls of ethnic music", etc. Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Anna Maliar noted the possibility of resumption of Russian aggression in those areas where there are no hostilities anymore, and in this regard, she noted the reasonableness of calls to the residents of these areas who left their homes, not to return yet. "The resumption of aggressive actions in other regions, not only in the east, is possible, that is, we are considering such scenarios. Today, the key task of the Russian troops is the east ... but at the same time, a threat regarding other regions of Ukraine is also possible. Therefore, today we should not relax - the war is in its active phase now, we cannot say that activity is subsiding, that fighting is decreasing - they continue, they just continue in the east... and depending on how the circumstances develop in other regions, it will be clear whether the enemy will move further," Maliar said on the air of the telethon on Wednesday morning. According to her, so far the Armed Forces of Ukraine are doing everything possible to prevent the Russian occupation forces from advancing deep into the territory of Ukraine. At the request of the presenter to comment on officials' calls to residents of the liberated regions and Kyiv to refrain from returning home for the time being, the deputy minister replied: "These are absolutely reasonable calls." "Indeed, it is still too early to return, including to the capital. And we must not forget that today there is a high risk throughout the state of use of chemical weapons by the Russian Federation - they are considering such scenarios - and, despite the fact that they have already fired more than a thousand missiles in Ukraine, they still have a huge arsenal. Therefore, today there are all risks. As long as the war continues, there are risks," Maliar said. Combat losses of the Russian occupying army since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, as of Wednesday morning, April 13, amounted to about 19,800 personnel, according to the Facebook of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During this period, the Russian Federation also lost 739 tanks, 1964 armored combat vehicles, 358 artillery systems, 115 multiple launch rocket systems, 64 air defense systems, 158 aircraft and 143 helicopters. In addition, the invaders lost 1,429 units of vehicles, seven ships, 76 tanks with fuel and lubricants, 132 unmanned aerial vehicles of the operational-tactical level, four missile launcher systems and 25 units of special equipment. Thus, about 200 Russian soldiers KIA, seven tanks, 18 armored combat vehicles, 11 artillery systems, four MLRS, one air defense system, one aircraft, three helicopters, eight drones and 23 vehicles were destroyed per day. "The data is being specified. The calculation is complicated by the high intensity of hostilities," the General Staff said. Shmyhal calls on head of USAID to join investigation of war crimes of Russia Shmyhal calls on head of USAID to join investigation of war crimes of Russia KYIV. April 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, in a conversation with administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power, discussed further humanitarian and financial support for internally displaced persons, and also offered to join the investigation of war crimes of the Russian Federation. "Talked to head of USAID Samantha Power. Thanked for comprehensive support of Ukraine. Stressed the need for further humanitarian assistance and increased financial support for internally displaced people," he tweeted on Wednesday night. In addition, Shmyhal suggested that Washington send specialists to investigate the war crimes of the invaders. "Asked to join the investigation of war crimes," the Prime Minister said. Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko on Wednesday evening signed a loan agreement with the government of Canada to provide Ukraine with 500 million Canadian dollars (CAD, about $400 million at the current exchange rate). "As of now, this is the largest bilateral intergovernmental loan for Ukraine. The funds are provided to us on favorable terms with a maturity of 10 years," the minister wrote on Facebook. Marchenko specified that the loan proceeds would be used to finance priority government spending, and thanked the Government of Canada and personally Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada Chrystia Freeland for the decision. As reported, Canada this fiscal year (until July 1) provided Ukraine with CAD 145 million in humanitarian assistance and CAD 35 million in development assistance to provide direct support to Ukrainians affected by the illegal Russian invasion, as well as loans totaling CAD 620 million for support for Ukraine's financial stability, economic sustainability and governance reforms. The first CAD 120 million loan was announced on January 21 and additional CAD 500 million mentioned above was announced on February 14. Next year's budget announced that Ottawa would offer CAD 1 billion in new lending resources to Kyiv through a new managed account for Ukraine at the International Monetary Fund and another CAD 500 million in military aid, in addition to CAD 90 million already committed this year. Losses among civilians from February 24, when Russia started the war against Ukraine, until 24:00 on April 12, amounted to 4,521 civilians (4,450 in the report a day earlier), including 1,932 dead (1,892), reports the Office of the High Commissioner UN Human Rights on Wednesday. "OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration," the UN said in the document. According to it, this concerns, for example, Mariupol (Donetsk region), Izium (Kharkiv region), Popasna (Luhansk region), and Borodianka (Kyiv region), where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties. These figures are being further corroborated and are not included in the above statistics. "Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes," the UN said. According to confirmed UN data, some 485 men, some 313 women, some 54 boys and 31 girls died, while the gender of 72 children and 977 adults has not yet been determined. Among the 2,589 wounded were 52 girls and 52 boys, as well as 146 children whose gender has not yet been determined. Compared with the previous day, according to the UN, four more children were killed and the same number were wounded. OHCHR said that in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as of midnight on April 13, some 621 (600) killed and 1,010 (999) wounded in government-controlled territory, while some 77 (75) killed and 286 (283) wounded in territory controlled by self-proclaimed "republics." In other regions of Ukraine (the city of Kyiv, and Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Zhytomyr regions), which were under Government control when casualties occurred: 2,527 casualties (1,234 killed and 1,293 injured). According to the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, as of 08:00 on April 13, some 191 (186) children were killed, 349 (344) were wounded. The report traditionally states that the increase in indicators in it to the previous report should not be attributed only to cases that occurred on April 12, since during the day OHCHR also verified a number of cases that occurred in previous days. Large-scale sanctions against the Russian Federation, including gas and oil embargoes, as well as sanctions against all Russian banks, should be introduced immediately, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said at a briefing with the presidents of Ukraine, Poland, Latvia and Estonia in Kyiv on Wednesday. "Another issue is sanctions. A ban, a complete embargo of natural gas and oil, sanctions against everyone, I repeat all Russian banks, need to be imposed right now. We cannot wait a year or two. Ukrainians suffer and die every day, women, children, old people. We must stop financing Putin's war," Nauseda said. He also expressed the hope that all European countries will be able to get rid of energy dependence on the Russian Federation and stop financing the war in Ukraine. "For many years, we had the only source of gas. This is Russia. We have severed this energy umbilical cord, and we hope that all of Europe can do it. It is only a matter of political will. I have already said, and I would like to repeat: Ukraine belongs to the family European Union Lithuania will continue to stand for this until we see Ukrainians sitting at the same table as all of us in Brussels," Nauseda said. A group of Special Operations Forces of Ukraine blew up a bridge, destroying a convoy of equipment of Russian troops heading to reinforce their group in Kharkiv region. As reported on the page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, the column included a Tigr armored car, a Kamaz and three Urals. "Blowing up the bridge together with Russian equipment was carried out according to a certain plan, destroying the entire enemy column. Having blown up the bridge with the Russians, our operators confirmed the defeat of the target with the help of UAVs. After that, our colleagues from the Defense Forces of Ukraine completed the job," the report says. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Ukraine's refusal to receive German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a visit, calling it "somewhat confusing," Der Tagesspiegel reports. "The Federal President would like to visit Ukraine. Therefore, it would be good to accept it," Scholz said on rbb24 radio on Wednesday. At the same time, Scholz did not answer the question whether he would accept the existing invitation to Kyiv. Later, the Chancellor also urged not to underestimate the fact that Germany supplies anti-aircraft missiles and many other military goods to Ukraine. "Taking responsibility means: Germany supplies anti-aircraft missiles and many other military goods to Ukraine. It is important and should not be underestimated: we are closely coordinating this with all our allies. We are not doing this alone," Schultz wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. The United States will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine to defend itself from Russian aggression, U.S. President Joseph Biden said following a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. "I just spoke with President Zelensky and shared with him that my Administration is authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance to Ukraine. The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect. 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," Biden said, according to the White House press service. The US President said that the 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. "These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters. In addition, we continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from our Allies and partners around the world," Biden said. "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. 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 Zelensky, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom," he said. The Swiss authorities announced on Wednesday their decision to join the package of sanctions adopted earlier in April by the EU against Russia and Belarus. "On April 13, the Swiss Federal Council decided to join the new measures developed by the EU against Russia and Belarus," reads the press release of the Swiss government. "On April 13, the Swiss Federal Council decided to join the new measures developed by the EU against Russia and Belarus," the press release of the Swiss government reads. Last week, the EU published the fifth package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus. More than 200 individuals and 18 organizations fell under the new European sanctions, including businessmen from the LPR and DPR, as well as family members of people who were already under sanctions. Sanctions were also imposed on companies whose production and technology are associated with the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The EU also decided to ban the import of certain types of wood, cement, fertilizers, seafood, alcoholic beverages, caviar from the Russian Federation and impose restrictions on the export to the Russian Federation of quantum computers and advanced semiconductors, high-tech electronics, software, sensitive equipment and equipment for transport, ships. Among other things, the fifth package of sanctions against Russia provides for an embargo on the supply of coal and other solid fuels to the EU from the Russian Federation to the EU, which will take effect from August 10, 2022, a ban on the import of potassium chloride from Belarus through Russia, a ban on the access of Russian vessels to the ports of EU countries and a ban on access to its territory road transport from Russia and Belarus. By Azernews As Azerbaijan marks the fourth anniversary of the re-election of its current leader Ilham Aliyev, local and global attention falls upon the fundamental changes the four years have caused in the international and regional arena. Pointing out the major events and accomplishments of the state in the last four years, Azertag Chairman of Board Aslan Aslanov wrote that the 44-day Patriotic War and liberation of Karabakh from the occupation are a definite highlights of this period. The journalist has shared his view on President Ilham Aliyevs policy and diplomatic moves that have switched Azerbaijans position in the region in an Azertag article. Talking about Azerbaijans grand victory in the Second Karabakh war of 2020, Aslanov noted that there hasnt been a similar triumph in our centuries-old history. He stated that this victory alone is enough to write the name of the victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev in history in golden letters. The great victory created new realities and all the players in the region and the entire world needed to accept them. If we have a look at the steps taken after the victory, we can see that our President has subtly coped with this task, which is not easier than the fight on the battlefield, the article noted. Talking about the current global situation, Aslanov wrote that the two urgent topics on the political agenda of Azerbaijan and the world are the transformation of the peace process in the South Caucasus region to the Brussels format and the Southern Gas Corridor, which has changed the energy map of Europe. Brussels format: Azerbaijans post-war stance Bringing up the facts of the fall of the 27-year-long activity of the OSCE Minsk Group with zero productivity, the journalist noted that the center of weight of the settlement in the post-war era was moved to the European Union. After the conflict was over, the Azerbaijani president addressed the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group with I havent called you, which was a diplomatic gesture after which the organization couldnt be seen on the stage and was thrown into the archive of history, the journalist wrote. Aslanov stated that now a new player in the South Caucasus the European Union started to be seen following Azerbaijans win on the battlefield. EU Council President Charles Michel made visits to Baku and Yerevan. At the end of last year, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia were invited to Brussels and the first trilateral meeting took place with the participation of Charles Michel. Finally, another trilateral meeting was held in Brussels several days ago on 6 April. This meeting, which is characterized as another success of Azerbaijans diplomacy, is a visual confirmation that President Ilham Aliyev is a leader capable of changing the flow of events. The initiatives of peace are coming from Azerbaijan, the article stated. Aslanov noted that analysts believe that Azerbaijan has achieved what it wanted in Brussels. He stressed that Azerbaijan is a party that dictates the agenda of the region and President Ilham Aliyevs stand based on international law is treated with respect in most international organizations, including one of the centers of power in the world, the EU. The term Nagorno-Karabakh has already been removed from the political lexicon and no one mentions its status. Azerbaijan has demonstrated a decisive position in both issues and closed them, he pointed out. The chairman stressed that it was explicitly clear that the Armenian side Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was in the background at the meeting in Brussels. Support for Armenia decreases in all terms, as Azerbaijans position gets stronger. It leaves Armenia nothing but agreeing to a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, he highlighted. Southern Gas Corridor: Immense project changing Europes energy map The Southern Gas Corridor, which was realized on President Ilham Aliyevs initiative and with the close involvement of Azerbaijan, has gone down in history as one of the biggest projects of the 21st century and has significantly changed the energy map of Europe, said the chairman. He also added that transportation of Azerbaijans gas through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) to Europe started on the last day of 2020, 31 December. The construction of the TAP was carried out in a difficult and complex geopolitical condition, it became possible via mobilizing several countries and leading financial institutions literally into one team with the strenuous efforts of the president. The Southern Caucasus Corridor can also be regarded as a vivid example of political farsightedness, the article mentioned. Speaking about the current global situation and its effect on the global economy, he specifically stressed that the unprecedented sanctions of the West against Russia have created serious concerns in the EU countries, which are significantly dependent on Russian oil and gas. Based on that, they are looking for alternative sources of gas supply and thinking about possible options for diversification. As President Aliyev said, now they in Europe see the significance of the Southern Gas Corridor more clearly than we do. Aslanov noted that facing a severe energy crisis, the EU looks at Baku with hope, although the volume of gas exports from Azerbaijan to Europe is not so big now. However, he emphasized that there are big prospects opportunities of transportation of gas from Central Asia over Azerbaijan. He brings up the meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor, which was held in Baku about two months ago, which demonstrates this exact approach. During his speech at the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev provided information on the gas reserves in Azerbaijan to the visiting ministers and high-ranking EU officials: Shahdaniz 1 trillion cubic meters, Babak 400 billion cubic meters and Umid 200 billion cubic meters. Azerbaijans attractiveness as a reliable partner grows every year amid the challenges and global economic risks of our times, which are becoming even harsher, the board chairman said. These are the already visible results of the flexible and pragmatic policy, which President Ilham Aliyev has been pursuing for many years. The West, which once made us suffer from its dual standards, and Europe, which failed to distinguish between the occupying force and the occupied side, are finally turning their faces towards justice and the right side and are starting to see who is who, Aslanov further stated. Power of information: transition to new stage in media-society relations Further, the article goes into detail about the powerful impact of information, which was especially palpable during the Patriotic War. The gates of Azerbaijan were opened wide to the world media at the will of President Ilham Aliyev: about 30 interviews to foreign media in 44 days! It is a phenomenal and rare event in world history, the article stressed. Aslanov noted that the result is vivid to the eye: the world started to gradually understand where and on which side the truth and justice lie. According to him, a renewed spirit has been reigning in the information environment in Azerbaijan in the post-war era. The article showcased that effective and consecutive steps taken to determine the place and role of the media in our renewed society and modernize the national media have been recently taken. President Ilham Aliyev's decree dated January 12, 2021, 'On deepening media reforms in the Republic of Azerbaijan' is an important document directed at these goals. Thus, the process of fundamental reforms started to modernize the Azerbaijani media in line with the principles of activities defined by the global information environment, to extensively use opportunities of innovation including wide use of advanced technologies, tracing of leading trends and other issues, and stimulate activities that serve to objectively and professionally inform the society, the article added. Aslanov stressed that this cleared the way for Azerbaijan to form media in accordance with international standards, thus, local media started integrating into the global information space more rapidly by applying new trends in the field of information. The establishment of the Media Development Agency public legal entity and the adoption of the Law On media can be evaluated as a milestone in the history of the national media in this context, he added. Thanks to the adoption of this law, we are making a transition to a period, which is characteristic of regulation of society-media and government-media relations in more civilized manners in line with the requirements of the modern times, Aslanov said further. To recap, Aslanov further emphasized the wise and pragmatic policy of President Ilham Aliyev, who managed to put an end to the 30-year-long occupation in a military-political way, maximally protects his country and people from the impact of global crisis and risks, and has the floor in the region and the world, always takes Azerbaijan forward. The last four years of our history are especially remarkable in this regard. Ilham Aliyev is capable of directing the flow of events into an appropriate way with his timely diplomatic moves. The road to success is actually ensured by this policy, which is calculated for the future, and it gives us ground to look into the future of our country more optimistically, he finalized. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are always the first to defend Ukraine, the same happened with the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war. "I want to thank these wonderful leaders of wonderful states who are always with us - with Ukraine. Shoulder to shoulder. And from the very beginning they were the first to support Ukraine, including in the vision of Ukraine in the EU, in support of a powerful sanctions policy against the Russian Federation and its aggression. And they are the first to promote a powerful sanctions policy in the EU countries. These four leaders always protect us," Zelensky said at a briefing with the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in Kyiv on Wednesday. "And even when we talk about weapons, about the armament of our army, these leaders were among the first countries and their leaders. I want to say that they are always the first - Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia - and always next to our state" he said. Zelensky also said that he would like Ukraine to have the same friendly, honest and strategic relations with all neighboring countries. "I am sure that these four states will be the first on all pages of the future history of the country. And we have a great future, because with such partners and friends we will definitely win. I thank each of you for this important visit at this difficult time for Ukraine," the president said. he actions of Russian troops in the occupied areas of Ukraine are banditry and terrorism, flouting all international principles, Polish President Andrzej Duda said at a briefing with the presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in Kyiv on Wednesday. "We saw the second face of this war - we saw a face that is hard to understand and accept, the bombed-out housing estates, the houses, the destroyed houses. ... I saw them on television, these ruins, and now I've seen it with my own eyes, and it's hard to believe it. And I told President Volodymyr Zelensky and the gentlemen presidents and our staff: this is not war, this is terrorism. If someone sends planes, if someone sends soldiers to bomb residential areas, kill civilians - this is not war. That's brutality, banditry, terrorism. And this is the second face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this is the face we will never agree with, never," Duda stressed. Estonian President Alar Karis has called for increased military aid to Ukraine and additional weapons, including anti-ship weapons. "I urge for additional arms to come. We have already provided assistance in the amount of one-third of our defense budget: warplanes, air defense, multiple rocket launchers and artillery systems. We should also consider anti-ship weapons, providing them to brave Ukrainian fighters," Karis said at a briefing with the presidents of Ukraine, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania in Kyiv on Wednesday. Latvia is ready to help Ukraine with the export of grain so that the flow goes through Latvian ports, Latvian President Egils Levits has said. "In Latvia, we can help with the export of grain from Ukraine, so that the flow goes through Latvian ports. And immediately after that meeting, we called our governments and we will take further measures so that there are necessary results from these efforts," Levits said at a joint briefing with Presidents of Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia in Kyiv. The United States will send 200 M113 armored personnel carriers, 11 Mi-17 helicopters, 300 Switchblade drones to Kyiv as part of an $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. At a briefing, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby showed reporters a list of weapons that the United States will transfer to Ukraine. He said that part of this drawdown package are new batches of weapons systems already being delivered, and the other part is new weapons systems that were not previously supplied to Ukraine. Also, Ukraine should receive eighteen 155 mm howitzers along with 40,000 artillery rounds, 500 missiles for Javelin anti-tank systems and thousands of other counter-artillery systems, 10 counter-battery radars, two air surveillance radar systems, 100 armored Humvee vehicles, unmanned vessels to defend the coast. In addition, the list includes medical equipment, equipment for protection against nuclear, chemical and biological threats, 30,000 body armor and helmets, more than 2,000 units of optics and laser rangefinders, C-4 explosives, M18A1 Claymore mines. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the Adminsitration is authorizing an $800 million military aid package for Ukraine, including artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters. President of Latvia Egils Levits said he supports the idea of creating a special court or tribunal in connection with the Russian aggression against Ukraine. "I would also like to support the idea that it is necessary to make a special court or tribunal regarding the crime of aggression, because so far there is no such international court where such a crime could be condemned," the President of Latvia said at a joint briefing with the presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania and Estonia in Kyiv. He also recalled the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, emphasizing the need to create a similar one. "Therefore, similarly to the international court regarding the former Yugoslavia, which worked for 20 years, one president was convicted there - Milosevic, former president of Serbia, I think that this idea should be supported. It is necessary to create such a special international tribunal regarding the Russian war against Ukraine," Levits said. In addition, the President of Latvia emphasize that all links - from customers to the perpetrators of crimes, must be punished. At the same time, as Levits noted, now Ukraine needs help with weapons. "I have already said that Ukraine is fighting for us, and it is our duty to help Ukraine. By all means, all ways: with weapons, so that Ukraine can defend itself from the enemy. We in Latvia have already spent one third of our annual military budget over two months on to help Ukraine," he said. He also called for NATO member countries to help Ukraine with effective weapons. In addition, Levits said that Latvia is ready to help Ukraine "with the export of grain, so that the flow goes through Latvian ports." International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova visited Bucha, Kyiv region, where the exhumation of the bodies of dead civilians from the second large grave on the territory of a local church began today. Khan and his team of investigators and experts arrived in Kyiv to begin an independent investigation of the war crimes scene, the prosecutor general said on Facebook post. "We visited Bucha, Kyiv region, together with him, where the exhumation of the bodies of the killed civilians began today from the second large grave on the territory of the local church. As in the previous burial, most of the 15 already examined victims with gunshot and shrapnel wounds. We also visited the storage place of cars shot by the Russian military, in which people tried to escape from the war, and one of the dungeons where seven Ukrainians were tortured to death," Venediktova wrote. She stressed that the Prosecutor General's Office is joining forces with the ICC Prosecutor's Office to investigate every war crime in Ukraine committed by Russian occupiers. "Soon the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court will join the work of the joint investigation team that we have created with Lithuania and Poland on the Eurojust platform," the Prosecutor General added. In turn, the ICC press service also reported that Khan had visited Bucha. "Prosecutor Karim AA Khan QC on visit to Bucha: Ukraine is a crime scene. Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC are being committed. We have to pierce the fog of war to get to the truth, the ICC said on Twitter. Ukraine negotiates the exchange of 169 National Guard servicemen who were captured at Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky said. "Chornobyl is a tragic page in our history. We, unfortunately, must state that 169 National Guard servicemen were captured there. Today, according to our information, some of them are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, some in Russia... Negotiations on their exchange are underway. But we understand that this will be possible only after the end of the active phase of hostilities," the interior minister said. Monastyrsky also informed that the captured National Guardsmen were first kept in the dungeon "without light, without the ability to communicate normally." "All means of communication were confiscated from them when they were there. And then they were taken away. Unfortunately, I can't say what their fate is," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the observed fervent activity of the Russian occupiers in eastern and southern Ukraine demonstrates their lack of confidence. "Combat reports for today do not differ significantly from previous ones. Russian troops are stepping up activity in the eastern and southern directions. They are trying to retaliate for their defeats. Rocket bombings and artillery strikes continue. New columns of equipment are being brought in. They are looking for reserves. They are trying to recruit residents of the south of our country - that is, from these temporarily occupied areas in addition to the so-called mobilization in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. All this feverish activity of the occupiers testifies first of all to their insecurity," Zelensky said in his traditional evening address to citizens on Thursday night. He added that "even with significant stocks of Soviet military equipment and a significant number of soldiers, whom the commanders do not spare at all, the Russian troops doubt their ability to break us, to break Ukraine. " "Well, we do everything to justify their doubts. And I am grateful to all our defenders who hold positions and teach Russian soldiers to think that this war against Ukraine can only end in Russia's strategic defeat - sooner or later. Either the Russian leadership will really seek peace, or as a result of this war, Russia will leave the international arena forever," the president added. Ukrainian children illegally taken by Russian occupiers to the territory of the Russian Federation, including orphans and children whose parents died as a result of Russian aggression, may be illegally transferred for adoption in Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine says. "The threat of illegal adoption of Ukrainian children by Russian citizens without observing all the necessary procedures determined by the legislation of Ukraine is egregious. In this context, information about the intention of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation to sign with the Russian occupation administrations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions - the so-called 'L/ DPR'- 'agreements' that would allow the transfer of orphans illegally deported from the territory of Ukraine to Russian families," the statement released by the press service of the Foreign Ministry reads. The ministry indicated that, according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the states that are parties to this international treaty, incl. Russia and Ukraine, are obliged to take measures to combat the illegal movement and non-return of children from abroad. "The Kremlin's attempts to provide 'legitimate' grounds for its criminal actions on the territory of Ukraine are a cynical disregard for the fundamental rules and customs of warfare and universally recognized human rights," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine appealed to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict and Violence against Children with a request to take urgent measures for the return of Ukrainian children to the territory of Ukraine. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Dozens of Azerbaijani cemeteries have been destroyed in Fuzuli, Aghdam, Zangilan, Kalbajar and Jabrayil regions by Armenian separatists, while the Armenian ones remained untouched, the U.S. State Department has stated. The report was published in the U.S. State Department's annual report "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Armenia". The facts of the destroyed Azerbaijani cemeteries are confirmed by thousands of photographs taken by foreign photojournalists, the document stressed. It noted that the Azerbaijani graves were desecrated by Armenian separatists. In some cases, evidence of looting these graves was found, including traces of their destruction by construction equipment. "Foreign observers visiting Aghdam photographed empty graves excavated at the cemetery. The pictures show a broken tombstone, some mutilated portraits on other tombstones, gravestones broken with hammers or other similar objects," the report stated. The document added that the graves were dug up in search of gold teeth, and the remains were scattered throughout the cemeteries. Along with this, the report emphasized that Armenian cemeteries remained untouched. During Armenia's three-decade occupation, some 900 cemeteries with over a million graves were decimated. Azerbaijani gravestones were even used to build stairs to Armenian homes. Car plates of killed and displaced Azerbaijanis were used to decorate public restrooms. Overall, during 30 years of occupation 927 libraries with 4.6 million books, 700 historical monuments and 22 museums with 100,000 exhibits were looted and destroyed by Armenia. Armenia looted and erased more heritage than ISIS terrorists did in Iraq and Syria. It is the worst cultural genocide of the 21st century. To erase all traces of Azerbaijani culture and history Armenia systematically destroyed cultural and historical monuments. Out of 67 mosques, 65 were desecrated and destroyed. Many mosques were turned into pigsties and cowsheds like the Juma Mosque of Agdam (1870), Zangilan Mosque (17th century) or Marmar Mosque (18th century) in Gubadli. Azerbaijan and Armenia resumed the second war after the latter started firing at Azerbaijani civilians and military positions starting September 27, 2020. The war ended on November 10 with the signing of a trilateral ceasefire deal by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders. The Azerbaijani army declared a victory against the Armenian troops. The signed agreement obliged Armenia to withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it has occupied since the early 1990s. In the war unleashed by Armenia, Azerbaijan's Ganja, Barda, Yevlakh, Beylagan, Tartar, Gabala, Goranboy, Aghjabadi, Khizi and other cities and regions, fairly far from the war zone, came under Armenia's missile and artillery fire. International human rights watchdogs Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch verified the use of banned cluster bombs and missiles by Armenia in its attacks against Azerbaijani cities. As a result, 100 Azerbaijani civilians were killed, including 12 children and 27 women. As many as 454 people were injured, including 35 children. Some 181 children lost one parent, five children lost both parents, one family died. In total, 12,292 residential and non-residential buildings and 288 vehicles were damaged. The MFA of Ukraine welcomes the publication of the comprehensive Report on violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian Federation and its armed forces during the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. "We take note of the fact that the Russian Federation refused to cooperate with the Mission of Experts which is nothing but a clear indication of the recognition of Russias full responsibility for the war of aggression it launched against Ukraine and its consequences," a comment posted by the press service of the Foreign Ministry reads. The Foreign Ministry said that they view the OSCE Moscow Mechanism Report as an important contribution to the international communitys efforts to prevent impunity and ensure justice by holding accountable all masterminds and perpetrators of the crimes of Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Almost 100-pages Report provides strong evidence of the enormous amount of atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine. As a conclusion, it is stressed that the Mission found clear patterns of IHL violations by the Russian forces on many of the issues investigated. It is not conceivable that so many civilians would have been killed and injured and so many civilian objects, including houses, hospitals, cultural property, schools, multi-story residential buildings, administrative buildings, penitentiary institutions, police stations, water stations and electricity systems would have been damaged or destroyed if Russia had respected its IHL obligations in terms of distinction, proportionality and precautions in conducting hostilities in Ukraine. The conduct of the siege of Mariupol is an extreme example. "The findings of the Report clearly testify to the fact that Russias violations are on a scale that the international community has not seen in Europe in decades and that urgent action is needed to stop the aggressor-state. The recognition in the Report that certain parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions have also been occupied by Russia since 2014 is of crucial importance," the ministry noted. The MFA of Ukraine draws separate attention to the Missions conclusion about the need for a serious international enquiry, on the spot, to investigate summary executions of a large number of civilians during the Russian occupation of villages in the proximity of Kyiv, in particular Bucha, pointing to war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia's armed formations. The information documented in the Report could be of use for national, regional or international courts or tribunals that have or will have future jurisdiction over Russias war crimes and its current leadership. Minister of Social Policy Maryna Lazebna says that in order to protect the labor rights of Ukrainians displaced to other countries, it is necessary to discuss the possibility for them to remain tax residents of Ukraine or at least pay social contributions for them in Ukraine. "Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Maryna Lazebna presented a draft appeal of Ukraine to the European Commission on the joint actions of the EU and Ukraine regarding the protection of the social rights of Ukrainians during Russian aggression, developed by the Ministry of Social Policy," the ministry's press service said. It is noted that the developed appeal is actually a proposal for the joint development of a long-term cross-border policy for the protection of the rights of Ukrainians who have moved to other countries. The minister said that it is impossible to delay its referral to the European Commission, because such steps determine whether Ukraine will be a subject in the formation of such a cross-border policy, a full-fledged partner of other countries, or remain an observer. "The minister noted that Ukraine is grateful to the governments of the partner countries for helping our people, but is aware that Europe is now experiencing a migration crisis due to Russia's war against Ukraine. The social infrastructure of the countries that have received the most Ukrainians is overloaded. This cannot last long," the statement said. In this connection, according to Lazebna, the only way to reliably protect the rights of Ukrainians in this situation is to jointly plan coordinated programs with the EU countries, which, on the one hand, will protect the rights of our citizens, regardless of the host country, and, on the other hand, will ensure a gradual transition of displaced Ukrainians to self-sufficiency. "At the same time, in order to protect labor rights of Ukrainians, displaced to other countries, it is necessary to discuss the possibility for them to remain tax residents of Ukraine, or at least that social contributions to Ukraine be paid for them, so that in the future people have the necessary length of service for pensions and other social guarantees. Also, the payment of a social contribution in Ukraine for our citizens, working in other countries, will strengthen the financial stability of the solidarity pension system, which is very important in a martial law," Lazebna said. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) neutralized a powerful criminal group in Odessa, which agreed to cooperate with the enemy and wanted to join the occupation authorities in the event of the capture of the city by the occupiers, said spokesperson of the SBU Artem Dekhtiarenko. "During a large-scale special operation of the SBU and the National Police, leaders and members of criminal groups were detained, among them Emil Varshavsky and Paizulaev known in criminal circles," Dekhtiarenko said in a video message on the SBU Telegram channel on Thursday. According to him, the collaborators kept in touch with representatives of the Russian Federation, reported to them about the situation in the region, and in order to undermine the situation in the city, they terrorized and intimidated the local population. "According to the SBU, the exposed persons were supposed to hunt law enforcement officers and patriot activists. Some members of the group enlisted in the ranks of the Defense Ministry to collect information about the intentions and positions of the Ukrainian military in Odesa region," the spokesman of the department stressed. He informed that all members of the group who are citizens of Ukraine have been detained, one of the leaders, who is a foreigner, has been expelled from Ukraine, and another leader of the group, who is abroad, has been banned from entry. On Wednesday, Ukraine was elected to the bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine informs that Ukraine has joined the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Commission on the Status of Women, as well as the Commission on Social Development. "Ukraine was first represented in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues for the period 2023-2025, where Suleiman Mamutov, a representative of the Crimean Tatar people, was nominated. The Ukrainian candidate won by an overwhelming majority of votes, bypassing the representative from the Russian Federation," the message says. The press release notes that "within the framework of the Permanent Forum, Ukraine will make every effort to ensure the rights and freedoms of representatives of indigenous peoples, including in the temporarily occupied territories." It is also emphasized that "as part of the Forum, the Ukrainian side will continue the process of implementing the collective rights of indigenous peoples and is developing recommendations for the full application of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples." In addition, "Ukraine (...) was elected to the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Social Development for the period 2023-2027." It is reported that the Commissions are important platforms for countering Russia's atrocities. "Within the framework of these bodies, our state will continue to work to ensure women's rights and promote social protection of the population of Ukraine in wartime and peacetime," the Foreign Ministry summed up. Losses of the Russian occupation army in Mykolaiv and Kherson directions are 54 personnel and eight pieces of equipment, including two self-propelled artillery systems, the Grad multiple rocket launcher and a T-72 tank, according to the Facebook page of the Operational Command Pivden (South). "In response to the enemy's systemic artillery shelling throughout the night, our troops inflicted a precise defeat on the concentration of military equipment and ammunition composition in the classic traditions of Chornobayivka," the report reads. At the same time, while conditions are unfavorable for a sea landing, the threat of missile attacks both from the sea and the temporarily occupied Crimea remains. The Operational Command reported that in the Black Sea area of operations, the Neptune anti-ship missile struck the cruiser Moskva, which sustained significant damage. "A fire broke out. Other units of the ship's group tried to provide assistance, but the storm and a powerful explosion of ammunition overturned the cruiser and it began to sink," the report says. At the same time, the aggressor continues psychological pressure on the local population in occupied Kherson and the region, agitating for the creation of a quasi-republic. "Neither insolent shelling, nor kidnappings, nor mocking of the civilian population by the Rashists have broken the spirit of Kherson. People continue to defend their independent future in a free Ukraine," the report says. Head of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service Serhiy Deineko has said that Russians opened fire near the state border in the area where Ukraine's Chernihiv region borders Russia's Bryansk region. "Yesterday, grenade and small arms fire was recorded in Chernihiv region, which were opened by the Rushists from the direction of their checkpoint Pohar," Deineko wrote on Facebook on Thursday. According to him, in Kyiv region, border guards went to the checkpoint Vilcha in the section with Belarus. "As always, the orcs, like an invasion of locusts. Infrastructure was destroyed ... During the events there remains the danger of mines and shelling, so we act very carefully," Deineko said. NBU expects real GDP to shrink by at least a third in 2022 The Ukrainian economy will gradually recover, but real GDP may decline by at least a third in 2022, the National Bank said on Thursday. According to the report, GDP reduction is expected in all components. Thus, private consumption will decrease due to the forced departure of many citizens from the country, rising unemployment, reduced incomes and savings on secondary expenses. Due to significant uncertainty and high risks, investment activity will also significantly decrease, the NBU points out. According to the regulator, the decline in consumption and investment could lead to a reduction in imports compared to the pre-war period. At the same time, the export of goods also suffers significant losses due to the shutdown of enterprises, a decrease in sown areas and the impossibility of effective agricultural work due to hostilities, the blockade of seaports, and problems with the supply of fuel and fertilizers. In addition, an increase in stocks of products is expected, which enterprises will try to export later. "After a significant reduction in the first month of the war, exports and imports will gradually resume," the report said. Exports of goods fell sharply in March 2022 due to logistical disruptions and disruption of production capacity, while merchandise imports declined significantly as a result of lower domestic demand, logistical difficulties, and restricted imports of critical items. At the same time, according to the expectations of the National Bank, due to the partial solution of problems with logistics, export volumes will gradually increase compared to March results. The Central Bank predicts that imports of goods and services to Ukraine will increase at a moderate pace due to the gradual recovery of consumer and investment demand. It is noted that the financial support of Ukraine's international partners will become a significant source of foreign exchange earnings in Ukraine. Other relatively stable sources will remain labor migrants' remittances and income from the IT industry. In addition, it is indicated that business is gradually resuming its activities, overcoming the challenges of wartime. In particular, according to the results of unscheduled surveys conducted by the National Bank, the number of enterprises that completely ceased their activities decreased from 30% in the first weeks of March to 23% in early April. Kyiv police officers continue to inspect and clear the territories in Hostomel, every war crime is documented, Chief of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv Ivan Vyhovsky has said. "As of April 14, the policemen of Kyiv examined 628 premises in the city of Hostomel, these are both residential and non-residential buildings. As part of the criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code violation of the laws and customs of war, law enforcement officers continue to document the death of civilians in the city, identify places of burial of bodies, carry out the necessary investigative actions," the chief of the police said on his Facebook page, citing Vyhovsky. According to the chief of Kyiv police, the capital's explosives experts seize enemy ammunition every day, which the Russian military left in forested areas, courtyards of houses and right on the streets of the city. At present, some 266 explosive items have been found and defused. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is convinced that the situation with the visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Ukraine will be settled through diplomatic channels and will not harm Ukrainian-German relations. "We are not interested in escalation, we are not interested in aggravating bilateral relations. Therefore, I am convinced that this situation will be resolved through diplomatic channels and there will be no harm to Ukrainian-German relations," Kuleba said at a briefing with Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney in Kyiv on Thursday, answering a question from Interfax-Ukraine. He said Ukraine stands for relations that are built on mutual respect and on building a new German policy towards Ukraine under the current circumstances. "And we expect such a new German policy from the new German government," the minister said. "Ukraine has great respect for Germany, we do not always agree with German policy on everything, but we respect Germany as a state, as a partner. And it is absolutely obvious to us that the head of state, the President of Germany, is one of the symbols of this state, and we treat the institution of the federal president with the same respect," Kuleba said. The minister also expressed regret that the report of one of the German media, citing a source, led to such a difficult situation. "In diplomacy, there are many working moments that relate to the coordination of visit formats, the expected results of visits, and when only diplomats do this work, we always find mutually acceptable outcomes. When the nuances of work processes get into the media or when unverified information appears in the media, public discussions, public scandals, public emotions that interfere with work and create a negative background. This is exactly the situation we now have with Germany. I am sorry that a message from one of the German media, citing a source, led to such a difficult situation that we now have," the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Lithuania handed over ten FM radio transmitters and nine digital television transmitters to Ukraine to restore Ukrainian broadcasting in the regions, Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko has said. "I thank Simonas Kairis, Minister of Culture of Lithuania and the Radio and Television Center of the Republic of Lithuania for the technical support of Ukraine in the information resistance of Russia. The Lithuanian side gave us ten FM radio transmitters and 9 digital television transmitters," Tkachenko said on the Telegram channel. According to him, the equipment is transferred to the RRT concern and in the near future will ensure the resumption of broadcasting by Ukrainian broadcasters in those areas where the telecommunications network has received the most damage. In particular, we are talking about regional broadcasters NOTU in Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions. The Azerbaijani army is conducting a competition for the Best Sniper title, the Defence Ministry has reported. The competition is being held under the combat training plan for 2022, the report added. During the six-stage competition, the servicemen demonstrate their abilities in the episodes 'Sniper in defence', 'Sniper in the attack' and other firing exercises, the ministry underlined. The competition's main goal is to choose the best sniper in the Azerbaijan army and to assess servicemen's combat readiness. The competition will last until April 15, the ministry said. Azerbaijan periodically holds drills to improve its military personnels combat readiness. The drills also aim to improve interaction and combat coordination between the servicemen during operations, as well as to develop commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills. Ireland is in favor of including an oil embargo in the sixth package of sanctions against Russia, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has said. "We strongly support a maximalist approach in the context of sanctions against Russia as a deterrent to the continuation of this war. We believe that we should go beyond what has now been collectively agreed by the EU and include an oil embargo in the sixth round of sanctions," Coveney said on briefing with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on Thursday. He said that Ireland has allocated more than EUR 20 million of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and will allocate EUR 33 million of military assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Coveney said that even though Ireland is a military neutral country, Ireland is not neutral with regard to this war or this conflict, and it is not neutral about the future of Ukraine either. In seven weeks, Ireland has provided more than EUR 20 million of humanitarian assistance Ukraine, it has made and committed to EUR 33 million of military assistance to Ukrainian Armed Forces through the European Peace Mechanism. Ireland's contribution not only focuses on weapons, but also military aid such as body armor, medical supplies, fuel and other military equipment, he said. Coveney also said that Ireland is in favor of Ukraine's accession to the EU to happen as quickly as possible. He said Ireland government knows that Ukraine dreams of a different future: a future that is based on democracy, diversity, stability and economic opportunity. He said that all this can be achieved through full EU membership. Ireland will strongly support Ukraine to ensure, to make its journey to EU membership happen as quickly as possible. The Foreign Minister said he brought with him a strong message of solidarity not only from the Irish government, but also from the Irish people. Coveney also expressed condolences. He said it is unknown yet how many Ukrainian citizens have lost their lives because of this Russian aggression, but there are many. The official said that cruelty and violence is not only against Ukrainian soldiers, but also against Ukrainian civilians, women and children are likely to be identified as war crimes in the future. He also said that about 23,000 Ukrainians came to Ireland due to the war of Russia against Ukraine. Coveney became the first foreign minister to visit Kyiv during wartime. The lifting of the naval blockade of Ukraine is more effective for the food security of the world than the creation of new special funds, Deputy Minister of Economy - Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka believes. "Destroying 'Moscow' is a better contribution to overcoming world famine than any UN program," he wrote on Facebook on Thursday. According to the UN Secretary General, a fifth of humanity will suffer from hunger because of the war. "I agree about one-fifth, but it must be put more simply - hunger is spreading due to the blocking of our ports and trade in the Black Sea with Russian warships. We have corn, wheat, oil. Russian ships that shoot merchant ships do not allow to export," Kachka commented. If it were not for Russia's military aggression, food prices in the world would be high, but not exorbitant, the trade representative explained. "If it weren't for Russia, then Africa and the Middle East would not think where to scrape together the money to buy the last wheat. Russia is deceiving many when it says that it will satisfy the demand for grain itself," Kachka said. Firstly, it will not satisfy, because in addition to wheat there is also no less important corn and vegetable oil, the trade representative notes. And secondly, the Russian Federation is speculating on prices, he stressed. Therefore, Kachka continued that plan A to overcome famine is a rebuff to aggression at sea and on land, so that Ukrainian grains and oilseeds would reach the market in full. Plan B is maximum logistics through the western border. "Plan B is to create a fund/program/organization in which international officials will buy with the money of the rich and distribute to the poor - is not a plan. Yes, Ukraine is actively participating in the WFP, but the scale of the current problem is only within the power of the market. Only normal peaceful trade can save the world from the current food crisis, as stated in the documents of the International Grain Council and the International Maritime Organization. These organizations understand that balanced trade and free navigation is the fundamental principle. Everything else is auxiliary," the Deputy Minister of Economy said. During a session on Thursday, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a resolution by which it approved a statement recognizing the actions of the Russian army in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people, according to the draft resolution on the parliament's website. "The actions committed by the Russian armed forces are not just a crime of aggression, but pursue the goal of systematic and consistent destruction of the Ukrainian people, their identity and deprivation of their right to self-determination and independent development. This requires immediate recognition of the actions committed by the Russian armed forces during the last phase of the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, which started on February 24, 2022, with the genocide of the Ukrainian people," the MPs said in the explanatory note to the resolution. The resolution also provides for sending appeals from the Verkhovna Rada to the UN, PACE, the European Parliament, the OSCE PA, the NATO PA, governments and parliaments of foreign states regarding the recognition of the actions of the Russian military in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people. According to the Dom television channel, some 363 MPs voted for this resolution on Thursday. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) said the Russian special services have started to implement plans to carry out terrorist attacks on the territory of Russsia in order to whip up anti-Ukrainian hysteria in the country. "The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine reports: the enemy's special services have started to implement a plan for carrying out terrorist attacks to whip up anti-Ukrainian hysteria in Russia," the NSDC said. It clarifies that as of April 14, several "terrorist attacks" had already taken place on the Russian border, for which the Russian leadership accuses Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups. "Propaganda media, citing the governor of Kursk region, said that on April 13, a Russian border guard detachment was shelled in Korenevsky district. According to the statement, the shelling came from a forest belt on Ukrainian territory. The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation said that on April 14, a border checkpoint in Bryansk region, as a result of the shelling of which two cars were damaged, no one was injured," the center said. The center said that earlier its specialists had already warned about the intentions of the enemy to commit a series of terrorist acts on the Russian border to consolidate the Russians against the Ukrainians. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was planned for February 22, and the Ukrainian authorities were preparing for the attack on that day, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov has said. "We were aware of what would happen on the territory of our country. Moreover, the date of the attack was not February 24, but February 22. They were supposed to attack our country on February 22 in the format that we have now... We have a clear idea, that it should have been the 22nd. Our scouts in battle received orders that were issued on the 22nd and then corrected for the 24th," Danilov said in an interview with BBC, which was released on Thursday. According to the NSDC secretary, the only surprise for Kyiv was that the occupiers used the territory of Belarus for the invasion. "There were discussions about this, but in the end we thought that it would be different. But it happened as it happened," Danilov said. He said the Ukrainian authorities and Ukrainian society were preparing for war, and the best evidence of this is that Ukraine has been successfully holding the line for the 50th day. "No intelligence service in the world gave our country more than 21 days. The head of French intelligence resigned on March 31 because he did not predict what would happen," the NSDC secretary said. Danilov said that blaming the Ukrainian authorities for not preparing for war is "completely incorrect." "We could not go out and publicly say to the population: friends, the war begins on February 22. These are unacceptable things from the point of view of public administration. But we were preparing," he said. The NSDC secretary said that since January 1, the law on national resistance started to operate in Ukraine. "We deployed territorial defense battalions in every territory. We understood what we would do. And when the decision was made on the first day to issue weapons to everyone who wanted to defend the country, do you think we could say in advance that we would issue weapons? No, everything went according to plan," Danilov said. He said that when the Russian invasion started on February 24 at 03:40, the members of the National Security and Defense Council gathered from five to half past six in the morning, and they already had all the legal documents that needed to be adopted in advance. "And whoever says that we have not prepared, he simply does not understand how all this happens," Danilov said. ICC Prosecutor Khan: Justice should not be on side of Ukraine or Russia, but on side of law Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim Khan said that none of those who violate the norms of international law with weapons in their hands will escape responsibility. At a joint briefing with Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova in Kyiv in Thursday, Khan said justice should not be on the side of Ukraine or Russia, not on the side of Ukraine against Russia and not on the side of Russia against Ukraine, but on the side of norms, legal principles, attitudes towards humanity and humanity that bind us all. The ICC prosecutor said this was his second visit to Ukraine in a few months and he talked not only with the prosecutor general, but also with the Parliament chairman, representatives of the Verkhovna Rada committees, the Defense Minister and the Interior Minister of Ukraine. The ICC prosecutor said when he was at the scene of the crimes, he noted that this conflict, these crimes, cover the entire territory of Ukraine. There are various military actions and, in accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC must determine which actions are in the glasses of the legal field and law, and which are not are such. As an ICC prosecutor, he has to examine and accept the evidence and draw conclusions based on them, Khan said. He said Ukraine is a very beautiful country, but they are not here for the purpose of tourism. They saw the destroyed infrastructure, bags with the bodies of the killed, saw it near the church in Bucha. The prosecutor said he has not been to Mariupol and Kharkiv and cannot imagine what is there. The ICC prosecutor said they will work together with national law enforcement agencies, Eurojust, joint international investigation teams, will check all the evidence and try to reach the Russian Federation for the third time. There are accusations from both sides, but he has to evaluate and consider all possible crimes. The prosecutor and the court, based on the evidence of different parties, will come to our conclusion in order to establish the truth, the official said. Answering a question about the possibility of creating a special military tribunal to bring to justice those responsible for war crimes on the territory of Ukraine, Khan said the ICC has appropriate jurisdiction. There is the ICC, which has the authority and jurisdiction. The ICC operates under the Rome Statute. In turn, Venediktova said the main task for the Ukrainian side is to collect evidence so that they are recognized as acceptable and admissible, and no one had any doubts about the objectivity of the investigation. "What is happening in Ukraine is not just war crimes, these are crimes against humanity. These are massacres, this is a mass bombing of the civilian population, torture, rape," the prosecutor general said. She stressed the importance of qualifying such crimes as crimes against humanity, as this is the competence of the ICC. "We are investigating crimes of military aggression, we have a big main case... we are moving, collecting evidence and in accordance with our legislation, and taking into account the standards of the ICC, the methodology is different," Venediktova said. 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. Egypt recorded a daily average of eight coronavirus infections over the past week, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced on Saturday, with the countrys daily infections dropping to their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. Commercial banks tighten real estate lending Some banks have temporarily stopped providing loans to the real estate sector in the short term in the wake of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)'s policy on controlling credit growth in risky areas. A customer at a Sacombank branch. Sacombank has recently directed its branches and representative offices not to fund the real estate sector until the end of June. (Photo: sacombank.com.vn) Sacombank has recently required all its branches and transaction offices to focus loans on a number of production and priority industries such as agriculture, rural development, exports, supporting production, small- and medium-sized enterprises, high-tech application, trade, service and logistics, vietnambiz.vn reported. In particular, Sacombank has directed the branches and offices not to fund the real estate sector until the end of June, except for the banks staff and relatives to buy, build or repair houses for living purposes. Techcombank has recently also notified its business units about controlling the disbursement limit for loans to buy real estate products. The bank said it would suspend the provision of real estate loans from March 25, 2022 and would consider the disbursement in the second quarter. The banks said their move was aimed to ensure compliance with the SBVs regulations on controlling credit growth. Besides, the credit growth quota of the banks set aside for the real estate sector capped the banks plans. The reopening of the economy after a long period of social distancing to control the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed up credit demand in the first months of this year. According to the latest data from the General Statistics Office (GSO), as of March 25, credit growth of the whole economy hit 4.03 percent, the highest growth rate in the past five years. In January alone, credit growth hit a ten-year high as it surged 1.9 percent compared to the end of 2021. In the latest strategy of the banking industry, the SBV said credit must be channeled to production and business industries with positive impacts on socio-economic development. It has also urged banks to refrain from providing credit to businesses operating in risky areas, such as real estate, securities, corporate bonds, or build-operate-transfer (BOT) and build-transfer (BT) transport projects. According to expert Can Van Luc, data from the SBV showed the growth rate of real estate loans has tended to slow in recent years, from 26 percent in 2018 to 12 percent in 2020. Despite the pandemic, credit to real estate in 2021 still increased by 12 percent compared to the previous year, of which loans for home purchase and repairs rose by about 15-16 percent and loans for real estate trading were up 6-7 percent. It is expected real estate credit growth would be 9-10 percent this year, Luc forecast. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Ambassador Wolfgang Manig has described Azerbaijan as Germany's important economic partner in the South Caucasus, Azertag has reported. He made the remarks on April 13 at a meeting with Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov to mark the 30th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations. The ambassador stressed the importance of the high-level bilateral visits, as well as the development of cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, security, cultural and other fields. Moreover, Manig noted that the embassy places high value on the activities of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Goethe Center in Baku, which contributes to humanitarian relations. During the meeting, the parties discussed the history of diplomatic relations between the countries and stressed that bilateral ties develop at all levels. They also focused on the prospects for future cooperation. The deputy foreign minister noted the importance of continuing the Azerbaijani-German political dialogue and the positive dynamics in the economic sphere. Touching upon Azerbaijan's relations with the European Union, he stressed Azerbaijan's crucial role in ensuring Europe's energy security. Furthermore, Khalafov noted the importance of the visits of the foreign and energy ministers to Berlin last month in terms of discussing issues on the bilateral agenda with the new German government. He provided updates about the post-war regional situation, Azerbaijan's views on the post-conflict period, and the steps taken by the country to establish regional peace. He praised Germany's understanding of the new realities in the region. The impact of the historical heritage of the settlement of the German community in Azerbaijan in the XIX century on the good relations between the nations was also noted. Then the parties familiarized themselves with the photo album dedicated to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. On January 12, 1992, Germany recognized Azerbaijan's independence. Azerbaijan and Germany established diplomatic relations on February 20, 1992. On September 2, 1992, Azerbaijan opened its first embassy in Western Europe, in Germany, while on September 22, 1992, Germany established its embassy in Azerbaijan. The working group on Azerbaijan-Germany inter-parliamentary relations from Azerbaijan and the German-South Caucasus parliamentary group from Germany carry out inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two nations. On March 7, 1997, the Azerbaijani parliament created the working group on Azerbaijani-German inter-parliamentary relations. The Azerbaijan-German trade turnover amounted to $817.5 million in 2020. Trade between the two countries amounted to $659.8 million in January-August 2021. The German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK Azerbaijan), as the official representative of the German economy in Azerbaijan, provides information services and supports companies in their market and business research since 2012. The AHK Azerbaijan emerged from the German-Azerbaijan Business Association (DAWF) founded in 1999. With more than 140 member companies (as of April 2020), the AHK Azerbaijan is the most powerful European economic association in Azerbaijan. 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. The Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) and the Federation of Egyptian Chamber of Commerce (FEDCOC) denied reports on halting buying and selling gold in the country due to the allegedly unstable market and failure to control the price of gold. PM Mostafa Madbouly said there are some outstanding issues between the two countries The Egyptian-Turkish diplomatic ties could be restored this year in case the outstanding issues are overcome, the Egyptian premier said Thursday, only one day after both countries wrapped up the latest round of bilateral talks meant to normalise the long-frayed ties. In an interview with Bloomberg, PM Mostafa Madbouly said there are some outstanding issues between the two countries despite the movement that has taken place in the last few months, in reference to the exploratory talks between both countries. Egypt and Turkey started in May exploratory talks for the first time after nearly eight years of frozen relations in a bid to mend fences damaged since the 2013 ouster of late Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi, who was backed by the government of Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys president and then prime minister. The two countries are also at odds over some regional issues, atop of which is Libya a neighbouring country to Egypt due to Turkey's introduction to thousands of paid Syrian fighters into its lands. Madbouly reiterated that Turkeys involvement in Libya remains a key issue for Egypt, saying "no other countries should be physically interfering in Libya." The oil-rich country was gripped by violence and political turmoil following the ouster and murder of its leader Muammar Gaddafi on the heels of a NATO-backed uprising. In recent years, Libya was torn between warring administrations, one in the east and one in the west, before the two camps signed a ceasefire in Geneva last year. Also, an interim government was established earlier this year to guide the country towards the planned polls slated for December. However, the presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries in the Libyan land, including the Turkish fighters, is still one of the challenging issues in the way of the planned elections. Egypt has repeatedly called for the immediate exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from the North African country that shares a 1,115 kilometre-long border and whose stability is viewed as critical to Egypts national security. The Egyptian calls are in line with other international and regional powers's demands in order to firm up the ceasefire that came into effect in October. Madbouly said in his interview that Egypt is working to help Libyans reach their goal of deciding their own future. "We would like to leave Libyans to decide," their future, he appended. Madbouly's remarks come hours after Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told Bloomberg TV that Egypt is eager to find a resolution and a formula for restoring normal relations with Ankara, albeit he said that "more work needs to be done" to reach such a step. "When Egypt is 'satisfied' that outstanding issues have been resolved, the door will be open for further progress," Shoukry said. The exploratory talks between Egypt and Turkey come as Ankara seeks to end its differences, which have been impacting its economy, with regional powers over several crises in the region. The first round of the exploratory talks was held in Cairo with the presence of Egyptian and Turkish diplomatic officials. The round was described by both sides as "frank and in-depth." Ankara hosted on Tuesday and Wednesday the second round of talks, where both sides agreed to continue engaging in exploratory talks in the future. Harbouring members and leading figures of the Muslim Brotherhood which was designated as a terrorist group in Egypt after 2013 as well as allowing them to voice their anti-Egyptian government rhetoric on Turkish TV channels are deemed among the essential reasons behind the deterioration of the Egyptian Turkish ties. Over the past months, Ankara has reportedly requested the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated channels based in Istanbul dim their criticism of Egypt's government, as Turkey seeks to repair ties with Cairo. Also, Turkey in late August has reportedly prevented two Muslim Brotherhood members accused by Egyptian authorities of masterminding the assassination of former Egyptian prosecutor-general Hisham Barakat in 2015 from leaving its lands. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian authorities have announced they will test samples of imported chocolate bars currently in the Egyptian market after reports arose that their ingredients allegedly contain a narcotic. The governments step came soon after well-known lawyer and former President of Cairo University, Gaber Nassar made public statements alleging that a brand of chocolate bar commonly sold in Egypt contains "a proportion of the poppy drug." Nassar said on his Facebook page that he had received complaints from people in high-profile positions who failed drug tests at their places of employment after presumably consuming the chocolate. Nassar posted a picture of a chocolate bar packaging, on which the list of ingredients said it contained 2.3 percent poppy. Poppy seeds are commonly used as flavouring in food products, including pastries, muffins, cake and bread. However, poppy seeds, which first undergo processing, are widely known to cause false positive drug tests. Poppy seeds themselves dont contain morphine, but they can absorb opium extract during harvesting as opium substance is extracted along with the poppy seeds from the seed pod of the opium poppy. The opium is composed of roughly 12 percent morphine, which is a narcotic, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that it will take samples of the chocolate to make sure its ingredients conform to international standards, though it added that poppy seeds are used in the ingredients for some foodstuffs after being processed to ensure they are free of narcotics. In a follow-up post, Nassar said experts on the matter contacted him and clarified that the chocolate contains poppy seeds, not opiates. The lawyer blamed the manufacturing company for the confusion, saying it did not elaborate on the matter, especially since the poppy plant is criminalised under Egyptian law, Nassar stressed. "In the end, it is all up to the concerned authorities," the lawyer said. In 2021, Egypt ratified a law allowing the government to sack employees who test positive for illicit drugs. The law stipulates that those who are seeking jobs in state authorities, state administrative units, public sector companies, public utility management companies, rehabilitation centres, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals must also test negative for drugs. Search Keywords: Short link: The Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), also known as the Abu Dhabi wealth fund, has completed acquisition deals for five companies in Egypt, including private sector and state-owned firms, with a total value of $1.8 billion, the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) disclosed on Tuesday. The deals were made under the block trading transaction, which is a high-volume transaction that allows the broker dealers to purchase shares for several institutional clients to fill the full size of the acquisition deal. The announcement comes a few days after the ADQ announced its intention to invest up to $2 billion in the Egyptian market by purchasing state-owned stakes in a number of companies. According to EGX data, ADQ acquired 340,096,235 shares of the International Commercial Banks (CIB) with a total value of about $911.4 million. Moreover, the Fund acquired 215,124,316 shares of e-payment platform Fawry with a total value of $68.5 million, as well as obtaining the subscription rights for 201,603,746 shares of the company with a value of $54.8 million. For the state-owned companies, ADQ acquired 476,721,088 shares of Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company (ALCN.CA) with a total value of $168 million. In addition, the Fund acquired 45,823,446 shares of Misr Fertilizers Production Company (MOPCO) with a total value of $266.5 million, as well as 271,573,655 shares of Abu Qir Fertilizers (ABUK.CA) for $391.9 million. In 2019, ADQ created a joint investment fund with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) worth $20 billion with a mission of helping advance Egypts economic development through joint strategic investment projects, specialised funds and investment tools in key sectors; mainly healthcare and pharma, utilities, food and agriculture, real estate and financial services. In December 2021, the Fund opened its office in Egypt to build on its commitment to investing in the countrys economic growth, according to ADQ. In 2021, the Fund sealed several acquisition deals that reflect its significant appetite to tap the investment opportunities Egypt has. The Emirati consortium Aldar and ADQ acquired in December a majority stake in the Egyptian real-estate development company SODIC in a deal worth EGP 6.1 billion ($386.8 million). Moreover, the Fund acquired the Egyptian Amoun Pharmaceutical Industries from the Canadian Bausch Health company, in a deal worth about $ 740 million. Food and beverages company Agthia, which is an ADQ company, acquired a majority stake (75 percent) in Egyptian meat processor Ismailia Investments (known as Atyab). Search Keywords: Short link: 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.'' Search Keywords: Short link: Irish foreign and defense minister Simon Coveney is to travel to Kyiv on Thursday, his office said, where he will meet his two Ukrainian counterparts. Coveney's visit is the first by a foreign minister from a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council to Kyiv since Russia's invasion began. His talks with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov will focus on "how Ireland can continue to provide political, security and humanitarian support to Ukraine," a statement said. The ministers will also discuss how Ireland can "assist Ukraine in its application for EU candidate status, take forward further EU sanctions on Russia, and hold Russia to account for its brutal and unjustified invasion." Coveney will also "visit areas directly affected by the Russian invasion," the statement said. Ireland has already provided Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees with 20 million euros ($22 million) in aid, as well as 33 million euros in non-lethal assistance to the Ukrainian military. Search Keywords: Short link: The Cannes Film Festival announced the line-up for its 75th edition on Thursday with a mix of cult arthouse directors and Hollywood glamour heading for the French Riviera in May. Canadian horror maestro David Cronenberg and France's Claire Denis will compete among 18 films nominated for the top prize Palme d'Or, along with Russia's Kirill Serebrennikov who was recently allowed to leave Russia following a controversial travel ban. Among the films playing out of competition will be a documentary about rock'n'roller Jerry Lee Lewis from Ethan Coen (one half of the Coen brothers), and "Three Thousand Years of Longing" from "Mad Max" creator George Miller, featuring Idris Elba as a djinn. A bevy of stars are expected to hit the red carpet, not least for Cronenberg's sci-fi/horror cross-over "Crimes of the Future" starring Kristen Stewart, Lea Seydoux and Viggo Mortensen. Denis returns with a thriller set in Central America -- "Stars at Noon" featuring Robert Pattinson, while US filmmaker James Gray is competing with "Armageddon Time", a tale based on his New York adolescence featuring Anne Hathaway, Oscar Isaac, Cate Blanchett and Anthony Hopkins. Elvis and Maverick Two of the biggest spectacles had already been confirmed for the festival, which runs from May 17 to 28. Tom Cruise will attend the much-delayed world premiere of "Top Gun: Maverick", the sequel to his 1986 blockbuster, playing out of competition. And Tom Hanks will be in town for "Elvis", in which he co-stars as the rock'n'roll star's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in the latest from Australian director Baz Luhrmann who previously lit up Cannes with "Moulin Rouge!" and "Gatsby". Women directors have had a strong run at festivals over the past year, winning the top prizes at Venice, Berlin and last year's Cannes -- where Julia Ducournau's bold and shocking "Titane" took the Palme. But only three women are nominated for Cannes this year -- though there are often last-minute entries. Alongside Denis are US director Kelly Reichardt, who had a sleeper hit with "First Cow" and returns with "Showing Up", and France's Valeria Bruni Tedeschi with "Les Amandiers". 'Sadness and war' Festival director Thierry Fremaux gave a nod to the difficult global situation, saying the announcement came "after two years of crisis that we won't recover from quickly, and at a time of sadness and war in Europe." A Ukrainian film will play out of competition -- "The Natural History of Destruction" from director Sergei Loznitsa about the destruction of German cities by Allied bombers in World War II -- which Fremaux said the festival was "particularly happy to welcome this year". The main competition will also mark the third nomination for Serebrennikov, who was unable to attend last year when his film "Petrov's Flu" was in competition due to an embezzlement conviction that his supporters say was revenge for his anti-authoritarian stance. He relocated to Germany this year after his travel ban was lifted and returns to Cannes with "Tchaikovsky's Wife" about the private life of the famous composer. Four past winners of the Palme d'Or are back in the competition: the Dardenne brothers from Belgium, Sweden's Ruben Ostlund, Japan's Hirokazu Kore-eda and Romania's Cristian Mungiu. One thing that remains uncertain is who will be deciding the winner. The jury is normally announced ahead of the selection but Fremaux said it would be named "in the coming days", alluding to a challenging task since so many filmmakers were back at work after the pandemic shutdown. The opening night film -- which under a recent rule must also be released nationally on the same day -- will be "Final Cut", a zombie film from the makers of the Oscar-winning "The Artist". Search Keywords: Short link: Italian giant energy group Eni and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) have signed a framework agreement allowing Cairo to increase gas production and LNG exports to Europe, particularly Rome. The agreement was signed by the Chairman of EGAS Magdy Galal, and the COO of Natural Resources of Eni Guido Brusco in Cairo on Wednesday, Eni said in a press release. This agreement, the statement said, together with the one signed for the restart of Damietta liquefaction plant last year after an eight-year hiatus will provide LNG cargoes for overall volumes of up to three BCM in 2022 for Eni LNG portfolio bound to Europe and Italy. In recent years, Eni has taken part in important oil discoveries in the country, discovering in 2015 the giant Zohr gas field the biggest-ever in the Mediterranean which holds an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet of gas. After achieving self-sufficiency in natural gas in 2018, Egypt has planned to use its position on Europes doorstep to become a major supplier of LNG to the continent, which is transitioning away from other fossil fuels. Egypt has the infrastructure for the transport and handling of natural gas, with a main network of 7,000 km of pipelines, as well as a distribution network of 31,000 km, and 29 gas-treatment plants in addition to the two LNG facilities, Idku and Damietta plants. Egypt's natural gas exports are expected to rise to 7.5 million tonnes by the end of 2021/2022 fiscal year, according to Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla. New discoveries Eni announced new oil and gas discoveries for approximately 8,500 barrels/day of oil in the Meleiha concessions in Egypts Western Desert, they said a separate press release, that have already been connected and tied into production. These results, along with the discovery of an additional eight wells last year, confirms the potential of efforts in the area with a 75 percent success rate, the Eni press conference said, referring to the figure as a promising indication of more discoveries in the area. In a meeting with with a delegation from the Italian company led by CEO Claudio Descalzi in March, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi encouraged Italy's Eni on Thursday to continue its exploration works, promising to iron out any hurdles facing the company in Egypt. This came few months after the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation signed an agreement with the Italian company for oil exploration and exploitation in the Gulf of Suez and Nile Delta regions worth $1 billion in December. Eni, which has been present in Egypt since 1954, is currently the leading oil and gas producer in Egypt as it produces the equivalent of 360,000 barrels of oil per day, according to the statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Ukraine's parliament on Thursday backed a resolution recognising the actions of the Russian military in the country as "genocide". "The actions committed by the armed forces of Russia are not just a crime of aggression, but pursue the goal of the systematic and consistent destruction of the Ukrainian people, their identity and the deprivation of their right to self-determination and independent development," the text approved by a majority of 363 lawmakers said. "This requires immediate recognition of the actions committed by the armed forces of Russia during the last phase of the armed aggression of Russia against Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, as a genocide of the Ukrainian people," an online statement said. The resolution from the Ukrainian parliament also called for appeals to be sent to foreign governments, parliaments and the United Nations to recognise Russia's war as genocide. The move comes after US President Joe Biden this week said Russia's actions against Ukrainians amounted to genocide, in comments echoed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Premier Boris Johnson. But French President Emmanuel Macron, also backed by Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, declined to deploy the word "genocide" in a stance Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky deemed "painful". Macron said Thursday that accusing Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine could lead to the war spreading, as he defended his decision not to use the term. Search Keywords: Short link: By Trend Turkey supports the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu said, Trend reports. According to him, steps are being taken to build mutual trust between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "It is necessary to reach an agreement on establishing a Joint Border Commission, as well as on the preparation of a future peace treaty. Turkey supports these processes. Normalizing relations between the two countries is significant for the prosperity in the South Caucasus," Cavusoglu said. New aid convoys were in or on their way to Ethiopia's conflict-ravaged Tigray region Thursday, humanitarian agencies said, the latest deliveries to take advantage of a truce between the country's warring sides. The 17-month conflict between government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has created a humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia and sparked famine fears in Tigray, which has for many months been under what the UN describes as a de facto blockade. Aid deliveries by road to the stricken region of six million people were cut off in mid-December and only limited medical and other supplies could be flown in. But the first new convoys sent by the UN's World Food Programme and the International Committee of the Red Cross finally arrived at the beginning of April, about a week after the truce was declared. The ICRC said on Twitter on Thursday that another shipment carrying food and medical supplies, along with household items, had arrived in Tigray's capital Mekele. "The convoy also carried essential equipment for the orthopaedic rehabilitation centre," it said. The WFP also announced that its second convoy was on its way to Mekele. "47 trucks with food, nutrition and other life-saving supplies Plus three fuel tankers -- fundamental to deliver these items to communities in #Tigray," it tweeted. The convoy had encountered a "smooth journey so far with support from all authorities", it added, as the truce between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and the TPLF continues to hold, allowing aid to reach the battered region. The new deliveries coincide with a trip to Ethiopia this week by the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield, as Washington steps up diplomatic pressure to allow aid to flow to Tigray. 'Extreme lack of food' In a statement Thursday, the Ethiopian government said it "reaffirms its commitment to work closely with the international community and other stakeholders to ensure proper access to humanitarian aid". "The government also urges the international community to put pressure on Tigray militants to withdraw fully from the areas they occupy in the Afar and Amhara regions to pave the way for a smooth aid delivery for those in need." The TPLF's withdrawal from the two regions neighbouring Tigray was a key condition set by the government when it announced a humanitarian truce on March 24. The rebels in turn urged the Ethiopian authorities "to go beyond empty promises and take concrete steps to facilitate unfettered humanitarian access" to Tigray. Earlier this week, the TPLF announced the departure of its troops from Erebti, one of the areas they occupy in Afar. But Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesman Dina Mufti said at a press conference Thursday the reports that Tigrayan forces have moved out of Afar "need verification". The government and the rebels have long accused each other of blocking aid to Tigray, where people are living without basic services such as electricity, internet, telecommunications or banking. The war has killed untold numbers of people, displaced more than two million and left more than nine million in need of food aid, according to the UN. Nearly 40 percent of Tigray's six million inhabitants face "an extreme lack of food", the UN said in January, with fuel shortages forcing aid workers to deliver medicines and other crucial supplies sometimes by foot. The conflict erupted in November 2020 when Nobel Peace laureate Abiy sent troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, the region's former ruling party, saying the move came in response to rebel attacks on army camps. It followed months of seething tensions between the government and the TPLF, which dominated politics in Ethiopia for three decades before Abiy came to power in 2018. Search Keywords: Short link: A Cairo criminal court has sentenced a man to death and his daughter to life in prison for murdering the daughters fiance in August 2018 and burying him in a home in a Rehab City gated community in the eastern suburbs of the capital. The court also handed prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years on Thursday to six other accomplices in the case, including a Syrian national. A life sentence carries 25 years in jail, per the Egyptian penal code. The rulings are not final and can be appealed. The Egyptian public reacted in shock in August 2018 over the case known in media as the "Rehab student case", after police said they recovered the body of 23-year-old university student, Bassam Osama, who had been buried in a Rehab home. Osama was strangled to death by the 55-year-old man, Ashraf Ragab, who then buried him under the homes kitchen. Ragab's daughter, Habiba, who was 20 years old when the crime was committed, had lured her fiance to the apartment where he was killed, according to police investigations. The father, who owned a contracting business, told police that he killed Osama because the young man had discovered Ragab was fleeing a life sentence verdict in a drug-trafficking case. Ragab said he was told by his daughter that Osama was going to report to the authorities that he had forged a death certificate and lived incognito for years. Police say the six other defendants in the case aided and abetted in the murder. Police were first informed about the matter after the victim's brother reported his disappearance. The brother said in comments to the media at the time that Osama had told him he was going to meet Habiba, but she called him hours later to say that Osama never showed up. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts Public Prosecution announced on Thursday that no imported chocolate bars in the Egyptian market contain narcotics, after a high-profile lawyer caused controversy on social media last week by claiming that the ingredients to a certain brand of chocolate include an opiate. The prosecution says it questioned the owner of the company that imports the chocolate bar in question, who said the chocolates are imported from Germany in accordance with health regulations. The owner said the German chocolate bars were tested and approved by the Egyptian Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before their sale in Egypt. The prosecution also sent samples of the chocolate bars to the Forensic Medical Authority (FMA) for testing and no narcotics were found. The FMA said the chocolate bars ingredients included poppy seeds, which contain no narcotics and have no psychoactive effects. Although the poppy plant is the main ingredient in opiates like heroin and morphine, the plants seeds contain no psychoactive drug and are commonly used as flavouring in food products, including pastries, muffins, cake and bread. The prosecution also questioned well-known lawyer and former president of Cairo University Gaber Nassar, who initially caused the controversy by alleging on social media that a brand of chocolate bar commonly sold in Egypt contains a proportion of the poppy drug. Nassar told the prosecution that he had societys best interest at heart when he made the comments. Nassar had said last week on his Facebook page that he had received complaints from people in high-profile positions who failed drug tests at their places of employment after presumably consuming the chocolate. Nassar posted a picture of a chocolate bar packaging, on which the list of ingredients said it contained 2.3 percent poppy. In a follow-up post, Nassar said experts on the matter contacted him and clarified that the chocolate contains poppy seeds, not opiates. The lawyer blamed the manufacturing company for the confusion, saying it did not elaborate on the matter, especially since the poppy plant is criminalised under Egyptian law, Nassar stressed. In 2021, Egypt ratified a law allowing the government to sack employees who test positive for illicit drugs. The law stipulates that those who are seeking jobs in state authorities, state administrative units, public sector companies, public utility management companies, rehabilitation centres, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals must also test negative for drugs. Search Keywords: Short link: 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. Search Keywords: Short link: The Iraqi government has extended condolences to Egypt over a deadly tourist bus crash that left 10 dead on Wednesday in Upper Egypts Aswan, including Egyptians and foreign tourists, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported. The Iraqi government extends deep and sincere condolences to the brotherly Egyptian people and the leadership headed by his excellency, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, over the victims of the painful incident in southern Egypts Aswan governorate, INA said in a statement by the media office of Iraqs Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on Thursday. The Iraqi government also expressed solidarity with the families of the victims. On Wednesday, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also condoled El-Sisi over the tragic crash, wishing the injured people a speedy recovery. The accident took place on the Aswan-Abu Simbel highway when a truck and a tourist bus collided, killing 10 people five Egyptians, four French, and one Belgian. Also, 14 people, including eight from France and six from Belgium, were injured. The injured have all been discharged from hospital after being treated for minor injuries, according to local media reports. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, and an investigation by the Public Prosecution is ongoing. El-Sisi has offered his sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and ordered support to their families. On his official social media accounts on Wednesday, the president said he has instructed the concerned authorities to take all necessary measures, follow up and provide all medical treatment and care for the victims. I pray to the Almighty to bless the victims with mercy and grant their families and relatives forbearance and solace," El-Sisi said. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian expat in the US Karim Atef was one of the victims of the subway shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning, suffering three gunshot wounds to his foot. Atef has undergone surgery and surgical hardware has been installed in his foot, and he will have another operation after 10 days, Egypt's Minister of Emigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram announced in a statement on Wednesday. The minister has been in contact with Atef and his family, reassuring the latter that Atef will receive the utmost care, and wishing him a speedy recovery, the statement added. Makram noted that she will be regularly following up on Atefs health condition with the Egyptian embassy until he makes a full recovery. For his part, Atef has expressed his gratitude for his countrys support. At least 16 people were injured in the Brooklyn subway shooting, with five people reported to be in a critical condition. The shooter has not been identified, and according to New York Fire Department Acting Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, the attack is not being investigated as an act of terrorism. On Tuesday morning, the gunman set off smoke grenades in a crowded subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9mm handgun, police said. The shooter fled in the ensuing chaos, leaving behind 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. Search Keywords: Short link: In his weekly sermon on Wednesday, Head of Egypts Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II mourned Coptic Priest Arsanios Wadid who was murdered in Alexandria last Friday, demanding authorities work on maintaining societal peace especially concerning religion issues. This week, we felt a great pain for the attack on the Archpriest Arsanios Wadid who he was among the popular priests who served the church greatly, we look to God and know that God witnesses everything, and we are surely waiting for the investigations currently undergoing which we have to be gone thorough, Pope Tawadros II. The pope added that he hopes the investigations results would be made public. Egypts Public Prosecution on Sunday ordered the detention of the man accused of murdering the 56-year-old priest of the Church of the Virgin Mary and Mar Boulos in Alexandria for four days pending investigations. A criminal court ordered the suspect placed under medical examination in a public hospital specialised in the treatment of mental illness to investigate claims he made during his interrogation that he suffers from a mental illness that made him lose control over his actions, the Public Prosecution posted on its Facebook page Friday evening, adding that it was still investigating the incident. During his weekly sermon at Anba Bishoy Monastery in Wadi Al-Natroun, Behaira governorate, Pope Tawadros II also demanded that the authorities responsible for maintaining peace in society, especially on religious matters" monitor what is being published in the newspapers or broadcast on TV channels or on social media as well as what is spread about cases of disappearance or abduction of Egyptian Christians. This needs transparency regarding the sensitivity of the issue; it negatively impacts the solidarity and unity of the nation, he said, stressing that the matter needs serious attention. In the past few days, three controversial incidents involving reports of discrimination against Christians went viral on social media. The first incident involved an alleged abduction of a Christian woman who appeared in a video clip saying that she converted to Islam. The second incident involved a Christian woman and her child who were reportedly not allowed to eat in a famous koshary chain in Cairo in the wee hours before Ramadans Iftar. The third involved a huge public outcry among both Muslims and Christians after Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper published - in print issue and the online edition - a fatwa by a radical conservative Syrian sheikh forbidding the serving of food to infidels and eating in public during fasting hours in Ramadan. Following the outcry, Al-Masry Al-Youm removed the online version and issued an apology to readers. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR), which regulates non-state press and media in Egypt, summoned the newspapers legal counselor to discuss the fatwa story which caused incitement and supports discrimination among the citizens, a statement by the the council read. I know that the security authorities have exerted good efforts in many cases and foiled the negative impacts that come from them, and I hope this will be the case here, Pope Tawadros II said. We live together in the new republic whose renaissance is led by his excellency President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with all the officials in all sectors, but this new republic is not only projects and achievements, which we are all happy with of course, but it is also renewing the mind and thought with education and correcting concepts and upgrading the people culturally, he said, adding it is important to encourage coexistence and true citizenship. Safeguarding the national unity is the most precious thing we have in Egypt, the pope said. Search Keywords: Short link: 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. Search Keywords: Short link: Israeli police and the Shin Bet internal security service Thursday said they had arrested a Palestinian, alleged Islamic State supporter, accused of two deadly knife attacks in the past three years. Wassim Isaid, 34, from Hebron in the occupied West Bank, has been held since last month and a prosecutor's statement was filed against him Thursday, with an indictment expected soon, the police and Shin Bet said in a joint statement. The security services charged that his alleged crimes "stemmed from his support for the ideology of the Islamic State, to which he had previously sworn allegiance". The police and Shin Bet said their case against Isaid meant that they had solved two murder cases and another case of attempted murder. The latest was the killing of Moldovan citizen Ivan Tarnovsky and the serious wounding of a compatriot in their Jerusalem home on March 21 this year. Previously, an Israeli couple -- Yehuda and Tamar Kaduri -- were killed in their Jerusalem home on January 13, 2019. Isaid was further accused of a knife attack that wounded an Israeli teenager in the same city on January 12, 2019. Hours after allegedly killing Tarnovsky, the suspect was arrested by border police while trying to cross a fence that is part of the separation barrier with the West Bank, the statement said. At the time "a knife was seized in the suspect's possession," and the investigation has since then "linked the terrorist to the attacks". Isaid has previously been imprisoned by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority since 2015. He was jailed by Israel for "activity in an Islamic State network" which planned attacks and he later spent time in administrative detention for "incitement and membership in a hostile organisation," according to the statement. The timeline provided by police said the suspect committed the attacks during brief gaps when he was out of custody. Only relatively small numbers of Palestinians joined IS before the jihadist group's final territorial defeat in Syria in 2019, but Israel has recently suffered attacks by local IS supporters. Israel has suffered two deadly attacks which were claimed or inspired by IS in recent weeks. In March, two Israeli-Arab gunmen identified by Israeli intelligence as IS operatives killed two police officers in the city of Hadera. And in an earlier attack in southern Israel, four people were killed in a stabbing and car-ramming rampage by an Israeli Arab previously imprisoned for trying to join IS in Syria. Search Keywords: Short link: The Valneva vaccine is made with the decades-old technology used to manufacture shots for flu and polio. It is the sixth COVID-19 vaccine the U.K. has cleared and the only one that utilizes a "killed'' virus; scientists grow the coronavirus in a lab and then inactivate the virus so it cannot replicate or infect cells. British authorities have authorized a coronavirus vaccine for adults made by French drugmaker Valneva, despite the government's decision last year to cancel an order for at least 100 million doses. The U.K. is the first country to authorize Valneva's vaccine, which is also under review by the European Medicines Agency. Britain's medicines regulator said Thursday that the two-dose vaccine is intended for adults ages 18 to 50, with the second dose given about a month after the first. The U.K. government scrapped an agreement with Valneva in September to purchase at least 100 million doses, saying at the time that British regulators probably would not cleared the shot. Valneva said Britain canceled the deal because of supply concerns. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said in September that he couldn't go into details because of commercial issues but that the deal was spiked because "it was also clear to us that the vaccine in question that the company was developing would not get approval." Britain was an early backer of the Valneva vaccine, agreeing to invest millions of pounds in a production facility in Scotland. As part of the contract, the U.K. had agreed to buy 100 million doses with options for another 90 million. Even without the Valneva vaccine, the government has acquired more than enough doses to fully vaccinate everyone in the country twice. To date, nearly 60% of the British population has received three doses. Search Keywords: Short link: President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the newly elected Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, Azertag has reported. Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of your election as Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The current level of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations, based on strong ties of friendship and brotherhood, and strategic partnership, is gratifying. I am convinced that the cooperation between our countries on a bilateral and multilateral formats will continue to develop and expand to the benefit of our peoples. I wish you good health, happiness and success in your responsible activities for the prosperity of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan . Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 14 April 2022 First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has decided to withdraw its offer for purchasing Egypt-based banking investment group EFG Hermes Holding SAE, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced on Thursday. ADX said that the banks decision is driven by the ongoing global market uncertainty and volatile macro-economic conditions. FAB also submitted its decision to Egypts Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). On 9 February, FAB submitted to FRA a non-binding offer for a potential cash acquisition of a majority stake in EGX-listed financial services institution EFG Hermes to Egypts. Yet, FAB stressed that Egypt remains a strategically important market for FAB, where the bank will continue to support its customers and employees and continue to invest in the growth of its well-established partnerships and operations in Egypt. The action comes few days after Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (Abu Dhabi wealth fund) had undertaken several transactions regarding purchasing state-owned stakes in five private and state-run companies. In a recent report, Fitch Ratings said that Egypt experienced around $5 billion of net outflows in from September to December 2021, and further outflows due to the Ukrainian-Russian conflict without giving a specific amount. Egypts net international reserves (NIRs) dropped to about $37 billion by end of March, down from $40.9 billion in February, the first drop since May 2020, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced last week. CBE attributed the decline to the war in Ukraine, which has caused massive sell-offs in emerging markets, and volatility in global asset prices. Fitch Solutions expected in a recent report that Russias invasion of Ukraine will result in a wider current account deficit in Egypt, to post at 4.3 percent of GDP in the current FY2021/2022 (ends by end of June 2022) and 4.2 percent of GDP in FY2022/2023 (starts as of 1 July). It also anticipated that higher wheat prices will increase the import bill while declining tourist arrivals from the two countries will depress the countrys service exports. Egypt is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan programme to help the country keeping the gains of its economic reform programme and to counter the negative impacts of the Russian invasion. Search Keywords: Short link: 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. Search Keywords: Short link: Further steps are being taken to expand the use of electric vehicles in Egypt. In the latest step to boost the greater uptake of electric cars, the Ministry of the Public Business Sector announced on Saturday that 10 companies and consortia had qualified to tender for the management and operation of electric car charging stations in Egypt. According to the ministry, 14 companies and consortia submitted expressions of interest to manage and operate the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Company that is still being founded. The company is scheduled to establish and operate 3,000 charging stations for electric cars within 18 months in the governorates of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, and Sharm El-Sheikh and on various highways. The estimated cost of establishing it is reported to be LE450 million. Charging stations for electric vehicles are one of the major prerequisites needed to encourage more people to own them. At the moment, there is little interest in electric vehicles in the local market. The latest data published by the Egyptian Group for Compulsory Vehicle Insurance showed that the total number of electric vehicles licensed in the country had reached about 380 by February 2022. Besides working on the infrastructure, the government intends to produce Egypts own locally manufactured electric vehicle. In June 2021, the ministry launched the Nasr E70 electric car named after the Al-Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of the Metallurgical Industries Holding Company, after an initial agreement with Dong Feng Motor Corporation in China. It imported 13 cars with the aim of testing them. However, the two parties eventually failed to reach an agreement. The project is now back on the table but with a different, as yet unnamed, Chinese company. The official announcement of the name of the company that will co-produce the Egyptian electric car will be announced after the final agreement on all the details, including the price and the percentage of local components. The cars price will range from LE300,000 to LE350,000 after government support, and it will run for an average of 410 km on a single charge, with a maximum speed of up to 155 km per hour. Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly announced earlier that a cash incentive of a maximum of LE50,000 will be provided to each customer of locally manufactured electric vehicles. Egypts moves to localise the electric car industry are part of the governments plans to reduce emissions in the transportation sector by the transition to the use of environmentally friendly electric vehicles. According to Hussein Mustafa, former head of the Egyptian Automobile Manufacturers Association, the trend to localise the industry is important as he believes that worldwide there will be no fuel-powered vehicles by 2040. Electric vehicles have many advantages, Mustafa said, including on fuel. The government has expanded the use of electric buses to save on fuel consumption, and electric cars will also contribute to reducing pollution. Mustafa pointed out that the local manufacture of electric cars will help to revive feeder industries and give an opportunity to export locally produced vehicles. The prices for charging electric vehicles were announced in February this year. Charging electric passenger cars at home costs the same as residential electricity consumption, with rates varying according to consumption bracket. An electric car uses around 20 KW/h to travel 100 km on average, and most cars require about 50 KW/h to fully recharge, a process which, according to Mustafa, does not need more than 40 minutes. * A version of this article appears in print in the 14 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkeys relations with Egypt must be improved, as the mutual ties between the two countries are significant for many regions, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, according to the Turkish Daily Sabah. Cavusoglu said in a speech on NTV that normalisation of ties between Turkey and Egypt is vital for the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt and Turkey held two rounds of talks last year the first held in Cairo in May, and the second in Ankara in September. The talks were headed by Egypts Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamdy Loza and his Turkish counterpart Sadat Onal. According to joint statements following each round of talks, the discussions were frank and in-depth, and both countries agreed to continue engaging in exploratory talks in the future. Now the third round [of talks] is possible. We may meet with [Egyptian] Foreign Minister Shoukry and others, the Turkish top diplomat said, adding that no date has been set so far. Cavusoglu said on Thursday that a reciprocal reappointment of ambassadors is possible, and the will exists on both sides to normalise ties. Egypts relations with Turkey have been strained with no shared ambassadors since the 2013 ouster of Egypts late Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was backed by the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The rift between the two countries then continued to widen, most notably when Turkey voiced its opposition to the 30 June Revolution of 2013 and its condemnation of Egypts judicial sentences against members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt designated a terrorist organisation in 2013. Egypt has also slammed Turkey for harbouring members and leading figures of the Muslim Brotherhood and allowing them to voice their anti-Egyptian government rhetoric on Turkish TV channels. This is in addition to Turkeys military presence in Libya, a country that shares a 1,115 kilometre-long-border with Egypt and the stability of which is viewed as critical to Egypts national security. In late May, following the first round of talks with Turkey, FM Shoukry affirmed the need for Egyptian interests to be preserved and for Turkey to not interfere in Egypts domestic affairs. Egypt seeks to reach a point where there is clear political ground that meets the needs of both Egypt and Turkey, in the event the exploratory talks between the two countries yield positive results, Shoukry said at the time. Cavusoglus comments today come nearly a week after his remarks that Ankara will soon take additional steps to normalise relations with Egypt, building upon the steps it has already taken. Search Keywords: Short link: The government faces mounting international criticism for its attempt to curb media freedom in Korea in the name of cracking down on "fake news." The proposed media reform bill would make reporting "fake news" punishable by vast punitive damages, and has been widely condemned as a tool to quell criticism of the government ahead of next year's presidential election. At home, the main opposition People Power Party said it will filibuster the bill tabled by the ruling Minjoo Party, which has a sweeping majority. The filibuster may delay the bill past the August session of the National Assembly, but the MP will simply table it again in September. The U.S. said Wednesday it is sending an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition and other security assistance to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia's onslaught in the eastern region of the country. U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the new shipment in an hourlong phone conversation and later said in a statement, "The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect." "As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region," Biden said, "the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself." Biden's agreement to send more weaponry to Ukraine, along with additional helicopters, came after Zelenskyy said in a video plea for more arms that "freedom must be armed better than tyranny. Without additional weapons, this will turn into an endless bloodbath that will spread misery, suffering and destruction." Biden said the steady Western supply of arms to Ukraine "has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion. It has helped ensure that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now." Biden's announcement came on the same day the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia -- all NATO countries bordering Russia -- visited Kyiv to show support for Ukraine and one day after Putin vowed to continue Moscow's offensive against Ukraine until its "full completion." The leaders of the four NATO countries, all worried that Russia could attack them if Ukraine were to fall to Moscow, 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 before Moscow pulled back its forces from western Ukraine. A U.S. Defense Department official said Russia is regrouping its forces, including helicopters and artillery systems, in Belarus for a "renewed push" targeting eastern Ukraine. The ruling Minjoo Party criticized the nomination and accused Yoon of seeking to "privatize" the prosecution and stymie attempts to wrest powers from it. The MP is pushing for a reform bill depriving the prosecution of investigative powers before Yoon is inaugurated as the next president in May. The most eye-catching was his pick for justice minister. Han Dong-hoon (49), the vice president of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, is a close aide of Yoon's from his days as a prosecutor-general. Yoon made the announcement in person in his transition team's office in central Seoul. Han "has held key prosecution positions for 20 years and has accumulated expertise in investigations, trials, the prosecution system and judicial administration," Yoon said. He stressed that the nomination "certainly was not a surprising personnel appointment" and added, "I believe that he is the best person to oversee and transform Korea's judicial system to meet global standards." Han graduated in law from Seoul National University and became a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in 2001 after passing the bar exam. He was part of Yoon's team that investigated ex-President Park Geun-hye for corruption and abuse of office. The current government demoted him four times to stymie his 2019 investigation of fly-by-night justice minister Cho Kuk, a crony of President Moon Jae-in's, on charges of academic fraud and financial misconduct. Yoon also nominated Kim In-chul, a former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, as minister of education; Park Jin, a four-term lawmaker, as foreign minister; Kwon Young-se, also a four-term lawmaker, as unification minister; and Lee Sang-min, a former vice chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, as interior and safety minister. Han Wha-jin is to become environment minister, Cho Seung-hwan minister of oceans and fisheries, and Lee Young minister of SMEs and start-ups. The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices published Tuesday warned a planned defamation law ostensibly intended to combat "fake news" "may limit the expression of ideas." The U.S. State Department's latest human rights report raps the South Korean government for intimidation of the press and corruption but gives it a comparatively fairly clean bill of health on a global scale. Limitations on freedom of expression are South Korea's main problem apart from endemic corruption, according to the report. "The government and public figures used libel and slander laws, which broadly define and criminalize defamation, to restrict public discussion and harass, intimidate, or censor private and media expression," it said. It cites the indictment of a man in his 30s on charges of contempt for distributing flyers criticizing President Moon Jae-in, and former Seoul mayor Park Won-soon's family suing citizens for defamation after they posted comments on the Internet criticizing him for sexually harassing a staffer, a scandal that led to his suicide. But the most egregious example is the planned press law "that would allow victims of reporting found to be false or fabricated to seek punitive damages from media organizations and online intermediaries." Next was the government's ban on activists sending leaflets across the border into North Korea. "In 2020 the Ministry of Unification revoked the permits of two defector-led... NGOs that send leaflets across the border... citing national security concerns and several other grounds. Critics continued to view the revised law and related investigations as suppressing activists' and defectors' freedom of expression." The report also highlights unresolved cases of corruption among figures close to the government such as the 2015 development scandal in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province that came back to haunt ruling-party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, and the recent conviction of fly-by-night ex-Justice Minister Cho Kuk's wife Chung Kyung-sim for doctoring their daughter's resume for university admission. Others include land speculation by officials of the state-run Land and Housing Corporation. The entry on North Korea, meanwhile, as usual focuses on arbitrary killings, disappearance, torture, and other cruel treatment or punishment, arbitrary arrest or detention, and denial of fair public trial. Countries with large defense industries, such as France and Germany, were among the largest exporters. The EU had banned the export of arms to Moscow in July 2014 in reaction to Russia's annexation of Crimea, but a clause in the sanctions permitted sales under contracts signed before August 2014. EU countries last year sold to Russia weapons and ammunition worth 39 million euros ($42.3 million), according to the latest data made available by the EU Commission -- up more than 50 percent from 2020, when sales were worth 25 million euros, a volume in line with previous years. The European Union has closed a loophole that allowed EU governments to export weapons worth tens of millions of euros to Russia last year alone despite an embargo which took effect in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region. The loophole has come under fire from some EU governments since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, which the Kremlin calls "a special military operation." In a bid to weaken the Kremlin's war efforts in Ukraine, the EU has imposed five rounds of sweeping sanctions banning exports to Russia of a large variety of technology that could be used by the defense industry. But EU governments failed to immediately agree to scrap the exemption on arms sales until last week, when the loophole was closed as part of the fifth package of EU sanctions, EU diplomats and officials told Reuters. A legal text published on April 8 in the EU official journal deletes that exemption. The EU Commission did not mention the closure of the loophole in its public communication about the fifth package of sanctions. A spokesperson for the Lithuanian diplomatic mission to the EU said the exemption had been eliminated, but EU countries will be able to continue moving Russia-made weapons to Russia for repairs before they are returned to the EU. The EU Commission, which is responsible for preparing sanctions, did not propose the amendment on closing the loophole as it was not clear whether it had the unanimous political backing of the 27 EU states, diplomats said. But at a meeting last week, envoys agreed to amend the text after fresh criticism from some governments, including Poland and Lithuania, diplomats who attended the meeting said. By Trend Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Levan Davitashvili will pay a two-day visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Ministry. Georgian delegation will hold high-level meetings with Azerbaijani officials, including the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov. Davitashvili also plans to meet with Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikail Jabbarov, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, and Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev. Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Guram Guramishvili and Romeo Mikautadze, Advisor to the PM Ioseb Tkemaladze, General Director of Georgian Railway Davit Peradze, and General Director of Georgian Oil & Gas Corporation Giorgi Bakhdadze will be joining the delegation. The sides plan to discuss the deepening of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia in various economic sectors. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is among Georgias main trading partners. The trade turnover between the two countries from January through February 2022 amounted to $248.8 million, which is an increase of 49 percent, compared to $166.9 million over the reporting period of 2021, and 10.1 percent, compared to $225.9 million in the same period of 2020. KYODO NEWS - Apr 14, 2022 - 18:25 | All, Japan, World Japan has decided to co-sponsor a resolution proposed by Liechtenstein to seek accountability of veto-wielding countries in the U.N. Security Council after Russia exercised the right to block a motion against its invasion of Ukraine, the government said Thursday. The resolution that mandates a U.N. General Assembly meeting whenever a veto is cast in the Security Council has gained support from dozens of nations including the United States, Japan's ally and a permanent member of the council. Other permanent members are Britain, China and France. In February, Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have demanded Moscow immediately stop its attack on Ukraine and withdraw all troops. "The government believes permanent members should have utmost self-restraint in exercising veto rights in general, and from this standpoint, our country has decided to co-sponsor the resolution, as instructed by Prime Minister (Fumio) Kishida," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at a regular press conference. "We will continue to follow moves toward the adoption of the resolution with interest," he added. The Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations said in a Twitter post on Wednesday that the co-sponsors will formally present the draft resolution to member states next week. Related coverage: Russia ousted from U.N. Human Rights Council over acts in Ukraine Zelenskyy accuses Russia of worst war crimes since WWII U.N. assembly calls for protection of civilians in war-torn Ukraine KYODO NEWS - Apr 14, 2022 - 15:42 | Japan, All A 35-year-old Chinese man has become the first person to be granted a resident status that effectively allows foreign blue-collar workers to stay in Japan indefinitely, the infrastructure ministry and a supporting organization said Thursday. Weng Fei, an employee of a construction company in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, obtained Wednesday the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 status under a policy introduced by Japan in April 2019 to attract foreign workers and address the country's severe labor shortage. The system allows foreigners with certain Japanese language and vocational skills to apply for a resident status called Specified Skilled Worker No. 1, which grants working rights in 14 sectors, such as construction, farming and nursing, for up to five years. Proficient laborers in two sectors -- construction and shipbuilding -- can further extend their stay by earning the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 status. It allows holders to bring in family members and has no limit on the number of times they can renew their visa. Weng, who first came to Japan in 2010 as a technical trainee to work at his current construction company, was granted the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 status in 2020. He later obtained grade 1 in the technical skills test, a national system to certify vocational abilities, meaning he has high-level skills in his field of work needed for positions other than managers. He had worked as a site supervisor, and this experience was recognized when permitting him to upgrade to the No. 2 status, according to the supporting organization and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism which oversees the construction industry. Miki Sawamura, vice president of the Cooperative of Eco Project, a labor union actively supporting foreign workers, based in Gifu city, said the achievement was "the result of the employer's efforts to create a comfortable working environment for foreigners." "In order to address the labor shortage, I hope the construction sector will work to improve the treatment of foreigners," Sawamura said. Related coverage: Sri Lanka trainee takes maternity leave, gives birth in Japan KYODO NEWS - Apr 14, 2022 - 16:40 | All, Japan Japan's early summer saury fishing expedition in the northern Pacific is expected to be skipped for a third year because of bad catches and increasing fears Russia could seize Japanese fishing boats amid tensions over Ukraine. A Tokyo-based saury fishing cooperative said Thursday that no fishing boat is likely to take part in an annual fishing expedition on high seas in the North Pacific Ocean that runs from May to July, citing the risks of sailing through Russia's exclusive economic zone. Japanese fishing boats usually sail within the zone extending 200 nautical miles, or 370 kilometers, from the Russian coastline to reach their saury fishing area. But Russia has reacted angrily to economic sanctions imposed by Japan and other countries over its invasion of Ukraine. "Many fishermen are worried, not knowing what could happen because of the current international situation," the group said. Even if the ships sailed around the waters instead of through them, the expedition would not be profitable because of soaring fuel costs and likely poor catches, the group added. The group also said that although saury catches in early summer have mainly been sold at sea to a Russian processing vessel, trade cannot be done this time because the ship is under repair. The continuing crisis in Ukraine has created concerns that the risks will persist during the main saury fishing expeditions that usually take place from August. "Under the current situation, it is unclear whether or not we will be able to continue saury fishing," said Kohei Oishi, managing director of the cooperative. Early summer saury fishing began tentatively in 2016 in response to the ban on salmon and trout drift net fishing in Russia's exclusive economic zone and became a full-scale operation in 2019. But the fishing has been suspended for two years since 2020. Poor saury catches have continued for years. Japan's 2021 saury catch was 38 percent smaller than the previous year's at 18,291 tons, marking a record low for the third consecutive year. Related coverage: Japan, Russia start salmon, trout fishing talks amid Ukraine crisis Japan lists 7 items for supply action over current Russia dependence Japan, 7 other economies agree to cut saury catch quotas by 40% KYODO NEWS - Apr 14, 2022 - 22:07 | All, Japan, World Japan plans to dispatch a Self-Defense Forces airplane possibly later this month to help countries receiving Ukrainian refugees transport relief items, in a mission expected to last until the end of June, government sources said Thursday. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in its second month and some 4 million people having fled their homes, the sources said the SDF plane will pick up supplies, such as blankets and sleeping mats, stockpiled in Dubai and India's Mumbai, and transport them to Poland and Romania, countries neighboring Ukraine. Japan is considering sending a C-2 transport aircraft of the Air Self-Defense Force, with the plane expected to transport the items once a week from late April and have a total of around 10 flights, according to the sources. The dispatch, which will be decided by the Cabinet next week at the earliest, is in response to a request by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, according to the sources. The SDF plane will be sent as part of international humanitarian relief operations in line with the country's International Peace Cooperation Act that enables Japanese participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations as well as other operations, the sources said. Earlier this month, the government decided to donate aid supplies such as blankets to the U.N. refugee agency. The supplies will be sent to Warsaw via a different route from the SDF aircraft set to leave Japan later this month. In March, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government delivered bulletproof vests and helmets to war-torn Ukraine via Poland by SDF planes. Related coverage: Japan accepts Ukrainian evacuees using commercial flight for 1st time 20 Ukraine evacuees arrive in Japan from Poland on gov't plane Japan sends bulletproof vests from defense forces to Ukraine KYODO NEWS - Apr 15, 2022 - 17:48 | All, Japan Kei Komuro, the husband of Japanese former princess Mako Komuro, has failed the New York state bar examination for a second time, a source familiar with the matter revealed Friday. Having previously failed the state bar exam last July, he took the test again in February this year. Komuro is expected to take it again in July. He married the niece of Emperor Naruhito in October amid public criticism over a financial dispute involving his mother and her former fiance, and the couple, both 30, left Japan the following month to start a new life in the United States. Former Japanese princess Mako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, and her husband Kei Komuro front the press at a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 26, 2021, following their marriage earlier in the day. She became Mako Komuro under a family registry with Komuro. (Kyodo) According to the organizer, 3,068 people sat the bar exam and 1,378, or 45 percent, passed it. Komuro has already started working as a law clerk at a legal firm in New York after graduating from Fordham University's law school with a Juris Doctor degree in May 2021. In an unprecedented step for an imperial marriage, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito skipped the usual traditional rites and declined a lump-sum payment of about 150 million yen ($1.2 million) in taxpayer money amid public unease over the financial dispute. The 1947 Imperial House Law, which limits heirs to the imperial throne to males with an emperor in the paternal line, requires female royals to give up their status when they marry commoners. When the couple held a press conference on Oct. 26, the day they registered their marriage, Mako Komuro revealed it was she who had asked her husband to move forward his plans to study abroad and "set up a base (for living) overseas." Related coverage: Japan crown prince made decision to forgo daughter's marriage rites Ex-princess's husband pays settlement money over family financial row Former princess Mako, husband leave Japan to start new life in U.S. KYODO NEWS - Apr 14, 2022 - 23:18 | All, Japan Japan's industry ministry said Thursday it aims to ensure the procurement of rare gases necessary for chip production, as supply from major exporter Ukraine may be disrupted by Russian's invasion and the chip supply crunch remains a major issue. Officials of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said at a panel meeting that it seeks to take measures to encourage domestic manufacturers to ramp up production capacity of those gases and bolster cooperation with other countries to enhance supply chains by 2025. Japan has examined potential supply disruptions of neon, krypton and xenon from Ukraine and the surrounding areas after Russia's invasion, as it seeks to increase chip production at home following the global supply shortage in recent years. These gases are used in lasers for etching patterns. Resource-scarce Japan relies on about 6 percent of total imports of the rare gases from Ukraine and the surrounding areas, which provided about 60 percent of global supplies in 2015, according to the ministry. Since semiconductors are used in many fields and are often regarded as the brain of industries, it is considered crucial to establish a stable supply system from a security standpoint. Goitseone Ishmael, a Chinese language assistant teacher, gives a lesson at Legae English Medium school in Gaborone, Botswana, on Feb. 23, 2022. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Excitement and joy could be felt as students at Legae English Medium School in Gaborone, Botswana, greeted their teacher Goitseone Ishmael with the Chinese phrase "ni hao," which literally translates to "hello" in English, before she began her Chinese language lesson. "Today we are going to begin our class by watching a Chinese movie," she says, and the students jump up and down with joy. Some of the students ask if it's about the well-known actor Jackie Chan. Finally, she manages to get them to settle down. Ishmael, also known as Liu Weiwei in Chinese, started her job as a Chinese assistant teacher at Legae English Medium School in 2022. Now she teaches around 350 students consisting of 14 classes per week from Standard 3 to Standard 6. After graduating from university with an associate's degree in business information systems, Ishmael was encouraged by her sister to enroll in the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (CIUB) in 2017. "During my study at CIUB, I developed a strong interest in the Chinese language, culture and lifestyle, especially in August 2018 I set my foot for the first time in China through the Summer Camp by CIUB," she told Xinhua during an interview. Ishmael went to study at Shanghai Normal University in China in 2019. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, she couldn't go back to China to finish the last semester and ended up finishing it online and graduating while in Botswana. As a Chinese assistant teacher, Ishmael has her main teaching work done like teaching students Chinese songs, teaching them how to make paper cutting or lanterns. She also helps Zhang Lu, the only Chinese teacher who comes from the CIUB, to teach the Chinese language. "Teaching a language is really interesting and kids are always interested in learning more, especially about the Chinese culture, the food and they even ask a lot of questions during my lesson like what the thing they like is called in Chinese," she said, adding that most of the students want to visit China now since she started teaching them. According to Ishmael, Batswana can benefit a lot from learning the Chinese language. She said, in China, everything is convenient like transportation and payment methods, so Batswana can learn and see how they can improve services here. Batswana can also go teach English in China because of the demand for English teachers. The 33-year-old woman teacher encouraged people to consider a career in the Chinese language. "It is not only for communication, it will open another opportunity for them. There are different types of jobs that one can do after learning Chinese like working as a Chinese language teacher, a translator or interpreter," she said. Basel Ncaagae, the head of Legae English Medium School, said Chinese was introduced full-time in 2018 after management expressed a desire to move away from the Chinese club, given that the club was not reaching out to many students. And as a result of the large number of students who expressed an interest in learning Chinese, the school implemented Chinese as a full-time language study program called Confucius Classes. Some of the content the class teaches are Chinese greetings, teaching kids how to count numbers in the Chinese language, how to introduce themselves in Chinese, their age, the weather and time. Kids also participate in the Primary School Chinese Bridge where the winner gets an opportunity to travel to China and represent the school. There are also competitions like Talent Show where students can also take part in. Goitseone Ishmael, a Chinese language assistant teacher, is pictured at Legae English Medium school in Gaborone, Botswana, Feb. 23, 2022. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) Goitseone Ishmael, a Chinese language assistant teacher, gives a lesson at Legae English Medium school in Gaborone, Botswana, on Feb. 23, 2022. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) Goitseone Ishmael (R), a Chinese language assistant teacher, talks with Zhang Lu, a Chinese instructor, at Legae English Medium school in Gaborone, Botswana, on Feb. 23, 2022. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/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. ACCRA, April 14 (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. 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. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng) 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. A Ghanaian teacher operates a training facility at a Chinese-built training center in Kumasi Technology University, in Kumasi, Ghana, on April 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng) 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. 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. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng) 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. CHONGQING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A three-floor western building covered by traditional Chinese roof ridges glimmers on the south bank of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Built in 1896 by British businessman Archibald John Little, the structure once operated as a renowned foreign firm in Chongqing. Chinese craftsmen recently completed its restoration and added some Chinese elements. The story of building dates back to when the adventurous Brit embarked on a risky voyage through the Three Gorges to Chongqing. Upon arrival, he started production and trade businesses and a transportation company in the city. Little spoke Chinese and was well versed in China's culture. He played an important role in promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between China and the West more than 100 years ago. The old site of the foreign firm has been listed as cultural relic under municipal protection by Chongqing. In October 2020, the local government decided to restore the site to refresh the century-old structure. Specialists from across the country came together to work on the project. With meticulous designs and hundreds of restoration trials, craftsmen have been able to restore nearly 100 different elements of the 800-square-meter building. The limestone sculpture of a Chinese cabbage at the building's entrance required an extra level of diligence and care. Eighty-year-old craftsman Pan Youyu led a team to reproduce the cabbage based on its original appearance. The final art piece, which took one month and a half to complete, reflects the integration of Chinese and western decoration styles. Yang Xisheng, a local artist almost 80 years old and member of the China Artists Association, lives on the same block as the building. His emotional attachment to building prompted him to join the team tasked with designing the color of the building's exterior. He painted the main color of the building's exterior based on his own memories, striving to restore the original color to the best of his ability. "The combination of Chinese and western elements embedded in the architecture is very distinctive, and the restoration team has made great efforts," said Zhong Xiaoxi, chairman of Chongqing Yudi Vision Culture Industry Co., Ltd., which undertook the restoration project. With the building successfully repaired, the local government plans to develop it into a history museum. By Azernews President Ilham Aliyev has said that communication between Azerbaijan's western regions and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is essential and Armenia must facilitate this. He made the remarks during his closing speech at a meeting dedicated to the results of the first quarter of 2022. Armenia must also see that it cannot thwart our plans. If it doesnt grant us passage through Zangazur, it will lose and, first of all, be in violation of the November 10 statement. Because the November 10 statement explicitly states that there must be a connection between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and this is Armenia's obligation, he said. The president stressed that if Armenia doesnt want to fulfill its obligation, then Azerbaijan will not be under any obligation to fulfill its commitments either. They should know this and not procrastinate. We will achieve what we want sooner or later anyway, he said. Khanchinchay reservoir under Mount Farrukh Speaking about the reservoirs in liberated lands, the president underlined that Azerbaijan is currently restoring those reservoirs that were destroyed during the occupation. The construction of the Hakarichay reservoir is on the agenda. It will be a new reservoir. The Sugovushan water reservoir and canal will be renovated... The Khachinchay reservoir and a 7-kilometer canal will be renovated, he said. The president noted that the Khachinchay reservoir is right under Mount Farrukh, next to the Farrukh village, adding that the Armenian military positions were threatening the operation of this reservoir. In other words, it was a huge source of danger. Shots were repeatedly fired in the direction of Aghdam from there and other villages. I think there is no one in the world who wouldnt know of Mount Farrukh, and Mount Farrukh, the great mountain of Azerbaijan, is under our control now. The Azerbaijani flag flies there now, he said. Aliyev stressed that Mount Farrukh is of great importance for the safety of Khachinchay and the use of this water. Okhchuchay River catastrophe The president noted that a special report on Armenias environmental terror against Azerbaijan was prepared and adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe a few years ago. He stated that the rivers in Azerbaijans Karabakh were occupied and mercilessly exploited by Armenians. The catastrophe of the Okhchuchay River is before the eyes of the world now. We have raised this issue, he said. Noting that when raising the issue, Azerbaijan was promised that the company that caused the disaster would come and clean it up, he stressed that a year has passed now, but no proposals were received. Cronimet is the company that contaminated the Okhchuchay River. It is a large company, and according to some foreign media, it had an illegal business relationship with representatives of Serzhik Sarkisyans former junta regime using corruption schemes. Together they operated the copper plant there, he said. Aliyev noted that the preparations for a legal claim in this regard with the involvement of international experts are underway. Double standards and discrimination Recalling that a gas line in Karabakh where the Armenians live was in disrepair and there was no gas supply there for some time, he noted that Armenians were saying that Azerbaijan was causing a humanitarian catastrophe there. They had cut off the gas supply for Nakhchivan for 15 years and kept it that way. The winter in Nakhchivan is harsher. The frost reaches minus 30 degrees, he said. Noting that the people of Nakhchivan lived without gas from 1990 to 2005, the president underlined that Armenian leadership and state deprived them of gas. He stressed that not any organization or country raised their voice back then. But when there was no gas in Khankandi for one week, there was no one left in the world who wouldnt call us from America to Europe. First of all, there are countries in Europe where there is no gas... There are also countries where the level of gas supply is 3-5 percent. Is there a humanitarian catastrophe there? They have been without gas for one week, is this a humanitarian catastrophe? Then why wasnt Nakhchivan a humanitarian catastrophe when it was deprived of gas for 15 years? This is the question. Is there an answer to this question? Yes! Double standards and discrimination, he said. Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has restored gas supply, and expressed hope that Armenians there will also understand that they are citizens of Azerbaijan and must and will live under the Azerbaijani flag. The sooner they understand this, the better for them. This is why we did that. We showed humanism. But we have never forgotten that Nakhchivan was left without gas, he said. Video screen shot taken on May 7, 2021 shows World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attending a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua) "However, some countries are still witnessing serious spikes in cases, which is putting pressure on hospitals. And our ability to monitor trends is compromised as testing has significantly reduced," Tedros said. GENEVA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- As the number of new COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to decline, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that 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 here 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 over 7 million cases and over 22,000 deaths reported, a decrease of 24 percent and 18 percent, respectively, as compared to the previous week. "However, some countries are still witnessing serious spikes in cases, which is putting pressure on hospitals. And our ability to monitor trends is compromised as testing has significantly reduced," Tedros said. A woman receives a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in Cape Town, South Africa, on Jan. 5, 2022. (Francisco Scarbar/Xinhua) 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 (PHEIC). The committee said that 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 hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and fatalities increase and compromise the health systems' capacity. A man receives a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine in Gaborone, Botswana, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) 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 percent of their COVID-19 samples in order to keep track of the coronavirus mutations. According to Tedros, the WHO 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 that 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. People walk past a signboard of wearing face masks at the Oculus of the World Trade Center in New York, the United States, March 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) 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." TEHRAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran has seen a surge in its production and exportation of oil and gas since 2021 as the country works to revive the Iran nuclear deal. The speedy recovery of the country's energy sector, despite the fact that anti-Iran sanctions are still in place, is mainly driven by the promising prospect of the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna. Iran's oil exports, which had fallen sharply under Western sanctions from 2012 to 2015, resumed their upward trend in 2016 after the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. Iran's oil exports averaged 2.5 million barrels per day in 2017, up 200,000 barrels from the year earlier. According to Iran's Tejarat News website, by the end of 2017 before the reimposition of U.S. energy sanctions, Iran produced 4.7 million barrels of oil and gas condensate per day, of which 3.8 million were crude oil. Iran's oil reserves were estimated at 157 billion barrels, equivalent to 10 percent of world crude oil reserves and 13 percent of oil reserves of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). However, in May 2018, then U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions on Iran's energy sector, prompting a significant slump in Iran's crude output market. The downward trend stopped only when Iran and world powers began in 2021 talks that aim to revive the JCPOA. Since then, the country's oil production started to see a rebound as more optimistic lights were shed upon the country's energy sector. In its Monthly Oil Market Report in February, the OPEC put Iran's average production in 2021 at slightly over 2.4 million bpd, an increase from an average of 2 million bpd in 2020. Javad Owji, Iran's minister of petroleum, said in an interview with the state TV earlier this month that the U.S. goals of reducing Iran's oil sales to zero, pursuant to its maximum pressure campaign, had not been realized. Iran's oil production capacity has reached pre-sanction levels, Owji said, adding the current capacity of Iran's oil production is more than 3.8 million bpd. With effective measures in onshore and offshore oil fields, by drilling new wells and repairing the old ones, and through the renovation and modernization of facilities and oil reserve centers, Iran has been able to restore oil production levels to those prior to U.S. sanctions, he noted. Besides, new "stable" customers have been explored for Iranian oil, the minister said. "In this regard, we used all the capacities inside and outside and gave variety to our contracts," he told the state TV. Iran hopes to resume oil sales in international markets by reviving the JCPOA and removing sanctions. Energy analysts predict that with the lifting of restrictions, Iran may be able to ship 1.3 million barrels of oil per day to international markets by the end of the current year. Ali Shams Ardakani, a senior expert in energy economics, said the upward trend in Iran's crude exports is likely to continue in the coming months. "The market is still attracted to Iranian oil," the expert said. Bulgarian students learn to use chopsticks during a celebration event with the theme of "Experience the Charm of Chinese Together" in Chelopech, Bulgaria, April 13, 2022. A series of cultural activities were held in Bulgaria to celebrate the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lin Hao) Bulgarian students learn about the Chinese opera face painting art during a celebration event with the theme of "Experience the Charm of Chinese Together" in Chelopech, Bulgaria, April 13, 2022. A series of cultural activities were held in Bulgaria to celebrate the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lin Hao) Bulgarian students learn to write with brushes during a celebration event with the theme of "Experience the Charm of Chinese Together" in Chelopech, Bulgaria, April 13, 2022. A series of cultural activities were held in Bulgaria to celebrate the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lin Hao) BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Foreign auto companies have expressed optimism about the Chinese market and consider China to be among their most important overseas markets, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shu Jueting said on Thursday. In reference to a recent symposium attended by representatives of 17 foreign-invested auto and auto parts manufacturers, Shu said attendees were optimistic about China's long-term stable economic prospects and market potential. China has lifted foreign ownership restrictions on the auto manufacturing sector, which the representatives said provided broader development room for foreign auto companies, Shu said. The representatives also expressed willingness to increase investment in new-energy vehicle manufacturing and technology research and development in China, in a bid to seize the opportunities presented by China's transition toward innovation-driven and green growth, Shu said. Despite challenges such as chip shortages and the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, China's auto production and auto sales respectively rose 3.4 percent and 3.8 percent year on year in 2021. The new-energy vehicle market saw a particularly stellar performance, with both production and sales exceeding 3.5 million units. OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Recent COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country and related quarantines have complicated auto manufacturers' efforts to procure materials and ship products. Shanghai and Jilin, the two regions of China most heavily impacted by COVID-19, are major manufacturing bases for auto part makers and automakers, with each occupying 11 percent of the national auto output, data from the China Passenger Car Association shows. Facing supply strains, China has taken steps to facilitate logistics to ensure the supply of industry necessities. A Ministry of Transport circular issued on Tuesday prohibits the obstruction of road transportation and the turning away of vehicles or personnel, irrespective of circumstances, and ordered more efficient COVID-19 screening along transportation routes. A special coordination platform was launched by the Ministry of Industry and Information technology on Monday, pledging to help auto and supply chain companies solve practical difficulties in a timely manner. In a bid to spur car consumption, a State Council executive meeting on Wednesday said that no new restrictive measures on car purchases shall be set at the sub-national level. Localities with purchase restrictions already in place should increase their new license plate quotas step by step. The consumption of new-energy vehicles and the construction of battery charging facilities will be supported. Amid a challenging environment, authorities are advised to introduce more measures to stabilize car consumption, such as halving car purchase taxes, said Chen Shihua, vice secretary of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of telecom fraud cases in China has declined for nine consecutive months starting June 2021, thanks to China's intensified crackdown on such crimes, showed official figures unveiled Thursday. Over the past year, a total of 394,000 criminal cases involving telecom fraud have been investigated nationwide and 634,000 criminal suspects have been arrested, marking a year-on-year increase of 28.5 percent and 76.6 percent, respectively, said Du Hangwei, deputy minister of public security. In the last 12 months, authorities in China have busted 12,000 groups for illegal border crossing and arrested 51,000 suspects for involvement in human smuggling, according to official figures. The Ministry of Public Security and other relevant authorities have sustained strong momentum in its combating of wire and cyber fraud. The Cyberspace Administration of China has investigated and shut down 878,000 websites involved in fraudulent activities this year. Throughout last year, China's procuratorial organs stepped up their efforts to plug the loopholes in SIM card and bank card usage, as well as industry and personal information management, in a bid to forestall relevant fraudulent activities at their roots, according to China's Supreme People's Procuratorate. LONDON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Despite the wariness of a majority of the public, U.S. airline executives and politicians have pressed the government to allow a mask mandate to expire next week, The Financial Times has said. "Forced mask-wearing has caused friction in aircraft cabins," said the newspaper. A record 5,981 reports of unruly passengers were logged in 2021 by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, with 72 percent of them mask-related. The rule requiring travelers to wear a mask on public transport had been set to lapse on April 18. The U.S. government announced Wednesday an extension of the order until May 3 as COVID-19 cases rise. According to the British newspaper on Tuesday, most Americans want to keep the mandate in place. U.S. market research and analytics company Harris Poll found that 60 percent of the people surveyed in early April supported the rule. 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. By Azernews Azerbaijan's Agrarco LLC and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have signed an agreement on cooperation and coordination of activities. In accordance with the agreement, the parties will work on the production and processing of hazelnuts, the application of best practices in this sphere and the organization of events to increase the farmers' potential. The sides will explore the potential of using renewable energy sources and logistics. In addition, they will assist other farmers in the development of advanced technologies. The document was signed by Agrarco LLC director Javid Kazimov and FAO representative in Azerbaijan Melek Cakmak within the framework of the project Catalyzing the efficiency and sustainability of Azerbaijan's hazelnut sector (HAZER). Opening of plant for hazelnuts' production, processing Speaking at the signing ceremony, Javid Kazimov stated that Agrarco LLC plans to open a plant, with a production capacity of 20 tons per year, for the production and processing of hazelnuts. The plant will be put into operation in the summer of 2022. He noted that it is also planned to install crushing equipment that is capable of cleaning 7 tons of hazelnuts a year. "This plant is being built in accordance with international and modern standards and using high technologies," he said. Noting that the company grows hazelnuts on an area of 500 hectares and fruits on 370 hectares, he mentioned that there are warehouses where you can store about 5,000 tons of agricultural products. Azerbaijan among top hazelnut exporters The Agriculture Ministry's representative, Surkhay Novruzov, stated that Azerbaijan ranks among the top three countries for the volume of hazelnut exports worldwide. Noting that this year Azerbaijan harvested 67,000 tons of hazelnuts, he stated that about 95-96 percent of hazelnuts are exported to European markets. "The Azerbaijani government encourages entrepreneurs involved in the production of hazelnuts. They are annually allocated lump-sum funds in the amount of AZN 4,400 ($2,590), and will continue to be encouraged within the state programs," he said. Novruzov added that work is underway to expand the production of hazelnuts, as well as in the field of combating various pests and plant diseases adversely affecting the cultivation of hazelnuts, within the framework of international cooperation. Export increase in 2022 Javid Kazimov also stated that the company is planning to increase the export of peeled hazelnuts by 10-15 percent, or by almost 6,000 tons in 2022. Noting that last season the company exported about 5,000 tons of peeled hazelnuts, he noted that the main importer is the Italian company Ferrero International S.A. "The company purchased over 3,000 tons of hazelnuts in 2021. Germany, Austria, and France also import our products," he said. He added that Agrarco LLC mainly exports its products by sea and by road. "We have encountered a number of problems in the supply chain due to the coronavirus disease. Therefore, we predict that this year the prices for our exported products will approximately double," he said. Hazelnut industry among priority areas Agrarian Credit and Development Agency board chairman Seymur Movlayev underlined that hazelnut growing is one of the priority areas for the development of the agricultural sector in Azerbaijan. He stressed that in order to ensure the sustainable development of this sector, large-scale activities are being carried out in Azerbaijan to develop cooperation with a number of state and international structures. "In order to revive this sector, we are working with Azerbaijan's Food Safety Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, also a number of international structures," he said. Cooperation with FAO In turn, Melek Cakmak noted that FAO is cooperating with the Azerbaijani government on a number of projects in the sphere of agriculture, which includes such areas as cattle breeding, crop production and consulting services. She added that there is a high demand in Azerbaijan for consulting services related to hazelnut cultivation and export. "FAO has been implementing a project to accelerate the production of hazelnuts in Azerbaijan since 2020," she said. Noting that FAO also cooperates with the Azerbaijani private sector, Cakmak added that the organization prepared a program that will help expand partnerships with the private sector. Azerbaijan has been a member of the FAO since 1995. The organizations office in the country has been operating since 2007. First responders work at a nearby street after a shooting took place at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York, the United States, on April 12, 2022. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) The suspect has been charged with violating a federal prohibition on "terrorist and other violent attacks against mass transportation systems," and may face a sentence of up to life imprisonment, according to an attorney. 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. A Yemeni flag is seen in Sanaa, capital of Yemen on May 22, 2021. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) The ongoing UN-brokered truce 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": analyst 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. A mother holds the feet of her malnourished child as he lies in a bed receiving medical treatment at the malnutrition ward of Al-Sabeen hospital in Sanaa, Yemen, June 27, 2020. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/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. A man stands on the rubble of a house destroyed by airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) 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. RAMALLAH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed and four injured on Thursday by Israeli soldiers during clashes in Kafr Dan village near the West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. According to a Palestinian Ministry of Health press release, Sha'ath Kamamji and Mustafa Abu Robb were killed and four others injured, including one in serious condition, during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the village. The statement added the deaths of the two young men on Thursday bring the death toll of Palestinians killed in the last 24 hours to five. Palestinian eyewitnesses said an Israeli army force stormed the village early in the morning to arrest Palestinian activists involved in carrying out attacks against Israel. Heavy clashes broke out between the soldiers and the activists. Israeli media outlets reported that Palestinian gunmen opened fire at the Israeli army force, which was conducting regular security activities. The soldiers responded to the sources of fire and killed two gunmen. The report said that the Israeli army announced a campaign to arrest Palestinians wanted by the Israeli security forces for being involved in carrying out attacks against Israel. The health ministry said that 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, including women and children, since January. Fourteen Israelis have been killed in a series of shooting attacks in Israel since March 22. QALAT, Afghanistan, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen people were injured when a pick-up truck overturned in Afghanistan's southern province of Zabul on Wednesday, a local source said on Thursday. "The injured people were shifted to a provincial hospital following the accident that occurred on a main road in Shar-e-Safa district late on Wednesday," Abdul Hakim, director of the province's public health department, told Xinhua. Three of the wounded were in critical condition, according to the source. Road accidents are frequent in the Asian country mainly due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving. People walk past a signboard of wearing face masks at the Oculus of the World Trade Center in New York, the United States, March 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) The Northeast recorded at least 126 new infections per 100,000 people last week, doubling the rate one month ago, according to The Washington Post. LOS ANGELES, April 13 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 cases are ticking up again in the Northeast of the United States as the BA.2 Omicron subvariant took hold of the region. The Northeast recorded at least 126 new infections per 100,000 people last week, doubling the rate one month ago, according to a report in The Washington Post. New infections in the Northeast were more than twice as high as in the West, Midwest and Southeast last week, according to federal data. The BA.2 Omicron subvariant now makes up more than 85 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BA.2 subvariant is thought to be about 30 percent more transmissible than the original BA.1 Omicron strain, early study suggested. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that it is extending the nationwide mask order for public transit for 15 days as it monitors the uptick in COVID-19 cases. 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 mask order will remain in place at this time, the agency said in a statement. People walk through the Oculus of the World Trade Center in New York, the United States, March 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) The mask order, which was set to expire on April 18, will run through May 3 to allow more time for the CDC to study the impact of the BA.2 subvariant in the country. The United States is now averaging about 30,000 new COVID-19 cases, 500 deaths and 1,400 hospitalizations every day, according to the latest CDC data. However, experts said official case counts did not provide a full picture of the pandemic because many at-home test results have not been reported to state or federal health agencies. The lack of testing may be another reason that COVID-19 cases go underreported. At the height of the Omicron wave in January, the United States was administering more than 2 million tests per day. That dropped to about 236,000 last Saturday, according to the most recent data from the CDC. Health experts said that rolling back COVID-19 mitigation measures, such as mask mandates and vaccine requirements, may have come too soon, and the continued rise in COVID-19 cases poses a higher risk to the public, especially children and the immunocompromised groups. BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner has issued a 15-year plan to develop the hydrogen energy industry, and experts are offering their feedback on the country's green future. China produced about 33 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2021, making it the world's largest hydrogen producer. By 2035, the proportion of hydrogen produced from renewable energy will increase significantly, according to the plan jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration in March. "China's hydrogen energy industry will be key to the country's carbon peaking and neutrality goals," said Chai Maorong, chief technology officer of the Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd. under the State Power Investment Corporation. Due to the flammable and explosive characteristics of hydrogen, China has long paid attention to its hazardous chemical properties, but lacked awareness of its energy properties, said Lyu Jianzhong, deputy director with the research center of China National Petroleum Corporation. Lyu noted that it is a milestone to define hydrogen as a green and low-carbon secondary energy for the first time. Hydrogen energy can only be generated by consuming primary energy such as coal, natural gas and renewable energy. Rao Jianye, vice president of China Electric Power Planning & Engineering Institute, explained that the production process of hydrogen determines the amount of carbon emissions. The production processes are categorized by different colors; gray, blue and green. Among them, the first two types will emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the production process, while green hydrogen can achieve true zero carbon emissions. "Now, fossil fuels account for nearly 80 percent of hydrogen produced in China. The scale of hydrogen production from renewable energy is still small," said Rao, adding that China's hydrogen energy industry is still in the early stage of development. The China Hydrogen Alliance earlier estimated that the scale of China's hydrogen energy market will reach 43 million tonnes by 2030. Green hydrogen will increase from 1 percent of energy in 2019 to 10 percent, and the market scale will increase nearly 30 times. Industry insiders believe the industrial development is closely connected to the change from gray hydrogen to green hydrogen. "A key factor in the low proportion of green hydrogen applications is that the cost of hydrogen production is too high," said Chai, adding that 70 percent of the cost of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water comes from high electricity costs. The cost of producing green hydrogen is three to four times that of production from fossil fuels. This means the conversion efficiency of renewable resources such as wind, light and water need to be greatly improved throughout the transition process, said Chai. The main storage and transportation mode of hydrogen energy in China is high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage, which is suitable for small-scale and short-distance transportation. But it is difficult to realize low-cost and large-scale storage and transportation, said Lin Boqiang, dean of China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy, Xiamen University. "It is necessary to increase infrastructure construction and investment and promote the layout of long-distance hydrogen transmission pipelines," said Lin. "Therefore, continued technological innovation is the key to promoting industrial progress," said Chai, stressing the importance of solving technical and cost problems. A spokesperson with the governor's office of Egypt's Aswan Province told Xinhua that ten people were killed in a bus crash on Wednesday. According to the spokesperson, 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. More than a dozen French and Belgian tourists had broken bones and bruises after the accident. They were taken to a local hospital for treatment and are now in stable condition. Produced by Xinhua Global Service A staff member checks the packages at the warehouse of a logistics company at the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) A staff member disinfects the warehouse which is used to store imported goods at the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) A staff member loads the freight at the warehouse of a logistics company at the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) A staff member disinfects the imported goods stored at the warehouse at the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) A staff member gives a gift pack full of food to a driver leaving the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) A staff member operates a crane to unload cargoes at the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) Freight trucks enter the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) A staff member checks the health code of a driver entering the Hangzhou Transfar highway port in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2022. Located in Qiantang District of Hangzhou, the Hangzhou Transfar highway port serves a total of over 280 logistics companies, with more than 7,000 vehicles entering and leaving the port every day. The port is one of the important logistics hubs in the city. The staff of the highway port, the workers of the logistics companies and the truck drivers have been working hard to facilitate supplies for households and industries amid COVID-19 flare-ups in certain parts of the country. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) 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 14 (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. 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) 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. People protest against Japan's decision to dump radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean outside Japanese embassy in Seoul, South Korea, April 14, 2021. (Photo by Xu Ruxi/Xinhua) *It has been a year since Japan unilaterally announced its decision to dump radioactive wastewater accumulated at the crisis-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. *Politicians, experts, and civic activists around the world have voiced their concerns. BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan continued to push forward with its plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea despite a host of local and international opposition. "The contaminated water released into the ocean will spread across the entire Pacific Ocean in 10 years and affect almost all of our sea," said South Korean Rep. Seo Sam-seok at a forum on Monday to seek ways of cooperating with neighboring countries to tackle Japan's plan to dump the nuclear wastewater next spring. "Marine pollution will be inevitable, so the government and political circles should proactively act for the safety of the people," he added. Civic activists in South Korea also voiced their concerns through protests. The Pohang Citizens Behavior, composed of six civic groups and residents, held a protest rally against Japan's plan last week. The port city is forecast to be one of the hardest-hit fishing areas by the polluted water. The current Moon Jae-in government has banned imports of marine products caught in Japanese waters near Fukushima prefecture. People protest against Japan's decision to dump radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean outside Japanese embassy in Seoul, South Korea, April 14, 2021. (Photo by Xu Ruxi/Xinhua) The Japanese government's decision would cause danger to the safety of the maritime environment of the neighboring countries, said Anna Malindog-Uy, researcher of Philippine-BRICS Strategic Studies, noting the decision was made "unilaterally without sufficient consultation with neighboring countries." "If something goes wrong with the sad plan, developing countries like the Philippines, like my country, we're surely be adversely affected and left on their own to suffer the negative consequences," she added. "Japan should think twice before proceeding with its plan and prudently consult with countries that will directly be affected by such a decision," the researcher said. The wastewater cannot be stripped of the radioactive element tritium by the two treatment methods used in Fukushima, namely filtering and chemical treatment, Maria Rosa Beccia, chemist and researcher at Cote d'Azur University, told La Croix newspaper. Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, pointed out that numerous scientific studies have linked radioactive elements contained in the water to public health risks. "Given the interconnectedness of the world waterways and food systems, the move by Japan could see millions of people in faraway spaces, including Kenya, affected," he said. "Japan is exposing the world to multiple and far-reaching consequences with the nuclear discharge," he added. It has been a year since Japan unilaterally announced its decision to dump radioactive wastewater accumulated at the crisis-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2017 shows huge tanks that store contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (Xinhua) In December 2021, Tokyo Electric Power Company, the plant's operator, submitted an application to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority with a detailed plan for discharging the contaminated water. The controversial plan is proposed to begin in the spring of 2023. The handling of the nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima is not a private matter for Japan, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. Instead, it bears on the marine environment and public health of the whole world. Zhao added that Japan should heed the appeals of neighboring countries and the international community and rescind its decision to dump the water into the sea. "It mustn't wantonly start the ocean discharge before reaching consensus with stakeholders and relevant international institutions through full consultations," Zhao said. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a Law on approval of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of Georgia on cooperation in the field of standardization, metrology, and conformity assessment dated September 29, 2021, as well as on the repeal of Law No. 268-IQ on approval of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of Georgia dated April 15, 1997. UNITED NATIONS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that a nationwide humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine seems to be out of reach at the moment. "I don't think we had a chance to have a humanitarian cease-fire as we wanted globally (in Ukraine)," he said. "But there is 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 on March 28 launched an initiative for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine and sent Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths to Moscow and Kiev to explore the possibilities of a humanitarian cease-fire. "That was our appeal for humanitarian reasons. But it doesn't seem possible," he said. "Well, a global ceasefire, at the present moment, doesn't seem to be possible. But there are lots of things that can be done in order to guarantee evacuation of civilians from areas of fighting, in order of guaranteeing humanitarian access in a reliable situation," Guterres told reporters. "We also proposed the creation of a mechanism involving the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the UN and eventually others, humanitarian entities, in order to have a cell to permanently together manage and avoid incidents in these kinds of situations," he said. Asked about his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin if he gets him on the phone, Guterres said, "The most important message is that we need to silence the guns, and we need to have a serious negotiation to achieve peace." Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, April 12, 2022. Xi inspected the launch site on Tuesday and extended greetings to all the staff stationed at the site. (Xinhua/Li Gang) WENCHANG, Hainan, April 14 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping demanded efforts to elevate a spacecraft launch site in southern China's island province of Hainan into world-leading standards when he inspected the site on Tuesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. He extended greetings to all the staff stationed at the site and asked them to shoulder their responsibility and be brave to innovate and make new breakthroughs. After being briefed on the launch site, Xi inspected the launching tower and other facilities. He spoke highly of a series of key space missions launched from the site, including the launching of the space station core module Tianhe, the Chang'e-5 lunar mission, and the Tianwen-1 Mars probe. Xi noted that Wenchang is the launch site of China's new-generation high thrust carrier rockets and the bridgehead of the country's deep space exploration. The launch site should continue to eye the frontier of global space development and the major strategic needs of China's space industry, and comprehensively improve its modern space launch capabilities, said Xi. China is scheduled to complete the construction of its space station this year. Tianzhou-4 and Tianzhou-5 cargo crafts, as well as Wentian and Mengtian lab modules will be launched from Wenchang. Xi said the launch site should make meticulous efforts to ensure the missions' full success. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the launching tower and other facilities at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, April 12, 2022. Xi inspected the launch site on Tuesday and extended greetings to all the staff stationed at the site. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, April 12, 2022. Xi inspected the launch site on Tuesday and extended greetings to all the staff stationed at the site. (Xinhua/Li Gang) JERUSALEM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The University of Haifa (UH) in northern Israel has signed a cooperation agreement with Bahrain's King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, said a statement issued by UH on Wednesday. The purpose of the agreement, signed at the UH campus, is to promote tolerance and coexistence in the Middle East, the statement said. "Tolerance and pluralism are the qualities that characterize our campus, and we are proud and excited about the historic cooperation with Bahrain for the benefit of all the peoples of the region," said UH President Ron Robin. "Together, we will work and improve the common life of all of us, not only for Bahrainis and Israelis, but for the entire Middle East," said Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, chairman of the center's board of trustees. Under the agreement, the two institutions will operate special development programs to advocate coexistence between Jews and Arabs and educational programs to promote young leadership. In mid-March, the UH signed an academic collaboration agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s National Library and Archive. Israel signed diplomatic normalization agreements with Bahrain and the UAE in September 2020. TEHRAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Esmail Qaani, the Quds Force commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), said on Thursday that his forces will seriously respond to "any aggression" by Israel, Tasnim news agency reported. "If an act of aggression is carried out against the interests of the Islamic establishment anywhere in the world, we will respond with seriousness," Qaani said, referring to the IRGC's recent missile attack on the "secret intelligence bases" of Israel in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. The IRGC commander also said Saudi officials should realize that they have been "defeated" in the Yemeni war. "This war is not one that benefits them," he added. File photo taken on Dec. 29, 2010 shows a view of Abadan refinery, the largest one in Iran, in southwestern Iranian city of Abadan. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz) Energy analysts predict that with the lifting of restrictions, Iran may be able to ship 1.3 million barrels of oil per day to int'l markets by the end of 2022. TEHRAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran has seen a surge in its production and exportation of oil and gas since 2021 as the country works to revive the Iran nuclear deal. The speedy recovery of the country's energy sector, despite the fact that anti-Iran sanctions are still in place, is mainly driven by the promising prospect of the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna. Iran's oil exports, which had fallen sharply under Western sanctions from 2012 to 2015, resumed their upward trend in 2016 after the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. Iran's oil exports averaged 2.5 million barrels per day in 2017, up 200,000 barrels from the year earlier. According to Iran's Tejarat News website, by the end of 2017 before the reimposition of U.S. energy sanctions, Iran produced 4.7 million barrels of oil and gas condensate per day, of which 3.8 million were crude oil. Iran's oil reserves were estimated at 157 billion barrels, equivalent to 10 percent of world crude oil reserves and 13 percent of oil reserves of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). However, in May 2018, then U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions on Iran's energy sector, prompting a significant slump in Iran's crude output market. The downward trend stopped only when Iran and world powers began in 2021 talks that aim to revive the JCPOA. Since then, the country's oil production started to see a rebound as more optimistic lights were shed upon the country's energy sector. An Iranian oil worker works on oil pipelines on the Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, southern Iran, on Feb. 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz) In its Monthly Oil Market Report in February, the OPEC put Iran's average production in 2021 at slightly over 2.4 million bpd, an increase from an average of 2 million bpd in 2020. Javad Owji, Iran's minister of petroleum, said in an interview with the state TV earlier this month that the U.S. goals of reducing Iran's oil sales to zero, pursuant to its maximum pressure campaign, had not been realized. Iran's oil production capacity has reached pre-sanction levels, Owji said, adding the current capacity of Iran's oil production is more than 3.8 million bpd. With effective measures in onshore and offshore oil fields, by drilling new wells and repairing the old ones, and through the renovation and modernization of facilities and oil reserve centers, Iran has been able to restore oil production levels to those prior to U.S. sanctions, he noted. Besides, new "stable" customers have been explored for Iranian oil, the minister said. "In this regard, we used all the capacities inside and outside and gave variety to our contracts," he told the state TV. Iran hopes to resume oil sales in international markets by reviving the JCPOA and removing sanctions. Energy analysts predict that with the lifting of restrictions, Iran may be able to ship 1.3 million barrels of oil per day to international markets by the end of the current year. Ali Shams Ardakani, a senior expert in energy economics, said the upward trend in Iran's crude exports is likely to continue in the coming months. "The market is still attracted to Iranian oil," the expert said. TRIPOLI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Officer-in-Charge and Mission Coordinator of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Raisedon Zenenga, on Wednesday stressed the importance of avoiding escalation and resolving differences through dialogue between the Libyan parties. During a meeting with the five members of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (5+5 JMC) representing eastern Libya, Zenenga heard the reasons behind their recent statement demanding the eastern-based army take severe measures in protest against the Government of National Unity of Libya. On Saturday, the 5+5 JMC members demanded the eastern-based army shut down oil production, halt flights and close the coast highway between eastern and western Libya, and suspend the JMC's work in protest against the Government of National Unity's "financial corruption and failure to pay wages" of the eastern-based army's members. During their meeting with Zenenga, the JMC members shared their concerns on livelihoods in the East, said UNSMIL. "They raised pressing and longstanding issues that are now placing the work of the 5+5 and the progress made on the security track at risk," it added. For his part, Zenenga commended the 5+5 JMC for its achievements and reaffirmed the UN's commitment to continue efforts to find a lasting solution to unresolved issues. Zenenga also called for the JMC's continued cooperation with the United Nations. People receive food aid from the Afghan Red Crescent Society in Kunduz, Afghanistan, April 14, 2022. About 1,000 destitute and drought-affected families received relief assistance in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz on Thursday, a provincial official said. (Photo by Khibar Momand/Xinhua) KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, April 14 (Xinhua) -- About 1,000 destitute and drought-affected families received relief assistance in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz on Thursday, a provincial official said. "The Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) distributed 50 kg of flour, 10 liters of cooking oil, and 25 kg of rice together with packages of tea, sugar, salt and biscuits to each of the 1,000 surveyed families in Qala-i-Zal district on Thursday," Mohammad Riza Nasiri, head of province's ARCS department, told Xinhua. More relief assistance would be provided to needy families in Kunduz, 250 km north of Afghanistan's Kabul, in the coming days and weeks, according to the official. Following the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan last August, Washington has imposed sanctions on the Taliban-run administration and frozen more than 9 billion U.S. dollars of assets of Afghanistan's central bank, which battered the economy in the war-torn country. People wait to receive food aid from the Afghan Red Crescent Society in Kunduz, Afghanistan, April 14, 2022. About 1,000 destitute and drought-affected families received relief assistance in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz on Thursday, a provincial official said. (Photo by Khibar Momand/Xinhua) Photo taken on April 14, 2022 shows food aid for distributing from the Afghan Red Crescent Society in Kunduz, Afghanistan. About 1,000 destitute and drought-affected families received relief assistance in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz on Thursday, a provincial official said. (Photo by Khibar Momand/Xinhua) People receive food aid from the Afghan Red Crescent Society in Kunduz, Afghanistan, April 14, 2022. About 1,000 destitute and drought-affected families received relief assistance in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz on Thursday, a provincial official said. (Photo by Khibar Momand/Xinhua) BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China plans to further enhance the global services of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) by continuously improving its service system and highlighting its technological advantages. China is actively sharing BDS achievements with the world. BDS-related products, technologies and services have been applied in more than half of all countries around the world, said the China Satellite Navigation Office. China-developed BDS has been contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, noted the satellite navigation office. On July 31, 2020, China officially commissioned BDS, opening the new BDS-3 system to global users. Since then, the BDS has been committed to providing global users with quality services. It has been continuously optimizing the performance and expanding application modes while ensuring round-the-clock stable operation. Measured by the global continuous monitoring and evaluation system, the BDS-3 system shows an advanced performance index in providing global positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services, with more outstanding performance in the Asia-Pacific region. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China will endeavor to build the global services system of BDS, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). China will enhance the tech-competitiveness of BDS, deeply integrate it with other national space infrastructures and ensure that its navigation services and support capabilities peer with the advanced level globally, the NDRC added. It will strengthen BDS' global services support system by building diverse public service platforms for its application research, testing, certification and license issuance, among others. The country will also give full play to the short messaging communication and other unique advantages of BDS by establishing a public emergency service platform with global coverage, aiming to provide high-quality services for global users and help with emergency rescue and distress alerts. China is currently facilitating the development of a national comprehensive PNT system based on the BDS by 2035, according to the China Satellite Navigation Office. Before 2035, China will complete the construction of a more widely used, integrated and intelligent national comprehensive PNT system. By then, the BDS will serve global users with full-coverage and highly reliable PNT services. HARARE, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has begun the process of activating QR codes on COVID-19 vaccination certificates, an official said Wednesday. Until now, the country has been issuing certificates with pre-printed QR codes that are blank. The Ministry of Health and Child Care "has now commended an exercise to activate these QR codes which are now a requirement for travel to some countries," Jasper Chimedza, permanent secretary of the ministry, said in a statement. With more than 5 million people having received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose so far, the government will prioritize individuals traveling out of the country, with plans being made to open the process to the greater public, he said. The activation process has been decentralized across the country for the convenience of the public, he added. Zimbabwe is currently rolling out a COVID-19 vaccination blitz which began last month and will last till May, targeting mainly children aged 12 years and above, with an aim to have 70 percent of the total population vaccinated by the end of July. DHAKA, April 14 (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. Produced by Xinhua Global Service President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, who is on an official visit to the country, have held a one-on-one meeting. Welcoming the Albanian Prime Minister, President Ilham Aliyev said: Mr. Prime Minister, Welcome to Azerbaijan. I am very glad to see you. Very good opportunity to see each other to discuss important issues on our agenda. Your visit once again demonstrates the high level of political dialogue between our countries. We met many times and also communicated by telephone, also during the international events always used opportunity to see each other. I am sure the visit will give a new impetus to our bilateral ties. Also we will discuss issues of regional development, issues which is now on top agenda of the world. Coming to bilateral relations, I was looking at some information, of course, we need to work harder on increasing our trade turnover. It is very modest but I think there is a potential to increase. We will discuss it today and, of course, our cooperation in energy sector. Because already for more than a year Azerbaijan became exporter of natural gas to Europe and Albania always was supporting this initiative. Your high level representatives always participated in the meetings of the South Gas Corridor Advisory Council and contributed a lot to implementation of this project. So we are in one team of countries which implemented successfully this historical project and the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor and Trans Adriatic Pipeline, in particular, I think now is more visible than ever before. This is a very good sector of our cooperation which has a big potential to grow. Our representatives having their meetings on the bigger portfolio of our energy cooperation consisting of natural gas, transit, supplies also electric energy and it really could be a big part of our bilateral agenda. I am sure that what is now in the process of negotiations will result in new development. Also I think there is a good chance to talk about opportunities for mutual investments, of course tourism opportunities. I think we can provide our citizens different types of touristic opportunities. And in general, we look broader at our partnership to give a push and to see good results in the future. So I am very glad to see you and once again welcome. *** Prime Minister Edi Rama said: -Thank you, Mr. President. It is a real pleasure to be here and first and foremost at a time when you successfully brought back a part of your country that was for so many years in a situation that became unbearable. As you know both in the capacity of a chairman of the OSCE and now in the capacity of a member of the UN Security Council, Albania has been, it is and will be fully supportive of Azerbaijan, of truth and historical rights of Azerbaijan. Also, last but not least, we very much praise your incredibly exemplary efforts for peace and longstanding cooperation with your neighbor Armenia. At the same time we are both blessed to have a very strong bridge as Turkey and I strongly believe that we can do more as you mentioned various potential increase of our cooperation and for sure I am very much looking forward for your view and prospects and also to see what our mutual teams will come out with both in the energy sector and in tourism. We are looking forward to your visit to Albania, now COVID has somehow smoothened, so the way is open. Thank you very much, Mr. President, again for this very warm hospitality we felt since the first step after we landed in this beautiful capital city of yours. *** President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev then had a working dinner with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama. It's been exactly one year since the Japanese government announced its decision to continuously release Fukushima's radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Concerns and protests were heard in Japan and beyond. Produced by Xinhua Global Service A Russian expert has spoken highly of China's COVID-19 response, hailing it as a "generally positive experience that the world has." Produced by Xinhua Global Service UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and damage as a result of the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, said his spokesman on Thursday. The secretary-general extended his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of South Africa, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement. The United Nations expresses its solidarity with South Africa and stands ready to support, said the statement. More than 300 people have been confirmed dead as a result of floods due to heavy rains in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal. The death toll is likely to increase as rescue teams continue to search for the missing people. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a government meeting via video link on the current situation in Russia's oil and gas sector on April 14, 2022. (Kremlin photo) Putin noted there are failures in the payments for Russian energy. MOSCOW, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of diversifying energy exports as supplies in the western direction will be reduced in the foreseeable future. "Therefore, it is important to consolidate the trend of recent years: step by step, reorient our exports to the fast-growing markets of the south and east," Putin said at a government meeting via video link on the current situation in Russia's oil and gas sector. "To do this, in the near future it is necessary to identify key infrastructure facilities and begin their construction," he said. Meanwhile, Putin ordered to increase supplies of energy to Russian consumers, adding that price reductions are possible in order to stimulate domestic demand. He also instructed the government to boost the development of deep processing of oil and gas as quickly as possible. Russia has demanded "unfriendly countries" buy its natural gas with rubles, but many of them have expressed opposition. At the government meeting, Putin noted there are failures in the payments for Russian energy, and that banks from the "most unfriendly countries" are delaying the transfer of payments. Photo taken on April 14, 2022 shows the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua) TIANJIN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. Rescuers work at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 14, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Rescuers work at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 14, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Rescuers work at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 15, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Rescuers work at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 15, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Cranes lift derailed train carriages at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 15, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) A crane lifts a derailed train carriage at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 15, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Cranes lift derailed train carriages at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 15, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Rescuers work at the site of a freight train accident in north China's Tianjin, April 15, 2022. An accident involving two freight trains carrying coal took place on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, causing some carriages to derail, according to local authorities. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on a section of the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway, the municipal emergency management bureau said. Railway authorities have dispatched six rescue trains and nearly 1,000 rescue workers to the site. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths speaks at a Security Council meeting on the situation in Yemen at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 14, 2022. Griffiths warned Thursday that a lack of humanitarian funding in Yemen may undermine the current political momentum. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths warned Thursday that a lack of humanitarian funding in Yemen may undermine the current political momentum. The renewable two-month truce that the warring parties have agreed on is already having a positive impact on the humanitarian situation, he told the Security Council in a briefing. However, the humanitarian operation in Yemen remains underfunded, he said. The United Nations last month raised 1.3 billion U.S. dollars in pledges out of the nearly 4.3 billion dollars needed, he said. Despite newly announced pledges, including 300 million dollars from Saudi Arabia, there is a funding gap. "Funding remains the biggest challenge of the response. There's a serious risk that core programs across sectors, including food aid, water, health care, the support for the displaced, will keep scaling down ... and eventually stop if funds don't arrive," said Griffiths. "Allowing the aid operation to collapse would run directly counter to the very positive momentum that I think we're right to honor and celebrate today. And so we're going to do all we can to work with donors from our side to help ensure that these life-saving programs survive," he said. The United Nations continues to face serious access challenges in Yemen. Last year, half of all people in need lived in areas affected by access constraints, primarily as a result of bureaucratic impediments. They particularly affect female humanitarian workers and certain types of programming that are essential for the well-being and safety of women and girls -- always the most vulnerable, always at the edge of any such impediments, he said. "I continue to call on the parties to do everything possible to facilitate access to people in need in line with obligations under international humanitarian law and we must also address challenges (of) the safety and security of humanitarian workers," said Griffiths. Five months after their detention by the Houthi authorities, two UN staff remain in custody. Despite past promises to release them, they have not been set free, he said. The United Nations is also continuing to make efforts to secure the release of five UN staff kidnapped in February, he said. MOGADISHU, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Four civilians were killed after an auto-rickshaw they were travelling in ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) in Middle Shabelle of central Somalia on Monday. State-owned Radio Mogadishu reported that the landmine planted by suspended al-Shabab militants exploded near Hansholey village in Jowhar district. The local police said the deceased were all men who are camel traders. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest incident in Somalia but al-Shabab militants usually stage such attacks in the country. WINDHOEK, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Namibia will host its annual Crayfish Festival from April 29 to May 1 at the coastal town of Luderitz after a two-year break due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Friday. The festival was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the event attracts huge crowds but since the restrictions on gatherings have been eased, the festival will resume. "It will be bigger and better and of a higher standard of quality as has never been seen before in Luderitz so we are looking at attracting a larger pool of visitors with the hope that some might find investment opportunities in our town," said Luderitz town spokesperson Elwin Gaoseb. According to Gaoseb, the festival enables the town to position itself as a major tourism and investment destination in Namibia. It provides a platform for small and medium enterprises to showcase their products and services. The annual festival holds a significant place in the country's fishing industry and since its inception in 2008, has grown from strength to strength, cementing the quiet coastal town as a sought-after destination for both domestic and international tourists. YAOUNDE, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Security and local sources said on Saturday that a notorious separatist commander has been killed in Cameroon's war-torn Anglophone region of Northwest in clashes between rival separatist groups. The commander who was identified as 'field marshal Insobu' was killed in Bui division of the region late Friday after he attempted to attack another separatist group. Separatist fighters released a video of him on social media saying they were celebrating the "death of a traitor". "The terrorist commander was responsible for countless killing and abductions of civilians and soldiers. He blocked a major highway in the region for over five years causing untold suffering. Civilians are actually celebrating his death," a senior military official in the region who asked not to be named told Xinhua. It is unclear whether other fighters were killed in the clashes. Infighting among separatist fighters has caused the death of over 100 fighters since an armed separatist conflict erupted in Cameroon's English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest in 2017, according to security reports. YAOUNDE, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Four prison officers were killed on Tuesday in Cameroon's restive Anglophone region of Northwest after their convoy was attacked by gunmen, local and security sources said. Gunmen ambushed the convoy of the prison officers in Bui, a division of the region Tuesday afternoon and killed all of them. "They were returning from installing a new prison superintendent in another village of the region. Theodore Kiga, who is the chief prison superintendent of the region, and three other prison officers were killed in the attack," a senior army official who asked not to be named told Xinhua by phone. It is unclear who organized the ambush, but separatist fighters are known to be operating in the locality, the source said. The army was in pursuit of the gunmen who escaped to the bush after the attack, according to officials in the region. Separatist fighters have been clashing with government forces in Cameroon's English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017 in a bid to create an independent nation in the regions they called "Ambazonia." By Azernews By News Center Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio has said that Turkey is the country that works the hardest for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, Yeni Shafak newspaper has reported. Stating that the European Union (EU) should encourage a peace conference, Di Maio said: "We need to promote a peace conference before the ceasefire. The country that works the hardest for peace is Turkey, which can talk to both sides." In a remark on a radio channel on Russia's war against Ukraine and the recent events, Maio said that while the parties opposed it, they should endeavor to speed up dialogue and that diplomacy is the most important element in this regard. The minister added that despite the bitter quarrels between Italian and Russian officials, there is always an open channel between Rome and Moscow. Maio stressed that until sanctions are imposed to cut off Russian President Vladimir Putin's financial resources, the Russian leader would continue to fund the war and will not consider sitting at the table with the expectation of winning. Turkey made a substantial contribution to the progress of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks by setting up a negotiation table in Istanbuls Dolmabahce Palace on March 29. Turkey, via its "constructive neutrality" and "facilitating diplomacy", as perceived by the conflicting parties, has paved the way for a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, following the progress made in the technical negotiations. When the representatives of both delegations gave the message that a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was possible in principle, everyone's attention was drawn to the following stages. Six issues have been raised in the talks between Russia and Ukraine. As soon as Turkey noticed that the parties were getting closer in certain articles, it intervened and pushed them to resume face-to-face negotiations. The parties had prioritized several issues on which they had not yet reached an agreement. Russia wished to preserve Ukraine's neutrality, i.e. its refusal to join NATO and its refusal to produce nuclear weapons. In turn, Ukraine sought security assurances, and Turkey largely brought these concerns to light through its facilitative diplomacy. "Tough" issues such as Crimea and Donbas were not discussed and were instead left to the leaders' discretion, increasing the likelihood of a leaders' meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also announced the roadmap of the process to be brought to the leaders' table as "the meeting of the two countries' presidents after the two countries' foreign ministers came together to finalize the common understanding." The approaches of the parties to the problem will be learned in the coming period, and shuttle diplomacy for mediation will begin. CAPE TOWN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has appointed Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, to its task force to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, South Africa's parliament said on Wednesday. The appointment was made after the global organization of national parliaments adopted a resolution to form a task team to engage the parliaments of Russia and Ukraine, thereby joining forces with other mediating parties to end the conflict. In a statement, South Africa's parliament urged parliaments of other countries to "actively seek peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue, mediation and diplomacy." Established in 1889, the IPU has 178 member parliaments. ALGIERS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- France and Algeria have been working on reviving their bilateral relations, said French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian during his visit to the North African country. France and Algeria "were working on reviving bilateral relations," said Le Drian after his meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, adding that "Algeria and France share historical, deep and multiple human relations that bring together the two peoples." The French top diplomat said the two countries' cooperation on security is indispensable in the region, while stressing the urgency of relaunching the transition process in Libya and improving the situation in the Sahel region. He said that France and Algeria also share major challenges amid the situation in Ukraine and its repercussions on Europe's security and international stability, noting that Europe has to diversify energy resources. Le Drian said the two countries agreed to resume dialogue on a number of cooperation activities including immigration and the fight against terrorism. This is Le Drian's second visit to Algeria within four months. France has been trying to mend its ties with Algeria, which were soured by Algeria's decision to recall its ambassador to France in October 2021 in protest over French President Emmanuel Macron's critical remarks against Algeria. Macron criticized the "political-military system" in Algeria, a former French colony, for rewriting Algerian history and fomenting "hatred" toward France. SUVA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Fiji announced on Thursday night that the three-night-stay requirement upon entry into the country is being removed and fully vaccinated visitors can come to the island nation from next month. According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), Fiji's Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced in parliament on Thursday that following the establishment of private testing facilities nationwide, the three-night-stay requirement upon entry into Fiji is being removed. He said that from April 7 this year, fully vaccinated visitors, residents, or citizens of Fiji will only need to conduct Rapid Antigen Test within 24-hours of arrival in Fiji at an approved testing facility. "All visitors to Fiji will play by the same rules because from April 7, we will also do away with the Travel Partner system. In other words, anybody from anywhere in the world can come to Fiji as long as they are vaccinated," he said. He added that the most important thing is that visitors need to be vaccinated. "If they test upon arrival, then the country of origin is far less important." The minister also said that from Friday, wearing masks in Fiji will become optional and all venues in the island nation including stadiums may operate at full capacity. And social distancing requirements will no longer be enforced either. Fiji, which has a population of around 900,000, now has a total of more than 64,000 COVID-19 cases with 834 deaths since March 2020. Fiji has also recorded 912 COVID-19 positive patients who died from other serious medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19. Currently, 87 percent of Fiji's eligible population (all persons 12 years old and beyond) have been fully vaccinated. And as of Wednesday, 114,924 people in Fiji have received booster doses. BISHKEK, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan has extradited to Uzbekistan a leader of one cell of the Hizb ut-Tahrir religious extremist organization, the press service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan reported Saturday. The report said that the detainee is the regional head of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Uzbekistan, who actively carried out underground activities in southern Kyrgyzstan and the border regions of Uzbekistan. The detainee had been on the official wanted list in Uzbekistan for more than 10 years and tried to hide in Kyrgyzstan, according to the report. Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov via video link in Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng Wednesday met with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov via video link, calling for enhanced cooperation in specific fields, including natural gas, security, and people-to-people exchanges. Calling China and Turkmenistan strategic partners working for win-win results based on mutual respect and trust, Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said with personal care of the two countries' leaders, China-Turkmenistan relations have realized leapfrog development, and cooperation in various fields has attained a historical high. China is willing to work with the Turkmen side to promote comprehensive cooperation for more new achievements, Han added. Han proposed China and Turkmenistan take collaboration on natural gas as the priority of pragmatic cooperation to elevate natural gas cooperation to a new high and actively expand cooperation in developing renewable energy such as wind and solar power. He also called for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, transportation, finance, and other fields. The two sides should deepen security cooperation to enhance the capacity of guarding against and responding to significant security incidents and work to promote people-to-people exchanges. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Turkmenistan in COVID-19 response, including in vaccines, to jointly build the immunity barrier, Han added. Noting Turkmenistan attaches great significance to the Turkmenistan-China strategic partnership, Meredov said the Turkmen side is willing to maintain close contact with China and constantly promote pragmatic cooperation to a new high. Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov via video link in Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) HOHHOT, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The land port of Erenhot in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region saw its freight transport export volume increase 41.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year, local authorities have said. In the first three months, 642,000 tonnes of freight were exported via the port, according to the Erenhot station under the China Railway Hohhot Group Co., Ltd. During the period, the port logged 734 China-Europe freight trains, up 25.7 percent year on year, said Yun Zhijun, director of the Erenhot station's dispatch desk. Currently, 57 China-Europe freight train routes pass through Erenhot Port, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border. MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Habiba Amini knows a good opportunity when she sees one. Amini's workshop, more of a small factory really, was opened by Mawlawi Qudratullah Tareq, mayor of Mazar-i-Sharif couple of weeks ago. "So far, I've created new jobs for 40 seamstresses," she told Xinhua recently. Amini likes to see women given the freedom to work outside home, and is more than thankful to the mayor for supporting her and other women who want or need to work. If they do not work, their families could go hungry. "We have allocated one market for women here in Mazar-i-Sharif city to have their business and economic activities. Just recently I inaugurated a tailoring shop and provided job opportunities for 40 women to work there," Tareq told Xinhua. The Rabia Balkhi Bazaar is the only market in Mazar-i-Sharif city where women run their own businesses, most shops and eateries. "Mayor Tariq is very supportive. He understands the role of women within his capacity, and is ready to solve their problems if he can," Amini spoke happily. More than 22 million people face outright hunger in today's Afghanistan, according to aid agencies reports. Finding a job is next to impossible, with uncountable applications for any advertised post. Thousands more have been forced to go abroad, some as migrants, and many as refugees from the 20-year conflict. For many women and girls -- students, teachers and housewives -- employment means food. Since the Taliban gained power last August, questions have been asked about the status of working women. Business is gradually reviving and the administration has assured openness to companies and individuals invested in the country. "The Islamic Emirate is not against women and does not deprive them of their right to work," said Tareq, "opening the tailoring shop for women is a proof of the fact that we are supporting women and their rights." Zahra Sediqi, a 40-year-old female worker at Amini's workshop, has six young mouths to feed at home. "I am very happy to be working here," she said, "I can feed my children, and I have always enjoyed embroidery and making handicrafts." SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Police in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir said on Thursday that they killed four militants in a gunfight in the region. The gunfight, according to the police, erupted in Badigam-Zainapora area of Shopian district, about 60 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Today a gunfight between militants and joint contingents of police, paramilitary and army started at Badigam-Zainapora. In the exchange of fire between the two sides, four militants were killed," a police official said. The identity of the slain militants was not immediately known. Meanwhile, police said two troopers were killed and two others injured after a vehicle carrying them to the gunfight site overturned. A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. YANGON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Health on Thursday issued an order lifting restrictions on public gatherings from Sunday, the Myanmar New Year Day. The ministry's decision came when the country saw a notable decline in its COVID-19 infections, and positivity and fatality rates in the past months. The Southeast Asian country raised the maximum number of public gatherings from 200 people to 400 on March 16. According to the ministry, Myanmar reported 20 new cases with a daily positivity rate of 0.34 percent on Thursday. As of Thursday, the country has recorded 612,480 confirmed cases with 19,434 deaths. The number of recovered patients has increased to 591,192. BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan continued to push forward with its plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea despite a host of local and international opposition. "The contaminated water released into the ocean will spread across the entire Pacific Ocean in 10 years and affect almost all of our sea," said South Korean Rep. Seo Sam-seok at a forum on Monday to seek ways of cooperating with neighboring countries to tackle Japan's plan to dump the nuclear wastewater next spring. "Marine pollution will be inevitable, so the government and political circles should proactively act for the safety of the people," he added. Civic activists in South Korea also voiced their concerns through protests. The Pohang Citizens Behavior, composed of six civic groups and residents, held a protest rally against Japan's plan last week. The port city is forecast to be one of the hardest-hit fishing areas by the polluted water. The current Moon Jae-in government has banned imports of marine products caught in Japanese waters near Fukushima prefecture. The Japanese government's decision would cause danger to the safety of the maritime environment of the neighboring countries, said Anna Malindog-Uy, researcher of Philippine-BRICS Strategic Studies, noting the decision was made "unilaterally without sufficient consultation with neighboring countries." "If something goes wrong with the sad plan, developing countries like the Philippines, like my country, we're surely be adversely affected and left on their own to suffer the negative consequences," she added. "Japan should think twice before proceeding with its plan and prudently consult with countries that will directly be affected by such a decision," the researcher said. The wastewater cannot be stripped of the radioactive element tritium by the two treatment methods used in Fukushima, namely filtering and chemical treatment, Maria Rosa Beccia, chemist and researcher at Cote d'Azur University, told La Croix newspaper. Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, pointed out that numerous scientific studies have linked radioactive elements contained in the water to public health risks. "Given the interconnectedness of the world waterways and food systems, the move by Japan could see millions of people in faraway spaces, including Kenya, affected," he said. "Japan is exposing the world to multiple and far-reaching consequences with the nuclear discharge," he added. It has been a year since Japan unilaterally announced its decision to dump radioactive wastewater accumulated at the crisis-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. In December 2021, Tokyo Electric Power Company, the plant's operator, submitted an application to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority with a detailed plan for discharging the contaminated water. The controversial plan is proposed to begin in the spring of 2023. The handling of the nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima is not a private matter for Japan, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. Instead, it bears on the marine environment and public health of the whole world. Zhao added that Japan should heed the appeals of neighboring countries and the international community and rescind its decision to dump the water into the sea. "It mustn't wantonly start the ocean discharge before reaching consensus with stakeholders and relevant international institutions through full consultations," Zhao said. By Azernews By News Center TUMOSAN, one of Turkey's first domestic tractor brands and Castrol, the world's leading mineral oil producer have signed a new 2-year agreement, Yeni Shafak daily has reported. As the biggest supporter of farmers with the vehicles it produced, TUMOSAN has developed cooperation with Castrol since 2002. Under the new agreement, Castrol will participate in TUMOSAN's research and development studies while aiming to fulfill product demand for the initial filling and after-sales maintenance, which will be carried out at 387 approved service locations across Turkey. TUMOSAN General Manager Halim Tosun said that the company's goal is to provide Castrol lubricants to clients all throughout Turkey, where they have garnered the appreciation of car owners for their excellence, and to offer them a road experience of greater quality and superior performance. As TUMOSAN, we will bring our innovative service approach to our consumers at more points, and we will continue to add value to our customers with our understanding of quality service. This agreement we have made is an important example of our promise of quality service at all times. Castrol Turkey, Ukraine and Central Asia Director Ayhan Koksal expressed his delight about the ongoing cooperation with TUMOSAN. We help vehicles maintain their first-day performance for a long time by using the right oil produced by TUMOSAN to protect important parts of vehicles and equipment operating in harsh conditions. We are also working together on the development of mineral oils to be used in the engines of new generation tractors, Koksal stressed. PHNOM PENH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday began to celebrate the three-day traditional New Year festival after muted celebrations in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his new year's greetings, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the Songkran or traditional New Year celebrations have been resumed in cities and provinces after the Southeast Asian nation has achieved strong herd immunity against COVID-19. "For this year, the Cambodian people can fully enjoy the traditional New Year, unlike in the past two years, when we severely faced with the COVID-19 pandemic," the prime minister wrote on his official Facebook page. He wished all revelers a safe and joyful journey during the holiday and urged them to comply with health safety rules and measures strictly in order to protect themselves from COVID-19. "Competent authorities must pay attention to maintaining security and traffic order for the festival goers at pagodas, festive places, and tourist attractions," Hun Sen said. Cambodia has fully resumed its socio-economic activities and reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers without quarantine since last November after most of its population have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The kingdom has so far administered one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 14.85 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, have been fully vaccinated with two required shots. Most of the jabs used in the country's immunization program are Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines. World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Cambodia Li Ailan said in a New Year message that Cambodia's achievements in COVID-19 vaccination are truly remarkable and highly commendable. "This New Year is particularly special after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic," she said. "We here at WHO are excited to celebrate this with you and fully understand how important it is to again be united with loved ones on such an important occasion." Li said vaccines, together with "three dos and three don'ts" health guidelines, have enabled Cambodia to celebrate its traditional New Year this year. "Of course, the pandemic is not over and the virus is still circulating globally including in Cambodia," she said. "We need to continue to remain vigilant and prevent a possible surge after the New Year." Songkran is the largest festival in Cambodia. Traditionally, revelers prepare food, fruit and soft drinks on altars at their homes and light candles and incense sticks to greet the New Year's angel. On the occasion, people also travel to their hometowns for family reunions, make offerings at Buddhist pagodas, and play traditional games at pagodas or tourist attractions. Speaking to Xinhua before riding a motorcycle with her husband to their hometown in southern Takeo province on Thursday, Bang Sreyneth, a 33-year-old garment factory worker in capital Phnom Penh, said she was very happy to see the New Year celebrations again after two years of pandemic-induced cancellations. "It will be a very exciting time for a family get-together after we'd missed it in the last two years due to the COVID-19," she said. "The effectiveness of vaccines has allowed us to celebrate the New Year with confidence." Sreyneth said that each of her family members has already taken three doses of the Sinovac vaccine. Songkran is also celebrated in other Southeast Asian nations including Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Unlike those countries, Cambodia advises revelers to refrain from splashing water on each other, throwing bags of water on travelers, and painting charcoal or powder on other faces during the celebrations in order to prevent any incidents that could arise from these activities. JAKARTA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's foreign debt was recorded at 416.3 billion U.S. dollars in February, up from 413.6 billion U.S. dollars in the previous month, the Bank Indonesia said on Thursday. Of the February figure, 201.1 billion U.S. dollars were the government debt, 8.9 billion U.S. dollars were the central bank debt, and 206.3 billion U.S. dollars were the private debt, head of Bank Indonesia's Communications Department Erwin Haryono said. The government's external debt in February was higher than the previous month which was only 199.3 billion U.S. dollars, as foreign loans came from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as well as the entry of foreign investors into the state securities market. "The withdrawal of foreign debt in February was mainly to support the government's priority spending, including the handling of COVID-19 and the national economic recovery program," said Haryono. The private external debt edged up from 205.3 billion U.S. dollars in January to 206.3 billion U.S. dollars in February with 75.6 percent long-term tenors. The Bank Indonesia said the structure of foreign debt remains under control with the principle of prudence in its management. ISLAMABAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan is ready to join hands with China to deepen bilateral cooperation and elevate relations between the two countries to a higher level, which is the voice of over 200 million Pakistani people, the country's newly-elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said. In a meeting with Pang Chunxue, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad earlier this week, Shahbaz noted that the Pakistan-China friendship is unique, unshakable and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the two countries. Whenever Pakistan was faced with internal, external difficulties or major challenges, China has always stood firmly with Pakistan, he said, adding that Pakistan regards China as its steadiest friend and closest partner. Every Pakistani government has been committed to promoting friendship with China and no one in the world can undermine this friendship, the Pakistani prime minister said. Major development has been witnessed in Pakistan-China relations in recent years, and bilateral cooperation in political, economic, diplomatic and other fields has been deepened in an all-round way, opening a new chapter in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said. The CPEC is not only a major project of mutual benefit, but also a precious gift from the Chinese government to Pakistan, Shahbaz said, adding that Chinese enterprises have overcome numerous difficulties and challenges to facilitate Pakistan's development. After the completion of a number of CPEC energy projects, Pakistan's energy shortage situation has rapidly improved, he said, adding that Pakistan would have still been short of electricity without those projects. China seeks peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and the CPEC is a very illustration of that, Shahbaz noted. Pakistan will continue to increase input into the CPEC, work with China to expand cooperation fields, and overcome all bottlenecks and obstacles to speed up the CPEC construction, he said, adding that Pakistan will make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. Pakistan looks forward to learning from China's successful experience in poverty alleviation and vocational training, and pushing forward bilateral cooperation at a "new Pakistan speed", he added. Pakistan welcomes more Chinese investment in its agricultural modernization, industrialization and digitalization and hopes that more Chinese enterprises will set up joint ventures in Pakistan and export products produced in this country to China and the rest of the world for mutual benefit and win-win results, Shahbaz said. In his maiden address to the National Assembly of Pakistan or the lower house of the parliament after being elected as the country's prime minister on Monday, Shahbaz said that developing Pakistan-China relations is the most important thing and a priority in Pakistan's diplomatic policy, noting that China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan and the great and eternal Pakistan-China friendship can never be shaken by anyone. ZAGREB, March 25 (Xinhua) -- A shooting in southern Croatian town of Ploce killed two people on Friday morning and the suspected murderer has been arrested, said local police. The shooting took place at around 8 a.m. local time near a technical inspection station in Ploce, the police said. The two victims are identified as a 52-year-old veteran and a 16-year-old teenager, according to local media. "At around 8.30 a.m., the police arrested a person who is connected to this event, and he is currently in the police station where a criminal investigation will be conducted against him," the police said. Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former PM Imran Khan on Wednesday hit out at the government, questioning what crime he committed, which opened the doors of the court late at night. Imran Khan said that the courts were opened at night, why? Have I broken any laws? At the rally, Imran Khan claimed that since coming to politics, he has never incited people against institutions. The former PM also said that he had also gone to jail during the lawyers' agitation for the independent judiciary. Imran Khan also warned that when he was part of the government, he was not as dangerous, but now that he has been removed, he will become more dangerous to the opposition. "I will live and die for Pakistan.'' Referring to rallies in Pakistan on Sunday, Khan said, "Usually whenever a leader is removed from the post of PM, people accept it, but when I was removed, people protested and took to the streets.'' On April 9, a vote for the no-confidence motion was held in the Pakistan National Assembly. Earlier, the Islamabad High Court was opened late at night to hear a petition related to the no-confidence motion. However, before the hearing, the Speaker of the National Assembly resigned and PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq was appointed speaker. Ayaz Sadiq voted on the no-confidence motion, after which Imran Khan became the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to be ousted through a democratic process. Sikhs were beaten up by removing turban, attack took place for the second time in 10 days Matches of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup to be played in Bhubaneswar, Goa, Navi Mumbai World Bank grants USD 300mn rehabilitation fund for Ethiopia Islamabad: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been ousted from power in Pakistan, is facing increasing difficulties. After the prime minister's chair was snatched away, he is now seen to be in new trouble. The latest case relates to a necklace. It is being told that Imran had sold this necklace for Rs 18 crore while he was in the post of PM. Imran was gifted this necklace when he was the PM and as per rules, he had to deposit it in the government Tosha-Khana (state gift store), but Imran did not do so. According to the report, now Pakistan's top investigating agency, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), has started investigating the case. Imran had given the necklace to former special assistant Zulfiqar Bukhari instead of depositing it in the government treasury, who had sold it to a Lahore jeweller for Rs 18 crore. According to the rule, public gifts can be kept with you by paying half the price, but Imran Khan deposited only a small amount in return. Let us know that, during a visit to the Gulf countries in the year 2021, a sultan had given a necklace of diamonds as well as some other gifts to Imran Khan. It is being told that Imran Khan's Begum Bushra Bibi liked this necklace and kept it with her and later gave it for sale. Bushra also kept some other gifts she received from Imran and gave some to her friend Farah Khan or Farah Shahzadi. It is being told that a case will be registered against Bushra Bibi and Farah Shahzadi in this case. Farah Shahzadi has left Pakistan and left for the US via Dubai even before Imran Khan stepped down as PM. At the same time, Zulfiqar Bukhari has termed the allegation as baseless and false. Inflatable COVID-19 testing lab improves Shanghai's screening capacity Shanghai goes all out to treat 9 severe COVID-19 cases Over 300 COVID-19 patients discharged from Shanghai's largest makeshift hospital Unlike other communities in the country, the Thalderrus of southern Nepal, from east to west, celebrate Nepali New Years Day in mid-April by sprinkling water on each other. The elders put water on the foreheads and heads of the young ones with a blessing while the young people put water on the feet of the elders to pay respect. Likewise, peers sprinkle water on each others bodies. A festival of water, blessing, amusement and merrymaking, Joorshital, Siruwa Pawain or Siruwa is widely celebrated by the Tharu community in the Terai region of Nepal to mark the arrival of the new year in spring. However, its unique way of celebration has made this festival distinct from other rituals of New Year celebrations among other communities of Nepal. The cool festival File: A celebration of the Joorshital/Siruwa festival Literally, Joorshital means cooling by the means of water or blessing from elders, so the festival is celebrated by throwing water at each other. This is one of the major festivals of the Tharu community in Nepal. This community celebrates the festival with great joy and merrymaking. Tharu cultural expert Bhulai Chaudhary says, Joorshital or Siruwa is the first festival of the Tharu community, one of the most ancient tribes of Nepal. Many Tharus still celebrate the festival following age-old traditions and norms. According to him, nowadays, Joorshital is also marked by other communities also. Interesting story A special delicacy prepared for the Joorshital/Siruwa festival According to the legends about Joorshital or Siruwa, there lived a young prince who was an extraordinary learner. Not only he was the greatest linguist of his time but was also capable of understanding the languages of the animals and birds. Kapil, one of the gods in heaven, became jealous of his talent, so he came down to earth to challenge the prince. He put forward three riddles with the bet that if the young prince failed to give the right answers within seven days, he would lose his head but if he succeeded, the god himself would give him his head. The young prince was nervous about losing as it seemed that finding answers to such difficult questions was near impossible. In his dilemma, he stopped at the bottom of a tall tree on the bank of the river; the tree also had a nest at its top. Fortunately, the prince heard the mother eagle comforting her eaglets crying for more food by saying that they soon would be feasting on the body of the young man who would fail to solve the riddles. After that, she narrated the story of the bet between the prince and the god. In the meantime, she also mentioned the right answers to her eaglets to satisfy their curiosity. Hence, the prince, on the appointed day, gave all three correct answers to the god who then, lost the bet and as promised, cut off his own head. However, his head could neither touch the ground (earth) nor be kept in the sea as the sea would dry up by the heat. Also, it could not be placed on a mountain that might turn into ashes by its enormous heat. In order to avoid it, the seven daughters of the god carried his head on a wheel all year round, taking turns. Each year, they shifted their turns which happened on the day of Joorshital. Rituals A public celebration of the Joorshital/Siruwa festival The Tharu people bless and amuse themselves by throwing water at each other on the day of Joorshital or Siruwa. The elders get up early, take a bath and carry clean water in a jug and sprinkle it on the heads of the juniors giving their blessings while the younger ones sprinkle water at the elders feet, seeking blessing. The people of equal age and ranks, especially the youngsters, throw water on each others bodies. This is believed to be done along with the wish of having a cool, fruitful and beneficial year. People also pour water on the passersby, depending upon their age and sex. The tradition of throwing water on the occasion of Joorshital or Siruwa is believed to be connected with magic as people believe that throwing water on this day will produce the same result as the actual rains. It is also believed that on this day, the gods, especially the nagas (mythical serpents) spout water from the celestial ocean. On Joorshital or Siruwa, Tharu people take bath early in the morning and wear clean and new clothes. They also visit yearly fairs at the places of worship during the daytime. In particular, devotees throng Than Pokhair Dham in the Udayapur district, Somnath Dham in the Saptari district and Salahesh Phulwair Dham in the Siraha district. ReportLinker Agricultural Microbials Market Research Report by Crop (Cereals & Grains, Fruits & Vegetables, and Oilseeds & Pulses), Formulation, Function, Type, Application, Region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Agricultural Microbials Market Research Report by Crop, Formulation, Function, Type, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262237/?utm_source=GNW The Global Agricultural Microbials Market size was estimated at USD 6,956.12 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 7,964.33 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 14.67% to reach USD 15,815.64 million 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 Agricultural Microbials to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Crop, the market was studied across Cereals & Grains, Fruits & Vegetables, and Oilseeds & Pulses. Based on Formulation, the market was studied across Dry and Liquid. The Dry is further studied across Dry Granules, Water-Dispersible Granules, and Wettable Powders. The Liquid is further studied across Emulsifiable Concentrate, Soluble Liquid Concentrate, and Suspension Concentrate. Based on Function, the market was studied across Crop Protection and Soil Amendment. The Crop Protection is further studied across Biofungicides, Bioherbicides, Bioinsecticides, and Bionematicides. The Soil Amendment is further studied across Biofertilizers and Biostimulants. Based on Type, the market was studied across Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, and Viruses. Based on Application, the market was studied across Foliar Spray, Post-Harvest, Seed Treatment, and Soil Treatment. 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 Agricultural Microbials 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 Agricultural Microbials 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 Agricultural Microbials Market, including Agrilife Biosolutions Ltd., Arysta Lifescience Corporation, Arysta Lifescience Limited, BASF SE, Bayer AG, Bioworks, Inc., Certis USA LLC, CHR. Hansen Holdings, Corteva Agriscience, Dowdupont Inc., Isagro S.P.A., Italpollina AG, Koppert B.V., Koppert Biological Systems B.V., Lallemand Plant Care, Marrone Bio Innovations, Monsanto Bioag Alliance, Monsanto Company, Novozymes A/S, Pivot Bio, Precision Laboratories LLC, Sumitomo Chemicals Company Ltd, Syngenta AG, UPL Corporation, Valent Biosciences LLC, Verdesian Life Sciences LLC, and Wilbur-Ellis Holdings Inc.. 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 Agricultural Microbials Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Agricultural Microbials Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Agricultural Microbials Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Agricultural Microbials Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Agricultural Microbials Market? 6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Agricultural Microbials Market? 7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Agricultural Microbials Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262237/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 ReportLinker Air Compressor Market Research Report by Output Power (0 kW50 kW Output Power, 250 kW500 kW Output Power, and 50 kW250 kW Output Power), Product Type, Seal, Maximum Pressure, Application, Region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Air Compressor Market Research Report by Output Power, Product Type, Seal, Maximum Pressure, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262221/?utm_source=GNW The Global Air Compressor Market size was estimated at USD 29.33 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 32.08 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 9.56% to reach USD 50.74 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 Air Compressor to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Output Power, the market was studied across 0 kW50 kW Output Power, 250 kW500 kW Output Power, 50 kW250 kW Output Power, and Above 500 kW Output Power. Based on Product Type, the market was studied across Axial Compressor, Centrifugal Compressor, Reciprocating Compressor, and Rotary Compressor. Based on Seal, the market was studied across Lubricated Air Compressor and Oil Free Air Compressor. Based on Maximum Pressure, the market was studied across 0 Bar20 Bar, 20 Bar100 Bar, and Above 100 Bar. Based on Application, the market was studied across Chemical & Petrochemicals, Food & Beverages, Manufacturing, Medical, Oil & Gas, and Power Generation. 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 Air Compressor 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 Air Compressor 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 Air Compressor Market, including Atlas Copco, BAC Compressors, Bostitch, Brehob Corporation, Central Air Compressor, Daniels Fans, DeWalt, ELGi, Gardner Denver, GE, INDO-AIR Compressors Pvt. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand plc, M.K. Engineering, Metro Air Compressor, Oasis Manufacturing, Saylor-Beall Inc., Senco, Siemens, Sulzer, Surplex GmbH, and Werther International. 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 Air Compressor Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Air Compressor Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Air Compressor Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Air Compressor Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Air Compressor Market? 6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Air Compressor Market? 7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Air Compressor Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262221/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 U.S. human rights report reveals hypocrisy, double standards: FM spokesperson Xinhua) 08:11, April 14, 2022 BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday said it deplores and firmly opposes the China-related content in the 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and relevant remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which have revealed hypocrisy and double standards of the U.S. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the report released by the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, which attacked China's political system and human rights situation. "The content related to China in the so-called Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and relevant remarks by Secretary Antony Blinken misrepresent facts, confuse wrong with right, and are rife with political lies and ideological bias. China deplores and firmly opposes it," Zhao said in response. Zhao said the Chinese people can judge China's human rights situation better than others, and the international community has long come to a conclusion about China's governance. Such facts cannot possibly be denied by a report or the remarks of certain people. "The U.S. government slanders and denigrates China and attacks other places in the world by releasing this report every year, attempting to style itself as a human rights judge and role model. This only serves to reveal its hypocrisy and double standards," Zhao said. Zhao said that United States' human rights protection promises are empty and have never been fulfilled domestically. He said that the U.S. government, rather than fighting COVID-19, has been seeking political manipulation, instigating the "lab leak" theory and allowing racism to spawn alongside the virus, which has resulted in the frequent occurrence of anti-Asian hate crimes. The persistent discriminatory migration policy in the U.S. has limited the living space for migrants from Latin America, Asia and Africa to an extreme. The policy of separating migrant children from their families gravely threatens the lives, dignity and freedom of migrants, as is the case with extended custody, cruel torture, forced labor and many other inhumane treatments. Pervasive gun violence, the denial of justice in law enforcement and prisoner abuse have left U.S. residents living in fear for their security, Zhao said. "Externally, human rights protection is a pretense the U.S. government uses to cover up its agenda of seeking hegemony," Zhao said, noting that in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria alone, more than 20 million people have become refugees and migrants as a result of subversion and wars launched by the U.S. The spokesperson said that the so-called counterterrorism wars waged by the U.S. have claimed over 900,000 lives, and U.S. military operations in Afghanistan not only cost the lives of over 100,000 people, but also saw the U.S. loot 7 billion U.S. dollars from the Afghan people. The U.S. network of secret prisons across the globe has created human rights tragedies that have each set off uproar in the international community, Zhao said. At a time when the global economy is suffering from the impact of COVID-19, the U.S. continues to use human rights as an excuse to wantonly pressure and threaten countries by imposing sanctions, he said. "This has not only aggravated the human rights crises in relevant countries, but also endangered global economic recovery and the stability of industrial and supply chains," Zhao said. "The U.S. should immediately cease making irresponsible remarks, attacking and slandering other countries' human rights situations. Instead, it needs to reflect on itself, mend its ways, and work earnestly to improve its own human rights situation and promote the international human rights cause," Zhao said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov Turkey's Istanbul Airport ranked second in terms of the number of international flights it handled in 2021, Yeni Shafak newspaper has reported. According to the International Passenger Traffic data of 2021 announced by the Airports Council International (ACI World), Istanbul Airport became the second busiest airport in the world. A total of 26.5 million international passengers were served at Istanbul Airport in 2021. Dubai International Airport (UAE) ranked first with 29.1 million passengers, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (The Netherlands) ranked third with 25.5 million passengers, Frankfurt Airport (Germany) ranked fourth, and Paris Charles Gaulle Airport (France) ranked fifth on the list. In this category, Istanbul Airport was ranked 14th and 6th on the list in 2019 and in 2020 respectively. In addition, Istanbul Airport became the busiest airport in Europe by hosting 37 million passengers in 2021, according to the International Airports Concert ACI Europe. On the other hand, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in the USA, which hosted 75.7 million passengers in 2021 with 76.4 percent growth, took first place in the world's busiest airport category. According to the data released by ACI World, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, which hosted 62.5 million passengers, ranked second in the list, and Denver International Airport, which hosted 58.8 million passengers, ranked third. Eight of the 10 busiest airports in 2021 were in the United States, and two were in China. "Although we are cautious that the recovery after Covid-19 may suddenly face a headwind, there may be an increase in travel in the second half of 2022 with the picture that emerged after the countries' plans to reopen after the pandemic," ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. It should be noted that Istanbul Airport ranked first among European airports in terms of passenger traffic (approximately 37 million) in 2021. Istanbul Airport is the main international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located on the city's European side in Arnavutkoy district. Following the closure of Istanbul Ataturk Airport for scheduled passenger flights, all scheduled commercial passenger flights were transferred to Istanbul Airport. The new airport also received the International Air Transport Association (IATA) airport code IST. LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Minority Health Month and Black Maternal Health Week, BabyLiveAdvice (BLA) is proud to announce the completion of an important maternal telehealth project that will soon be launching its second phase, both bringing free virtual telehealth support to minority mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. BabyLiveAdvice provides virtual telehealth support to minority pregnant women in Georgia & Chicago Last year, BLA received a large grant to support inner-city minority mothers in Chicago, Illinois, in partnership with local Federally Qualified Health Centers. The project expanded to the state of Georgia, with the help of Johnson & Johnson and in partnership with local community physicians. The project enabled BLA to provide 175 Black and Hispanic mothers with free access to culturally competent virtual care, unbiased advice, support, and group education from BLA's team of Maternal-Infant experts, such as nurses, doulas, lactation consultants and mental health providers in the mothers' language and at their home. This, first of its kind, maternity telehealth demonstration project provided the much-needed evidence that telehealth has immense potential to bridge the gap in access to care, by connecting isolated people, particularly minorities, with health practitioners, and reducing the need for transportation to receive care. "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. Story continues 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. Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/babyliveadvice-partners-with-the-national-black-doula-association-to-provide-virtual-telehealth-support-to-minority-bipoc-mothers-of-georgia-from-pregnancy-to-infancy-301525406.html SOURCE Baby Live Advice Cavalier Johnson was sworn in as Milwaukee's new mayor Wednesday, declaring a "new chapter" in the city's history while laying out an agenda built on a foundation of cooperation. "This is a generational transition in Milwaukee and a departure from the city's long custom of deriving executive leadership only from men of European background," said Johnson, 35, the first Black individual elected as mayor in the city's 176-year history. "We are a diverse city," Johnson said during the ceremony at the Harley-Davidson Museum. "I embrace the diversity and the change that has arrived in Milwaukee." Johnson, the former Common Council president, assumed the role of acting mayor following ex-Mayor Tom Barrett's move from City Hall to U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. More: See Cavalier Johnson's historic election night told in photos and his rise to become Milwaukee's first African American mayor He won the job April 5, defeating former Ald. Bob Donovan in a special election, and will serve two more years before facing re-election in 2024. More: What to know about new Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson Johnson faces an array of challenges as the city endures a spike of violence, emerges from the depths of the coronavirus pandemic, and confronts a looming pension crisis. But Johnson, who was sworn in by City Clerk Jim Owczarski at 10:21 a.m., predicted that better days lie ahead. Subscribe to our On Wisconsin Politics newsletter for the week's political news explained. "We will see transformation throughout Milwaukee in the coming years," he said. "I'm not talking just about landmarks and high-rise buildings. I'm talking about the addition of good-paying jobs, new investments in city neighborhoods, improvements in public infrastructure and transformation in spirit a sense of optimism that we can solve problems ..." He added: "With every major challenge Milwaukee faces, whether it's a matter of safety, a government fiscal issue or a concern about Milwaukee's children, cooperation is the best path forward." Story continues More: Why did Milwaukee elect its first Black mayor decades after other cities? Interactive: See how far Milwaukee was behind similar cities in electing a Black mayor Johnson said he wants the Milwaukee Police Department "to be sufficiently staffed, and I want officers to be in the community providing effective, respectful, Constitutional and community policing." He called the city's homicide numbers this year "unacceptably alarming." "Loss and grief affect people across Milwaukee," he said. "I believe that, together, we can reduce homicide deaths." Johnson called for toughening laws "to keep guns away from people who should not them in the first place," and asked for partners in state government "to work with us to make gun safety a priority." "I strongly believe the most important ingredient needed for neighborhood stability, safety and hope is a strong economy," he said. More: All 3 Republican candidates for Wisconsin governor would eliminate concealed firearm permits that require training Johnson said he backed a $15-an-hour minimum wage and said he wasn't "asking the private sector to do anything we, at city government haven't already done." He said he'll work to bring "goals, accountability and results" to city government. "I am not a micromanager," he said. "But I am, however, a listener, a planner, and a champion for positive change." He said he looked forward to working with the Common Council and backed city workers. "I have very little patience for the dishonest accusations, the baseless innuendos and the outright threats leveled at city workers," he said. "Whether the targets are health officials dealing with the COVID or election workers operating with accuracy and integrity, I will vigorously defend those workers. Disingenuous, politically motivated falsehoods are wrong, and together we need to stand up to such bullying." He also promised to work "collaboratively" with leaders in Madison for more revenue as the city confronts its fiscal challenges. "Milwaukee is not alone, the system for funding local government in Wisconsin is broken," he said. Johnson was joined at the inauguration by top Democrats, Gov. Tony Evers, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore. More: Recovering from a medical emergency, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels offers a prayer at Cavalier Johnson's inauguration Moore recalled how she met Johnson when he was 17 years old and "he declared then to me that he was going to be the Mayor of Milwaukee." Johnson was accompanied by his wife, Dominique, and their three children. Carolyn Neumann, who was Johnson's second-grade teacher at Parkview Elementary in Milwaukee, recalled the young student standing out for his "bright infectious smile" and for his "kindness." "That child had the most amazing printing for a 7-year-old," she said. "I can still remember the letters C-A-V-A-L-I-E-R." Dominique Johnson introduced her husband and said "the importance of this moment is not lost on Cavalier and me." She said she believed her husband was elected on hope, "the hope that Cavalier can be the mayor to do the right thing." Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cavalier Johnson opens 'new chapter,' sworn in as Milwaukee's mayor ReportLinker Global Food Sensory Testing Market, By Type of Test (Simple Descriptive Test, Triangle Test, Comparative Sensory/Rank Order Testing, Paired Comparison Test, Duo Trio Test), By Type of Sensory Testers (Specifically Trained Individuals v/s Untrained Consumers), By Food Tested (Dairy, Alcohol, Tea, Flavor/Fragrances, Others), By Region, competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2017-2027 New York, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Food Sensory Testing Market, By Type of Test, By Type of Sensory Testers, By Food Tested, By Region, competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2017-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06267901/?utm_source=GNW The global food sensory testing market is expected to grow at a formidable rate during the forecast period.The market growth can be attributed to the increasing innovations in the food & beverage industry and surging demand for multi-regional cuisines with variant combinations. Food sensory testing involves the analysis of foods using human senses to analyze their flavor, texture, quality, etc., to solve the concerns regarding food and new product developments. Rising demands for high quality food and increasing innovation in the food industry are contributing to the growth of the global food sensory testing market. Besides, shifting consumer preferences and stringent safety regulations and standardizations from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) are substantiating the growth of the global food sensory testing market. Moreover, increasing varieties of alcohol production and consumption across the world to cater to the evolving demands of the rising global production are anticipated to fuel the growth of the global food sensory testing market. The emergence of a growing number of flavored beverage varieties such as green tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, etc., is expected to support the growth of the food sensory testing market in the coming years. Growing accessibility to advanced rapid technology and rapid technological advancements in the food testing industry are also propelling the growth of the global food sensory testing market. Rapidly growing medium-and small-scale food testing laboratories with advanced service offerings are also contributing to the growth of the global food sensory testing market. The global food sensory testing market segmentation is based on type of test, type of sensory testers, food tested, regional distribution, and competitive landscape. Based on the type of sensory testers, the market is further segmented into specifically trained individuals and untrained consumers. Major players operating in the global food sensory testing market are SGS S.A., Bureau Veritas Group, Intertek Group plc., IDAC Merieux NutriSciences, TUV SUD, Tentamus Group GmbH, Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Reckenholz-Tanikon (Agroscope), etc. Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2017-2020 Base Year: 2021 Estimated Year: 2022E Forecast Period: 2023F2027F Objective of the Study: To analyze the historical growth in the market size of global food sensory testing market from 2017 to 2021. To estimate and forecast the market size of global food sensory testing market from 2022E to 2027F and growth rate until 2027F. To classify and forecast global food sensory testing market based on type of test, type of sensory testers, by food tested, region, and competitive landscape. To identify dominant region or segment in the global food sensory testing market. To identify drivers and challenges for global food sensory testing market. To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new services, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in global food sensory testing market. To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in the global food sensory testing market. To identify key sustainable strategies adopted by market players in the global food sensory testing market. Report Scope: In this report, global food sensory testing market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Food Sensory Testing Market, By Type of Test: o Simple Descriptive Test o Triangle Test o Comparative Sensory/Rank Order Testing o Paired Comparison Test o Duo Trio Test Food Sensory Testing Market, By Type of Sensory Testers: o Specifically Trained Individuals o Untrained Consumers Food Sensory Testing Market, By Food Tested: o Dairy o Alcohol o Tea o Flavor/Fragrances o Others Food Sensory Testing Market, By Region: o North America United States Mexico Canada o Europe France Germany United Kingdom Italy Spain o Asia-Pacific China India Japan South Korea Australia o Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE o South America Brazil Argentina Colombia The analyst performed both primary as well as exhaustive secondary research for this study.Initially, the analyst sourced a list of companies across the globe. Subsequently, the analyst conducted primary research surveys with the identified companies.While interviewing, the respondents were also enquired about their competitors. Through this technique, the analyst could include the companies, which could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. The analyst examined the companies and presence of all major players across the globe. The analyst calculated the market size of the global food sensory testing market and forecast for the future years. The analyst sourced these values from the industry experts and company representatives and externally validated through analyzing historical data of these services for getting an appropriate, overall market size. Various secondary sources such as company websites, news articles, press releases, company annual reports, investor presentations and financial reports were also studied by the analyst. Key Target Audience: Food sensory testing service providers vensdors End-Users Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers Organizations, industry associations, forums and alliances related to global food sensory testing services The study is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for the industry stakeholders such as companies, partners, end users, etc. besides allowing them in strategizing investments and capitalizing on market opportunities. Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in global food sensory testing market. Available Customizations: With the given market data, we offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report: Company Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five). Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06267901/?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. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Maha Energy AB Maha Energy AB (publ) is pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Award (LOA) with Global Business Services (GBS) in Muscat, Oman for the drilling of a minimum of six wells, on Block 70, onshore Oman. The LOA is binding and precedes a Drilling Contract which is expected to be finalized in the near future. The Drilling Rig, GBS-1 (formerly OGI-4) is a 1,000 hp super single top drive rig, built in 2010 and is currently located in Muscat, Oman. The rig will be prepared for the campaign and expected mobilization is in June, 2022. The drilling program will consist of two appraisal wells followed by four horizontal pilot production wells on the Mafraq structure. Jonas Lindvall, CEO at Maha comments: We are very excited about working with GBS on this project. The GBS-1 rig is an ideal drilling rig for this project since it can move very quickly between well sites. We are also very excited about breaking ground on the Mafraq field and look forward with anticipation to the preliminary results of the pilot well tests. Immediate plans for the Mafraq oilfield include obtaining important reservoir information to assist in developing a full Field Development Plan. Information that will be acquired in the first two appraisal wells includes, but is not limited to, the Oil Water Contact (OWC), petrophysical properties, cores and identification of possible water disposal zones. After the two appraisal wells are drilled and completed, four horizontal pilot production wells will be drilled. These four wells will be completed with state-of-the-art PCP pumps from Canada and then placed on an extended well test to further ascertain oil productivity. About the Mafraq field Maha was successful in securing Block 70, which contains the Mafraq heavy oil discovery, in a 2019 2020 bid round. The Mafraq structure is a delineated heavy oil field that was extensively tested by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in 1988 and 1991. The field tested 15,700 barrels of 13 API oil over a period of 24 days using a Progressive Cavity Pump (PCP) from a single well. The test well, MF-5, tested 100% oil for less than a day after which water encroachment stabilized at a 25 - 28% watercut. It is unknown why PDO did not develop the field at the time, but it is likely that prevailing commodity prices (US$ 18 US$ 20 per bbl) and access to other lower cost opportunities precluded Mafraq as a development option at the time. Story continues According to the independent reserve auditor, Chapman Petroleum Engineering Ltd. of Calgary, Canada, the Mafraq field may hold approximately 35 million barrels of recoverable oil (2C + 2P as at 31 December 2021). The OWC has not been penetrated yet which renders possible further upside to these volumes. The Mafraq structure is an East-West fault bounded anticline with the productive interval being at +/- 430 meters below the ground level. The oil flows freely in the reservoir at 51 C and is expected to cold flow to surface in commercial quantities. Miscellaneous The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, 15:00 CET on 14 April, 2022. For more information, please contact: Jonas Lindvall (CEO) Tel: +1 403 454 7560 Email: jonas@mahaenergy.ca Victoria Berg (Investor Relations) Tel: +46 8 611 05 11 Email: victoria@mahaenergy.ca About Maha Maha Energy AB (publ) is a listed, international upstream oil and gas company whose business activities include exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. The strategy is to target and develop underperforming hydrocarbon assets on global basis. Maha operates four oil fields: Tartaruga and Tie in Brazil, Powder River (LAK Ranch) and Illinois Basin in the United States. The shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm ( MAHA-A ). The head office is in Stockholm, Sweden with a technical office in Calgary, Canada, as well as operations offices in Grayville, Illinois, USA and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. For more information, please visit our website www.mahaenergy.ca Attachment Reuters Thailand on Saturday warned against the creation of online content that risked insulting the country's monarchy, after a video by a social media influencer promoting e-commerce platform Lazada incensed royalists, who said it was mocking the palace. Thai law prescribes punishments of up to 15 years in jail for each offence if found guilty of defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his closest family. The video, which has since been taken down, was promoting Lazada's May 5 sale and featured a woman dressed in a traditional Thai costume sitting in a wheelchair and playing the role of an influencer's mother. SHERBROOKE, QC, April 14, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) - Through Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable, the Government of Canada makes targeted and responsible investments to create good jobs, grow our economy, and build a Canada where nobody gets left behind. Today, the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, was in the Cantons-de-l'Est region. During a visit to Amecci along with Elisabeth Briere, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, she highlighted Budget 2022 investments that will help build a strong, growing, and resilient economy. She also took the opportunity to announce a repayable contribution of $221,250 from CED for the family-run business. This contribution will enable Amecci to acquire a new laser cutter and to proceed with leasehold improvements to enhance its productivity and pursue growth. The three pillars of Budget 2022 The first pillar of the budget is investing in Canadians and making life more affordable. Budget 2022 housing measures will put Canada on the path to double housing construction over the next decade; help Canadians save for and buy their first home; ban foreign investment in Canadian housing; and curb unfair practices that make housing more expensive for Canadians. Budget 2022 also invests in ensuring Canadian workers have the skills they need for the goodpaying jobs of today and tomorrow, and will make it easier for the skilled immigrants that our economy needs to make Canada their home. The Budget makes further significant investments in affordable child care, in our public health care system, and in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Second, Budget 2022 invests in economic growth and innovationthe key to Canada's longterm prosperity. This includes launching a new world-leading Canada Growth Fund that will attract tens of billions of dollars in private investment in Canadian industries and Canadian jobs, and a new innovation and investment agency that will help drive productivity and growth across our economy. The budget also proposes to implement Canada's first Critical Minerals Strategyone that will create thousands of good jobs and capitalize on a growing need for the minerals used in everything from phones to electric cars. Measures also include steps to build more resilient supply chains, and to cut taxes for Canada's growing small businesses. Story continues The third pillar of Budget 2022 is investing in a clean economy. To help Canadians and Canadian businesses benefit from the global transition to a clean economy, Budget 2022 includes new incentives for the development of clean technologies and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. In addition to further investments to protect our land, lakes, and oceans, the government will also make it more affordable for Canadians to purchase zero-emission vehicles, build and expand a national network of zero-emission vehicle charging stations, and make new investments in clean energy. Canada entered the pandemic with the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio of all G7 countriesan advantage that has since increased relative to other countries. Canada has seen the best jobs recovery in the G7, and as of March 2022, has recovered 115 per cent of the jobs lost at the height of the pandemic, with an unemployment rate that sits at just 5.3 per centthe lowest rate on record since 1976. With Budget 2022, Canada will maintain this leading position, and maintain its fiscally responsible approach to economic growth and to building an economy that works for everyone. Crucially, it upholds the government's fiscal anchora declining debttoGDP ratio and the unwinding of COVID-19-related deficits, which will ensure that Canada's finances remain sustainable in the long term. Quotes "SMEs are a core element of our economy and our communities and are a part of our government's economic recovery plan. I am delighted that the Government is supporting Amecci. Through this contribution, the business will be able to enhance its productivity and maintain its position as a select, competitive supplier. Budget 2022 outlines investments aimed at supporting businesses such as Amecci to boost Canada's long-term growth." The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Member of Parliament for BromeMissisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED "Businesses such as Amecci that stand out due to the wide variety and unique nature of their products must constantly adjust to market demand. That is why the Government must continue to support them so they can remain competitive and help our economy grow. And that is precisely what our government is doing by granting this contribution to this homegrown family business." Elisabeth Briere, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health "Budget 2022 is about growing our economy, creating good jobs, and building a Canada where nobody gets left behind. Our plan is responsible and considered, and it is going to mean more homes and good-paying jobs for Canadians; cleaner air and cleaner water for our children; and a stronger and more resilient economy for years to come." The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance "At Amecci, we have always been able to move forward through adversity by drawing on our creativity and our innovation, and today is no exception. We aim to remain competitive and face the challenge represented by the labour shortage, and this investment in a new laser cutter will make all the difference for us. As part of our plan to transform, we had to find a way to increase our production capacity and automate this service to the maximum. Without this assistance from CED, none of this would be possible." Michel Lequin, President, Amecci Quick facts Since 1988, Amecci has been manufacturing, processing, and distributing over 2000 highquality abrasive products across North America. This full range of multi-purpose industrial products are used to treat wood, vehicle bodywork, metal, and composite materials. With state-of-the-art technology, Amecci stands out for the wide variety and unique nature of its products. Today, the business is considered one of the largest abrasive product processors in Canada. Related products SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2022/14/c2938.html UPM (UPM, Helsinki, 14 April 2022 at 10:15) UPM and the Paperworkers Union have not been able to come to new collective labour agreements. Today, the union turned down four settlement proposals submitted by the conciliator. The exceptionally long strike at UPM Pulp, UPM Communication Papers, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Raflatac and UPM Biofuels units in Finland continues. We are deeply disappointed in the decision of the union and in the continuation of the strike that has already lasted 3,5 months. UPM has been negotiating with an earnest mind and made several compromises. We also accepted the conciliation proposals. Modernising the agreement stemming from 1940s would be important both for the employees and the company, says Jyrki Hollmen, Vice President, Labour Markets at UPM. It is very disappointing that after intensive negotiations, no business was able to reach a conclusion. Petri Vanhala, chairman of the Paperworkers Union, confirmed in the mediation of all businesses that each business can be agreed separately. The mediation found settlement proposals for four businesses that took the needs and wishes of both parties into account. We were confident that both parties undertook to accept these settlement proposals and industrial peace would resume. Now that the union has turned down the once drafted proposals, our businesses will make a fresh start," Hollmen continues. The union board has announced that the strike started on 1 January will continue until 14 May, unless agreements are reached before that. Currently, approximately 2 000 members of the union are on strike. Approximately 200 union members are working in tasks critical to society, such as heat generation and water management, in line with a court order of 21 January 2022. UPMs mechanical forest industry businesses UPM Plywood and UPM Timber each signed a 3-year collective agreement with the Industrial Union already in December 2021. UPM will service its customers from its mills outside of Finland to the extent possible. UPM will disclose its Q1 results on 26 April. Story continues For further information please contact: Jyrki Hollmen, Vice President, UPM, Labour Markets, tel. +358 20 4150 051 UPM, Media Relations Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET tel. +358 40 588 3284 media@upm.com UPM We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 17,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 9.8 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore Beyond fossils. www.upm.com Follow UPM on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | #UPM #biofore #beyondfossils Company Logo Dublin, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Interventional Cardiology & Peripheral Vascular Devices Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2021 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. 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. Story continues 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/4cg5ji CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 HOUSTON, April 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. ("Skyward Specialty" or the "Company"), a leader in the specialty property and casualty market, has selected a new leader in Transactional Commercial Surety and added cannabis to its transactional surety portfolio. John Denton has been named Transactional Surety Leader and is tasked with expanding the Company's transactional commercial surety footprint nationally. Denton brings more than eight years of industry experience in various positions, including in commercial claims and excess and surplus lines underwriting, and most recently, at a prominent MGA, managing a large volume of transactional surety bonds. "Skyward Specialty prides itself on creating an environment where employees can learn and grow. It has been my experience that Skyward Specialty is committed to investing heavily in its people, no matter their tenure with the Company," said Denton. "I have developed invaluable relationships with our Surety team members and partner companies since joining the Company. I am excited to lead the team as we continue to identify innovative capacity opportunities and meet growing market demand." The Company most recently targeted cannabis bonds as an addition to its transactional surety portfolio, marking the third cannabis-related product Skyward Specialty has added in recent months. "We recognized a gap in the market due to the challenging nature of the cannabis industry. So our team quickly developed a strategy to offer our agency partners a competitive solution that will help meet market demand," said Chris Gagnon, Vice President, Head of Commercial Surety. "We are confident cannabis bonds will become a true differentiator within our overall transactional portfolio. And with the addition of John to our surety leadership team, we are well-positioned to provide the exceptional service our partners have come to expect." Story continues Skyward Specialty is dedicated to strengthening its position in the surety market. "Our team of Surety leaders are consistently pursuing new product opportunities and partnerships. And we've had impressive success growing our Surety organization, which has tripled in size since 2020, to support the rapid growth trends in the industry," said Matt Semeraro, Senior Vice President, Head of Surety. "We are steadfastly committed to creating a world-class Surety operation at Skyward Specialty." ABOUT SKYWARD SPECIALTY Skyward Specialty is a growing specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. For its most recent fiscal year, the Company had nearly one billion dollars in gross written premium. The Company has eight underwriting divisions -- Accident & Health, Captives, Global Property, Industry Solutions, Professional Lines, Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S with a total of 12 underwriting units. Skyward Specialty's subsidiary insurance companies consist of Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, Great Midwest Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. For more information about Skyward Specialty, its people, and its products, please visit www.skywardinsurance.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220414005548/en/ Contacts MEDIA CONTACT Haley Doughty Skyward Specialty Insurance Group 713-935-4944 hdoughty@skywardinsurance.com Targa Resources Corp. HOUSTON, April 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) ("Targa" or the "Company") announced its quarterly dividend on common shares and its quarterly dividend on Series A preferred shares with respect to the first quarter of 2022. Targa announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per common share, or $1.40 per common share on an annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2022. This cash dividend will be paid May 16, 2022 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on April 29, 2022. Targa also announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $23.75 per Series A preferred share for the first quarter of 2022. This cash dividend will be paid May 2, 2022 on all outstanding Series A preferred shares to holders of record as of the close of business on April 25, 2022. The Company will report its first quarter 2022 financial results before the market opens for trading on Thursday, May 5, 2022 and will host a live webcast over the internet at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss its 2022 first quarter financial results. Event Information Event: Targa Resources Corp. First Quarter 2022 Earnings Webcast and Presentation Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022 Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time Webcast: www.targaresources.com under "Events and Presentations" or directly at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wassgyck Replay Information A webcast replay will be available at the link above approximately two hours after the conclusion of the event. A quarterly earnings supplement presentation and updated investor presentation will also be available under Events and Presentations in the Investors section of the Companys website prior to the start of the conference call, or directly at https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events. About Targa Resources Corp. Story continues Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent midstream infrastructure companies in North America. The Company owns, operates, acquires and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets and its operations are critical to the efficient, safe and reliable delivery of energy across the United States and increasingly to the world. The Companys assets connect natural gas and NGLs to domestic and international markets with growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and purchasing and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating, and purchasing and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, and purchasing and selling crude oil. Targa is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in the S&P 400. For more information, please visit the Companys website at www.targaresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Companys control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the impact of pandemics such as COVID-19, actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producing countries, the timing and success of business development efforts, and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact the Company's investor relations department by email at InvestorRelations@targaresources.com or by phone at (713) 584-1133. Sanjay Lad Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations Jennifer Kneale Chief Financial Officer By Azernews By News Center Turkey ranked fifth among the Islamic economies by moving up seven places in the list in 2021, Yeni Shafak has reported. According to the Global Islamic Economies Status Report prepared by DinarStandard, which conducts research on the economies of the Islamic world, Turkey became one of the top five countries in the overall Global Islamic Economy Indicator ranking, the report added. While Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Indonesia maintained their leadership in the index, Turkey became the country that made the biggest leap from 12th to 5th place. Turkey's highest innovation ratings within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as its leading position in the hijab, halal food, and Muslim-friendly tourism sectors, significantly contributed to its admittance into the top five nations. Turkey ranks second in the hijab clothing sector and third in the halal food and Muslim-friendly tourism sector among 57 OIC member countries. According to the report, Turkey's exports to OIC member countries exceeded $10.5 billion in 2021. Moreover, Muslims spent $2 trillion in 2021 on food, clothing, tourism, pharmaceuticals and other lifestyle sectors based on ethical consumption needs inspired by the Islamic faith. This spending is expected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2025. It is estimated that Islamic finance assets worldwide will reach $3.6 trillion by 2022 and this figure is expected to increase to $4.9 trillion in 2025. Jamie Walker & Jet Linx Aviation Honored With The Prestigious Bill Shea Award OMAHA, Neb., April 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The (UNO) Aviation Institute hosted its 31st annual Durham Lecture and Honors Convocation and event on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 which featured a panel discussion on the state of the aviation industry and special Honors Convocation awards ceremony. Following the Durham Lecture panel, Jamie Walker, President and CEO of Jet Linx Aviation, was presented with the prestigious Bill Shea Award by William F. Shea for his exemplary leadership and transcendent contribution to the aviation industry. Jet Linx President & CEO Jamie Walker; Omaha Airport Authority Board Member Willy Theisen; Southwest Airlines System Chief Pilot David Fig Newton The Durham Lecture Series welcomed Omaha Airport Authority Board Member Willy Theisen, David "Fig" Newton, Southwest Airlines System Chief Pilot, and Jet Linx's Jamie Walker, to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the aviation industry, as well as the innovative partnerships being pursued to maximize career opportunities for students seeking a career path in aviation. The panel was moderated by Scott Tarry, PhD, the Director and Professor for the Aviation Institute. The panelists recounted the history of Omaha's aviation community and the intertwined stories of their organizations. Ultimately, it was a shared culture of innovation and customer service that brought the Aviation Institute, Jet Linx and Southwest Airlines together. "Our goal as a Company is to nurture the advancement and promotion of all team members, which may include pathways to other segments of the industry where Jet Linx doesn't reside. We embrace the career aspiration of our pilots who desire to fly for a commercial airline long term and Southwest is an ideal partner," said Mr. Walker, referencing the Destination 225 program, which allows UNO students to fly with Jet Linx on their path to becoming Southwest pilots. "It's what inspired us to create this career pathway and we are proud to help those team members in their journey." Mr. Theisen echoed the sentiment, capturing the essence of the Omaha aviation community: "It's a shared culture of teamwork; leading, sharing, taking care of each other." Story continues The coveted Bill Shea Award is bestowed upon aviation industry leaders who have gone beyond the call of duty and given of their time, energy and resources to significantly impact the aviation industry for the better. It is given in honor of William F. Shea, an aerospace educator, lecturer, renowned aviation industry leader and pioneer, who has held a number of aviation positions over the past forty years, including Federal Aviation Administration Associate Administrator for Airports, Presidential appointment; Director of Aviation, Port of Portland; Commissioner of Aviation, Binghamton, NY; and Chief of Caltrans Aeronautics Division. Mr. Shea has also been presented countless awards and recognitions, including the USDOT Gold Medal for "Meritorious Achievement" for Exemplary Performance as FAA's Associate Administrator for Airports and spokesman and advocate for the National Airport System; and the Silver Medal for the Superior Achievement Award, which recognized the exemplary manner in which he performed his duties as FAA Associate Administrator for Airports. "It is an honor to receive the Bill Shea Award on behalf of Jet Linx," said Mr. Walker. "This award is a tribute to my father, Denny Walker, who introduced me to the world of private aviation, and each and every member of the Jet Linx team, whose contributions have been pivotal to creating and pursuing initiatives that aim to advance our industry over the past 20 years. Without their efforts and the support of my fellow panelists and our longstanding relationships with their respective organizations, such positive industry change would not be possible. We look forward to fostering the next generation of aviators and continuing to make a difference in the aviation industry." Mr. Walker and Jet Linx have transformed the private aviation industry through their innovative business model and locally-focused operations. Jet Linx is the only global private aviation company to provide Aircraft Management, Joint Ownership and Jet Card Membership services through its 21 private terminal locations nationwide. Mr. Walker joined Jet Linx in 2002 to help develop the Company on a national scale. Since joining, Mr. Walker has ushered in a number of industry-leading initiatives that have enhanced the Company's programs and processes, sales and marketing, branding, culture and industry relationships. Under Mr. Walker's leadership, Jet Linx has experienced significant growth in all areas from one location to 21, from four Company-owned aircraft to a fleet of over 120 managed aircraft, and from 20 employees to over 550 team members across the country. "The partnerships we have made are essential to our success and only possible in a place like Omaha," said Dr. Scott Tarry. "Our culture of collaboration and genuine love of aviation and the people we serve is what keeps us moving forward." To learn more about the UNO Aviation Institute and its programs, please visit ai.unomaha.edu. For more information on Jet Linx, please visit www.jetlinx.com. About the UNO Aviation Institute Founded in 1990, the UNO Aviation Institute has served the next generation of aviation professionals for more than 30 years and is dedicated to excellence in the classroom and in the community. The Institute offers a Bachelor of Science in Aviation with concentrations in Air Transport Administration, Professional Flight, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations. About Jet Linx Aviation Jet Linx Aviation is a locally-focused private jet company founded in Omaha, NE in 1999 as a more personalized approach to national private jet companies. Jet Linx offers three different ways to experience private aviation a guaranteed Jet Card, Joint Ownership, and Aircraft Management program providing its clients with an all-encompassing, local solution to all of their private jet travel needs. Jet Linx is an IS-BAO Stage 3, ARGUS Platinum Elite and Wyvern Wingman safety rated operator, an accomplishment earned by less than one percent of all aircraft operators in the world. In 2019, Jet Linx became the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star trained and accredited private aviation company in the world. In addition to establishing the independent global rating system's preeminent and unparalleled service standards for the in-flight experience, Jet Linx also collaborated with Forbes Travel Guide to develop their own customized, proprietary Jet Linx standards of service excellence. Jet Linx is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska and has Base locations in Atlanta, Austin, Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Worth, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Omaha, San Antonio, Scottsdale, St. Louis, Tulsa and Washington D.C. For additional information, please visit the Jet Linx website (www.jetlinx.com). Jet Linx's President & CEO Jamie Walker and Senior Vice President of Integrations Jason Vanis accept the Bill Shea Award by William F. Shea on behalf of Jet Linx. UNO Aviation Institute Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/university-of-nebraska-omaha-aviation-institute-hosts-state-of-the-industry-aviation-today-durham-lecture-panel-discussion--honors-convocation-301525655.html SOURCE UNO Aviation Institute A Woodford man was arrested Wednesday following an hourslong standoff that started after he locked himself inside a Fredericksburg business, police said. City police spokeswoman Sarah Morris said officers went to the Virginia Outdoors Center at 3219 Fall Hill Ave. after an employee called 911 at 7:30 p.m. to report a suspicious person walking around the property carrying a large, edged weapon. Responding officers saw the man carrying a butcher knife and tried to talk to him, Morris said. When the man saw police, he went inside the business and locked the exterior door. No employees were in the building when the barricade situation began. Officers surrounded the building while the departments Crisis Negotiation and Special Equipment Tactical teams arrived and attempted to talk the man out of the building. Morris said the man was seen gathering additional edged tools, but he refused to come outside. The tactical team eventually entered the building and saw that a fire had been started. Authorities took the suspect into custody before going back inside and putting out the fire. Gary Lee Wood Jr., 32, was charged with arson, unlawful entry, destruction of property and trespassing. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Just after 12:30 Thursday afternoon, a car stopped at the corner of Sophia and William streets and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner stepped out. The senator greeted a gaggle of officials before taking a tour of the rebuilt Chatham Bridge and Fredericksburgs new Riverfront Park. The visit was part of his four-day tour of the state that he used to discuss a variety of issues and federal responses to them. It started Monday, when he addressed affordability and discrimination in housing during stops in Arlington and Fairfax counties. The Democratic senator also had stops this week in the Winchester area, Harrisonburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville, talking about such issues as telehealth, the supply chain, mail delays, social media and broadband expansion. At several stops, Warner delivered federal funding and talked about more efforts geared toward improving infrastructure. That was the primary focus of his Fredericksburg stop, where he touted the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill includes $973 billion in funds through 2026, of which $550 billion is specifically for transportation. The bill also funds improvements to water, power and broadband infrastructure. Warner was a key author of the bill, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in November. On Thursday, Warner walked with the group to the viewing area of the Chatham Bridge, chatted about the $23.4 million rehabilitation project and took photos before moving to Riverfront Park, where he was told about the $5 million project. The senator, standing next to a placard with a map of Virginia and blue dots indicating the 530 Virginia bridges in poor condition, talked about the infrastructure investment. Weve been talking about infrastructure for 40 years, didnt matter which party was in control, and it always would get punted, Warner said, noting that five Democrats and five Republicans worked on the bill. And we finally said its time to sit down and lets work this out. We worked it out. The bill includes $110 billion to improve poor conditions on roads and bridges across the U.S., and, according to Warner, it has $578 million set aside to improve bridges in Virginia. Theres a whole pot of new resources there, he said, adding that localities have a chance to use the funds to make big improvements. Fredericksburg City Councilman Matt Kelly, who walked along with the group Thursday, said the city will benefit in some way. They just dont know the details yet. Rich Dalton, the CEO of the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail service, also joined the group Thursday, and pointed out how VRE will benefit through the infrastructure funding. Its like a 30% increase for us, Dalton said, explaining that over the five-year period VRE will reap that much more funding annually. Dalton said VRE will incorporate the new funds into long-term capital improvement projects for the rail system, which like other transit providers has struggled to draw riders back since the pandemic. The funds could soon be in the pipeline for Virginia projects. These funds are distributed to our existing Highway Construction Programs and used where appropriate for federal eligibility, local Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kelly Hannon said in an email. The first draft of the use of these funds will be presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board at their April 2022 meeting. During Thursdays stop, Warner also noted the push toward electric vehicles, which means the U.S.needs charging stations. He said the infrastructure plan includes $7.5 billion to build charging stations, along with funding to buy 25,000 new school buses over the next five years. Warner said he hopes those buses will be electric. It shouldnt be fully funded by the government, he said of the addition of charging stations across the country. Theres got to be private-sector involvement as well. I think charging stations are like the gas stations of the future. Warner called the infrastructure investment a net positive for all communities. He then emphasized that the massive infrastructure expenditure deserves well-planned projects with the long term in mind, because it could be the last time youll ever see Uncle Sam put this much money forward at one time. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Many residents in the Idlewild subdivision in Fredericksburg rejoiced when they learned City Council and the School Board voted to enter into an interim agreement with First Choice, LLC, to construct a new middle school in the neighborhood. But since that initial exuberance last month, there has been a bit of trepidation. Thats because the middle school may not be the only thing coming to the intersection of Gateway and Idlewild boulevards. City officials are negotiating with Mary Washington Healthcare about swapping the former hospital at 2300 Fall Hill Ave. for a portion of the land in Idlewild that MWHC can use to build office space. City Councilman Jason Graham, who lives in Idlewild, laid out several reasons why he thinks that is a bad idea in a Facebook post earlier this week. Idlewild resident Andrew Wolfenbarger also created an online petition that has 150 signatures urging City Council to reject any thought of allowing MWHC offices into the neighborhood along with the school. Several Idlewild residents also sent letters in opposition that were read at Tuesdays City Council meeting. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw said last month that if MWHC co-locates with the school, it could help with cost. City Councilman Jon Gerlach, who said its financially irresponsible to not consider the office space next to the school, added on Thursday that its too early to know whats going to come of the 46.7 acres available for the city to use in Idlewild. I listened to the opinions of the [Idlewild] residents and theyre valid, Gerlach said. I also listen to the opinions of the rest of the entire city and theyre valid, too. Im not going to prejudge or get ahead of negotiations by reaching a conclusion before we have all the information. Its great that were having this wide-ranging conversation and hearing strong opinions. But its too early to reach a definitive conclusion. Some Idlewild residents have done just that. Graham stated that surrendering greenspace to MWHC isnt wise because according to projections from the Weldon Cooper Center, Fredericksburg will require a fourth elementary school around 2030. Graham said handing over land in Idlewild is a long-term mistake that will be costly if the city has to purchase new property for a future school. Graham said there is no upside for Idlewild residents if that property is used for office space. He noted that if MWHCs workers return to their pre-pandemic routine, there will be crushing traffic in the area. He said if they continue to telework, the building will be left empty. He added that a multi-level office doesnt fit with the character of Idlewild like a coffee shop or a dry cleaner would. Denise Hwang, whose husband is a physician with MWHC, is the only Idlewild resident who voiced support for the office space on Tuesday. My family wholeheartedly supports any project that expands access to high-quality health care and enables the Fredericksburg region to recruit and retain the very best providers, Hwang wrote. Councilman Matt Kelly, the only city or school official to vote against the interim agreement, has lamented taking the property off tax rolls by placing a school on it. Graham countered that the market has spoken because there hasnt been a suitable offer for the tract in 17 years. Graham believes that the building MWHC is offering in a swap is too difficult to refurbish into school space, a sentiment that was spelled out in a recent feasibility study. The study concluded that 2300 Fall Hill Ave.a former hospitalis not a good fit for many of the Career Training Education courses that would be desired, such as automotive and masonry classes. Gerlach and Greenlaw have expressed that potentially losing the 600 MWHC employees to a neighboring county isnt an ideal economic strategy. But Graham doesnt believe the impact is dramatic, stating that the jobs would only result in the loss of $100,000 of annual tax revenue. He said that figure, combined with an additional meals tax if workers dined out for lunch every day in the city, would only amount to 0.2% of the annual budget. Graham said that if other economic development prospects ruled out the city because it refused the swap with MWHC he wouldnt want them in Fredericksburg anyway. Theyre the type of organization that just looks to local governments for corporate welfare, Graham stated. Idlewild resident Emily Hopely urged City Council to use all the land for the school because it will provide amenities that children can enjoy decades later. Hopely said that existing office space in the city can be refurbished to fit MWHCs needs. Continuing to delete Fredericksburgs usable greenspace for office space is basically extending the commercial area of Central Park, Hopely stated in her letter. That, once done, wont be easily changed. Wolfenbarger sent a link to city officials showing data that he said supports his contention that the total amount of land is barely sufficient for a new middle school and that co-locating office space would be detrimental to the school project. Frank Villamizar, who lives on Hoke Lane in Idlewild, said that although he understands the benefits of the school and office space, he doesnt particularly want either. He said hes hopeful the blueprint that shows the school starting 150 feet from his property line is reworked, and he isnt looking forward to losing the natural habitat behind his home. Had I known the city of Fredericksburg could one day destroy what I valued about my property most, I would never have invested in this property or the neighborhood, Villamizar said. Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526 tcoghill@freelancestar.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Wali Jan, a farmer in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, is expected to soon harvest poppies from his half-hectare farm. Standing in his blooming poppy field in Garni, an impoverished village on the outskirts of the provincial capital, Tarin Kowt, Jan is upset by the Taliban's decision this month to ban poppy cultivation. He says he will be unable to feed his wife and their eight children if the Taliban prevents him from planting a poppy crop this fall. "If they impose a harsh ban, it will be devastating for us, he told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. How will I feed my children? Jan says the Taliban should have issued their comprehensive ban only after providing tens of thousands of impoverished farmers like him with an alternative crop first. If they [the Taliban-led government] can provide us with an alternative, we will not need to plant this, he says. Asadullah, a farmer in the neighboring province of Kandahar, agrees. He says the only way to survive in Pashmul, an agricultural village in the Panjwai district on the outskirts of Kandahar city, the provincial capital, is to plant poppies. He says poppies, which require little water and care, typically bring in twice the money they can get from wheat or other cash crops. We are very disappointed with this ban, he told Radio Azadi. [The Taliban-led government] should either help us find an alternative or get us aid. But experts say the Taliban-led government, which is still not recognized by any country eight months after seizing power in August, will not be able to help Afghan farmers by attracting development assistance because the ban will not help in winning international recognition. The Taliban-led government faced almost universal condemnation internationally and from Afghans after going back on its promises to reopen schools for girls last month. Thomas Ruttig, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, an independent think tank, says most farmers grow poppies to stay out of poverty. This ban might push them back into poverty, which might have consequences, he told RFE/RL. He says the Taliban won the support of the farmers in southern Afghanistan by acting as a protector of their poppy fields during their two-decade insurgency against the Western-backed Afghan government. Ruttig says many Afghan farmers will try to circumvent the ban by using connections to the local Taliban leaders or just plant the poppy somewhere they hope they wont patrol. He saw the Taliban implemented a similar ban in late 2000, which reduced raw opium production from more than 6,000 metric tons to under 100 in 2001. Then and now, the Taliban leadership is serious in implementing what they say is based on Islamic Shari'a law but, as individuals, they often do other things, he says. A Bid For International Recognition Mohammad Ehsan Zia, a former Afghan minister for rural development, says the Taliban ban primarily aims to cultivate a positive international image after the hard-line government faced harsh criticism over its ban on girls education. It is more for international consumption than actual misery in Afghanistan, he told RFE/RL. They wanted to do something positive to show another side of the Taliban government to gain international recognition. Zia, now a senior fellow at the Doha Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, says the ban will neither win the Taliban international recognition nor help obtain much-needed international development aid, which remains suspended after the Taliban seized power. Respect for human rights and women's rights, inclusive governance, and counterterror are the basic criteria for recognition, he said of the international community's key prerequisites for recognizing the Taliban-led government. "A ban on poppy cultivation was not a condition because the international community has lived with poppy cultivation for over two decades. He says that without gaining international recognition, billions of dollars in international aid are unlikely to return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Development aid can make a real difference in the lives of ordinary Afghans, he says. Impoverished farmers in war-ravaged Afghanistan, particularly in the southern provinces of Uruzgan, Kandahar and Helmand, have for decades been shackled to poppy cultivation by drug traffickers who often put peasants into debt. WATCH: Afghan Poppy Crops Continue To Grow, Despite Talk Of Taliban Ban As the Afghan state crumbled during the civil war in the 1990s, Afghan farmers turned to poppies to survive. Since then, Afghanistan has produced most of the worlds illicit opium. After being processed into heroin and other narcotics, it is smuggled globally. But Afghanistan itself and two of its neighbors, Iran and Pakistan, also suffered soaring drug-addiction rates for decades. Lal Mohammad, a farmer in Kandahar, is happy with his bumper poppy harvest. The Taliban is not yet confiscating opium from farmers to avoid creating widespread resentment in a region that provided fighters for the militants' 20-year insurgency. Mohammad had planted the narcotic crop on his three-hectare field in Kandahars Zhari district in hopes of making more money than any other cash crop can get him. The amount of opium previously sold for 20,000 afghanis (about $200) last year is now being sold for more than 100,000 afghanis (about $1,000), he told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi in reference to the rapid rise in opium prices per kilogram since the beginning of this year. But Zia argues that poppies keep Afghan farmers in an oppressive cycle. The farmers became poorer and poorer and became dependent on the money they received from drug traffickers, Zia noted. Asmatullah, another farmer in Pashmul, says time is running out for the Taliban to pay attention to the plight of Afghan farmers. Before they enforce the ban ahead of the next crop, they need to find an alternative crop [for farmers to plant], he told Radio Azadi, adding that wheat, corn, vegetables, and other cash crops are not a viable alternative to poppies because they need irrigation and are labor- and time-intensive. In Garni, the village in Uruzgan, 60-year-old farmer Yar Mohammad has been growing poppies since he began farming as a teenager. Looking at his ripe poppy field, he adds that the narcotic crop helped him survive wars and droughts. "This has been the only crop that can grow in these parched lands. A Dutch court has convicted an Afghan man of war crimes and torture for abusing political opponents in prison and sentenced him to 12 years, which his lawyer said he will appeal. The Hague District Court handed down its decision on April 14, saying Abdul Rafief was actually Abdul Razaq Arif, who served as commander at Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi prison from 1983 to 1990. "At the time, the man worked in the Pul-e-Charkhi prison where many opponents of the regime in Kabul were imprisoned under appalling conditions as political prisoners during the civil war," the court said while dismissing his claim that he was the victim of mistaken identity. "This concerns at least 18, but possibly tens or hundreds of prisoners. The prisoners were often awaiting trial and were in a desperate situation for years," it added. Arif, now 76, was granted asylum in the Netherlands in 2001 under the name Rafief. Witnesses during the trial identified him as Arif as they recounted their experiences in the prison. The trial was held under the "universal jurisdiction" principles that allow for suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity to be prosecuted abroad if they cannot be tried in the country where they were allegedly committed. "Because the man lives in the Netherlands and has become a Dutch citizen, the Public Prosecution Service can prosecute him in the Netherlands," the court said. With reporting by Reuters and AP Pakistan's military has dismissed the accusation of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan that the United States conspired to topple him in a parliamentary vote of confidence. Khan alleged that the motion filed against him on March 8 was part of an "external conspiracy." He later mentioned the United States in connection with the motion. Washington and Pakistani opposition parties have repeatedly denied the allegation. Khan, who was ousted on April 9 in a no-confidence vote in the countrys National Assembly, initially blocked the motion, saying the National Security Council (NSC) had endorsed the alleged conspiracy. Major General Babar Iftikhar, spokesman for the army, denied that allegation, telling a news conference on April 14 that a statement from the meeting of the NSC did not use the term "foreign conspiracy" against the country's government. Iftikhar said the army presented its position at the meeting and then issued a statement in which the results of the meeting were clearly written. "You can see clearly whether there's any word of conspiracy in that statement. I don't think so," Iftikhar told the news conference. Khan convened the meeting of the NSC to share a letter with the army leadership and other members of the committee that he claimed had been sent by Pakistan's ambassador to the United States. Khan alleged that the ambassador had written to him stating that a U.S. official had told him that Washington was upset by Khan's visit to Russia and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, the day Russian forces invaded Ukraine. LIVE UPDATE: Panel approves House Bill 1326 on an 8-3 vote In his closing comments, Speaker Alec Garnett called HB 1326 a strong bill that provides the tools to law enforcement and prosecutors to go after those who create, import or peddle fentanyl. "I know people don't think this is the perfect bill," he said, before adding that a "perfect bill" is not possible. Co-sponsor Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, pointed out that fentanyl is now the No. 1 cause of death for people aged 18 to 45. It's taking over the state and is in every drug out there, he said. "For us to not act would be a dereliction of duty," he said. "This is what it means to have this job, to actually get together and figure out solutions." But it was clear from comments during the hearing that, for many, the bill is far from complete. House Judiciary Chair Vice-Chair Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, said she supports a suggestion made by former District Attorney George Brauchler to review the bill after two years. She also called for more resources for law enforcement for investigations into the fentanyl deaths. Families who testified in committee raised the issue, saying law enforcement officials did not investigate the deaths of their loved ones. Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, R-Watkins, said the bill does not accomplish what it is meant to accomplish, which is to save lives. It gives dealers a work-around on the 1-gram issue, he argued. While he recognized the bill would likely pass without his vote, it is not ready for the full House to consider, he added. The hours of emotional testimony from families on Wednesday affected lawmakers. "The testimony got to me," said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Eagle, who added that the bill will save lives and while it's not perfect, it needs to pass. Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, read off some of the names of those who have died from fentanyl overdoses, including the five in Commerce City also suspected of dying from the drug last month. She said she would be a strong "yes" for the families. While calling the bill a good one, Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs said she is hoping for more robust amendments to strengthen the tools for law enforcement. "This bill does not meet the challenge we are facing," she said. The bill drew an admission from Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, that her family had lost a 20-year-old niece to fentanyl last year. She complimented the bill's attention on education and efforts to purchase Narcan and testing strips in bulk, which, under the measure, can be made available to the public. Panel lowers threshold for felony possession to 1 gram House Bill 1326 now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. The amendment to make "knowing" possession of fentanyl a felony at 1 to 4 grams passed on a 7-4 vote, with House Judiciary Committee chair Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, among the "no" votes. The next amendment on the panel's agenda which Weissman offered would allow those convicted of felony possession to have their records sealed two years after release. House Speaker Alec Garnett supported the amendment, which passed on an 8-3 vote. Judiciary members tackle amendments The House Judiciary Committee at this hour is working on amendments to the sweeping bill to deal with the state's fentanyl crisis, following a 13 1/2 hour hearing that wrapped up shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett of Denver and Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, creates new felony levels for distribution of fentanyl. But the discussion on simple possession and at what level to set felony charges dominated the hearing on Tuesday and Wednesday. Current law allows possession of up to 4 grams of pure fentanyl as a misdemeanor, the result of a 2019 law that changed felony charges for a variety of Schedule II drugs, which includes fentanyl. The 2019 law did not specifically mention fentanyl. The first amendment put on HB 1326 deals with a technology that Colorado does not currently possess. The amendment states that a pill that contains at least 60% fentanyl would result in a felony level 2 charge. However, only the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has the technology to test for percentages of fentanyl; the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which tests fentanyl, can only detect if it is present in the pill, not how much. A CBI spokesman told Colorado Politics the bureau would review the final legislation to determine what is required of the agency but also noted the agency does not have the resources to purchase the technology envisioned by the amendment. The bill also does not provide funding to obtain that technology. Sponsors split over issue of possession The hearing's major discussion on simple possession issue already produced a split between Garnett and Lynch, the bill's sponsors. An amendment suggested by Garnett would lower the felony charge to possession of one gram, but a substitute amendment from Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs, would lower it to zero. Lynch said he would support the latter. Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, however, pointed out that Carver's amendment would make possession of any drug with fentanyl and at any quantity a felony because fentanyl is found in virtually every illicit street drug. "I'm not here to refelonize" every drug, Tippter said. Carver's amendment failed on a 5-6 vote. It was followed up quickly by Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, R-Watkins, attempting to move an amendment that would make it a felony to possess more than a quarter of one gram of fentanyl. He argued that even that low level could still be deadly for scores of people. But Garnett pointed out a key nuance about fentanyl pills: They're primarily composed of "filler" substances, which is sometimes the active ingredient in Tylenol. A gram of fentanyl pills, then, doesn't translate into 1 gram of pure fentanyl on the street. The speaker referenced testimony from law enforcement Tuesday that pure fentanyl is typically not found on the street. Garnett said 1 gram of fentanyl is "much more reflective" of what constitutes personal use. His amendment also said persons arrested had to know that what they were buying had fentanyl in it. "I just want to be very thoughtful about this discussion because it incorporates the challenges of fentanyl," the speaker said, "because in its purest form, its very deadly. However, on the street, that's not how were finding it." Bockenfeld's amendment also failed on a 5-6 vote. Adding felony charges could drive up the bill's cost, currently estimated at $17.7 million. The bill already estimates a minimal boost in prison population. Monica Duran temporarily joins judiciary panel The House Judiciary Committee has a new, temporary member Wednesday. Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, replaced Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, who is excused for medical reasons. Woodrow was replaced in Tuesday's hearing by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, but she was unable to participate in the Wednesday hearing because she is a member of the Joint Budget Committee, which is meeting at the same time to resolve differences between the House and Senate on the 2022-23 state budget. By Trend Major global internet companies understand the necessity to protect children from cyberbullying, Vice Minister of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan Daniyar Kadirov said on the sidelines of the Senate after its plenary session, Trend reports citing the Kazakh media. Kadirov made the remark commenting on the norm, regarding the presence of an official representative in social networks, envisioned in the bill on the protection of children from cyberbullying. "Now we are working with major global internet companies, such as Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, and VKontakte, and all of them agree to contact," he said. "If any of them doesnt have a representative, it means that a priori they will post facts on cyberbullying on their pages." According to the ministrys representative, major players have their own security services which monitor the protection of children from cyberbullying. He assured that no repressive methods are envisaged in the mentioned bill. "Following the laws enforcement, well be provided with an additional six-month deferment period [to implement it]. No social network will be blocked unless it violates the laws of Kazakhstan. This is regulated not only by the bill on the protection of children from cyberbullying but also by the laws on mass media and communications. The closure of the social networks isnt considered at all," concluded Kadirov. Oksana Lyulka collects broken glass in her war-damaged apartment in Irpin, Ukraine. Heartened by Russias withdrawal from the capital region, some residents have been coming to whats left of home. Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. The requirement to submit the result of PCR testing on COVID-19 for citizens arriving in Azerbaijan has been abolished. According to the Cabinet of Ministers' decision, the document confirming a negative result of PCR test on COVID-19 is no longer required for entering Azerbaijan starting from April 15. Moreover, the passengers are not required to present this document during domestic flights, and on a regular bus route Baku-Nakhchivan-Baku, passing through the territory of Iran. It should be noted that previously presenting a negative result of PCR test on COVID-19 was an obligatory condition while arriving in Azerbaijan. On February 28, 2020, the country confirmed its first COVID-19 case. On March 25, the country implemented a special quarantine regime and implemented a number of measures to combat COVID-19 in the country. Azerbaijan is taking effective measures in the fight against coronavirus, and four types of COVID-19 vaccines out of nine existing have been imported to Azerbaijan. The nationwide vaccination is free and voluntary, and it is in accordance with the "Vaccination Strategy Against COVID-19 in Azerbaijan for 2021-2022". Vaccination has been carried out in Azerbaijan since January 18, 2021, and it is still being carried out successfully. The epidemiological situation in Azerbaijan remains stable due to the active participation of the population in vaccination. The country began vaccinating citizens with China's Sinovac on January 18, AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria vaccine on May 3, Russia's Sputnik V on May 18, and Pfizer from the United States on June 7. From May 10, the country began offering COVID-19 vaccination to citizens over the age of 18. Simultaneously, on August 9, Azerbaijan began issuing vaccination exemption certificates to citizens who have contraindications to coronavirus vaccines approved for use in the country. Bags of fentanyl seized by federal authorities are seen in December in Colorado. Shrimp Nation, the largest seafood restaurant chain in Saudi Arabia, plans to open its first branches in the UAE with an investment value of AED10 million ($2.72 million). Further strengthening its portfolio in KSA and expanding all over the Middle East, Shrimp Nation is currently in the process of opening new branches in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt, in addition to two branches in KSAs Abha and Al Taif that will be added to its existing 18 branches. Commenting on the expansion of the seafood restaurant chain, Mohammed Belal Abualizz, CEO at Shrimp Nation, said: 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. Abualizz added: 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. Shrimp Nation is a Saudi Arabian chain that specialises in seafood recipes. Upholding its motto Deep from the Sea, the restaurant chain offers seafood dishes inspired from a number of cuisines including the French, Spanish, west African and American. The up-and-coming seafood restaurant chain adopts an open-kitchen concept and serves fresh and high-quality seafood delights while ensuring a distinguished customer experience that ensures satisfaction and happiness. Shrimp Nation also strives to become an internationally acclaimed business and a successful chain of restaurant operating all over the world, a company statement said. TradeArabia News Service A panel of Colorado legislators advanced a bill Wednesday that increases criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of fentanyl, a middle-of-the-road approach between factions who want harsher penalties and those who decry going back to the tough-on-crime strategy of the past. The House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 1326, the legislature's sweeping attempt to address the worsening fentanyl crisis, on an 8-3 vote. The committee's approval came after more than three hours of debate and discussion Wednesday and hours of public testimony that began Tuesday afternoon and ended more than 13 hours later. The measure will now go to the House Appropriations Committee and, if approved there, to the entire House. Much of the hours-long debate of the past two days focused on something that wasn't in the initial draft of the bill: making it a felony to possess fewer than 4 grams of a substance containing fentanyl. Three different lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee tried to amend the bill to lower that amount: Rep. Terri Carver sought to make it a felony to possess any amount of the drug, and when that failed, Rep. Rod Bockenfeld proposed making it a felony for have more than a quarter of a gram. That, too, went nowhere. House Speaker Alec Garnett - one of the bill's sponsors - advocated setting the felony threshold at 1 gram. He couched it as a compromise between two diametrically opposed camps and one he felt wouldn't ensnare people with substance-use disorders who take fentanyl, knowingly or otherwise. In addition to the change in possession laws, the bill would also strengthen criminal penalties for possessing any amount of a fentanyl mixture with intent to distribute, with an additional charge when someone dies from ingesting that substance. It also includes $20 million to buy Naloxone. In addition, it establishes a new fund to purchase strips to test substances for the presence of fentanyl, directs the creation of a statewide education program and requires jails receiving certain state funding develop "protocols" for a key treatment option. The committee also adopted an amendment that would make possession of a substance that's at least 60% fentanyl a felony. But that amendment, even if included in the final version of the bill, would have little immediate effect. Garnett, who advocated for its inclusion, said the technology needed to test substances to that degree is not yet available in Colorado. The amendment, if the bill's current version is enacted into law, would only take effect when that technological gap is bridged in the state. Despite the breadth of the provisions in the bill, it was the possession issue that dominated Wednesday's debate and the 13 hours of public comment that preceded it, a hyper focus that Garnett lamented. Law enforcement officials and district attorneys took turns Tuesday calling on lawmakers to make possession of any amount of fentanyl a felony. They were often followed, by design, by public health officials and harm-reduction experts who sharply criticized additional incarceration measures, arguing there's no evidence to show they would help the state address its fentanyl crisis. For several lawmakers, much of that debate turned on two interlocking issues. The first is the legislature's previous efforts to decriminalize low levels of drug possession for most substances. Notably, a 2019 law made it a misdemeanor to possess up to 4 grams of many drugs, including fentanyl. The second is fentanyl's unique nature: A potent synthetic opioid used legitimately in medicine, the substance is mixed illicitly into other drugs, such as meth and cocaine, and is primarily found in pills often made to look like legitimate oxycodone tablets. Those pills are rarely pure fentanyl, officials in Colorado and elsewhere have said. Often, they have relatively low amounts of fentanyl and are primarily composed of other substances, such as the active ingredient in Tylenol. Still, because fentanyl is so potent at low doses, the pills remain deadly. Those two issues collided Wednesday as Carver argued that possession of any amount of fentanyl should be a felony. She told the rest of the committee that a zero-tolerance approach would reflect the "lethality" of the drug. But Rep. Kerry Tipper, the committee's vice chair, said changing the law in that manner would limit plea agreements because there would be no fentanyl-related misdemeanor charge to fall back upon. Tipper referred to testimony given Tuesday by Josh Barocas, a physician and associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who said he hadn't seen a drug test that didn't test positive for fentanyl in the past six years. Because fentanyl is increasingly mixed into other substances, Barocas and others said, "felonizing" any possession of fentanyl would de facto "felonize" small amounts of other drugs, too. "Thats not what I was sent here to do," Tipper told Carver, "and I don't think it meets the moment were in." Rep. Mike Weissman, the committee's chairman, agreed. He referenced two friends who, because of personal trauma they'd experienced, struggled with substance use. He wondered what would've happened to them had they been arrested while possessing a substance containing fentanyl and then faced a felony charge. He called Carver's proposal "an extreme response and a harmful one." Bockenfeld tried next, attempting to make possession of a quarter of a gram of fentanyl a felony. Calling it a "life or death" issue, he referred to the number of people who could die from a quarter of a gram of pure fentanyl. "I'm tremendously frustrated that the previous amendment lowering it down to zero did not pass," he said, referencing Carver's effort. "But I think it's important we try to save as many lives as we can." But other lawmakers quickly pointed out that pure fentanyl is rare on the streets, citing testimony from law enforcement on Tuesday night. It's most often found in pills, which Garnett said generally contain a 10th of a gram of fentanyl. The rest is "filler," as Denver District Attorney Beth McCann described it Tuesday. Tipper said she felt like she was "slamming my head against a wall" because she had to keep pointing out that fentanyl pills are not pure fentanyl, and, as a result, can't kill hundreds of people. She said lawmakers aren't "operating in reality if that's what we're legislating to." She later said that anyone advancing that narrative is either uninformed or intentionally misleading the public. Garnett said 1 gram of fentanyl - the felony limit he prefers - is more in line with personal use. "I just want to be very thoughtful about this discussion," he said, "because it incorporates challenges of fentanyl because, in its purest form, its very deadly. However, on the street, that's not how were finding it." Like Carver's before it, Bockenfeld's quarter-of-a-gram proposal failed. Lawmakers then voted to advance Garnett's proposal, setting the misdemeanor limit of fentanyl possession at 1 gram and making it a felony, with varying degrees of incarceration attached, all weights above it. The amendment also requires that users know or should have known that the substance they are caught with contained fentanyl. Weissman, who voted against every attempt to change the law around fentanyl possession, then put forward two amendments to more quickly seal the records of people convicted of the newly proposal felony charge and to allow those same people to vote while in jail. Both passed. With amendments finished, lawmakers then voted, 8-3, with Lock, Bockenfeld and Carver voting "no," to send the bill to the House Appropriations Committee. Carver said she doesn't think the new felony levels "would do much of anything." Bockenfeld said the 1 gram level "wasn't a good compromise" and that the bill, to his mind, "didn't accomplish what it was meant to accomplish, which is to save lives." Garnett acknowledged that the bill isn't perfect and that it is just the beginning of the state's response to the crisis. But he indicated that not enough people had paid attention to the harm reduction and education pieces of the bill and that, he thought, overall, the measure is a "monumental step forward." Rep. Mike Lynch, who co-sponsored the measure with Garnett and others, implored lawmakers to advance the bill and address the fentanyl crisis. "We're seeing it take over our state," he said of the drug. "We're seeing it get into very single drug out there, and for us to not act would be a complete dereliction of our duty." Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC), part of Digital Dubai, has launched the Cyber Node initiative, in partnership with Thales Group, a global leader in cybersecurity technologies and data protection. The new initiative aims to develop an advanced and specialised cyber-workforce that fosters innovation, supports digital economic growth and contributes to the development of new technologies. Cyber Node is the first initiative under the Dubai Cyber Innovation Park, which was launched earlier this year during GISEC 2022. Cyber Security Strategy The launch of Cyber Node comes as a result of DESCs continuous efforts to achieve the objectives of Dubais Cyber Security Strategy, which focuses on building a cyber smart society. Cyber Node provides the necessary ecosystem for upskilling the cyber workforce, in addition to protecting Dubai's critical information infrastructure from the ever-changing cyber risks. Cyber Node will become a hub for cyber experts from the public and private sectors, and academic institutions. Commenting on the launch of the new initiative, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai said: "DESC's latest initiative Cybernode is in line with the objectives of Dubai government and the aspirations of the wise leadership for Dubai to be a global model for a digital lifestyle. Nowadays, cybersecurity emerges as one of the challenges we seek to include in the comprehensive digital life we aspire for. Future full of digital transformations Cyber Node initiative is important in this regard. We at DDA are proud to join efforts with DESC and foresee a future full of digital transformations. Cyber Node, the result of a strategic partnership with an international company like Thales, is now in full readiness to welcome cybersecurity experts, academics, and graduates aspiring to be part of an advanced cybersecurity hub." On his part, Yousef Al Shaibani, Director General of the Dubai Electronic Security Centre, said: This partnership with Thales comes as part of our efforts to equip Dubais cyber professionals and citizens with the right skills and provide training programs that meet the highest international standards. It will help develop specialised competencies, at the local and national level, to ensure the security of the cyberspace in the Emirate of Dubai and support the process of digital transformation across the emirate. Through the Dubai Cyber Innovation Park, we seek to form and strengthen partnerships with various stakeholders in the field of cybersecurity. The new initiative will also facilitate the further development of a world-class integrated cybersecurity ecosystem, that will enhance Dubais position as a pioneer in innovation, safety and security, added Al Shaibani. Safe and effective environment The Cyber Node initiative, which is managed and operated by the Dubai Electronic Security Centre, is based on a safe and effective environment which tests the capabilities of electronic security, by developing complex scenarios drawn from practical reality, with the aim of training participants to solve them professionally. Additionally, Cyber Node provides a series of specialised training courses and educational programmes on cyber security, where individuals are trained on dealing with the latest cyberattacks using comprehensive training based on the cyber domain environment. Bernard Roux, CEO Thales in the UAE said: Thales is honoured to be nominated by DESC for this strategic partnership that meets Dubais highest security expectations within the cyberspace. Due to Thales technological expertise in fields such as Security, Defence, Aerospace, Space, Transportation, AI and Big Data, we offer a unique differentiation in Cybersecurity. Our legacy is behind our cybersecurity expertise and resilience to new threats not only on our own solutions but also on any other solutions in the market. Research and knowledge arm The Dubai Cyber Security Innovation Park (DCIP) is the research and knowledge arm of the Dubai Electronic Security Centre. It was recently launched in line with Dubai's vision to achieve economic prosperity that supports the emirate's digital transformation, consolidating the security of its cyberspace and protecting it from risks and threats. DCIP provides an integrated system of cybersecurity innovations, and aims to empower the next generation of cyber security experts.-- TradeArabia News Service Muriel Mickles, Danville Community Colleges interim president, is one of three finalists to take over in the top leader position. The State Board for Community Colleges announced Wednesday the certification of the trio for the position of president out of a national search that brought 63 candidates, a news release announced. The position became vacant following the resignation of Jacqueline Gill Powell last May. Powell stepped down after only having the job for less than two years to become special assistant to Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginias Community Colleges, a news release reported last year. In addition to Mickles, of Lynchburg, the other candidates are Patrick Tompkins, of Onancock, and Jerry Wallace, of Hastings, Nebraska. The community is ready for Danville Community College to build on its success and reach a new level of results, especially in the area of workforce development, Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginias Community Colleges, wrote in a statement. A strong national pool of candidates has led to an outstanding group of finalists. The finalists are expected to visit the college to meet with faculty, staff, students and community soon. Each offers an intriguing vision for the colleges future and impressive credentials and experience to act on that vision, DuBois said. The college is poised to get an experienced and skillful president to lead it forward. Before Mickles look over the interim position last May, she previously served as vice president of students, academics and workforce development at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg since 2015, the release stated. Starting her career at CVCC as a record clerk, she was promoted multiple times from student services specialist to counselor to dean of humanities and social science before her most recent post as vice president. She earned an associate degree at CVCC, a bachelors and a masters degree from Lynchburg College and a doctorate from University of Virginia. Tompkins has been vice president for academic, student and workforce education at Eastern Shore Community College since 2019. From 2013 to 2018, he worked at Thomas Nelson Community College as a dean and then provost at the Historic Triangle Campus, the release stated. From 1993 to 2013, he taught at John Tyler Community College where he was an associate professor. He earned his bachelors degree from Villanova University, a masters degree from Iowa State University, a masters degree of fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and a doctorate from Old Dominion University. Wallace is currently the campus president of the Hastings Campus of Nebraska Central Community College, a position hes held since 2019. Before that he was dean of workforce, technical and community education from 2017 to 2019 at New River Community and Technical College in Beckley, West Virginia. He has served in a variety of roles including associate dean of continuing Education in Odessa, Texas, resident life director in Montgomery, West Virginia, and enrollment services representative in Muskegon, Michigan. He began his education career in K-12 schools in Michigan, the release noted. Wallace earned a bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University, a masters degree from Western Michigan University, an MBA from Maryville University and doctorate from St. Thomas University. GREENSBORO What once housed the Pilot Life Insurance Co. headquarters has been nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The building at 5300 High Point Road was built in the 1920s and has been a major landmark in the Sedgefield community. The building was a careful replication of the governors mansion built in 1767 in New Bern, according to Jefferson Pilot Financial, A Century of Excellence, a history written for the companys centennial in 2003. Pilot Life, which once employed hundreds, created the grand campus as a business showplace on the outskirts of the city. Inclusion on the national register does not restrict the owner from altering the historic property, but it does make the owner eligible for a 20% income tax credit for rehabilitation of the building, according to the U.S. National Park Service. The agency is ultimately responsible for approving inclusion in the historical registry. HAVE AN OPINION? What do you think about the Pilot Life headquarters being nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places? The city wants to know. Residents can share their thoughts with Mike Cowhig (336-382-8353) or Stefan-leih Geary (336-412-6300). As part of the process, the city of Greensboro is requesting input from residents and will hold a public hearing about the property. That meeting will be held virtually at 4 p.m. on April 27 before the Historic Preservation Commission. The City Council will then weigh in on the nomination prior to it being considered by the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee in June. Then the matter goes to the National Park Service for approval. Kisco Senior Living bought the building and 142-acre campus in 2008 and divided it into six parcels. In 2015, the land was rezoned for a six-tract development with a variety of uses including commercial and residential. M.J. Ritschel, chief investment officer for Kisco, said the building is under contract with Richmond, Va.-based Clachan Properties. A representative for Clachan could not be reached late Wednesday, but Ritschel said both Kisco and Clachen approve of the historic designation. Theyre going to redevelop the property ... for apartments, said Ritschel, adding that the company hopes to close on the property in late summer or early fall. Forty-three properties and 12 historic districts in Greensboro are listed on the national register, according to the city. The last Greensboro property added was downtowns Blue Bell Building in 2020. Contact Kenwyn Caranna at 336-373-7082 and follow @kcaranna on Twitter. A former music professor at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts will spend the next five years behind bars, a federal judge decided Thursday. Stephen Shipps, 69, admitted last year to sexually abusing one of his violin students in 2002. Women who studied violin with him at the UNCSA when they were teens said that he molested them on campus and in his home. Shipps first faced public scrutiny in 2018. Thats when the University of Michigan student newspaper investigated decades worth of sex abuse allegations about the professor, including some dating to his time at UNCSA. Shipps promptly left his post. The outcry escalated to criminal investigation, and in October 2020 federal authorities arrested Shipps. A former student told investigators that Shipps, while employed at Michigan, had twice taken her to New York and sexually abused her in 2002, when she was just 16 years old. Shipps was an excellent teacher to some... a monster to others... and both for some, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward said at the sentencing. A grand jury indicted him on two federal counts of trafficking a minor for sex. He pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count. As part of the plea deal, both sides agreed to a sentence from 57 to 71 months. Shipps attorney John Shea filed a memo requesting he be spared prison, outlining his clients recovery from alcohol addiction and caretaking of several family members. Prosecutors asked for 68 months behind bars, pointing to accounts of similar abuse from five of his former students, including four pupils from his 1980s stint at UNCSA. We acknowledge that it was a pattern, (but) we dont accept all the allegations, Shea said. Shipps apologized for being a bad citizen and hurting the woman in the criminal case. He didnt address his other accusers, including one UNCSA alumna who attended in person. Because the crime took place before federal mandatory minimums were implemented for child sex trafficking convictions, the final decision is up to the judge. Under current law, Shipps would have faced 10 years to life behind bars at least double the actual sentence. Stephanie Silverman, a former UNCSA student, attended the hearing to support her friend. Shipps never abused Silverman while she attended in the 1980s, she said, but she still mourns for the three violinists that she believes he molested during her time at the school. Shipps weaponized the very real career dreams of disciplined, talented young women to force them into a world where his ability to open doors was contingent on their willingness to do what he wanted, Silverman wrote in an April 6 letter asking the court to consider a lengthy sentence. He turned their dreams and gifts into a trap to hold them in his abusive world. Welcome to the Tarheel State. We want you to know that were pleased youve come to visit, even though your opponent, Donald Trump, received more votes from North Carolinians in the 2020 election. You did receive more than 2.68 million, though; thats nothing to sneeze at. Were proud that youre focusing the attention of the nation toward us for a brief while, allowing us the opportunity to shine, and we hope youll return to D.C. with some wonderful things to say about us. Were pleased as well that your itinerary in Greensboro today includes one of our many excellent colleges and universities, N.C. A&T. Higher education is a major industry in North Carolina, especially in Greensboro, and we deeply value these institutions role in our economy, culture and quality of life. We hear youre coming to discuss manufacturing one of our favorite topics, with a rich history and a bright future here. Were sure someone will tell you about the new economic investments that are on the way, including a plant for manufacturing some of those electric cars you like, and another to manufacture batteries. We hope youll be able to take something with you that will encourage such developments elsewhere. Then there are our medical facilities and our arts communities, and the natural beauty that, from mountains to shore, defines us just ask EPA director Michael Regan, who, by the way, is an A&T alum. Were aware of your accomplishments, as well, including passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides more than $1.2 trillion in much-needed infrastructure spending, as well as the American Rescue Plan, worth $1.9 trillion of economic relief which, incidentally, restored funding to veterans programs that your predecessor cut. We support our veterans here and were glad that you do, too. Theres also the 15% increase in SNAP funding and the 25% increase in food stamp funding for needy families, raising the minimum wage for thousands of federal contractors. They all demonstrate the compassion and common sense we expected from you. And theres Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson very good job, sir. Were pleased, especially when we consider what might have been had things gone a little differently in 2020. We know that youre busy these days, with the crisis in Ukraine and a possible new COVID surge. But some other important matters also need your attention, including the difficult issue of the southern border. We appreciate your determination to present a more welcoming face to would-be refugees and especially your commitment to reuniting families cruelly separated by the previous administration but doing so has created a mixed blessing as more and more refugees seek relief by entering our country. That we have open borders would certainly be news to the hardworking U.S. Border Patrol agents who capture about 6,000 illegal border crossers every day. But your policies have been muddled and unfocused, apparently diluted by disagreements in your own administration. Wed like to see more clarity and decisive action. And even while the DEA is blocking record amounts of fentanyl from crossing the border, too much is still getting through and its very harmful. We see its devastation throughout our state. Maybe you should visit the border.More than a few of our readers believe you should. Meanwhile, times are tough and the prices of consumer goods make it difficult for many families to make ends meet. We realize you cant control all of that especially when corporations set those prices but we feel certain there are actions you could take to ease the pressure if youd concentrate on the problem more. That would be welcome. We realize youve accomplished other goals that havent received much notice in environmental affairs, judicial appointments, supporting transgender people in military service, etc. Your loyal opposition has spent the last couple of decades honing its messaging skills. Youve got to work on your party to get the word out fast. As for your off-script comments, you probably should be more mindful. But when they come from the heart, stick to them. No need, for instance, to walk back your harsh words about Vladimir Putin. He deserves every syllable. And more. You also should continue to speak more forcefully about the issue of voter rights and suppression both are urgent and serious threats. Finally, a request from the Fourth Estate: While we appreciate the improved civility (we are not the enemy), access is another matter. Cmon, man. You can and should do better. We hope youre not too discouraged by your poll numbers, which are now as low as your predecessors were for much of his term. They shift over time. Just do the good work. We cant guarantee the weather will suit you today. Its North Carolina. But we hope youll see some of the qualities that we feel make this a worthwhile place to visit, to live and to take with you. Sandra Ericson chaired the Consumer Arts and Science Department at City College of San Francisco for 28 years. She served 12 years, three elected terms, on the Napa Valley College Board. For All U of U Health Patients & Visitors Fish and Wildlife Commission to meet The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet 8:30 a.m. April 19 in state Capitol room 317. The meetings will be streamed live on the FWP website and broadcast through MPAN, YouTube, and Zoom. The commission will take public comment on agenda items in person and via Zoom. To make a comment via Zoom, you must register on the FWP website by noon on April 18. The public will also be able to comment in person at the meeting or at any FWP regional office. The commission will make final decisions on: 2023 Fish, Wildlife and Parks Budget Goals Acceptance of Poindexter Slough FAS Land Donation (Beaverhead River) Fishing Access Site Annual Rule Administrative Rule restricting motorized use on Boulder River adopting the work groups recommendations Select Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan Advisory Committee, Region 4 Implement Upper Yellowstone River Smallmouth Bass Catch, Kill, and Report Regulation, Region 3 Reinstate 2021 Kokanee Regulations for Georgetown Lake, Region 2 Amendments to ARM 12.9.1403 regarding Grizzly Bear Demographic objectives for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem 2022-2023 mountain lion hunting regulations, season structures, and hunting district boundaries 2022/2023 peregrine falcon take 2022 migratory bird season dates and bag limits 2022 CSKT upland bird and waterfowl regulations 2022 grazing and sharecrop leases Contractual Elk Public Access Agreement (454) Permit Biennial Rule The commission will also hear informational updates on crossbows and drought and a proposal to classify caracal cats as a prohibited species. For the agenda and background on the scheduled topics, go to the Fish and Wildlife Commission page on the FWP website. Spring male turkey season opens Friday Montanas spring male turkey season opens April 15. Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license for a general area at FWP offices, license providers or online. The 2022 turkey regulations are included in the 2022 Upland Game Bird Regulations Booklet. Regulations are available at FWP offices, license providers and online at fwp.mt.gov. Turkey hunting in Region 4 has changed to a general license spring opportunity When transporting a spring turkey in the state on Montana, hunters must keep one leg and foot naturally attached for evidence of sex. Montana law requires landowner permission for hunting on all private land. All Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program enrollments are now closed and only open during the fall hunting season. Similarly, most Block Management Areas are also closed, but some open for spring turkey and spring bear opportunities. No shed hunting, hiking or other recreations are allowed on these properties without landowner permission. Be sure to check the FWP website for dates and locations these properties open. Spring black bear season begins The spring black bear hunting season starts April 15. There are several changes to the black bear hunting regulations in 2022, including anew 48-hour reporting requirement for all black bear harvests and nnew black bear season in Region 6 (northeast Montana). In Region 1 (northwest Montana), successful hunters are required to submit one premolar tooth from any black bear harvested within 10 days of harvest. They are not required to have a harvested bear inspected and tagged by FWP staff. Teeth can be submitted in person or by mail (post-marked within 10 days) with a submission form thats available at FWP offices or online at https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/black-bear. See page 10 of the Black Bear Hunting Regulations for more information. It is now lawful to use hounds to train and/or hunt for spring black bears in some areas. See page 4 of the Black Bear Hunting Regulations for more information. It is unlawful to harvest/take black bear cubs. Cubs are defined as bears less than 1 year old. It also is unlawful to harvest/take a female black bear with cubs. It's important to know the difference between grizzly bears and black bears. Black bear hunters in Montana are required to pass the Bear Identification test to obtain a black bear license. Montana's Bear Identification Program is intended to prevent the killing of grizzly bears as a result of mistaken identity by hunters. Breast cancer survivor retreat offered Casting for Recovery invites people undergoing breast cancer treatment or who are breast cancer survivors to attend a June 3-5 retreat at the Madison Valley Ranch in Ennis. Casting for Recovery provides healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer, at no cost to the participants. Retreats offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life, and experience healing connections with other women and nature. This event is open to women with breast cancer of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery. To apply, visit https://castingforrecovery.org/retreats/ and apply for Southwestern Montana, or call (303) 808-6399. The application deadline is April 22. Applicants are randomly selected to attend and will be notified by the Casting for Recovery national office. For more information or to make a donation to the Southwestern Montana Casting for Recovery Program, or go to https://castingforrecovery.org Elk advisory citizen group meets The Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group will meet via Zoom on April 14 from 8 a.m. to noon. The meeting will be streamed on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website. The group is composed of 12 citizens, selected by FWP, who represent a broad range of viewpoints and experience. The group is tasked with developing a set of recommendations to address elk management issues and improve relationships among stakeholders. The groups recommendations will be presented to FWP Director Hank Worsech by July 31. For more information about the advisory group and to watch the April 14 meeting, go to https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/elk-management-citizen-advisory-group. Lake McDonald project to begin at Glacier Glacier National Park announces that the Lake McDonald utilities construction project is set to begin June 1, which will replace seven miles of sewer main, electrical and telephone lines from Apgar to the Lake McDonald Lodge along Going-to-the-Sun Road. It will also replace the lift station at the lodge to reduce the threat of sewage overflow. The contract has been awarded to Ceccanti Inc. of Tacoma, WA. Spring and summer work will be done at night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., with a nighttime closure in place along Going-to-the-Sun Road from the south end of the lake near Apgar Campground to Sprague Creek Campground. At midnight each evening, there will be a window when vehicles will be piloted through construction. For a second year in a row, the park is having a vehicle reservation system for Going-to-the-Sun Road from May 27 through Sept. 11. Visitors can access Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side after 4 pm without a reservation. Visitors will not be able to access Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side before 6 a.m., unlike last year, due to nighttime construction for the duration of the project. Vehicle reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road are available 120 days and 24-hours in advance at Recreation.gov (or Rec.gov). For more information, visit the parks website at www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrticketedentry. Visitors can enter Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side at the St. Mary Entrance from May 27 through Sept. 11 before 6 a.m. and after 4 p.m. without a reservation and travel as far as Sprague Creek Campground during the nighttime closure. Glacier National Park road crew began snow removal on Going-to-the-Sun Road on April 4. Based on previous years, park staff estimate the road will be fully open toward the end of June. The road is now open to Lake McDonald Lodge from the west and Rising Sun from the east. Visitors can expect the road to be open as far as Avalanche Campground on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side. More information will be posted on the park website as it becomes available. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The utilities sector, an underlying facilitator for all industries, has witnessed a spike in the adoption of digital technology and it is expected to climb as power demand rises to drive economic development. Placed in this context, the World Utilities Congress, with a dedicated strategic panel on Digital Transformation and Technological Innovations, will deeper into how digitalisation will transform the utilities sector. The Congress will take place on from May 9 to 11 in Abu Dhabis Adnec, convening more than 10,000 global utilities professionals to explore critical topics, including the future of low carbon power and water supplies. Increasing efficiency Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, the organisers of the World Utilities Congress said: Adopting digital technologies will help utility company managers increase the efficiency of their assets, save energy and water, and lead to an overall more sustainable country. He added: Data will also play an integral role in decision-making, both for current projects and future developments, paving the way for a new energy ecosystem. Hosted by Taqa, the global exhibition and congress provides an unrivalled platform to explore the latest products, innovations, and technological advancements across the global utilities landscape. It will bring together water and power leaders to provide insights on building resilient low carbon business models with agile automated digital operations. Bringing expenses down Studies indicate potential reduction in operating expenses of up to 25%, and performance gains of 20 to 40% in areas such as safety, reliability, customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance is also achievable. These incentives have led utility companies to rapidly adopt digital technologies including the reimagining of customer journeys, adding digital leak detectors to gas grids and water supply, using predictive models to schedule maintenance and other asset-management activities. Efficient operations and lower costs mean that utility companies can pass on the savings to consumers. This is especially important given the current challenging landscape of high-energy prices that have affected consumers across the world, especially those in Europe and the US. A vital role It is evident that digital technologies, data, and internet of things (IoT) will play a vital role in the digital transformation of utilities. These technologies have great potential in helping to optimise the use of energy resources and operations at remote facilities, while ensuring reliable, safe and secure infrastructures. Emerging digital technologies, such as smart grids, industrial IoT and big data are influencing the power industry to transform into more agile, cost effective, and sustainable business models. For example, there is an increasing use of sensors and metres to detect leaks and reduce consumption through technologies, such as smart-home appliances and smart-street lightings as part of smart-city plans that are being developed and implemented. As the digitalisation of power distribution and retail companies is expected to continue to accelerate this decade, Frost & Sullivan says that digital investments are directed toward three main areas: enhancing customer service, optimising grid operations, and developing connected businesses. By incorporating cloud computing, big data, analytics, and IoT solutions, utilities and retailers are transforming their businesses beyond commodity selling. Energy efficiency agenda With global energy demand set to double by 2050, major sustainability concerns are pushing an energy efficiency agenda forward, all over the world. The UAE has to meet ambitious targets as part of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which includes reducing the carbon footprint of power generation by 70%, while also reaching Net Zero by 2050. These developments, coupled with technological disruptions, are expected to be key to accelerating global economies. The World Utilities Congress will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. -- Tradearabia News Service The state of Montana has urged the National Park Service to withdraw its proposed update to Yellowstone National Parks bison management plan and work with the state on a new option for the plan. The park superintendent said on Wednesday that he is open to developing a new alternative with the states input. Federal, state and tribal partners who manage Yellowstone bison under the Interagency Bison Management Plan discussed options for moving forward with the update during a meeting in Bozeman on Wednesday. Earlier this year, the park service announced it would be updating Yellowstones plan as part of an effort to address changed circumstances and new information obtained since the approval of the Interagency Bison Management Plan in 2000. The National Park Service proposed three different alternatives for the update, then collected public comments on them through the month of February. Yellowstones bison management plan functions under the umbrella of the interagency plan. We have attempted through this planning process to set up a spectrum of alternatives that start with where (the interagency partners have) gotten to at this point, without going backwards, said Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly on Wednesday. In public comments submitted to the National Park Service, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte urged the federal agency to withdraw its notice to update the plan. The comments were obtained by Yellowstone Public Radio through a public records request. Gianforte wrote in the comments that the park service should withdraw its notice and engage in consultation with Montana to identify mutually acceptable alternatives, as the success of the proposed alternatives is contingent upon Montanas cooperation and agreement. At Wednesdays meeting, Sholly said there are approximately 5,500 bison in the park, one of the highest populations recorded since Yellowstone was first set aside for protection in 1872. Even with substantially higher bison numbers, the park has been able to achieve the objectives laid out in the interagency plan, according to Sholly. Because managers havent hit population reduction targets set during the last two years, that population is going to continue to grow, he said. The three alternatives proposed by the park allow managers to sustain a healthy and viable bison population in Yellowstone, maintain genetic diversity and support an appropriate level of bison migration outside the park, he said. Under the first alternative, park staff would work toward maintaining a population of 3,000 to 5,000 bison in Yellowstone. They would continue to send animals to slaughter as a means of controlling numbers, and they would support tribal and state hunting outside the park. Park staff would allow the Yellowstone bison population to increase to between 4,000 and 6,000 animals under the second alternative. They would continue to emphasize tribal hunting opportunities outside of the park, and they would decrease shipment to slaughter. (The 4,000 to 6,000 range) is generally where we are right now, Sholly said. That is generally where every single person sitting around this table, including the three state representatives, have agreed that we should be. Under the third alternative, the park would allow the bison population to expand toward 8,000 to 10,000 animals, and shipment to slaughter would cease until the carrying capacity was reached. Staff would rely on natural selection and hunting outside of the park to regulate numbers. Park staff are fully cognizant that the third option could shock the conscience a bit, but they felt it was appropriate to put it out for consideration, according to Sholly. Staff developed the alternatives with the goal of supporting interagency objectives, park management objectives and trust responsibilities to tribes. Over the last week, Sholly offered the state an opportunity to help the park develop a fourth alternative for consideration, he said. If the state would like to see a completely different alternative somewhere on that spectrum considered, we are absolutely willing to work with the state and cooperate with them to develop a fourth alternative and include it in the analysis for the (environmental impact statement), he said. Mike Honeycutt, executive officer at the Montana Department of Livestock, said the interagency partners have achieved a population of 5,500 bison because they havent had the opportunity to reduce the numbers. Its very difficult, as we have seen, to control removals. Some years that removal is going to be 70. Some years that removal is going to be 1,100-1,200, and thats all based on opportunity, he said. This partner has never consented to 5,500 as a stable population target that we have accepted and said we would accept at that point in time. Apart from some tolerance areas outside of the park, the state of Montana largely does not tolerate free-moving bison across its landscape. Thats because Yellowstone bison can carry brucellosis, and the disease could have significant economic consequences for the states livestock producers and industry. Bison reproduce quickly, so to keep numbers steady in Yellowstone, park staff trap some of the animals annually during a natural migration in the winter. They send some bison to slaughter, and others are sent to quarantine, then shipped to tribal lands. Some bison are killed in state and tribal-regulated hunts outside of the park. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Calling the United States dangerously short on microchips and overly reliant on foreign suppliers, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Wednesday advocated for a manufacturing expansion bill beneficial to the tech economy of the Rocky Mountain West, including Montana. In a press call with reporters from Montana, Idaho, Utah and Washington, Raimondo said the chip shortage is as bad as its ever been, posing a threat to the manufacture of military equipment, farm machinery and automobiles. The only way out, the secretary said, is expanding U.S. production of microchips, or semiconductors. Congress is currently reconciling two bills getting at the same chip problem. Both the House and the Senate passed versions in recent weeks. Included is $52 billion directed to the Department of Commerce for fostering semiconductor production in the United States. The semiconductor shortage is really at a crisis level. A couple of years ago, the median inventory of semiconductors in the United States was about 40 days. Today, it's fewer than five days, Raimondo said. Even more alarmingly, 90% of the world's most sophisticated chips are made in Taiwan, actually a single company in Taiwan. It is those chips that we need for military equipment, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, communication devices, and they're almost all made in Taiwan. Our extreme dependence on other countries for semiconductors means that we're very vulnerable. Significant to Montana is support for silane gas production. The worlds largest supplier of the gas, used in semiconductors, flat screen monitors and solar panels, is a factory on the outskirts of Butte. REC Silicon employs nearly 300 people at the facility, according to the companys website. REC has been on the White Houses radar as early as the second quarter of 2021 when in its 100-day supply chain review the Biden administration recognized the potential for domestic expansion of silane gas production, but noted that trade moves by China had hobbled the industry. Three other manufacturers in the United States were also identified at that time. Since 2014, China has spent about $150 billion subsidizing their chip companies. And so, what we are saying is, we have to level the playing field, Raimondo said. So our companies can compete, some of that is trade remedies, but a lot of that is making these investments. The $52 billion in the Chips Act, which we need Congress to pass, gives our companies a fighting chance against what China is doing. Semiconductors are a primary driver of silane gas demand, but so are next-generation batteries using silicon anodes. In a roundtable discussion with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm last June, REC Silicon Vice President Chuck Sutton said the United States had the ingredients to be a leading developer and manufacturer of lithium batteries, but that government support was needed. Otherwise, the batteries would go the way of solar panel production, now dominated by China, which heavily subsidized its industry. In the discussion, reported by Energy Storage News, Sutton said the value chain couldnt grow fast enough on its own. He said REC supported cost-sharing grants to produce the silane gas and three other ingredients essential to producing the batteries. More than loan guarantees were needed to stimulate manufacturing. Montanas congressional delegation was mixed in its support for the innovation bills. Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale voted against the America Competes Act in the House, but in the Senate both Republican Steve Daines and Democrat Jon Tester voted for a similar bill. They framed the bill as crucial for keeping the United States competitive with China. Daines said his support for the legislation extended only to the provisions in the Senate bill that were matched by the House version. He thought the House version went too far in scope and spending. We must keep the bi-partisan provisions to support semiconductor manufacturing, level the playing field for trade, increase IP protections for Americans, create high-paying tech jobs and advance research in states like Montana that are leading the quantum computing revolution, Daines said in a press release after the vote. Tester was appointed April 7 to the conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate bills. When the committee post was announced, he said the United States needed to strengthen its supply chain if it was to remain the leader of the free world. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Legislature shall provide by law the requirements for residence, registration, absentee voting, and administration of elections. It doesnt get much clearer than that line in Article IV, Section 3 of Montanas Constitution. Unless of course youre an activist judge who doesnt like common sense laws duly passed by the peoples representatives, the democratically elected Legislature. In that case, youll just go ahead and block those laws in favor of your political allies, exactly as District Court Judge Michael Moses did recently. The laws in question are entirely reasonable and are supported by Montanans throughout the state. One of them requires voter identification to ensure that a person seeking to vote in an election is eligible to do so because theyre indeed a citizen and a resident of Montana. The new law requires photo ID with a Montana address. Or, alternatively, you can use a photo ID without an address but also supply other proof of address. If even that doesnt work, you can sign an affidavit and still vote, but that vote can then be checked for eligibility and thrown out if the person isnt a legal voter. The other three laws in question move the voter registration deadline to noon the day before the election, prohibit partisan political operatives from being paid to harvest ballots, and prohibit people from receiving ballots until theyve met the age and residency requirements to be eligible to vote. Democrats dont like these sensible laws for some reason, but the laws are completely within the bounds of Montanas Constitution, further secure our elections, and dont prevent any eligible registered voter from exercising their fundamental constitutional right to vote. Which is why Judge Mosess recent ruling is so infuriating and so outside the bounds of our constitutional separation of powers. Barely a month before ballots go out for the June primary, Judge Moses unilaterally blocked all these commonsense laws at the request of the Montana Democratic machine. His ruling hardly even touched on legal, constitutional analysis, let alone Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution. Instead, he engaged mostly in a he said, she said debate between the parties in the lawsuit over whether they like the new laws or not. In such a flimsy ruling, its no surprise that Moses sided with the activist liberals. He was originally appointed to the bench by a Democratic governor. Every partisan donation his household has made, over $1,500 in total, has gone to Democrats. We have a lot of good judges in Montana who are committed to fulfilling their strictly judicial roles as required by the separation of powers in our Constitution. Unfortunately, we also have way too many activist judges who let their political and policy views cloud their decisions on the bench. To them we say: if you want to go beyond assessing constitutionality, and instead express your own views of whats good or bad policy, if you want to change the law to fit your political preferences, if you want to advocate for policies, then run for the Legislature. Thats what we all did. The Legislature is the policymaking branch of government, not the judiciary. Your job is to interpret the laws. If you want to write them, or get rid of the ones you dont like, youre in the wrong office. For too long, our part-time, citizen Legislature and the people of Montana havent paid enough attention to whats been going on within Montanas judicial branch of government. Thats over now. Judges are always happy to tell others when theyre in the wrong, but too many dont want the same accountability for themselves. Keep political activism out of our courts. Respect the separation of powers guaranteed under our Constitution. Judge Mosess unjustifiable activist ruling needs to be overturned immediately. This opinion column is signed by 57 Republican members of the Montana Legislature, including all House and Senate leadership, the sponsors of the four blocked election laws, the chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, the chairs of the House and Senate State Administration Committees, and all Republican members of the Special Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency. Rep. Sue Vinton, House Majority Leader, Billings; Rep. Casey Knudsen, House Speaker Pro Tempore, Malta; Rep. Wylie Galt, Speaker of the House, Martinsdale; Sen. Mark Blasdel, President of the Senate, Kalispell; Sen. Jason Ellsworth, Senate President Pro Tempore, Hamilton; Sen. Cary Smith, Senate Majority Leader, Billings; Rep. Sharon Greef, HB 176 sponsor, Florence; Sen. Mike Cuffe, SB 169 sponsor, Eureka; Rep. Paul Fielder, HB 506 sponsor, Thompson Falls; Rep. Wendy McKamey, HB 530 sponsor, Chair of House State Administration, Ulm; Sen. Greg Hertz, Chair of Special Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency, Polson; Sen. Keith Regier, Chair of Senate Judiciary, Kalispell; Rep. Barry Usher, Chair of House Judiciary, Billings; Sen. Doug Kary, Chair of Senate State Administration, Billings; Sen. Tom McGillvray, Special Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency, Billings; Rep. Amy Regier, Special Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency, Kalispell; Sen. Kenneth Bogner, Miles City; Rep. Ed Buttrey, Great Falls; Rep. Caleb Hinkle, Belgrade; Sen. John Esp, Big Timber; Rep. Seth Berglee, Joliet; Sen. Gordon Vance, Belgrade; Rep. John Fuller, Kalispell; Rep. Jeremy Trebas, Great Falls; Sen. Russ Tempel, Chester; Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, Billings; Sen. Carl Glimm, Kila; Rep. Sherry Essmann, Billings; Rep. Marta Bertoglio, Clancy; Rep. Steve Gunderson, Libby; Rep. Scot Kerns, Great Falls; Rep. Mallerie Stromswold, Billings; Rep. Ron Marshall, Hamilton; Sen. Brad Molnar, Laurel; Rep. Derek Skees, Kalispell; Rep. Brad Tschida, Missoula; Sen. David Howard, Park City; Rep. Rhonda Knudsen, Culbertson; Rep. David Bedey, Hamilton; Sen. Bob Brown, Thompson Falls; Rep. Jennifer Carlson, Manhattan; Sen. Steve Hinebauch, Wibaux; Rep. Terry Moore, Billings; Rep. Ken Walsh, Twin Bridges; Rep. Jedediah Hinkle, Belgrade; Rep. Vince Ricci, Laurel; Rep. Matt Regier, Kalispell; Rep. Steve Gist, Cascade; Rep. Becky Beard, Elliston; Rep. Llew Jones, Conrad; Rep. Jane Gillette, Bozeman; Rep. Linda Reksten, Polson; Rep. Bob Phalen, Lindsay; Rep. Jerry Schillinger, Circle; Rep. Steven Galloway, Great Falls; Rep. Fiona Nave, Columbus; Rep. Ross Fitzgerald, Fairfield Love 3 Funny 3 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 Bo Crees, avian specialist with Montana Audubon, scanned with binoculars beyond the sagebrush northwest of Helena, searching pale agricultural fields to see if long-billed curlews had arrived in Montana to nest. Curlews evolved with big herds of bison, so actually with ranching, cattle can create good habitat, he said. Theyre generally foraging on the ground in the open. You dont see them in the sagebrush often where a coyote might jump on them if theyre not careful. Montana Audubons annual curlew survey started last Friday in the Helena, Mission and Blackfoot valleys. The project includes staffers and volunteers who conduct regimented surveys of identified habitat, driving predesignated routes and stopping roughly every half mile to look, listen and document what they see on the Survey 123 phone app. Long-billed curlews are North Americas largest shorebird, distinctive not only for their size, but also for their long curved bill used to capture invertebrates on mud flats on wintering grounds. Starting in mid-March, the birds arrive on their nesting grounds, remaining in Montanas mixed-grass prairie for the spring and summer. Crees concentrates his binoculars on feeding grounds and keeps his ears open for their trademark call. Unlike some smaller birds, curlews stand out, and that makes them a prime species for volunteers to survey in Audubons citizen science program. Theyre something thats unmistakable, Crees said. Theyre such a big bird and very charismatic, and with curlews their call is very distinct. Curlews are a bird that if you cant see them theyre probably not there. Liz Hiltunen, with Last Chance Audubon, is one of those volunteers participating for the last several years. Given curlews appearance with their long curved beak, she assumed as many do that they are water birds, but has enjoyed learning more about their grassland habitat. Ive found curlews to be a really fascinating bird, she said. They have this big, long bill, their call is very haunting, and its been very interesting to be involved in the surveys and learn more about them. Interest in long-billed curlews in Montana started about a decade ago through the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership, a coalition of state and federal agencies, nonprofits and private individuals interested in bird conservation, said Amy Seaman, director of policy and science at Montana Audubon. The birds are listed as a species of concern in the state with loss or degradation of grassland habitat identified as a threat. The nesting period for long-billed curlews is also early compared to many species, meaning nesting bird surveys in June are prone to miss them. Surveys and work through the partnership led to the states first predictive habitat model, and Audubon became interested in looking at western Montana valleys more prone to development. Its been a great opportunity and really nice too for new birders because theyre big fun birds to identify, Seaman said. Its also a good survey for groups because theyre not a species thats negatively impacted by having a few people there. The project in the Mission Valley started in 2014 where technicians or volunteers survey 25 routes. In Helena 23 routes are surveyed and the Blackfoot Valley has seven routes. In all, about 40 people participate, surveying routes once during the early period of April 8-May 7 and again from May 8-May 31. One of the early goals of the project was thinking about grassland conservation through the habitat needs of long-billed curlews, Seaman said. As it turns out, the birds are surprisingly flexible with management and agriculture, she continued, and is a model species for working lands and a favorite species of many ranchers she talks to. Data recorded through the Survey 123 app goes directly to the Montana Natural Heritage Program. There it is available for state, federal or tribal resource managers. Kristina Smucker, nongame bureau chief with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, said long-billed curlews and the data produced hasnt been analyzed. The agency would conduct statewide or regional surveys before any changes to management decisions. But she praised the local efforts as a model that could be built on. Kudos to a great citizen science program, and its a good model to take to do these kinds of surveys in an inexpensive way, Smucker said. Crees arrived at his last survey spot a low field starting to green up for spring and packed with multiple bird species, but no curlews. Were probably just early, he said. In a couple of days you might come out here and find curlews. The absence of the birds and something important to emphasize to volunteers may not be as exciting as finding them, but still provides important data for the project, he said. Data is often compiled for several seasons before analysis, he added. More information on the project, including how to become involved, is available at www.mtaudubon.org or by emailing Peter Dudley at peter@mtaudubon.org or Amy Seaman at aseaman@mtaudubon.org. Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR The Community Foundation of Macon County has awarded a total of $28,800 in grants to 17 local organizations. The grants will fund training and professional development for staff and board members in the nonprofits. The amount is the highest total since the microgrants were established in 2010. For nonprofit organizations, finding funding to invest in professional development can be difficult, said Community Initiatives Manager Tony Holly. These organizations are usually already juggling how to meet the challenges of rising expenses and shrinking budgets. And yet, offering staff and board development opportunities is critical in improving retention, engagement and productivity." The 2022 microgrant recipients and individual grant awards are: The Boys and Girls Club of Decatur, $2,000 The Boy Scouts of America, Greater St. Louis Area Council, $1,900 CHELP, $2,000 Childrens Museum of Illinois, $1,883 Decatur Day Care Center, $1,400 Decatur Family YMCA, $1,375 Decatur Memorial Foundation, $2,000 Energy Assistance Foundation, $800 The Good Samaritan Inn, $2,000 Heritage Behavioral Health Center, $1,500 Macon Resources Inc., $1,295 Millikin University, $2,000 PawPrint Ministries Comfort Dogs, $2,000 Prairieland Service Coordination Inc., $1,520 The Salvation Army of Decatur and Macon County, $2,000 Scovill Zoo, $2,000 Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy, $1,189 Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR Changes could be coming for high school uniforms in Decatur's high schools. The school board on Tuesday discussed surveys among students, parents and staff on the uniforms, which have been required since 2011. Comments in favor of uniforms from these surveys included such things as uniforms keep the focus on school instead of attire, and reduces peer pressure based on attire, while comments against the uniforms ranged from the extra expense for parents who have to buy both school uniforms and regular clothing for their teens to uniforms promote conformity instead of individuality. In the first year of the uniform requirement, said Lawrence Trimble, director of student services, violations of the uniform policy were high and have gone down considerably since then. Teachers and parents questioned for the survey were largely against continuing the uniform policy, though those in favor said it cuts down on inappropriate clothing at school and that teens were learning a lesson that would serve them well in adulthood and the work world, where dress codes are common. The students questioned for the survey were members of the Superintendent's Youth Advisory Council and the student ambassadors to the school board. Student ambassador Daniel Flores, who was present for Tuesday's meeting, said he did not anticipate students' wholehearted approval of dropping the uniform requirement. "Some of them might (approve)," he said. Teachers against the uniform requirement said it's not consistently enforced and that enforcing it wastes time that could be better spent on instruction. Students liked that it looks nice to people outside the school community when they're all dressed similarly, but those opposed to the uniforms said it's difficult to find the right colors and styles that are required, especially now with supply chain disruptions. Students' suggestions included making solid color shirts of any type, not just the typical polo shirts, part of the uniform and possibly adding jeans to the dress code, even if only on Fridays. Trimble proposed making May a no uniform month as an experiment, while still requiring students to adhere to a dress code, and to seek feedback from the same groups teachers, students and parents to determine the next steps. What we'll do is eliminate the uniform, but still have criteria as it relates to the dress code, Trimble said. After this month is completed, we'll gather feedback from administrators and students and make a determination on next steps for the next school year, Trimble said. Trimble said the district has a dress code for lower grades and the same rules will apply to high school students during May. His intent is to remind families of that dress code when announcing the uniform-free month and to enforce that dress code for high school students. Have we looked at updating the dress code? asked board President Dan Oakes. As we consider shifting away from uniforms, however we do it, we have to get specific with the dress code, Trimble said. We have have to address things like ripped jeans, logos on shirts. The alternative would be to to update the dress code if we eliminated the uniform policy. We're going over the Student Code of Conduct now, and at the next meeting be I'll be back with recommendations. The dress code for all students is "appropriate" attire, according to the Student Code of Conduct manual, and building principals in schools without uniforms determine what that means. Generally speaking, offensive and violent language or images on shirts would be inappropriate, for example. Trimble said. The only specific rules are for the high schools, which require black, gray, white or yellow tops at Eisenhower High School, blue, black, gray or white at MacArthur. Students may wear polo shirts in any of those colors, sweatshirts, vests, cardigans, jackets and hoodies in those solid colors, but hoods must remain down at school. For bottoms, solid khaki or black pants, knee-length shorts and skirts, and leggings or tights in solid school-approved colors are allowed only under skirts. Of the other Decatur schools, American Dreamer STEM Academy requires a uniform of dark blue pants, skirts, shorts or jumper with white or blue polo shirts. Robertson Charter School provides students with school logo shirts and the students may wear jeans with those. Area schools' dress code guidelines are largely the same county-wide: not allowed are ripped and torn clothing; jewelry and clothing with messages promoting gangs, alcohol, drugs, inappropriate messages whether explicit or implied; clothing with sexually explicit messages or that is too revealing; underclothing must be covered; coats and hats must be left in lockers and not work inside the building; shoes must have hard soles and slippers are not allowed. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR Benjamin Horne first attempted musical arrangement when he was in middle school. He listened to recordings of band and orchestra performances and tried writing down the arrangements by ear. Now finishing his master's degree in music performance at Indiana University, Horne spent time with Johns Hill Magnet School's band on Thursday to help them rehearse for a midday concert during which he also performed on his favorite instrument, euphonium. The Johns Hill Magnet School will be giving the world premiere of my band piece called 'Scrapin,'' Horne said. It's for a young band. The piece was funded through a consortium of 25 schools across the country and right here in Decatur, Illinois, Johns Hill is the first to perform it and they invited me out here to conduct it as well as to play with them. Zach Friedland, one of the six composers involved in the consortium, died recently, Horne said, and he and the surviving composers are dedicating this year's work to him. A former band teacher himself, Horne said he enjoyed working with the students, and they learned a lot working with him as well. It was unique to hear the thoughts a composer has when he's trying to conduct his own piece, said Hana Renfro, who plays trumpet. He had to change some things, because when he saw some things and when he heard them, he had different opinions from what he wrote, so that was cool. That was one of the things that Johns Hill music teacher Tom Miller had hoped the students would enjoy from the experience: watching the creative process that goes into composing music. When they reached the section that Horne changed after hearing the kids play through it, Miller said, Horne told them he was going to change it and he didn't need permission since it's his own work. For me as a conductor, and for (the kids), it was, 'How do you make artistic interpretations of work that isn't yours?' Miller said. You don't really know that's what the composer wanted. You're using your skills and your experience to kind of make these judgment calls, but that's really all they are. But when the composer comes in, it's no longer a judgment call, it's the call. Miller found out about the consortium from a fellow band teacher in the district who told him about composer Jennifer Rose, who offers one of her works for free to bands. Rose told him about the consortium as it was forming. Miller considered it a good investment to help lesser-known composers, who also represent a wide range of diversity, much like Johns Hill's students do. After receiving the six compositions, he had some questions about the one Horne had composed, and contacted Horne to ask those questions. Those conversations led to the decision for Horne to visit the school. We had a great opportunity to have, not just a composer, but a guest conductor and clinician and somebody who has experience working with middle school students, Miller said. It's nice to get a fresh face and a fresh perspective on the music as well. Miller and Horne recorded the performance on Thursday and Miller planned to share his recording with the parents and friends who couldn't attend the concert in person. It's a really cool song and I really enjoyed playing it, said Sophia Johnson, who plays tuba. Not a lot of songs have cool parts for low brass instruments, which I play, and it's a really cool song to play and such a cool experience to have the composer come in and conduct it for us, especially considering it's the world premiere. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The last two years, thanks to the pandemic, that wasn't possible, and extensive work planned at the museum, where Executive Director Evelyn Hood and the board are raising money for an elevator to make the museum more accessible, meant that there was no big enough space for a large exhibit this year, either. We had to kind of re-think how we were going to do exhibits, Hansen said. I wasn't sure how many kids I was going to have in the class. We weren't sure with school how long we were going to be in session, maybe out of school, remote, in person. So we decided to go with smaller exhibits rather than the large, filling up an entire space exhibit. The fall class created a display about the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 to mark its 100th anniversary, a small table top exhibit. The spring class created a timeline for the positive aspects of Reconstruction, the period following the Civil War. Hood requested that one. She told Hansen that the museum already had plenty of information on the negative aspects of Reconstruction but she wanted to show both sides. Hansen ordered the display panel using some grant money and told the students to create the timeline and QR codes that would lead visitors to the museum to websites and video that would further expand on the events depicted. Our first step was researching Reconstruction, said Raleigh Allen, a senior. For the QR codes, for things we can have pictures for, we looked up videos that talked about what happened to African-Americans after the Civil War, and when you go online and looked up links, it will create a QR code, and you can just scan it with your phone and it will open up a link to the videos. Because the point of the project was to focus on the positive aspects of Reconstruction, said senior Rosie Ellison, they looked for the advancements of African-Americans. It was really a pivotal time, Rosie said. Raleigh said she likes the class because, though the students learn some of the same topics in other classes, they don't delve as deeply into them as they can in this class. We don't get the same in-depth education that we do in this class, Raleigh said. And coming to a place like (the museum), you can see the artifacts and the first-hand accounts of people that lived through these events. Hansen plans a trip for his students this summer that will take in Memphis, Tenn., where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Little Rock, Ark., where the first schools were integrated in the South; and Money, Miss., where Emmett Till was lynched. The trip will also include a visit to Till's family. What the students knew, but Hansen did not, was that Temethia Joyner, who works with Young Leaders in Action, would pop in while the group was at the museum to present Hansen with a grant that will help pay for that trip. I've followed you for years, Joyner said, laughing, but choked up a moment later. What you do is absolutely magnificent, and it's world-changing. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR As Richland Community College celebrates Community College Month and prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the fall, administrators thought it was also a good time to invite the community to see how it's changed. We really just wanted to share with the community how we're such a wonderful asset, said Julie Melton, vice president of institutional advancement. On Wednesday, the college invited community members to lunch and to take tours of the campus, which has undergone significant changes in the last couple of years alone. The pandemic shutdowns gave the college a chance to make major progress on planned remodeling of the second floor of the college, with new classrooms, upgraded labs, flexible furnishings that can be rearranged for a variety of uses and new technology. Student nurses can practice on sims mannequin patients that move, breathe, even talk, and can be programmed to have any number of emergency health crises. They have one of only 10 child sims in the nation, and they have a sim who can give birth. It takes only six seconds for a patient to decide whether they trust their caregiver, said Dr. Richard Harmon, and it's important that teachers help students learn to talk to and empathize with their patients as well as teaching them how to care for them. This is one-way glass, Harmon said, gesturing to a lab where a student was examining a sim while an instructor watched and recorded notes. This is our simulated hospital. We want our students to interact with our mannequins and treat them as a real patient, in the role of a registered nurse. This is a safe learning place for them. If they make a mistake here and the mannequin dies, this is where we want them to make the mistake. We want them to learn from the mistakes before they go out and take care of real patients. The emergency medical services area, also new, includes a fully-equipped ambulance, which those students didn't have before. They had to share instruction space with other disciplines. Now they have their own and can practice on actual emergency equipment. It opened last fall. It was very hard for students to come in outside of class and get extra help, said Trevor Smith, EMS program director and faculty member. It's nice to have a dedicated space. During the pandemic, said Ellen Colbeck, dean of health professions, classrooms have had to double as labs so that classes could be kept small in the interests of social distancing. A surprising number of students didn't even know Richland had a second floor, said Allison Shuppara, who works in the student success department. Now a new staircase in the main lobby near the Mueller Student Center leads directly to the newly remodeled classrooms and labs, and with the comfortable seating, conference rooms and study areas strewn throughout that area, students are spending a lot of time using it. More remodeling is on the way, with the Mueller Student Center and library area slated for a complete refurbishing, she said. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR A wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of an inmate who died in the Macon County Jail has been partially settled for $9 million, the Herald & Review has learned. A check by the newspaper of similar lawsuits involving in-custody deaths shows that this is one of the largest settlements of its kind in at least Central Illinois, if not the entire state. The settlement was reached in a federal court proceeding Wednesday presided over by Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley; settlement parties included Decatur Memorial Hospital along with Dr. Robert Braco and nurse Jo Bates, who had both worked for the hospital. DMH and its employees were providing health care for the jail when 35-year-old inmate Michael A. Carter died on July 18, 2015. Carter, a diabetic, succumbed to complications arising from diabetic ketoacidosis. He had been held at the jail while awaiting federal court proceedings on drug and weapon charges. The lawsuit, originally filed for $50 million, accused the hospital, via its employees working at the jail, of failing to provide adequate medical intervention that doomed Carter by not responding appropriately to his deteriorating medical condition. Decatur Memorial Hospital spokesman Michael Leathers said Thursday the hospital would have no comment on the settlement. Carters estate is represented by Chicago-based attorney Rahsaan A. Gordon who, speaking Thursday, said Carters family wanted the scale of the settlement publicized to acknowledge the tragedy of losing their loved one. They want to send a message; they want to send a message that Mr. Carters life meant something, said Gordon. That life was taken away and people have to be held accountable, whether you are a very large corporation or a very large hospital, you must be held to account when you engage in wrong-doing, especially the extreme wrong-doing that has taken place in this case. The lawsuit, however, is far from over with news of the partial settlement. The Macon County Sheriffs Office and various named correctional officers have also been sued. Part of that case has been stalled while a federal appeals court considers issues raised by the correctional officers arguing their claims of qualified immunity were wrongly denied earlier in the case. The family of Mr. Carter is looking forward to its day in court against the Macon County Sheriffs Office and the correctional officers for their role in Mr. Carters death, Gordon said. Were still pushing forward. Macon County Sheriff Jim Root, who was not in office at the time of Carters death, said he could not comment on pending legal proceedings. Health care at the jail is known to have undergone a major overhaul in recent years, a process started when former Sheriff Howard Buffett commissioned a $236,000 report to troubleshoot health care problems at the facility. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Clean energy spending earmarked by governments in response to the Covid-19 crisis has risen by 50% over the past five months and now stands at over $710 billion worldwide, said the International Energy Agency (IEA) in a new report. This unprecedented amount of enacted spending is more than 40% larger than the global green spending contained in the stimulus packages that governments enacted following the global financial crisis in 2008, according to the latest update of the IEAs Sustainable Recovery Tracker. Advanced economies account the bulk of this effort, with over $370 billion intended to be spent prior to the end of 2023, a level of short-term government spending that would help keep the door open for the IEAs global pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. Across emerging and developing economies, however, the total amount of fiscal resources being dedicated to sustainable recovery measures is one-tenth of the amount in advanced economies, reflecting their very different financial and economic circumstances. In emerging and developing economies, around $52 billion of sustainable recovery spending is planned by the end of 2023, well short of what is needed in a pathway towards net zero emissions by 2050. The gap is unlikely to narrow in the near term, as governments with already limited fiscal means now face the challenge of maintaining food and fuel affordability for their citizens amid the surge in commodity prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Countries where clean energy is at the heart of recovery plans are keeping alive the possibility of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, but challenging financial and economic conditions have undermined public resources in much of the rest of the world, said Fatih Birol, the IEA Executive Director. International cooperation will be essential to change these clean energy investment trends, especially in emerging and developing economies where the need is greatest. Even in advanced economies, some of the earmarked funds risk not reaching the market within their envisaged timelines. Delays in setting up government programmes, ongoing supply chain disruptions, labour shortages and financial uncertainty have clogged project pipelines. In addition, consumer-facing measures such as incentives for building retrofits and electric vehicles are struggling to reach a wider audience because of issues including red tape and lack of information. Governments who can remove red tape and quickly set up effective programmes will be the ones to reap the benefits and position themselves in the new global energy economy that is emerging, said Dr Birol. While the latest update of the Sustainable Recovery Tracker does point to promising signs in advanced economies, the world still needs to massively expand its clean energy deployment efforts throughout this decade, first and foremost in developing economies, if we are going to preserve the hope of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 C. Rising fossil fuel prices, which have been exacerbated by Russias invasion of Ukraine, have pushed governments both to enact immediate measures to make energy more affordable and to explore efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependency. The IEAs tracking shows that emergency affordability support by governments worldwide for households and businesses has reached about $270 billion since the start of the winter heating season in the Northern Hemisphere in 2021. But many of the measures most effective in reducing oil and gas demand such as installing heat pumps and expanding the use of public transport, bike lanes and high-speed rail have not yet received the needed level of government support to date. The IEAs recent 10-Point Plans on natural gas and oil highlight the key areas where immediate action can be taken. Overall, public spending on sustainable energy remains a small proportion of the unprecedented $18.2 trillion in fiscal outflows that governments have dedicated to countering the economic impacts of Covid-19. But the IEA estimates that government spending that has been earmarked for spending prior to 2023 could support over $1.6 trillion worth of sustainable investments by mobilising higher levels of private sector participation. The Sustainable Recovery Tracker examines and makes publicly available over 1 000 national policies enacted to accelerate clean energy transitions as part of fiscal measures to limit the economic fallout from the pandemic. The tracker was first published in July 2021 and its update was requested by G20 leaders at their November 2021 meeting in Rome. The IEA will continue to track government fiscal responses to the ongoing energy crisis, as well as tracking government spending directed at clean energy, in line with the G20s request. Going forward, the Sustainable Recovery Tracker will broaden the government energy spending it monitors, including how governments use fiscal means to ensure security of supply, maintain affordability and advance clean energy transitions against the benchmark of the IEAs Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario. TradeArabia News Service DECATUR Two brothers accused of a violent spate of armed Decatur car-jackings were caught after a series of high-speed chases and the ramming of several police vehicles, an arrest warrant reveals. Calvin G. Shepherd IV, 18, and Calvin G. Shepherd III, 20, were arrested March 24 in Springfield after police said they used a Toyota Camry stolen in Decatur to smash into one city squad car before ramming another, according to the warrant. Both men face four counts of aggravated vehicle hijacking following a series of car-jackings that hit Decatur between Feb. 28 and March 20. Shepherd IV appeared in Macon County Circuit Court on Wednesday and told Judge Rodney Forbes he needed more time to hire a lawyer. The judge gave him until April 22 when the defendants attorney is scheduled to make an appearance. A preliminary hearing is already set for April 20 for Shepherd III when Forbes will examine the evidence against him. The arrest warrant said Springfield Police first encountered the stolen Toyota Camry on March 20 when it was the suspect vehicle used by gunmen who opened fire on a female driver. Police later spotted the Toyota but it had fled and disappeared after forcing a Springfield squad car off the road. On March 23, Springfield Police found a Dodge Charger being refueled at a city gas station and realized the vehicle had been reported carjacked and stolen from Decatur on March 20. The driver saw police following him and took off at a high rate of speed, said the warrant, which was signed by Decatur Police Detective Brad Hall. It should be noted that this same Charger was involved in a high-speed pursuit with the Peoria Police Department on this same date, Hall added, also noting the pursued vehicle had escaped on both occasions. But the car didnt stay gone for long. Hall said Springfield officers found it again on the morning of March 24 in the parking lot of an apartment complex. They had the area under observation and, that evening, also saw the stolen Toyota Camry circling the area of the stolen Charger. Another chase was on when officers tried to pull over the Camry, which drove into one squad car and rammed another before trying to flee again; it had suffered too much damage and became disabled. The Shepherd brothers jumped out and tried to flee on foot, but one was soon found at a home in the 2600 block of Willow Drive, Hall said. The detective reported the other sibling was found nearby trying to hide under a tarp in a yard. The warrant said the Camry was taken from its owner at gunpoint Feb. 28 in Decatur after he was accosted in a parking lot in the 900 block of West Eldorado Street. The driver had been punched in the face during the commission of the crime. Police accused the Shepherds of striking again March 18, when they allegedly held up a driver in an apartment parking lot in the 3800 block of Camelot Circle and stole another Dodge Charger. It was recovered a short time later, wrecked, just a few blocks away. On March 20 at 7:21 p.m. police say, the brothers carjacked a Dodge Challenger from an apartment parking lot in the 3700 block of North Moundford Avenue. The driver said he had handed over his keys because he was in fear of being shot, according to police. The car had been found abandoned nearby, the owner suspecting that the carjackers had been unable to figure out the car's manual transmission. The fourth Decatur carjacking occurred at 10:05 p.m. the same day, and this involved the taking of the Charger that was later found in Springfield. Hall said this driver was threatened at gunpoint when he got out of his car after the vehicle was tapped by a following car while stopped at the lights at West Pershing Road and Monroe Street. It should be noted that (this) vehicle was located driving around Decatur by Decatur Police Department officers minutes after being stolen, Hall added. DPD Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled and was eventually lost. Hall said key fobs, several cell phones and a bank card matching items in the various carjacked vehicles were recovered from the home where the Shepherds live with relatives. Both brothers are being held in the Macon County Jail with bail set at $500,000 each, meaning they must each post a bond of $50,000 to be freed. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Since the highly publicized deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, communities have grappled with how best to hold police officers who commit misconduct accountable and prevent them from engaging in future misconduct. In addition to internal administrative discipline by police departments, police officers can be held accountable for misconduct through criminal liability, civil liability and decertification. In recent years, there has been substantial momentum to eliminate qualified immunity for police officers so that these officers can be held personally liable, usually as a result of being sued for monetary civil damages. Qualified immunity is a judicial doctrine that shields government officials such as police officers from being found personally liable for violating a persons rights. It was created to ensure that officials would not be hindered from taking quick action if necessary, that they wouldnt be burdened with trivial litigation and that they would not have to use their own financial resources in civil cases after they had been found guilty of misconduct. Also, the heavy burden to prove that qualified immunity does not apply falls upon the aggrieved or their families. Courts use a two-part test to determine whether an officer is granted qualified immunity. In part one, the court determines whether the officer violated the constitutional rights of a subject. If no, the officer is granted qualified immunity. If yes, part two determines whether the officer acted knowingly in violation of the Constitution and that their conduct was thereby unlawful. If no, the officer is granted qualified immunity. If yes, the case moves forward. Since 2009, as a result of the Supreme Court decision in Pearson v. Callahan, lower appellate courts have been allowed to skip part one of the two-pronged test for qualified immunity, making it easier for courts to rule in favor of officers rather than plaintiffs. That leaves the community with little ability to hold law enforcement answerable in any meaningful way for their transgressions through police misconduct. It is important to hold individual police officers who engage in misconduct criminally and civilly accountable. However, the only way to guarantee that a police officer does not continue to engage in misconduct is to revoke his or her license. Indeed, as absurd as it may sound, if a police officer is convicted of committing a felony, the officer can still keep his or her certification and receive employment at a police department. This is also true if there is a civil judgment against a police officer due to misconduct. The best way to prevent these officers from engaging in future misconduct is to decertify them. A certification or license provides a police officer with his or her authority, including the authority to carry and use a firearm as a police officer. Revoking this license, also called decertification, takes away the officers authority. Moreover, it prevents a police officer from transferring from one department to another and in doing so evade accountability. Since 2020, roughly half the states have enacted policing reform laws that strengthen the decertification process. Some of these state laws provide a model for police accountability by linking decertification to criminal and civil liability. For instance, Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today, or SAFE-T, Act expands an officers eligibility for decertification to include the commission of any felony and certain misdemeanors. This ensures that police accountability extends beyond criminal liability to also include an officer losing his or her authority and ability to be a police officer. To ensure effective police accountability, the decertification process must be linked to criminal and civil liability. The elimination of qualified immunity that acts either as a trigger for or an extension of the decertification process would deliver the commitment to police accountability that the public demands and deserves. Sonia Pruitt, a retired police captain, is founder of the Black Police Experience. Carlton T. Mayers II, Esq., is founder of Mayers Strategic Solutions. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The 100 Club of Comal County awards a $2000 scholarship annually to children of First Responders in Comal County. At the Annual Dinner on April 12th, the recipients were recognized. (From left) Eric Couch - 100 Club President, Travis Zipp - Canyon High School, Senator Donna Campbell, Kyleigh Olson - New Braunfels High School, Ethan Peltier - Canyon High School and Sherman Krause - Comal County Judge. Submitted photo Regional business and community leaders announced the launch of the Northeast Tennessee Regional Hub Wednesday via Zoom. During their presentation, Jerry Caldwell, the president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway who will serve as the Hubs chair, explained the new organizations mission and why he believes the Hub is necessary for the Appalachian Highlands region. This entity is intended to really serve as a collaborative partner. Itll be a catalyst for economic development, a collective regional voice underscoring the mission to unite this region and create prosperity for the communities involved, Caldwell said. This is about prosperity for the Appalachian Highlands region as a whole. We know how special this region is. We also know how impactful we can be when we all lock arms and work together. The current executive board also includes Brian Noland, the president of East Tennessee State University (ETSU), who will serve as vice chair. Will Barrett, the president and CEO of the Bank of Tennessee, will serve as the Hubs treasurer, as well as Mark Costa, CEO of Eastman, and Alan Levine, the president and CEO of Ballad Health. The Hub has extended invitations to the mayors of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol, Tennessee, as well as the mayors of Sullivan County and Washington County, Tennessee, who were both present at the Hubs Zoom presentation. Richard Venable, the mayor of Sullivan County, highlighted the role of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, which took place a year ago, in the formation of the Hub. This has been a long trail. Its been over a year that Mayor [Joe] Grandy and I joined the Blue Ribbon Task Force, starting the conversation, Venable said. I truly believe this is a transformational time for Northeast Tennessee. In the coming weeks, the Hub is looking to fill key leadership roles, including the appointment of a CEO. The Executive Board will also be establishing an Advisory Board to assist in the development of a regional economic strategy. For those interested in learning more about the Hub, they have also announced the launch of their website at www.NETNhub.com. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Bristol Tennessee police officer fatally shot a Bristol, Tennessee man during a pursuit Thursday morning. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the man shot by the Bristol Tennessee Police officer as Timmy Lee Thurman, Jr. He is listed as being from Bristol, Tennessee and was in his late 20s. According to a press release from the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, an officer was pursuing a suspect on foot after the man damaged his vehicle during a pursuit. The release says that it was during the foot pursuit that the officer was forced to defend himself and shot the suspect. The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning. A press release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the agency conducting the investigation into the incident, gave more detail about what led to the shots being fired. According to the TBI release, a deputy with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office observed a vehicle "being driven erratically" near Sullivan East High School on Weaver Pike. As the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the suspect reportedly fired shots out the car window. The unidentified man fired additional shots at officers as he led them on a pursuit to the intersection of White Top Road and Highway 394 where he encountered the Bristol Tennessee Police officer. He then fired addition shots at the police officer as he continued down White Top Road and crossed over Volunteer Parkway before turning onto Maplehurst Lane. The man drove into the yard of a residence in the 200 block of Elm Lane before getting out of the vehicle and running behind the home. The Bristol officer attempted to make contact with the man, but the release said the man pointed a gun at the officer. The officer fired shots wounding him. The unidentified individual was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident. The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Two Bluff City residents were arrested and charged with child abuse Monday after the Tennessee Department of Children Services received information about two children in the home. After an investigation into the living conditions at the home on Mountain View Road, Austin Hunter Cox, 31, and Sara Beth Black, 29, were arrested and charged with a felony count of aggravated child abuse/neglect and a misdemeanor count of child abuse/neglect. Detectives observed large amounts of trash, dog feces and roaches covering the floors of the home, according to a press release from the Sullivan County Sheriffs Department. The release said the 2-year-old child was saturated in urine, dirt, scratches and matted hair. A foul odor coming from the residence is believed to have originated from dog feces, trash and molded food. The Department of Children Services removed the children from the home. Black and Cox were both released earlier Wednesday on bond. I wanted to express some feedback on the article, Focus on retaining your best employees, published on April 7, 2022. I believe these kinds of articles are necessary considering today's industry trends toward labor and employment. I've heard from many farmers from the East Coast to New England that hiring and retaining "good help" is exceedingly difficult and in some areas impossible. I believe keeping articles like this in front of such employers is paramount to retaining those "stars" and "workhorses." One thing that I'm sure is spoken about quite a bit is the fact that many farms are still primarily run by family members. While there are many dairymen and women capable of being effective managers to outside employees, many of them are better "cow people" than managers. I know when I worked on the family dairy, it was oftentimes difficult for my "boss" to reprimand me without that bitterness carrying over into our family/personal life. Going forward, if one is going to hire employees for a dairy, structuring and advertising these positions like any other business would is a great viewpoint that may assist in employee retention. Thank you for the opportunity to provide some very brief feedback! Hoard's Dairyman is one of my favorite publications, and I appreciate the openness in communication. Jim Barey, Maryland To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022 April 11, 2022 BlackRock Real Assets-led consortium, which includes Mubadala Investment Company, has entered into a binding agreement with the Tata Power Company to invest in its renewable energy subsidiary, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (Tata Power Renewables). As per the deal, BlackRock Real Assets, together with Mubadala, shall invest 4,000 crore ($525 million) by way of equity/compulsorily convertible instruments for a 10.53% stake in Tata Power Renewables, translating to a base equity valuation of $4.46 billion (34,000 crore). The final shareholding will range from 9.76% to 11.43% on final conversion. Tata Power Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy companies in India. Its vertically integrated operations currently have approximately 4.9GW of renewable energy assets. The proposed investment is expected to fund Tata Power Renewables aggressive growth plans. Over the next five years, Tata Power Renewables aims to achieve a portfolio of over 20GW of renewables assets and a market leading position in the rooftop and electric vehicle charging space across India. This newly created platform will consist of five distinct businesses delivering long-term, customer orientated solutions. It will house all renewable energy businesses of Tata Power including those in: Utility Scale Solar, Wind & Hybrid Generation assets; Solar Cell & Module Manufacturing; Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracting; Rooftop Solar infrastructure; Solar Pumps and Electric Vehicle Charging infrastructure, said the statement from Mubadala. The broad-based portfolio of assets ensures diversified yet stable revenue sources including 25-year fixed-price PPAs for grid connected utility scale projects, it added. Tata Power Company CEO and Managing Director Dr Praveer Sinha said: Tata Power Renewables is an industry leader with a broad and deep portfolio of next-generation renewables businesses well placed to scale up rapidly based on its strong and consistent performance over the years." "I am delighted to welcome BlackRock Real Assets and Mubadala to join us to take the renewables business to the next level of growth. The collaboration will support us to pursue exciting opportunities that lie ahead in the coming decades, he added. India is one of the worlds largest renewable energy markets and has recorded the fastest growing renewable energy supply with over 60% new capacity added over the past four years. Its installed renewables capacity is expected to grow from 150GW currently to 500GW by 2030, to satisfy Indias local energy demand driven by GDP growth and contribute to the governments decarbonization ambition, as well as support the macro energy transition trends in Asia and around the world. Anne Valentine Andrews, BlackRocks Global Head of Real Assets, expressed delight at investing alongside Tata Power in this well diversified and vertically integrated renewables business. "With one of the largest portfolios of solar and wind assets in the country and a very experienced management team, Tata Power Renewables is at the forefront of Indias ambition to secure greater energy stability for its citizens while positioning its economy for a low carbon future. Indias success in transitioning its energy economy will be crucial to the worlds ability to meet its climate goals, she stated. Mubadal CEO (Real Estate and Infrastructure Investments) Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, said: As a responsible investor, we are focused on renewable energy in multiple markets, so we are delighted to invest in Tata Power Renewables to support energy transition efforts in India in partnership with Blackrock Real Assets." "With a proven track record of green and clean energy generation and an experienced management team, Tata Power is one of Indias largest integrated power companies and is well positioned to support the countrys energy independence and transition. We are proud to show our ongoing commitment to India with this investment and look forward to working with Tata Power to capitalize on the growth opportunities ahead, he added. The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Jalaa Abdelwahab, who is a 1997 graduate, and the Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Brown, who is a 1973 graduate, on Saturday, April 30, during the colleges annual Alumni Weekend. Abdelwahab recently became Director of Vaccine Programmes in the Country Programme of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) in Geneva, Switzerland, following 10 years with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and 10 years previously with the Centers for Disease Control. Brown is retired from the presidency of Western Theological Seminary in Holland, from which he is also retired as the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching Emeritus. Abdelwahab and Brown will receive their awards during a banquet taking place at the colleges Haworth Hotel as part of Hopes first in-person Alumni Weekend since 2019. The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, and its subsequent continuation, prompted the college to cancel, postpone or reformat the 2020 and 2021 reunion-related activities. The 2020 and 2021 DAA recipients, for example, were recognized through recorded video interviews with Hope College President Matthew A. Scogin. Abdelwahab is a seasoned leader, manager and infectious disease epidemiologist with more than 20 years of broad international experience in strategy design, management, and implementation of development and humanitarian programs targeting vulnerable high-risk populations domestically, in the U.S., and globally. He has served extensively in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate the worlds children against some of the worlds deadliest diseases. Since its inception in 2000, GAVI has helped to immunize more than 888 million children and prevented more than 15 million future deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 73 lower-income countries. In his role with GAVI, Abdelwahab leads and coordinates the alliances efforts to improve and accelerate equitable and sustained delivery of vaccines, including introduction of new vaccines, in GAVI-supported countries. Prior to joining GAVI earlier this year, he had been with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) for a decade, most recently as Deputy Representative-Programmes in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He had previously been based in New York City with UNICEF, first as a health specialist with the immunization unit of the Polio Team, and subsequently as deputy director of the UNICEF Global Polio Team. Before joining UNICEF, he served in the Global Immunization Division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He was initially a technical officer with the Polio Eradication Program, seconded to the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization in Cairo, Egypt, and subsequently a health specialist with the Immunization Unit, seconded to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene working on the tuberculosis-control programme. He has published extensively on epidemiology and other health-related issues, including articles in the Journal of Infectious Diseases and the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Among other honors, he received a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recognition Award in 2008 for supporting polio eradication efforts in the critical countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Sudan, and the WHO EMRO Appreciation Award in 2006 for contributions for polio eradication in Egypt. In 2003, Abdelwahab was awarded the Distinguished Service and Achievement Award of his CDCs Public Health Prevention and Service fellowship. Hope presented him with a Young Alumni Award in 2010. He has returned to Hope as a guest speaker on multiple occasions. In October 2008 he spoke about his work with the World Health Organization during the colleges Critical Issues Symposium, Global Health: From Catastrophe to Cure. In 2005 he was among the alumni speakers featured during the opening of the Martha Miller Center for Global Communication and presented the A.J. Muste Memorial Lecture. Abdelwahab received a scholarship at Hope College after finishing his high school diploma at the Friends Quaker Schools in Ramallah, Palestine. At Hope, he majored in biology and minored in biochemistry. He subsequently completed a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology and international health at the University of Michigan in 2000, and conducted additional study through the Health Policy and Financing: Achieving Results for Children course of the London (U.K.) School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2010. Abdelwahab is passionate about the intersectionality of identities and the interconnectedness of global justice issues. He enjoys swimming, painting and spending time with his loved ones, including his 26 nieces and nephews. Brown was the president of Western Theological Seminary from 2008 until retiring from the role in 2019. He was also the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching at the seminary from 1995 until retiring from teaching in 2020. A seminary of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), Western Theological Seminary is located adjacent to Hope College, which is affiliated with the RCA. Across Browns 25 years at the seminary, enrollment increased from 58 to more than 400 students with an increase in the national reputation of the program and faculty, and he personally trained more than 1,000 men and women to preach and teach the Word of God. Among other achievements during his tenure as president, the seminary revised its Master of Divinity curriculum, and added a Master of Arts program; Graduate Certificates in disability and ministry, and in pastoral ministry; and a Hispanic Ministries Program. Through successful fundraising, including the $27 million Our New Day capital campaign, the seminary completely renovated its campus, with expansions including the Jack and Mary DeWitt Learning Center completed in 2018. He has served as the General Synod Professor of Theology for the Reformed Church in America since 2006. He wrote chapters for the books A Goodly Heritage: Essays in Honor of the Reverend Dr. Elton J. Bruins at Eighty (2007) and Intergenerational Worship (2007); was a contributing editor to the Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible (2005); and through the years has written several articles for publications including The Church Herald, The Reformed Review and Perspectives magazine. Browns extensive involvement with Hope through the years includes serving as the Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel from 2001 to 2003, a position he held while also a member of the seminary faculty, and as an adjunct member of the colleges religion faculty. He served for several years on the Hope College Board of Trustees, including from 1998 until his 2001 appointment to the deanship, and again from 2003 until 2012. He delivered the colleges Baccalaureate sermon in 1992, and Commencement address in 2004. In addition to his service on Hopes board, he has served on the Board of Trustees of Words of Hope, which is the worldwide radio broadcast of the Reformed Church in America, and on the Board of Trustees of Pine Rest Christian Hospital. He is a member of Rotary Club International, which named him a Paul Harris Fellow in 1990. He is also a certified public school substitute teacher. Brown majored in religion and Bible at Hope. He completed his Master of Divinity degree at Western Theological Seminary in 1976, and his Doctor of Ministry degree at the seminary in 1992. From 1983 to 1995, he was pastor of Christ Memorial Church in Holland. He served the First Reformed Church of South Holland, Illinois, from 1980 to 1983, and Fellowship Reformed Church in Hudsonville from 1976 to 1980. Brown and his wife, Nancy, who is a member of the colleges Class of 1971, have three children: Sarah Lefebre; Jon Brown, who is a member of the Class of 1999; and Rebekah Hutt, who is a member of the Class of 2000. Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, will also feature reunions that include classes that missed the opportunity in 2020 and 2021, with celebrations for 1970-72 (50th); 1980-82 (40th); and 1990-92 (30th). Other highlights during the weekend will include a 50th-year brunch for the Class of 1972, and events for the 50-Year Circle, among them a luncheon for the Classes of 1971 and older, and a ceremony inducting the Class of 1972 into the group. Additional information about the weekend, including how to register for the banquet, is available online at hope.edu/alumniweekend The city of Concord invites residents and business owners to a community meeting on the George W. Liles Parkway Small Area Plan and the Weddington Road Corridor Plan. These plans fall within one of the fast-growing sections of the city and offer great potential for future connectivity and development that will enhance the communitys quality of life and create new destinations where people want to live, work and visit. The community meeting will be held Thursday, April 28, from 6-8 p.m. at the Cabarrus Country Club at 3247 Weddington Road in Concord. During the meeting, Planning and Neighborhood Development Department staff will provide an update on the following plans: George W. Liles Parkway Small Area Plan: This plan is nearing completion. The public is invited to hear a summary of the plans recommendations and provide feedback before the plan goes to the Planning and Zoning Commission for recommendation and then to City Council for adoption. The draft will be made public for review shortly after the community meeting. Weddington Road Corridor Plan: A draft of this plan is in progress. The public is invited to provide input on the plans recommendations and street cross sections before the draft is completed. The final draft is anticipated to be completed this summer. Once complete, the draft will be made available to the public for review and comment before going to the Planning and Zoning Commission for recommendation and then to City Council for adoption. Small area and corridor plans serve as guides for making future decisions concerning land use, zoning, transportation improvements, open space, and other capital improvements. They also help to identify opportunities for commercial revitalization, economic development, and mixed-use development. The public plays a key role in development of these plans. By participating in surveys and community meetings, citizens offer unique neighborhood insights and other suggestions that city planners can incorporate into the final drafts. To learn more about the George W. Liles Parkway Small Area Plan and the Weddington Road Corridor Plan, visit concordnc.gov/areaplans. SALISBURY Haylee Shuping, wife of fallen Concord Police Officer Jason Shuping, has established a $25,000 endowed scholarship in her husbands memory that will provide financial assistance to qualified Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students enrolled in the colleges Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. The Officer Jason Shuping Memorial Public Safety Endowed Scholarship will honor Shupings legacy by encouraging BLET students to pursue their goal of becoming a law enforcement officer and contributing to a strong community of law enforcement talent. Shuping lost his life at age 25 after being shot by a carjacking suspect on December 6, 2020. His partner was wounded, and the suspect was killed in a shootout with other officers responding to the scene. Shuping was the second officer in the Concord Police Departments history to die in the line of duty. Shuping, a Salisbury native, followed in his brothers footsteps in becoming a law enforcement officer. After graduating magna cum laude from UNC-Pembroke, where he majored in criminal justice and sociology and minored in terrorism studies, he completed the BLET program at Rowan-Cabarrus and was recognized as the top shooter in his class. Shuping began his career as an officer with the Concord Police Department and, during his 18 months of service, received numerous commendations for going above and beyond his duties. His call number, 4434, was officially retired by the City of Concord as a permanent reminder of his dedication to serving his community. As someone who helped in supporting my husband through the Basic Law Enforcement Training program at Rowan-Cabarrus, I understand the sacrifices cadets make in choosing to be part of the program, Haylee Shuping said. Many cadets are unable to be employed while in the program due to the long hours required in class, and they must rely on their partners or families for financial support. Before this endowed scholarship, there was no specific funding available to assist BLET cadets. In addition to the endowment, Haylee Shuping is contributing $1,500 for a scholarship to be awarded to a student this fall, while the endowment earns spendable income to be used for future scholarships. To add to the funding available to assist Rowan-Cabarrus students, she will be holding a T-shirt sale beginning April 18. Memorial T-shirts will be available for $27.95 via Grunt Style (www.gruntstyle.com) beginning April 18, with a portion of each sale going to the scholarship fund. I am touched by Haylee Shupings grace and generosity in honoring her husband by assisting students who want to make a difference by pursuing a career in law enforcement, said Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. The Officer Jason Shuping Memorial Public Safety Endowed Scholarship will have a lasting impact on our students and community as Jasons legacy continues to give back to those who are committed to making a difference in law enforcement. To make a donation to the Officer Jason Shuping Memorial Public Safety Endowed Scholarship, visit www.rccc.edu/foundation/endowments. For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-RCCC (7222). The United States and the Czech Republic are jointly trying to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources, the parties said in a joint statement following the talks in Prague, which were held as part of the strategic dialogue between the two countries. "The United States and the Czech Republic are taking steps to reduce reliance on Russian oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuel by diversifying sources of energy, expanding our already strong cooperation on nuclear power, and reducing consumption in line with our shared climate goals," the U.S. State Department said in the press release on Wednesday. According to the document, Washington and Prague agree that "enhancing energy security" against the backdrop of current geopolitical events is "more urgent than ever." In addition, the parties said that "Beijing's position also remains under our close scrunity" regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last week, the U.S. and EU authorities announced the creation of a joint working group to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy resources. According to a White House statement, the task of this group is to ensure Ukraine's energy security, as well as prepare the EU for the next winter period, while supporting the EU's goal to end dependence on Russian energy. As part of the initiative, the United States will seek to provide the EU market with at least 15 billion cubic meters of additional liquefied natural gas in 2022. The yacht of MP of Ukraine Viktor Medvedchuk (the Opposition Platform for Life faction), who is suspected of treason, sized in a Croatian port, will be handed over to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA), the Prosecutor General's Office reports. "The Prosecutor General's Office has taken measures to transfer the yacht ROYAL ROMANCE, which, in accordance with the evidence collected in criminal proceedings, belongs to the current MP of Ukraine, suspected of committing high treason and facilitating the activities of terrorist organizations, to ARMA," the Prosecutor General's Office said on Telegram on Monday. The prosecutor's office reminds that at present the yacht worth about $200 million, which was seized by the court in criminal proceedings, is located in the port of Rijeka, the Republic of Croatia. In the message of the Prosecutor General's Office, the name of the MP is not indicated, it is about Medvedchuk. Kleos Space launches first two of a scheduled four Patrol Mission satellites Australian-listed satellite provider Kleos Space has confirmed that the first two Patrol Mission satellites -KSF2-C and KSF2-D - have been successfully deployed from D-Orbits orbital transfer vehicle, ION Satellite Carrier, and contact has been established. Kleos (ASX:KSS) says the remaining two Patrol satellites (KSF2-A and KSF3-B) are expected to be deployed into a different orbit from the transfer vehicle in the coming weeks to establish the four satellites formation. D-Orbits orbital transfer vehicle is a self-propelled satellite deployer. Carrying Kleos four Patrol Mission satellites, and was successfully launched into a 500km Sun Synchronous orbit from Cape Canaveral in Florida aboard the SpaceX Transporter-4 mission on 1 April. Kleos technical team has established bi-directional communication with the KSF2-C and KSF2-D satellites, and in-orbit system commissioning has commenced. Kleos says that as all four satellites are deployed from the orbital transfer vehicle, satellite developer Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIPACE) will assist with Launch and Early Operation Phase (LEOP) support, including uploading and testing payload software, recalibrating the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), and manoeuvring the satellites into their operational formation. Improvements to the Patrol Missions flight software is expected to significantly reduce commissioning times. The Patrol Mission expands Kleos low earth orbit constellation to 12 satellites and increases radio frequency data collection capability to 253 million km per day. The cluster features new frequency spectrum capabilities, enabling geolocation of X-Band radar transmissions in the 8500 -9600 MHz range, commonly used for maritime vessel traffic control. Kleos Space CTO, Vincent Furia said, D-Orbits orbital transfer vehicle enables us to precisely deploy our nanosatellite cluster into orbit. By deploying pairs of satellites into two slightly different orbital planes, it enables us to establish our four satellites formation more quickly, while also saving propellent. Our third satellite cluster almost doubles our constellations data collection capability and improves revisit rates over key areas of interest. The Patrol Mission satellites add the ability to geolocate X-Band radar frequencies to further enhance our existing maritime situational awareness capabilities. Our constellation geolocates radio frequency transmissions to improve the detection of illegal activity, providing unprecedented intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities when tracking systems such as AIS have been switched off. MARSHALL Gaslight Art Colony will be hosting an artist reception from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 16, with an exhibition showcasing art work of Sujata Gopalan. Visitors are invited to meet the artist and ask her about her artwork. There will be light refreshments and a free drawing to win original art work. Admission at Gaslight is free. Gopalan was born in India and immigrated with her family to the United States at the age of three. Her parents came to the United States to study at Washington University in St. Louis, and then both went on to become academicians at various institutions in the Midwest. She first attended Boston University as a painting student, but decided to study printmaking after seeing a print retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago one summer. She returned to Indiana to study with Marvin Lowe, Rudy Pozzati, and Wendy Calman at Indiana University, and then went on to complete and MFA in printmaking at Louisiana State University. She has been a professor of art at Southeastern Louisiana University, Eastern Illinois University, and John Herron School of Art. She currently owns and operates LotusHouse Press in Terre Haute. Gopalan's art will be on display through May 14 during regular business hours, which are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursdays. Gaslight Art Colony is located at 516 Archer Ave. in Marshall. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CHARLESTON Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman has issued a statement condemning hate flyers that were left on campus Wednesday and noting that police are investigating this incident. Glassman said "despicable racist and bigoted propaganda" was discovered on and off campus. He said the University Police Department is investigating these incidents and contacted the FBI, and will continue to work to identify those responsible. "Once identified, they will be banned from our campus and we will move to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law," Glassman said. "We do know that those responsible are not from our university or local community." Glassman said materials like these are too often distributed on campuses across Illinois and the country with the purpose of fueling hatred, disharmony, fear, and intolerance. He said campuses are common targets since they are institutions dedicated to the teaching and practice of embracing diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. "By creating responsible, thoughtful citizens and leaders, EIU and other institutions of higher education are working every day to break these cycles of ignorance and intolerance, helping to end the proliferation of such racism and bigotry," Glassman said. As Eastern's president, Glassman said he can assure students, faculty, and staff that the university will continue to condemn such hateful and disparaging messaging. He said they have no place at Eastern, in Charleston, or in an increasingly diverse world. "We are a campus committed through our words and actions to be welcoming, supportive, and protective of our diverse students and employees," Glassman said. The Daily Eastern News' editor-in-chief, Corryn Brock, reported Wednesday that bags of flyers with pro-Ku Klux Klan messaging and rocks were found around Greek Court and University Court that afternoon. In early March, the Eastern community was the target of anti-Semitic, racist and homophobic flyers that were found throughout campus. Anti-semitic messages had also been found in previous weeks in the parking lots at Lake Land College and across the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus. Contact Rob Stroud at 217-238-6861. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MARTINSVILLE The Illinois State Police has reported that a pedestrian walking in the roadway was struck and killed by a vehicle Tuesday evening near Martinsville. A State Police District 12 press release said the collision occurred at approximately 8:17 p.m. as a sport utility vehicle driven by Megan R. Bennett of Marshall was traveling north on North Cline Orchard Road, just south of East 1400th Road, in Clark County and struck a pedestrian who was walking in the roadway. Police said that the pedestrian, a 49-year-old female from Indiana, died at the scene and that her name is being withheld at this time pending next-of-kin notification. The SUV's driver and her passenger, a 2-year-old girl, reported no injuries. The State Police reported that the crash is still under investigation by its personnel and the Clark County Coroner's Office, and that no further information is available. Contact Rob Stroud at 217-238-6861. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. AirAsia, a leading low-cost carrier in Asia, has announced that it has resumed its international flights from India to Malaysia and Thailand starting from this month. The airline began as a low-cost carrier with operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and India, and has till date flown more than 600 million passengers to over 160 destinations in its network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US. Announcing its Malaysian schedule, Air Asia said it will operate flights from six Indian cities to Kuala Lumpur starting this month. These are Bengaluru, Chennai and Tiruchirappalli (already underway), Kochi (from April 18), Kolkata (April 23) and Hyderabad (May 1). On its Thai operations, Air Asia said five new routes are being launched from India including Kochi-Bangkok (Don Mueang) and Jaipur-Bangkok (Don Mueang) from 1st May; Bengaluru-Bangkok (Don Mueang) and Chennai-Bangkok (Don Mueang) on May 4 and Kolkata-Bangkok (Don Mueang) from May 2. To celebrate the resumption of 30 additional weekly flights to India launching this month and next month, the airline is offering individual customers and travel agents with a 20% discount to all Indian destinations from Malaysia through the airasia Super App until May 1, along with complimentary 20kg check-in baggage allowance for each booking. Welcoming the resumption of direct commercial flights to Malaysia, C. Sushma, the Charge d'Affaires of the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said: "This is an important step in reconnecting India and Malaysia as people to people connectivity lies at the foundation of this important partnership. AirAsia has been offering low-cost flights to India since 2008, connecting travellers from Kuala Lumpur to multiple destinations in India." Manoj Dharmani, AirAsias Regional Commercial Head for India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh, said: AirAsias resumption of international flights has been highly anticipated by both the airline and its guests. With Malaysia and Thailand reopening and travel restrictions being lifted, we will be continually re-introducing international services this month." AirAsia Group, he stated, had been recently recognised as the only Thai airline among the Top 3 Most On-Time Low-Cost Carriers as ranked by leading aviation and travel data analytics firm Cirium for 2021 with an on-time performance average of 97.47%. With borders being reopened across the region, AirAsia will continue to review and add to its expanding network to cater for the increasing demand for air travel, including 30 total weekly flights from Malaysia to India launching by the end of May. Furthermore, with a total of 71 weekly flights to be operated by the end of 2022, AirAsia Malaysia will be soon returning to pre-Covid-19 capacity, flying more than 140 weekly services to and from India, he added. For the software industry the use of strategic market and competitive intelligence has not been particularly well executed by many vendors. MI and CI for software vendors differs greatly from the more established practices for CPG, Pharma or manufacturing often what works well for these other industries has little relevance for software vendors. The main difference: the intensely fast pace of constant change for most of the software industry. "Time" is measured in nanoseconds. As such the software industry requires a greater focus on MI and CI, but often actual practice does not include the most beneficial aspects. Market Intelligence is essential for creating strong product strategy and for fine-tuning that strategy as industries, markets, customers, the product space, and competitors evolve over time again usually very small windows of time. Core decisions for businesses must be based on reasonable understanding of significant and likely future events what the potential impact could be, good and bad. Market intelligence is the dynamic means for uncovering the right future-pointing intelligence as early as possible, averting "nasty surprises" and discovering new opportunities. Strategic market Intelligence differs from business research (and traditional business intelligence) through context -- a certain mindset held while the research and analysis phases are done. The market intelligence professional always has in mind the organization, its business and product space, the industry, customers and target markets, and the drivers behind the need for intelligence. It's an ongoing sense of the impact of what could be uncovered -- the ramifications of what seemingly unconnected items of intelligence could mean for the company. It ensures that business decisions and product direction are customer-focused, market-driven, and reality-based. Where software companies go wrong with MI and CI efforts is limiting activities to directly supporting sales in tactical ways, focusing only on pointless programs for "killing the competition", and endless feature/function battles that are meaningless in today's commoditized markets for software solutions. Another wrong turn has been the adherence to Porter's Five Forces as a model for product strategy and for market and competitive intelligence, undoubtedly influenced by MBA school curricula in the eighties and nineties, much of which has now proven useless to many enterprises. PORTER'S FIVE FORCES Porter's Five Forces: The Magic Model that Doesn't Work I recently read Steve Denning's article on the demise of Michael Porter's Monitor Group consulting firm. Porter invented a model for corporate "strategy" based on 'Five Forces' that has been treated almost as a reverential artifact for many years. Denning's article brought me back to my own thinking years ago on why Porter doesn't work for software companies. I never have really used Porter for strategic market intelligence for the software industry instead I developed a matrix that holds more relevance to the needs of software companies. I refer to Porter's model as an "artifact" because it is no longer relevant to today's markets, if it ever really was. It's linked to a business context set in the Eighties, when corporate strategy focused on inside-out objectives such as beating competitors and sustaining profitability with no connection to value delivered to customers chest-thumping instead of serving customers. There was a great deal more market predictability and regularity. Today's markets obviously have become volatile and not so predictable; businesses are now challenged to create new business models multiple times during the life of the enterprise to survive and thrive. Five Forces Model Fails the Software Industry Because Porter's Five Forces model is based on non-changing market conditions, it is limited or even harmful for dealing with dynamic, ever-changing industries and markets. Well, the software industry never sits still, and this has intensified in recent years. And the customers of software vendors are also facing uncertain and fluctuating markets, which adds further complexity when seeking insight for future trends regarding customer needs and wants. Professionally, Porter was not experienced in any industry, in any hands on sense, when he created the Five Forces model, so he didn't have practical experience to fully explore or prove out his model. If you don't understand the software industry, how people interact with software and rely on software to improve their own enterprises, then any indirect models will likely have little relevance. Under Porter, competitive intelligence is not about going to market competitively to meet customer needs and desires - it's about "beating" everyone including the customer. The customer is not a partner but a conquered spoil of war. Not exactly the best path to engendering customer experience excellence perhaps Porter's model is one of the reasons that many enterprises have done such a bad job of focusing on the customer. MI and CI better serve a software company when its purpose is to understand the competitive landscape well enough to seek out paths that diverge from the "herd" so that the company carves out underserved markets and better understands customer needs. Porter's aggressive modeling around "competition" has misguided organizations into becoming obsessed with destroying the competition. Other areas where Porter's model comes up short: The value of partner ecosystems including supply chain Predicting future trends Identifying new customer segments Understanding that software solution spaces are commoditized When it's time to sunset solutions and markets These are all essential to growth and evolution for sustaining success. Defining and Sizing Markets Another Porter Failure For software offerings, market sizing used to be a fairly straightforward task, when technology problems and solutions were seemingly distinct and silo'd from other technology areas. Market sizing is important but many software vendors don't consider all of the parameters that actually define the markets and the customers that are the best fit for software offerings. An example of market sizing that has become more complex and that certainly would be poorly served by using Porter's model is the software market for what used to be called Web Content Management and is now frequently called Web Experience Management. The use of websites and web presence by organizations to promote and sell their products has evolved to sophisticated levels where multi-channel customer experiences have greater importance and often involve Internet venues that are not controlled by the organization. WEM is actually a composite of a solution ecosystem understanding this leads to a better calculation of the overall market size. Although some market forecasts from analyst firms are stretching to include more of this ecosystem, often multiple market forecasts must be considered and added into the final market potential for WEM solutions. The overall solution ecosystem becomes compellingly relevant when taking the customer's point-of-view for the desired end-to-end solution. Porter's model is ill-equipped to handle such converging markets or ecosystems. Often Porter's model is used in business school in simplistic calculations of market size where the 'profit potential' is the real goal, unfortunately without considering the many variables that go into real market potential. And of course such simplistic calculations also lead to the allocation of 'market share' once again focusing on competitors rather than customers. The complex variables for real market potential primarily center on the customer: meeting customer needs and desires, improving customer experiences with the organization, understanding who the customer is through useful segmentations mapped to solution scenarios, addressing usability and problem-solving effectiveness for the software offering, from the customer perspective. But these are harder variables to try to quantify and often are left out of the 'equation'. Another aspect of WEM markets is the fact that there are two sets of customers to be considered: the customer who buys the WEM software, and the target customer for the web properties that will be built with the WEM software. Since WEM solutions impact two levels of buyers, the technology exists as a means to an end it is the "end" that really matters and must be foremost in the minds of vendors and solution buyers. Porter's model has little to account for the complexities of 'customer' in this scenario. So Why Am I Concerned about Porter As many have pointed out, Porter's Five Forces seemingly didn't save Michael Porter's own high-dollar consultancy, so how can it have relevance to the needs of other organizations. Even Porter's consultancy wasn't part of the simple market construct that is the best fit for gaining benefit from the Five Forces model. Steve Denning asks in his article: Had Monitor tried to implement Porters strategy and executed it poorly? Or had Monitor implemented Porters strategy well but the strategy didnt work? If not, why not? Denning further explains what was greatly lacking from Porter's model: There was just one snag. What was the intellectual basis of this now vast enterprise of locating sustainable competitive advantage? As Stewart notes, it was lacking any foundation in fact or logic. Except where generated by government regulation, sustainable competitive advantage simply doesnt exist. Whats gone wrong here was Porters initial thought. The purpose of strategyor business or business educationis not about coping with competitioni.e. a contest in which a winner is selected from among rivals. The purpose of business is to add value for customers and ultimately society. There is a straight line from this conceptual error at the outset of Porters writing to the debacle of Monitors bankruptcy. Monitor failed to add value to customers. For strategic purposes alone, a lot of time has been wasted on trying to align an organization's management with Porter's model when it just plain wasn't useful for most software companies. Many industries have spent way too much time and resources on building complicated and non-scaling frameworks that never really help the organization with strategic decision-making and don't provide real-time responsiveness to market changes. And if the model is applied only to particular segments of a complex corporation, important aspects will be missed by working without the context of interrelations across product groups and segments, as well as across organizational functions. Source: Julie Hunt Consulting Customer-Focused Strategic Market & Competitive Intelligence Many software companies continue to think of market and competitive intelligence as tactical methods to attack competitors, to convince a customer not to buy from a competitor, instead of: developing their own strategic solution offerings, building strategic relationships with customers, and understanding how to help customers really solve their problems and support their business initiatives with reliable solutions. Focusing on Customers should be the starting point for MI and CI initiatives for software vendors. It is essential for software vendors to attract customers, and eventually sales, through true ROI and through differentiation other than feature/function minutiae. Market Intelligence programs, in collaboration with product marketing, are important sources of comprehensive research, analysis and recommendations for providing the elements of a software solution that can set it apart, from the customer perspective. Strategic MI makes a significant difference for the competitiveness of software companies: New opportunities identify new trends that will matter to target markets and customers; how to get there before the competition (whenever possible) Enhanced customer interaction understand customer POV, goals, needs, strategic direction Stronger target market selection & positioning research, validate go-to-market and positioning; locate under-served markets for target customers and solution space; guide how to articulate positioning well for customers, analysts, industry Strategic view of competitive landscape figure out true differentiation, figure out where competitors are not operating; understand the issues that matter to customers and the solutions they seek from competitors Early warning of industry and/or competitor changes take advantage of opportunities and leverage/deal with threats and risk Related links: Software companies still fail to tap into top benefits from market and competitive intelligence programs Market Intelligence Making Better Business Decisions at the Core of the Company Shallow Thinking Ensures Bad Business Decisions Provocation-based Market Intelligence in a Market-Driven world Moving beyond WCM - Web Experience Management software solutions and markets Internal DisruptionNo Longer Business As Usual Customer Buying Criteria - Applying customer & competitive intelligence to selling tools leads to strategic internal benefits In Pursuit of Customer Experience Excellence Achieving the Social Business, Inside and Out About the author: Julie Hunt understands the overlap and convergence of many business processes and software solutions that once were thought of as "separate" and how this impacts both software Vendors and Buyers, as well as the strategies that enterprises implement for how technology supports the business and its customers. Julie shares her takes on the software industry via her blog Highly Competitive and on Twitter: @juliebhunt For more information: Julie Hunt Consulting Strategies for B2B Software Solutions: Working from the Customer Perspective A former University of North Carolina School of the Arts music professor who pleaded guilty to trafficking an underage student for sex will spend the next five years behind bars, a federal judge in Michigan decided Thursday. Stephen Shipps, 69, admitted last year to sexually abusing one of his violin students at the University of Michigan in 2002. Women who studied violin with him at UNCSA when they were teens said that he molested them, too, on campus and in his home. Shipps first faced public scrutiny in 2018. Thats when the University of Michigan student newspaper investigated decades worth of sex abuse allegations about the professor, including some dating to his time at UNCSA. Shipps promptly left his post. The outcry escalated to criminal investigation, and in October 2020 federal authorities arrested Shipps. A former student told investigators that Shipps, while employed at Michigan, had twice taken her to New York and sexually abused her in 2002, when she was just 16 years old. Shipps was an excellent teacher to some... a monster to others... and both for some, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward said at the sentencing. A grand jury indicted him on two federal counts of trafficking a minor for sex. He pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count. As part of the plea deal, both sides agreed to a sentence from 57 to 71 months. Shipps attorney Jwohn Shea filed a memo requesting he be spared prison that outlines his clients recovery from alcohol addiction and caretaking of several family members. Prosecutors asked for 68 months behind bars, pointing to accounts of similar abuse from five of his former students, including four pupils from his 1980s stint at UNCSA. We acknowledge that it was a pattern (but) we dont accept all the allegations, Shea said. They presented 27 letters from his supporters, including former students and current church members, and framed Shipps guilty plea as an act of reparation. Shipps apologized for being a bad citizen and hurting the woman in the criminal case. He didnt address his other accusers, including one UNCSA alumna who attended in person. Because the crime took place before federal mandatory minimums were implemented for child sex trafficking convictions, the final decision was up to the judge. Under current law, Shipps would have faced 10 years to life behind bars, at least double the actual sentence. Hell also serve three years probation. Stephanie Silverman, another former UNCSA student, attended the hearing to support a friend. Shipps never abused Silverman while she attended UNCSA in the 1980s, she said, but she still mourns for the three violinists that she believes he molested during her time at the school. Shipps weaponized the very real career dreams of disciplined, talented young women to force them into a world where his ability to open doors was contingent on their willingness to do what he wanted, Silverman wrote in an April 6 letter asking the court to consider a lengthy sentence. He turned their dreams and gifts into a trap to hold them in his abusive world. Silvermans friend spoke to federal prosecutors and also joined generations of fellow alumni suing UNCSA. In that pending civil case, 56 plaintiffs accused school leadership of sacrificing students safety to salvage the conservatorys reputation. Shipps was one of several former UNCSA teachers they accused of sexual assault, abuse and harassment. One of the plaintiffs, Christopher Soderlund, sued the school in 1995, alleging that school officials ignored the sexual abuse he endured from Richard Kuch, a former assistant dean for the School of Dance, and Richard Gain, a dance instructor. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed due to the statute of limitations at the time. School administrators convened a commission to investigate the allegations of widespread sexual abuse. In November 1995, the commission released its findings, saying it had found no substantial basis for believing that the schools chancellor and top administrators had failed to act properly on sexual abuse allegations. The commission concluded that reports of widespread sexual misconduct between teachers and students had been exaggerated, according to a Nov. 10, 1995 article in the News & Record of Greensboro. The Charlotte Observer cited unpublished documents that showed that 24 staff members were accused of harassing or having improper relationships with students and that out of the 13 who were still working at the school in 1995, 12 of them continued to work on the campus several years afterward. Five accused faculty members told the Charlotte Observer that they were never told about the accusations and they were never given an opportunity to defend themselves. A Winston-Salem Journal investigation published on Aug. 13, 1995, quoted former students and faculty who said that the arts school did not have procedures in place that would have helped make students feel they could report these allegations. Sammy Sussman is a student journalist at the University of Michigan. Journal reporter Michael Hewlett contributed to this report. A Winston-Salem man was arrested Wednesday in Georgia in connection with the shooting death of a local woman, authorities said Thursday. Winston-Salem police have obtained an arrest warrant charging Jeremy Cornelius Alexander, 34, of Flag Street with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, police said. Authorities in Henry County, Ga. arrested Alexander on Wednesday, police said. Winston-Salem authorities will work with Henry County to extradite Alexander to North Carolina, police said. Alexander has outstanding arrest warrants charging him with a violation of a domestic violence protection order, forgery of an instrument, two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, assault on a child under 12, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of a stolen vehicle, police said. Bria Tiera Robinson, 20, of Flag Street in Winston-Salem was shot and killed around 7 p.m. April 3, Winston-Salem police said. Officers found Robinson lying unresponsive in the 2200 block of Flag Street. She was next to a vehicle in a driveway, police said. Emergency medical technicians pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigators said that the shooting was not a random act. Police have not offered details on how the latest charge against Alexander is related to the investigation into her death. Court records show that Alexander and Robinson had a troubled relationship. Alexander was charged on Sept. 17, 2020 of violating a domestic violence protective order, the records show. Judge Camille Banks-Prince issued the order the previous day. Under the order, Alexander could only contact Robinson regarding their 23-month-old son. Alexander, who was an inmate in the Forsyth County Jail at the time, is accused of contacting Robinson from the jail, a court record shows. Alexander also is accused of responding angrily to Robinsons decision not to resume their relationship. On Sept. 4, 2020, Alexander sent Robinson a letter, asking her not to come to court regarding the pending charges of misdemeanor assault on a female and interfering an emergency communication against Alexander, according to the order. Alexander was arrested on Feb. 23, 2020 after he was accused of slapping Robinson on her face and body as well as grabbing her and throwing her to the floor, according to an arrest warrant. Alexander also is accused of taking Robinsons cell phone from her after she called 911, the warrant said. In November 2020, Alexander was convicted of an assault charge and interfering with an emergency communication, and Judge George Cleland IV of Forsyth District Court sentenced Alexander to serve 150 days in jail, the records show. However, Cleland gave Alexander credit for the 268 days he had served in jail while he awaited his court hearing, and Alexander was released from custody, the records show. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem Forsyth County also is on Facebook. The Text-A-Tip line at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Winston-Salem police have identified the man killed in Wednesdays shooting at the Fish Hut Arcade as Arthur Little, 52, of New Greensboro Road. Little sustained a gunshot wound while inside the business, police said. The Fish Hut is a sweepstakes business, where people can play games to win money. When officers arrived at 4:39 p.m., they found Little unresponsive. Emergency medical technicians pronounced him dead at the scene, police said. Another man was taken to a local hospital with a leg injury sustained in the incident, police said. Police didnt identify the wounded man. Investigators said Little was involved in an argument with another man inside the business prior to the shooting. The argument then escalated into a fight. Multiple shots were fired, police said. No one else was reported injured. Littles death is the citys 13th homicide this year, compared with eight homicides during the same period in 2021, police said. Trish Fair, a senior employee at The Wishy Washy Laundry, said she was standing outside when the shooting happened across Main Street. I heard some arguing, and then I heard gunfire, Fair said. I didnt know where it was coming from, and I didnt stick around to find out. Despite the violence, Fair said she isnt concerned for her safety. We are usually pretty safe around here, Fair said. Winston-Salem police are asking for the publics help in this case. Anyone with information regarding the shooting can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem Forsyth County also is on Facebook. The Text-A-Tip line at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Welcome to the Tarheel State. We want you to know that were pleased youve come to visit, even though your competitor, Donald Trump, received more votes from us in the 2020 election by almost 75,000. You did receive more than 2.68 million, though; thats nothing to sneeze at. Were proud that youre focusing the attention of the nation toward us for a brief period of time, allowing us the opportunity to shine, and we hope youll return to D.C. with some wonderful things to say about us. We hear youre coming to discuss manufacturing one of our favorite topics, one with which we have a rich history and plan to have a bright future. Were sure someone will tell you about all the new economic investments our leaders have brought to the state including a plant for manufacturing some of those electric cars you like, and another to manufacture batteries. We hope youll be able to take something with you that will encourage such developments elsewhere. Of course, there are other industries here, too, along with world-class universities and medical facilities, our arts communities and innovative musical talent, all balanced with the natural beauty that, from mountains to shore, defines us just ask EPA director Michael Regan, whom you poached from us. Were aware of your accomplishments, as well, including passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides more than $1.2 trillion in much-needed infrastructure spending, as well as the American Rescue Plan, worth $1.9 trillion of economic relief which, incidentally, restored funding to veterans programs that your predecessor cut. We support our veterans here and were glad that you do, too. Speaking of veterans, thanks for expanding their access to therapy dogs and service dogs. We know what a difference a loving and loyal companion can make in someones life. The 15% increase in SNAP funding, the 25% increase in food stamp funding for needy families, raising the minimum wage for thousands of federal contractors they all demonstrate the compassion and commonsense we expected from you. And Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson very good job, sir. Were pleased, especially when we consider what might have been had things gone a little differently in 2020. We know that youre busy these days, pulling NATO together to deal with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and preventing a possible new COVID surge. But there are other important matters at hand, too, that could use some attention, including the difficult issue of the southern border. We appreciate your determination to present a more welcoming face to would-be refugees and especially your commitment to reuniting families cruelly separated by the previous administration but doing so has created a mixed blessing as more and more refugees seek relief by entering our country. Open borders would certainly be news to the hard-working U.S. Border Patrol agents who capture about 6,000 illegal border crossers every day. But we fear that too many still get through. Your policies have been muddled and unfocused, apparently diluted by disagreements in your own administration. Wed like to see a little more clarity and decisive action. And even while the DEA is blocking record amounts of fentanyl from crossing the border, too much is still getting through and its very harmful. We see its devastation throughout our state. Maybe you should visit the border. Some readers tell us theyd like for you to do so. Also, times are tough and the prices of consumer goods make it difficult for many families to make ends meet. We realize you cant control all of that especially when corporations set those prices but we feel certain there are actions you could take to ease the pressure if you concentrate on the problem more. That would be welcome. We realize youve accomplished other goals that havent received much notice in environmental affairs, judicial appointments, supporting transgender people in military service, etc. Your loyal opposition has spent the last couple of decades honing its messaging skills. Youve got to work on your party to get the word out fast. We hope youre not too discouraged by your popularity polls, which are now as low as your predecessors were for much of his term. They shift over time. Just do the good work. One more thing: We like our sister city, but youre missing out by not popping over to Winston-Salem. Weve got food, culture, nice people and more. Do you like books? So if you find yourself with a couple of hours and you can afford a tank of gas We cant guarantee the weather will suit you today. Its North Carolina. But we hope youll see some of the qualities that we feel make this a worthwhile place to visit, to live and to take with you. Better informed I read the April 4 letter Prepare for elections calling for voters to pay attention to Roll Call, the Journals Sunday feature that summarizes the weekly votes of the congressional House and Senate, and how our N.C. representatives voted. I, too, find this summary valuable and thought-provoking. Some of these votes cast should be reported on further by the Journal, with journalist interviews during which our representatives can articulate the rationale for their votes some of which are not self-explanatory and even inexplicable. Sometimes the Journal covers such information from our state representatives, but the justification of our congressional representatives votes is much harder for citizens to retrieve. As voters, we need to vote based on what the incumbents actually did rather than what they say they prioritize on our behalf. Promises and positions should be cross-checked with actual voting records. We then vote based on representatives performance, rather than their rhetoric. Robert Riehle Winston-Salem Success story Thank you for printing Jay Ambroses April 12 column, Justice Clarence Thomas is innocent. Justice Thomas is an American success story and a fine example for our children of what can be accomplished with determination and hard work. In this polarized political environment, I understand the temptation to blame Thomas for his wifes political opinions and activities, but thats not fair. And I doubt the issue would be raised if we were talking about, say, Bill and Hillary Clinton. Every indication is that Thomas is very conscientious and intelligent and would not be swayed by his wifes political opinions and activities. As for Ginni Thomass political opinions and activities ... well, thats another thing. Mary Gritzmacher Winston-Salem Institutional attacks Thanks for your important April 3 editorial Freedom to oppress. In the last few years, weve seen Republican legislators attack almost every American institution: The government, of course, the ballot box, doctors, judges, courts, public schools, libraries, the media, the military and at the Capitol, the police. And the business community. All thats left is the church. If I were a betting man, Id bet that the Republican Party will attack churches before the year is out. Oh, wait, I forgot: In December, Donald Trump Jr. attacked the Bible, claiming that turn the other cheek is wrong. Does that count? It doesnt matter, theyll do it again. The only thing that matters to the Republican Party is getting power and if they get it, theyll use it to discriminate against the people they hate and devastate the country. Mack Ferguson Winston-Salem And another thing Im betting Ukraine and the rest of Europe are happy that Joe Biden is president. Russian President Vladimir Putins army would be through Ukraine and into Poland by now, while President Trump whimpered out Russian talking points to justify withholding defense assistance. Trump has always played the fanboy to Putin and there is little doubt he would be doing so now. But, because Trump is such a savvy negotiator, he would require something in return. Putins assistance again in 2024 election? Or maybe Putin forgives the money Trump reportedly owes Russian banks? Perhaps Putin throws in a couple of Russian hussies as a sweetener. Then, there is also the added benefit of punishing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for refusing to be blackmailed. The art of the deal. Sarah Palin is running for Congress. Recall that in her last foray into national politics in 2008, she set the record for being the most unqualified candidate on a presidential ticket. In the greatest of ironies, if victorious this time, she would actually elevate the intellectual capacity of the current Republican caucus. And she isnt any smarter. And another thing. If there are parents who fear their children will be traumatized because they lack the intellectual and/or emotional facility to process the reality that we are all different, or that pertain to slaverys role in the formation of our country, let me suggest that the fault lies not in the content of the curriculum, but in the proficiency of their parenting. Kevin Bokeno Boone Lincoln will play host to the premiere of a movie about the history of disabilities and how they have been portrayed in Hollywood. The premiere of "CinemAbility" will be July 15-16 at the Marcus Lincoln Grand Cinema. The showings will serve as a fundraiser for two nonprofits: Lincoln-based ARC of Nebraska, an advocacy group supporting persons with disabilities for more than 60 years, and Solid Earth Communities, which provides affordable, environmentally sustained housing for persons with disabilities, military veterans and the disenfranchised. Officials from the movie industry, city of Lincoln and both nonprofits gathered Wednesday at the downtown movie theater to announce the screenings. Lincoln is a community with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging, so we are proud to host the premiere of a film that embraces these values," Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said in a written statement. "We are thrilled that this celebration shines a spotlight not just on our beautiful city but also on two of the great nonprofits dedicated to lifting up persons with disabilities. The film features Ben Affleck, Jamie Foxx, Jane Seymour, Jon Voight, Helen Hunt, Bryan Cranston, Beau Bridges and many others, all chronicling disability in the film industry over the last 100 years. Director Jenni Gold, who has muscular dystrophy and has used a wheelchair since the age of 7, will attend the movie's premiere. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Staying in? We've got you covered Get the recommendations on what's streaming now, games you'll love, TV news and more with our weekly Home Entertainment newsletter! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Police are investigating both a theft and a shooting after a 22-year-old Lincoln man fired a shotgun toward a group of men who had been tampering with his vehicle early Thursday morning in an apparent attempt to steal his catalytic converter, according to the Lincoln Police Department. Capt. Todd Kocian said officers responded to a house near 62nd and Hartley streets just before 3 a.m. Thursday, where the resident reported he heard sawing noises in his driveway and saw three men, dressed in dark clothing, underneath his car. The man then retrieved a shotgun from his residence and fired toward the men as they fled in a dark SUV, Kocian said. Kocian declined to identify the man who fired a gun within city limits toward men who had committed a property crime. Doing so is a violation of city ordinance. Kocian said an investigation into the man's actions is ongoing. The three men caused about $500 in damage to the man's vehicle, but ultimately did not make off with his catalytic converter. Lincoln has been plagued by an increase in catalytic converter thefts in recent years, and that uptick has continued in the early months of 2022. LPD has fielded reports of 513 such thefts in the first 102 days of 2022. If the current pace holds, Lincoln would have more than 1,800 catalytic converter thefts this year. In all of 2021, the police department fielded reports of 978 such thefts itself an all-time high, a 257% increase from 2020 and a 1,183% increase over the five-year average. The Lincoln City Council in September approved an ordinance requiring a permit to possess, buy or sell unattached catalytic converters in an effort to curb the rise in thefts. But that rule change which police have acknowledged "isn't a magic ordinance" has not positively impacted the rate of converter thefts in the months since. Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Lincoln man has been sentenced to 38 to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl. Daniel Stalder, 32, pleaded no contest to two counts of attempted first-degree sexual assault. According to court records, on July 14, 2020, a then-17-year-old reported to Lincoln Police that she began being sexually abused by a man who was in his 30s that started when she was 14. She told police at some point between the ages of 14 and 16 she became pregnant with his child, and he gave her a pill to end the pregnancy. It led her to have an allergic reaction, which sent her to the hospital, where she learned she had miscarried. The investigation included multiple recorded calls the girl made to Stalder over a month's time. Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post sentenced him Tuesday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. COVID-19 still a global health emergency despite drop in cases, deaths: WHO Xinhua) 08:12, April 14, 2022 Video screen shot taken on May 7, 2021 shows World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attending a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua) "However, some countries are still witnessing serious spikes in cases, which is putting pressure on hospitals. And our ability to monitor trends is compromised as testing has significantly reduced," Tedros said. GENEVA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- As the number of new COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to decline, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that 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 here 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 over 7 million cases and over 22,000 deaths reported, a decrease of 24 percent and 18 percent, respectively, as compared to the previous week. "However, some countries are still witnessing serious spikes in cases, which is putting pressure on hospitals. And our ability to monitor trends is compromised as testing has significantly reduced," Tedros said. A woman receives a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in Cape Town, South Africa, on Jan. 5, 2022. (Francisco Scarbar/Xinhua) 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 (PHEIC). The committee said that 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 hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and fatalities increase and compromise the health systems' capacity. A man receives a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine in Gaborone, Botswana, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) 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 percent of their COVID-19 samples in order to keep track of the coronavirus mutations. According to Tedros, the WHO 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 that 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. People walk past a signboard of wearing face masks at the Oculus of the World Trade Center in New York, the United States, March 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) FCM, one of the worlds largest travel management companies, has signed a partnership with Moonline Travel & Trade in Iraq, growing its Middle East & Africa footprint to almost 30 markets across the region. According to FCMs Managing Director of Middle East and Africa, Ciaran Kelly, this partnership is critical to FCM's local service delivery and market share growth strategies for the wider region. Choosing to expand FCMs capabilities in Iraq at this time enables us to provide global coverage for existing corporate customers while meeting demand from multi-national companies requiring a true end-to-end travel experience when doing business in this growing market. Together with Moonline Travel, we are able to offer our clients access to highly experienced staff with deep local knowledge that complements FCMs technology and global expertise. I am very pleased to welcome Moonline Travel to the FCM network and expand our presence across the MEA region, said Kelly. Established in 2010, Moonline Travel is regarded as one of the leading travel providers in the country, having earned a reputation for delivering professional and comprehensive travel support to its clients. Headquartered in Sulaimania, the company operates a network of five offices across Iraq to service the leisure and corporate travel needs of national and multi-national businesses primarily within the oil, petrochemicals, resources and construction industries. Clients include Schlumberger, Petro Weld, PP Bosun, LafargeHolci and several NGOs amongst others. Moonline Travels managing director, Rebin Mustafa said: "Our organisation is very proud to be the official representative of FCM in Iraq. In addition to providing excellent services for clients locally, we are also excited to play our part in helping FCM penetrate this emerging market to further grow our collective customer base across the region. TradeArabia News Service Lincoln Lutheran students will have a new principal next school year. Sheila Psencik, the interim principal of St. John's Lutheran School in Seward, will take over for Matt Heibel, who is retiring after 14 years. Psencik will start July 1. "Mr. Heibel has left an indelible mark on Lincoln Lutheran," said Scott Ernstmeyer, the school's executive director. "He has built a reputation of implementing the highest standards in academics and technology. Sheila will have big shoes to fill, but we know shes up to the challenge." Psencik, a Columbus native and Concordia University grad, spent 15 years as an administrator in Houston after teaching stints in Nebraska, Illinois and Texas. She was the middle-school principal at Lutheran South Academy in Houston for five years before taking over as head of schools in 2011. Psencik returned to Nebraska last year when her husband, Rob Psencik, accepted the role of activities director at Lincoln Northwest High School, which opens this fall. They have three children, including a daughter who will graduate from Lincoln Lutheran this spring. "This year, I've experience Lincoln Lutheran as a parent, which has uniquely prepared me for this challenge," Sheila Psencik said. "The teachers and parents at Lincoln Lutheran are so invested in their community and culture." Lincoln Lutheran, at 1100 N. 56th St., is a private school for students in grades 6-12. Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Residents who live on the growing number of acreages in southeastern Lancaster County will have better water service soon, thanks to $2 million in federal stimulus money the county will give to its rural water district. The money will pay the majority of the estimated $2.5 million cost of a new booster station at 148th Street and Yankee Hill Road and extend water mains along 148th Street and Pine Lake Road. The project will improve both water pressure and water flow to residents living in the southeastern part of the county and will better serve the growing number of acreages in that area, said Jordon Bang, district manager of the Lancaster Rural Water District. The water district serves 1,851 households, including those in Bennet, Panama and Roca. The new booster station will affect customers who live north of Bennet and are served by water towers at 148th Street and Yankee Hill Road and 162nd Street and Van Dorn Street, Bang said. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2022 or 2023. In addition to that project, the water district is drilling a new well at 190th Street and Gage Road as part of its 2021 water improvement project. The money for the well comes from the districts cash reserves, not federal stimulus money. Lancaster County Board Chairwoman Deb Schorr said the water improvement project will allow for additional residential development and commercial opportunities in the southern part of the county. The federal stimulus grant to the water district comes from the $62 million the county got from the American Rescue Plan, part of the $350 billion going to states and local governments. The city got $46 million, and county and city officials worked together to earmark where the funds should go. The money for the booster station is part of $4 million in county money tapped for rural water projects. Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NORTH PLATTE -- Donald Trump Jr. stumped for Charles Herbster at three stops in Nebraska on Wednesday, reinforcing the endorsement his father, former President Donald Trump, gave Herbster in the race to be Nebraskas next governor. Speaking in North Platte, Trump Jr. said his family owes Herbster a debt of gratitude because he was a supporter of the movement, of my father, of the ideas, back when it wasnt expedient. We see a lot of people, they jump on a bandwagon when they can get something for themselves. He was a supporter. He was a believer, when we had zero chance of winning. There is a difference. Trump Jr. appealed to those in attendance at the Lincoln County fairgrounds. He attended other campaign rallies with Herbster on Wednesday in Gering and Grand Island. We need you guys to be invested. Youve seen how powerful good conservative leadership can be in the governors office across America, Trump Jr. said. We need guys like Charles Herbster, and more importantly, we need you guys to fight for guys like Charles Herbster and for those people who have the guts to step off that private sector, to fight and take not just the other side but take on the establishment. While Herbster's immediate focus is on winning a crowded Republican primary in May, Trump Jr. also took a number of shots at the Democratic party and President Joe Biden. Weve seen what (the Democrats) can do in this country in one year, he said. Its the only place theyve overperformed. I was like, Its going to take them four years to destroy our country. Man, theyre doing a really good job. As Trump Jr. rallied Herbster supporters at the fairgrounds, the other front-runners in the race for the Republican nomination -- University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen of Columbus and state Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha made campaign stops Wednesday in North Platte. Speaking before turning the microphone over to Trump Jr., Herbster said hes not a politician and doesnt want to be categorized as one. The businessman, farmer and rancher from Falls City, who served as the chairman of the former presidents Agriculture and Rural Advisory Committee, said he is running to be the CEO of Nebraska rather than its governor. I know we can build this state, I know we can sell this state, he said. I know we can market this state and we can make Nebraska an absolute light on a shining hill here in the Midwest. He addressed the crowd for about nine minutes, touching on education, religion, election integrity, law enforcement and illegal immigration. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 A Nebraska Department of Correctional Services staff member was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of two felonies, the state's prisons system said in a news release. Nikki Peterson, 32, a unit administrator at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln, was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol for unauthorized communications with a committed offender and sexual abuse of an inmate, the Corrections Department said. Peterson had been employed by the department since November 2008, when she started as an employee development and engagement coordinator, a role she held until 2019, according to her LinkedIn page. Before she was promoted to unit coordinator at Lincoln's community corrections center in November 2020, Peterson had previously worked at the department's Reception and Treatment Center and central office. Peterson resigned this week, the department said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Evelyn Mejia News intern Evelyn Mejia is a news intern and current sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She covers breaking news and writes feature stories about her community. Follow Evelyn Mejia 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 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. LB1173, 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 LB1173 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. LB1173 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 LB376, 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 LB876, 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 LB984, 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 LB1218, 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, LB1218 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 LB921, introduced by Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha and passed 46-0. Applications would have to be submitted at least 45 days before an inmate's 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 LB922, 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 KEARNEY Brandon Koch was born two centuries too late. He loves nothing better than heading out of town, pitching a canvas tent and foraging for most of his food. Later this month, dressed in Lewis-and-Clark-era attire, he will attend a primitive camp out where coolers, trash bags, flashlights and modern utensils will be prohibited. It all began when he slept in a buffalo hide next to an open fire during a Boy Scout campout when he was young. As he grew up, he camped both with the Boy Scouts and his family. It wasnt just being outside. What got me into it was the idea of the first fur trade/mountain man, the whole idea of exploration, Koch said. He is a pretty cool guy, his wife, Jennifer, said. If he wants something and cant find it anywhere, he will figure out how to make it. He sews anything he wants. He is very, very talented. Surviving outdoors Koch has devoured old woodsman books, field guides and old Boy Scout handbooks. He has built up a large library of such books. He goes camping at least once a month alone, with his family or with friends from muzzleloader clubs. He has mastered many skills, including how to eat. He has headed out on Boy Scout wilderness survival weekends with little food. I might take nothing out there, and within a half hour I can be somewhere where I can get food. Its fantastic living in the woods, he said. Some weekends, he takes nothing but dried corn and jerky to supplement hunting squirrels and other small game. He has learned how to put out traplines for coyote, beaver and raccoon, although Im not as involved with that as much as I used to be. It takes a lot of time. He has learned a lot about wild edibles, too. For a well-rounded woodsman, I wanted to know what I could eat in the woods, and what things are worth eating, he said. Dandelions are edible, but theyre bitter. Every part of the common milkweed is edible until it dries out. In the spring, its young shoots taste a lot like asparagus. When they get bigger and develop buds, and you can fry them like a fritter. His favorite winter jacket is one made of brain-tanned deer. He didnt buy it; he traded for it. Brain tanning is the ancient art of preserving animal hides using the emulsifying agents in brain matter, which help break up the mucous membranes that cause animal hides to harden. He cut up a wool blanket to make its lining. Authentic tent Koch sleeps in an authentic tent made of canvas without a floor. He can put up his 12-by-14-foot tent in 45 minutes. The great thing about a canvas tent is that hail bounces right off of it. Its pretty resilient at an event where you might have 300 people, all in canvas tents, and no place to seek shelter. You batten down hatches to be sure the tent doesnt blow away, he said. At a large muzzleloader event last Memorial Day, several vicious storms picked up a tent or two, but with the kind of people who are into this, were a big family, so we came together and helped everybody out, he said. Chairman of the United Nebraska Muzzleloaders Association, Koch is also a member of the Grand Island-based Nebraska Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. One of Koch's talents is starting a fire without matches. I never mastered that until later in life. It was knowing which woods work together. In this area, its cottonwood and eastern red cedar. Luckily in Nebraska, those trees are everywhere, he said. Canvas tent Koch, who served in the U.S. Marines for four years and works at West Pharmaceuticals, met Jennifer at a tattoo parlor in Grand Island 20 years ago, where he worked at the time. They married in 2001. Kochs passion is a part of their life. Theyve camped in a canvas tent at Rocky Mountain National Park. Koch prefers a canvas wall tent when hes in the field because it feels more like hunting. Its a tradition for us, he said. Jennifer enjoys hunting, too. She doesnt shoot; instead, she sits in the stand or blind while Koch hunts. I enjoy the peace and quiet and watching the wildlife, she said. She cleans what Brandon brings home, as she did for her father and brother years ago. Their sons have been hunting, too. Kemper, 16, doesnt like the blood and loud noises, but Kase, 12, loves it. Camping for Christmas During Christmas, the family camped for three days on a private site on muzzleloader club property near Cairo and the Middle Loup River. It has two wells, no electricity and 16 outhouses because it handles big events like the High Plains Regional Rendezvous last summer, attended by 800 people who dressed in pre-1840s attire and hid their cellphones, Koch said. On Christmas, the Kochs were alone except for one other family. It took them three hours to unpack and set up the tent, four cots, food and camping gear. They set up a wood-burning stove, properly vented, inside the tent. We know what were doing, Koch said. If you have the right equipment, wool blankets, buffalo hides, its easy to stay warm if well-prepared. It was 18 degrees outside but 70 degrees in the tent. The family cut down a little cedar that they called a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. They took it into the tent and decorated it with items they found in the woods, along with ornaments made out of wood, dangling shotgun shells and yarn garlands brought from home. The kids loved it, Koch said. He cooked Christmas dinner of chicken fried steak over an open fire, along with potatoes, biscuits and country gravy. For Christmas breakfast, he fried hash browns with mushrooms, eggs and bacon, also over an open fire. Deer hunting The Koch family never buys beef. Koch shoots between two and four deer each season. He and Jennifer process it into sausages, hamburger and more. Meats expensive. We take pride in doing it ourselves. Jennifer helps butcher and put the meat up because her family has deer-hunted for years, he said. Koch also is eager to find roadkill. I get it, tan it and make a hat out of it or something, he said. Hes passing his skills along to the next generation. As assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 158 in Kearney, he has taken the boys camping in Colorado, Kansas, Canada, the Boundary Waters in Canada and beyond. Son Kemper is an Eagle Scout. Blacksmith, too Koch is also a blacksmith. He has a side business, Skab Leatherworks and Forge. There was a lot of outdoor stuff I wanted, but I saw how much it cost, so I tried to make it. Now my blacksmithing and leatherworking pays for my outdoor hobbies. The more periodically authentic it is, the more valuable it is, he said. In that role, he has volunteered at the Buffalo County Historical Societys Trails & Rails Museum. His handiwork includes rotisseries used in the 1800s, a working beaver trap patterned after the style of the 1850s, branding irons used both for ranches and decoration, and more sculpture ware pieces. I hope I give people appreciation for the work it takes to make these items, he said. Koch made a branding iron that is currently part of a fur trade display in a North Carolina museum. Koch doesnt know whether to term his passion a hobby or a lifestyle, but when their children are grown, he and Jennifer hope to move to the Black Hills, where he will do blacksmithing and leatherworking at sites open to tourists. I like to make this stuff. There arent a lot of people who are teaching and passing on these skills, he said. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BEATRICE A proposed trail connecting Homestead National Historical Park to the city of Beatrice is closer to becoming a reality. During its last meeting, the Beatrice City Council agreed on a route for a trail connecting Riverside Park to Homesteads Heritage Center. The move was a major step in what will be a multi-year project, City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer said. "The next steps are to apply for funding through the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Tempelmeyer said. Assuming you are awarded that, the last trail we built with these funds took us eight years to build. It's not a quick thing." Olsson, a Lincoln-based engineering firm, studied possible routes for the National Park Service and identified several alignments in relation to Nebraska 4. The park is located 4 miles west of Beatrice. Two (routes) were right along the highway and then two other alternatives were one on the north side about 35 feet back and one on the south side about 35 feet back," Tempelmeyer said. "Looking at the different alternatives, it was the feeling of the National Park Service, the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the City of Beatrice that the south alignment that had the trail 35 feet off of the highway was probably the best route. The concrete trail, either 10 or 12 feet wide, would stretch more than 3 miles and cost $4.65 million. Beatrice covered 20% of the cost the last time it used a federal surface transportation enhancement grant. Councilman Joe Billesbach is an avid cyclist and a member of the Big Blue Biking Club. He recently participated in a 120-mile race in the Flint Hills of Kansas and said despite Beatrices great trail system, Homestead National Historical Park remains out of reach for many cyclists and hikers. Unfortunately right now, I have never been out to Homestead on my bicycle except for taking back roads, Billesbach said. Highway 4 is terrible. Theres no shoulder on it whatsoever, so you cannot ride on it with a bicycle. Billesbach said the new trail will help integrate the system and could spur tourism to the area. Were getting a lot of notice from riders all across the nation just because were on this trail system right now that stretches from Lincoln through Beatrice down to Marysville (Kansas), Billesbach said. We have an awful lot of cyclists who ride back and forth on that trail. So if theres an opportunity to get out west to go out to Homestead, I know it will increase a lot of tourism. Homestead National Historical Parks new superintendent, Betty Boyko, shared that sentiment. It will provide hikers and cyclists safe access to the park, Boyko said. Thats one of the most important things. It will certainly increase tourism out here and increase tourism to the community. Boyko said she is pleased by how many organizations are on board with the plan. You know, its supported by our general management plan, our foundation documents, Boyko said. And then the city of Beatrice and state of Nebraska comprehensive trail plan. When youre looking at that many entities on the same page, thats certainly a positive. Boyko said she is looking forward to playing a supporting role as the city develops its trail plans westward. She said that the park will look into connecting that trail with trails inside the park once its completed. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Germany, which has long been a popular destination for Eid travellers because of the variety of vacations the country has to offer, is gearing up for an influx of visitors once more including a considerable number from the Gulf region. While Germany has countless attractions, some of the key inspirations for Eid travel include the town of Marburg, which is celebrating its 800th anniversary this spring, so culture vultures have the chance to revel in a tour that spans eight centuries of history and includes important figures such as Saint Elisabeth, Landgrave Philipp, and Emil von Behring. Other events the town has encountered over the years are also highlighted. With the weather warming up, outdoor activities in Germany are also set to enjoy popularity, like the Romantic Road in Mottingen. With a minimum of three-day itineraries encouraged to revel in all the beauty of the 350km route through forests, mountains and villages seeped in half a century of history, the trip is perfect for those looking to soak up both nature and culture. With many mosques throughout Germany open to tourist visits throughout the year, the Blue Mosque in Hamburg is one of the oldest Islamic sites in the country. Renowned for its exceptional structural design, its beautiful shades of turquoise blue accompanied by Arabic calligraphy wrap around several prayer rooms, which together can hold up to 1,500 people. The mosque also features one of the worlds largest carpets it took three years to complete and required 22 people hand-tying 80 million knots. Germanys longstanding ties with various international communities have seen a number of cultural and historical sites emerge, with many of these key sites of keen interest for GCC travellers, said Yamina Sofo, Director Sales & Marketing at the German Tourism National Office. The countrys inclusive spirit has fostered an increase in cultural dining hotspots across Germany, with our world-class halal restaurants and cafes growing increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike. Berlins Sonnenallee, also known as Arab Street, has become a popular destination for halal and Levantine cuisine. The street features a plethora of diverse cafes, bakeries and Arab stores with specialist stores selling international items such as snacks and garments from Muslim countries. With Germany ranked as the worlds third-largest exporter of food and drink products, Arab Street embodies Germanys diverse F&B product options. While the popular walkway dominates the halal food scene in Berlin, there are a multitude of options for everyone to enjoy scattered around both the city and the country. In areas of the capital such as Tiergarten, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, and Neukolln, travellers can experience a variety of eateries across the country. From Turkish delights in Hamburg and Syrian delicacies in Frankfurt, to halal supermarkets in almost every state, there is a wealth of options available wherever travellers decide to visit. For music lover, the Thuringia Bach Festival represents the biggest music festival in the state. Running until May 5, Johann Sebastian Bachs renowned music is being celebrated with 47 concerts across the state from acclaimed musicians. TradeArabia News Service Heres a prediction that, unfortunately, may be as inescapable as it is undesirable: The current war between Ukraine and Russia will expand into a larger shooting war that involves the United States, as well as its NATO allies. From the beginning, President Joe Biden has been emphatic: America will not engage directly in a conflict with Russia, which Biden has said would amount to World War III. But even as Russian President Vladimir Putin surrounded Ukraine with nearly 200,000 troops in February, few imagined that his invasion would devolve into the brutality and atrocity that were seeing reported from Ukraine every day. Nevertheless, thats where we are, and there are no signs of an end to the bloodshed. Last Friday, a Russian missile attack was launched against an eastern Ukrainian train station packed with fleeing civilians. At least 57 were killed and many more injured. Even the current best-case scenario is dreadful: If the war eventually grinds to an exhausted halt, with Putin controlling large portions of eastern and southern Ukraine and Crimea, the only way to get to that undesirable point is through the deaths of many, many thousands of Russians and Ukrainians, including many civilians, women, children and old people. The difference between Putin and Hitler is a matter only of scope and scale, and the Wests tolerance for this sort of brutal carnage cannot be unlimited. Furthermore, eventually the stakes of the war in Ukraine may become more obvious and inescapable. Nowhere are those stakes better described than in Robert Kagans 2018 book The Jungle Grows Back. Kagan reminds us of how rare and fragile a thing the liberal world order is, the seven-decade reprieve from history as usual that began after World War II. According to Kagan, the liberal world order was largely engineered by the United States, and it resulted in a unique era of human history that values democracy, rule of law, equality, free speech, international cooperation over war and the rights and freedoms of individuals over the prerogatives of the state. The desirability of these principles is so obvious that one might assume they would naturally thrive as humankind develops, but according to Kagan the liberal world order had to be imposed and maintained by force or, at least, by the threat of force. Its in constant danger of relapsing into the war, tyranny, disorder and poverty that has characterized the vast majority of human history. This more typical condition of humankind is what Kagan calls the jungle. The jungle is never completely subdued. The liberal world order is threatened constantly by its resurgence. In short, first, theres nothing inevitable about the characteristics of the free world that provide the kind of life that we Americans value so highly. They are under constant threat in nations around the world, including in the U.S. The war in Ukraine is the current, violent instance that represents the larger battle. Second, its naive to believe that the battle between the free world and the autocracies of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran can be won without force. We may hope otherwise, but history has another story to tell. All of this would be considerably simpler if the primary antagonists in this confrontation were not heavily armed with nuclear weapons. But the invention of the atomic bomb was always inevitable, and so was its use. The abolition of nuclear weapons is as unrealistic as the eradication of war itself. A nuclear exchange has sometimes been called unthinkable. But in truth any nuclear power including us will use nuclear weapons if the circumstances reach a certain point of desperation. Thus nuclear weapons are a significant element of the calculus that our adversaries use to advance their autocratic agendas. Its unfortunate, but nuclear weapons have to be part of our calculus, as well. This is terribly risky, but its in the nature of the sad point that world politics has reached. If were unwilling to push back with a credible nuclear threat, the battle between a liberal world order and autocracy is already lost. John Crisp writes for Tribune News Service. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. KENOSHA Carthage College is hosting two community events featuring award-winning writer Sidik Fofana. The New York authors debut collection, Stories from the Tenants Downstairs, is scheduled for publication in August. Its composed of nine short stories about the residents of a fictional building in Harlem. Fofana, a high school English teacher in Brooklyn, earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from New York University. His work has also appeared in the Sewanee Review and Granta, and the Center for Fiction awarded him an Emerging Writer Fellowship in 2018. Admission to both events is free, and no advance registration is required: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20: As part of Carthages Visiting Writers Series, Fofana will give a public reading on the campus, 2001 Alford Park Drive, in the colleges Niemann Media Theater, located on the lower level of the Hedberg Library. Noon to 2 p.m. Friday, April 22: The public can meet Fofana at a community gathering in the green space next to the Regimen Barber Collective, 1345 52nd St. in Kenosha. Art activities, a food truck, music, games and the Bookmobile will also be available. Im thrilled that Sidik Fofana, an outstanding early career author, will visit our community, said Carthage President John Swallow. Already noticed for short stories published in magazines, his first work of fiction set off an eight-way auction that was finally won by Scribner. We have the great good fortune to hear him and his amazing literary voice before that first work reaches shelves this summer. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. KANSASVILLE It has been a long time since a Democrat won a race around here, but that is not discouraging lieutenant governor and U.S. Senate hopeful Mandela Barnes from wooing Racine Countys rural voters. One of the Democratic candidates aiming to unseat U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., brought his Barnes For Barns tour targeting farm families this week to the Kansasville countryside. Undeterred by a 2-to-1 edge Republicans have historically enjoyed in this part of Racine County, Barnes is working to connect with farmers on such issues as conservation and immigration. From unincorporated Kansasville in the Town of Dover, the Barnes for Barns tour was hitting the road later, with plans to court voters in other rural areas near Green Bay, Wausau and Janesville. Too often, in the political sense, people have left communities behind, have forgotten about rural Wisconsin, Barnes said. Thats not a mistake that we intend to make. Johnsons re-election campaign is responding that the two-term senator from Oshkosh has a strong record of supporting farmers. He has backed legislation that would ease farm bankruptcy rules, relax environmental restrictions, and get more farm products into school lunches. The Republican incumbent, who won 70 percent of the vote here in his 2016 election, is asking voters this November to send him back to Washington for another six years. Senator Johnson will continue to promote common-sense policies that ease regulation and promote growth within Wisconsins agriculture sector, campaign spokesman Jake Wilkins said in a written statement. Barnes, a former state legislator from Milwaukee, was elected in 2018 as the states lieutenant governor, serving alongside Gov. Tony Evers. He is the first black person to be elected lieutenant governor. In the U.S. Senate race, Barnes is competing with fellow Democrats Tom Nelson, Alex Lasry, Adam Murphy, Sarah Godlewski and Steven Olikara. The winner of an Aug. 9 primary will advance to face Johnson in the November election. In his Barnes for Barns stop Tuesday in Kansasville, the lieutenant governor visited Barney and Harriet Lavin, whose farm has been in the Lavin family for five generations dating back to 1842. The estimated 300-acre farm sits adjacent to Eagle Lake on State Highway 75, between Burlington and Union Grove. An outside farmer rents acreage to raise wheat, corn and soybean, while Barney and Harriet Lavin concentrate on wetland restoration and other conservation projects. The couple generally votes Democratic, although they recognize that most of their neighbors support Republicans. Barney Lavin called Johnson an embarrassment to Wisconsin. Democrats like Barnes could do better in the rural area, Lavin said, by focusing on issues of importance to farmers climate change and free trade. We have to improve our message, Lavin said of Democrats. What were doing now isnt working. In the 2016 election, Town of Dover voters favored Johnson over Democratic challenger Russ Feingold 70% to 30%. Republican Donald Trump enjoyed similar support locally in his campaigns for president in 2016 and 2020. Barnes arrived on the Lavin farm accompanied by campaign staff in a black SUV. Wearing blue jeans and work boots, he chatted with the Lavins in their living room at first, then while walking around their property. The couple told Barnes that farmers are being hurt by trade policies that return to the growers only about 16 cents for every dollar of food sold in the country down from 50 cents during the 1950s. Meanwhile, climate change is ravaging the landscape for farmers, the couple said. Immigration crackdowns likewise are deporting workers and leaving farmers with inadequate manpower to get the job done. Harriet Lavin told the candidate that immigration officers have unfairly rounded up undocumented workers from farms, demonstrating a need for reform of U.S. immigration policies. Thats a real concern, she said. We need the workers. And they need to be treated fairly. I think we can do better. In a brief exchange about Foxconn, Barney Lavin lamented the industrial development in Mount Pleasant, which has failed to achieve the job growth promised by then-Gov. Scott Walker and then-Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, both Republicans; Kleefisch is currently running for governor. Lavin called the Foxconn development that terrible thing, saying it has taken Racine County farmland out of production without creating anything of value in its place. Thats putting it nicely, Barnes replied. Barnes said that Congress needs to play a role in supporting small family farms in Wisconsin, which he said are succumbing too often to economic pressures and shutting down. As of 2020, there were approximately 64,400 farms in Wisconsin, according to state data. Thats 500 less than there were in 2019. In 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported there were 78,463 farms in Wisconsin. The candidate said he appreciated hearing about how the Lavin family farm has persevered over the years. Noting that he has visited almost every type of farm in Wisconsin, he said the Barnes on Barns tour is about reconnecting with rural areas and recommitting to support them in the future. Im excited to come back to many areas and talk about the work that needs to happen in Washington, D.C., to help our family farmers, he said. We need to do everything we can to save an industry that has built this state. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RACINE A resident of the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization shelter has been accused of trying to stab another resident. Tamarrae T. Hopkins, 27, was charged with two felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, a felony count of attempt aggravated battery and misdemeanor counts battery and disorderly conduct. According to a criminal complaint: On Monday, officers were sent to HALO, 2000 DeKoven Ave., for a report of a fight where one person was armed with a knife. Upon arrival, officers saw several residents flagging them down. They saw a man, identified as Hopkins, pinned to the ground by two other men, who said that Hopkins tried to assault another resident. Police spoke with a staff member who said she was in the dining room of the facility when she saw Hopkins rush over to another resident. He pulled out a large kitchen knife and attempted to stab him. Several residents and staff rushed over to stop him. She ran over to stop Hopkins, but she was knocked to the ground and injured her wrist. Officers spoke to the man Hopkins tried to stab and he said that he was attempting to sleep when Hopkins suddenly was standing over him. Hopkins then tried to stab him but the knife bent. Officers also spoke with a HALO assistant director, who said she was elbowed by Hopkins in her face and shoved to the ground. A resident said that he tried to take the knife from Hopkins and suffered several cuts to his hand. Hopkins was given a $1,000 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is set for April 20 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BURLINGTON The future of the troubled Echo Lake will be discussed at a public open house scheduled for Thursday inside a downtown brewery. The event organized by consultants for the City of Burlington is open to the public from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Low Daily Brewery, 700 N. Pine St. The consulting firm of Ayres Associates Inc. will present information about the Echo Lake issue, and will seek feedback from participants on whether they would like to see the manmade lake maintained or removed. The public also is being asked what sort of park attractions they would like the city to provide, depending on whether the lake is drained and replaced by a restored White River. It is the first of several public engagement efforts planned as Ayres Associates prepares a report, known as an Echo Lake Park Master Plan, for the Burlington City Council on possible options for the future of the 70-acre lake and surrounding parkland. Echo Lake is a manmade impoundment created in the 1800s when a dam was built on the White River to power a mill. Later a popular recreation spot, the lake has since grown polluted. State regulators have determined that the city-owned dam no longer meets safety standards. The city must either expand and upgrade the dam, or remove it and allow the lake to drain back into the White River. Consultants have estimated that saving Echo Lake would cost more than $5 million, to modify the dam and dredge the lake bottom. Without outside funding, that would increase property taxes for the average homeowner by $68 a year over 20 years, or a total of $1,368. Removing the dam and draining the lake would cost less, with estimates ranging from $1.1 million to $2 million. Property taxes for the average homeowner would go up about $20 a year, or a total of $409. Any additional amenities such as pedestrian pathways or fishing piers would increase costs and would be decided separately by city officials. The city is considering holding an advisory referendum in November on the future of Echo Lake. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RACINE A fire Wednesday at Hestia Heat Treating, 1215 Eighth St., left one person with non-life-threatening injuries, according to a news release from the Racine Fire Department, which credited a quick call to 911 in helping prevent serious damage. Total damage to the property is estimated at $4,000. Road construction workers called 911 at 10:20 a.m. after seeing smoke and fire coming from a rooftop exhaust atop Hestia Heat Treating. The Racine Fire Department was dispatched and responded with three fire engines, two ladder trucks, a paramedic rescue squad, battalion chief, safety officer and fire investigator, for a total of 21 responders. Firefighters used dry chemical and water fire extinguishers to snuff fire on the roof and in the machinery on the factory floor. The rooftop exhaust had to be opened and some rubber roof material was removed to access and extinguish the fire, the release stated. A 53-year-old employee fell from a ladder as he carried fire extinguishers to the roof to put out the fire. Med 1 fire/medics treated the man for fall injuries and transported him to Ascension All Saints emergency room. He is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, the release stated. The cause of the fire is believed to be from a welding repair operation spark, which ignited fine dust particles located on the inner walls of exhaust ductwork above a heat-treating furnace. Fire traveled through the exhaust, damaged the rooftop exhaust stack and ignited the rubber roof membrane. Workers returned the plant to normal operations after a short evacuation to allow firefighters to remove heavy smoke from the plant. The immediate call to 911 prevented this fire from becoming a catastrophic loss, which could have shut down the business and idled workers indefinitely, the release stated. Owners, managers, and citizens are urged to promptly call 911 any time an emergency is identified. This allows the Fire Department to minimize injuries and property loss due to fire. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Vote View Results 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. 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. Simranjit Khalsa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. ___ Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The mother of Daunte Wright, who was fatally shot by a suburban Minneapolis police officer, says she was injured while she was briefly detained by one of the same departments officers after she stopped to record the arrest of a person during a traffic stop. Katie Wright said Thursday that she was worried about what the Brooklyn Center officers might do to the person being handcuffed when she pulled over Wednesday night. She says the officer injured her wrist. Brooklyn Center police say they released body camera video of the encounter to promote public safety and dispel widespread rumor or unrest. In April 2021, Katie Wright's 20-year-old son, who was Black, was killed during a traffic stop by Kim Potter, a white officer who said she confused her handgun for her Taser. If you go to the LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival this weekend, you may see a performance from someone who has never stepped foot on a professional stage before, let alone performed in front of a crowd. That's intentional. Director and founder of LAUNCH Jeremy Weiss, who also owns CI Records in downtown Lancaster, plans the festival and conference with up-and-coming performers in mind. We know that some folks are a bit hobbyist," Weiss says. "We know that other folks are on to something really intriguing, but its not in the traditional system of write, record, release, tour. The COVID-19 pandemic put a strain on LAUNCH's typical schedule: the festival and music conference is usually held in the spring. In 2020, the festival was canceled, and in 2021, Weiss and his team pulled together a show in the fall. As soon as the lights are turned off from the 2021 campaign, because it was in the fall, we found ourselves right back in planning for this April campaign," Weiss says. "It has been taxing and it has been intense, but were here for it. This year, more than 130 performers will play across seven stages in Lancaster city. Here's what you need to know before you go to LAUNCH this weekend. The basics LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival is typically a weekend-long event that puts musicians of all genres on stages across Lancaster County. It doubles as a music conference where artists can meet with industry professionals, network and get advice on their works. This year, LAUNCH will run from Thursday to Saturday, with two shows spilling over into Sunday at midnight and 12:30 a.m. Musicians will perform across seven different stages in Lancaster city: Isaac's Brewhouse, Penn Square, the Lancaster Marriott, Tellus360 and the Lancaster County Convention Center's Freedom Hall, Ballroom and Galactic rooms. Concerts at Isaac's and Penn Square are free. LAUNCH, in its 14 years, has always had a free component, Weiss says. "Music wafting through the air: my favorite way to hear Lancaster city," Weiss says. "Just come out and have a blast." There are several other paid ways to enjoy LAUNCH. A weekend badge grants access to all conference panels, as well as standard shows (though, marquis shows cost extra), for $70. A weekend VIP badge, which costs $110, includes everything mentioned previously, as well as a T-shirt, the ability to skip the line at venues and access to marquee shows. Those interested could alternatively buy a one-day pass for Friday or Saturday, each of which costs $50. Tickets are available at launchmusicconference.com. Attendees can pick up their badges in person at the Lancaster County Convention Center on Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Who's performing A mix of local and national acts will perform in Lancaster city this weekend. The marquee shows, or headlining shows, include rock band Set it Off, indie/emo rapper Guardin and experimental rock/hardcore band I Set My Friends on Fire. LAUNCH will also host a Screaming Infidelities: Emo Night, featuring nostalgic emo and pop punk tunes. All marquee events are all-ages. Some acts from Lancaster County to see this weekend include My Ex Girlfriend's Ex Boyfriend (fronted by Max Bartos, who performed off Broadway in "Sing Street"), alternative rock band Houses in the Sky, punk rock band Witch Weather, alternative rock band Pink Lemons, metal band Nailbite and more. This year, LAUNCH continues its partnership with the York College of Pennsylvania to produce some of the festival's concerts. New in 2022, the festival will also partner with students in Millersville University's music business technology program on some performances. A full schedule of performances can be found at lanc.news/LAUNCH2022. What's new This year, LAUNCH is not doing its usual Fest Friday, an outdoor show at Binns Park that featured over a dozen performers across three separate stages last year. Weather and logistics were big factors in deciding to move from Binns Park, Weiss says. To make up for the absence, Isaac's Brewhouse and Tellus360 will host some LAUNCH performances. They had previously hosted LAUNCH shows, but it has been a few years, Weiss says. LAUNCH will also host its first branded country and Americana stage, as they brought on several artists from those genres. Weiss says he consistently works to make sure performers are aware of LAUNCH regardless of their genre. Its always incumbent upon us to make sure that every single blessed genre and sub-genre is made aware of us, and aware of the fact that theyre welcome," Weiss says. In recent years, LAUNCH has featured more diverse acts. LAUNCH also partnered with Corey Oatman to come up with a curated hip-hop and R&B stage. Oatman, a Lancaster city-based musician who performs as Corey O, has been a yearly attendee of LAUNCH since 2016, when he performed his very first show in front of a crowd. So, he knows how important this type of event can be to someone who is up-and-coming. Its definitely like nothing else in the city or even around the central Pennsylvania area," Oatman says. "Its a whole festival full of knowledge from panelists from all over the United States. So many gems. Its just like, every year I could make a living off of what LAUNCH has taught me, aside from being a musician. This weekend, both he and his wife, Jess Graham (who performs as Jess AF), will perform separately, and then together in their group called Two Broke Kids. Oatman says he's looking forward to seeing his wife perform on her own for the first time. "I love being part of (LAUNCH) on the artist's side," Oatman says. But he enjoys being part of planning the logistics, too. When Oatman selected artists for the curated stage, he says he intentionally chose people who could really rock a crowd. We had all kinds of acts, hip hop acts from all across the country submit to be part of the show, and I got to select a handful of artists to put on stage," Oatman says. "I centered it on whose vibes are gonna set the stage on fire." For more information about LAUNCH, visit launchmusicconference.com. There were fewer background checks for firearms purchases or to acquire a license to carry a firearm in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. The Pennsylvania Instance Check System (PICS) conducted 321,666 background checks in the first quarter of 2022, according to a news release from state police. That marks a 25% decrease from the 427,450 checks conducted during the first quarter of 2021. "Established in 1998, PICS is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police of cities of the first class, and licensed firearms dealers in Pennsylvania to determine an individuals legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer," according to the release. Of the 321,666 background checks conducted, 5,486 people were denied the purchase of the firearm, and 1,975 denials were referred to law enforcement agencies. The background check can also determine if someone has an active warrant for their arrest the release indicates that 13 people who got background checks were arrested at the point of purchase for a warrant during the first quarter of 2022. It is a felony of the third degree to make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form, or if they "willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive a firearm seller, licensed dealer, or licensed manufacturer," according to the release. First Quarter PICS Statistics Total number of PICS checks conducted - 2021: 427,450 - 2022: 321,666 Number of Persons Denied - 2021: 6,444 - 2022: 5,486 Total Number of Denials Referred to Law Enforcement Agencies - 2021: 1,325 - 2022: 1,975 Referred to Pennsylvania State Police - 2021: 296 - 2022: 493 Referred to Local Law Enforcement - 2021: 1,001 - 2022: 1,408 Referred to ATF - 2021: 28 - 2022: 74 Number of Individuals Arrested for Warrant at Point of Purchase - 2021: 52 - 2022: 13 The Hempfield School Board recently revised its policy on recording public meetings after pausing a meeting earlier this year and asking residents to destroy recordings they were making. The updated policy notes all participants attending a public meeting should presume that the meeting is being recorded. Those wishing to record a meeting previously had to notify the board prior to the meeting. State law allows school board meetings to be recorded. Hempfield School District Superintendent Mike Bromirski said in an email to LNP | LancasterOnline that the boards practice has been and will continue to be in compliance with the states open meetings law, known as the Sunshine Act. Melissa Melewsky, media law attorney for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said the boards former policy was inconsistent with the law. However, she said only a judge can determine whether or not it was a true violation of the Sunshine Act. This law, she said, is citizen enforced. State law guarantees the publics right to record meetings, Melewsky said. A policy that interferes with that right is subject to the law, subject to challenge. Mark Fitzgerald, the school districts solicitor, said in an email to LNP | LancasterOnline that the boards former policy on recording public meetings was in compliance with the law under an exception that allows the adoption and enforcement of reasonable rules to maintain order. The Sunshine Act explicitly recognizes that a school board is empowered with the authority to promulgate rules designed to maintain order, Fitzgerald said in his email. For many years, the district has recognized the reasonable practice of requiring meeting attendees to notify the board. Such a practice balanced the overarching requirement that school boards are empowered to run its own meeting while balancing the rights of citizens to record the meeting. Melewsky said the boards previous policy was not reasonable. The open meetings law allows agencies to adopt and enforce reasonable rules for their use, but it doesnt allow those rules to interfere with the right to record, she said. This isnt the first time Hempfields school board procedures have been questioned in relation to the Sunshine Act. Recent changes to the frequency and approach to the boards meetings prompted concerns about transparency and access from parents. At its December 2021 reorganization meeting, the school board voted to hold three instead of six monthly meetings. It also cut its full board meetings from twice to once a month. A reasonable debate A little more than an hour into the school boards Jan. 25 building and grounds/finance committee meeting, board member Dylan Bard interrupted the meeting to question residents recording the meeting, according to minutes from the meeting posted at lanc.news/3jBio1x. Residents were asked to destroy any recordings, and it was noted there were no requests submitted to the board seeking permission to record, according to the minutes. LNP | LancasterOnline was made aware of the incident when district resident Jamie Beth Cohen included the media outlet in an email she sent to Keener, Bromirski and Bard on Jan. 27. Cohen attended the meeting via Zoom. In the email, Cohen expressed her concern about the incident at the Jan. 25 meeting, writing that she and many in attendance interpreted it as a clear attempt (and a successful one) to prevent the public from recording. Keener replied to her email on Jan. 28, noting that members of the public are welcome to record meetings but that members must inform the board beforehand so other attendees could be alerted. During Tuesdays meeting, Mr. Bard noticed that an audience member appeared to be recording the proceedings, Keener said in his reply to Cohens email. Since this individual had not informed the board of their intent to record prior to the meeting, the districts procedure was not followed. Accordingly, I requested that recording cease. Keener declined a request to comment for this story but deferred to Bromirskis statements. When asked about Keeners request that recording stop, Bromirski in an April 7 email to LNP | LancasterOnline said to my knowledge, no one was forced to stop recording at any of our meetings. He said the recording policy was changed not because of the Jan. 25 incident, but because meetings are open for people to attend in person and through live-streaming, so it made sense to presume all meetings were being recorded. But, he did defend the former policy in response to Melewskys interpretation of the Sunshine Act. The key word to me is reasonable and that is subjective, Bromirski said in an email. We should not be stating or implying that ones opinion is fact. Stuart Knade, chief legal officer for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, supports the school board's previous policy on recording meetings. Knade told LNP | LancasterOnline on Wednesday that the former policy was not unreasonable because it didnt prevent anyone from recording. The boards act of stopping a recording was simply dealing with someone not following the policy, Knade said. Reasonable minds can differ about what reasonable means, he said. From Melewskys perspective, reasonableness is determined by the reason for imposing a regulation for a policy. For example, she said, a reasonable rule might be to dictate where a broadcaster places large equipment to prevent it from interfering with someone elses ability to see or hear the meeting. I have no idea why (Hempfield) did, but the fact that it has prohibited at least one person from recording a public meeting is a significant problem, Melewsky said. I would say its evidence of unreasonableness. An already-grim picture for Democrats heading into Novembers midterm elections has gotten grimmer, according to a Franklin & Marshall College poll of registered voters released today. Broad dissatisfaction with the direction of the state, and a pervasive feeling among voters that they are worse off now than a year ago, dragged down job approval ratings for both President Joe Biden and Gov. Tom Wolf. Democrats already faced headwinds this year a presidents party typically struggles to win elections two years after capturing the White House and more voters appear to be moving toward the opposition Republicans. Pennsylvania has emerged as perhaps the key swing state in this years battle for control of Congress, and Bidens approval rating here has sunk to just 33%, according to the poll, which has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.2 percentage points. In one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country, to replace outgoing Republican Pat Toomey, frontrunners Mehmet Oz and David McCormick are in a dead heat in their partys primary contest, separated by a single percentage point, with 43% of GOP voters still undecided. Driving Bidens dip in approval is the 36% of voters who say theyre financially worse off now than a year ago compared to just 15% saying the opposite. Key Democratic constituencies say they, too, feel the pain. Forty-four percent of nonwhite voters and 32% of voters younger than 35 say theyre financially worse off today, a warning sign for a party that needs its voters excited to turn out in November. Questions that revolve around the economy are pretty essential to understanding whats to come, said Berwood Yost, director of Franklin & Marshalls Center for Opinion Research. You can tie that to Joe Bidens approval. These things are all related, and they paint a pretty bleak picture for the party in power. Senate negatives With Attorney General Josh Shapiro as the lone Democrat running for governor, the Senate race is the partys top contested nomination. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman leads U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb 41% to 17%; state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta trails at 4%. The GOP side is far more muddled, a potential trouble spot for the party as candidates try to elbow their way to the front of their crowded fields, Yost said. No Republican running for Senate or governor garnered the support of even 20% of GOP voters, according to the poll, meaning whoever wins could enter the general election campaign with a majority of their own party having voted against them. Physician-turned-TV-celebrity Oz and former hedge fund manager McCormick are neck-and-neck in the Senate race, with 16% and 15% support, respectively. Former President Donald Trump, still the most popular figure in the GOP, endorsed Oz on Saturday, just before pollsters ended their survey, meaning the numbers wouldnt include any bump in support that followed. Oz and McCormick, as well as super PACs supporting them, have spent tens of millions of dollars attacking each other in an ad war that began unusually early. The bruises are beginning to show. Thirty-nine percent of Republicans view Oz unfavorably, compared to 27% who hold a favorable view. Just over a third havent made up their minds about him. Hes 12 points underwater, and hes fairly well known, Yost said. McCormick is viewed favorably by 27% of voters, with 15% having an unfavorable view. Fifty-seven percent havent decided. Governors race In the GOP primary race for governor, state Sen. Doug Mastriano leads a nine-candidate field with 15% support, followed by former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain, a favorite among the Republican establishment, at 12%. Former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta comes in at 10%. But there, too, Trump weighed in after the survey finished. In a blistering statement Tuesday, he assailed McSwain, an establishment favorite, as a coward because he didnt pursue Trumps baseless claims of widespread voter fraud while U.S. attorney in 2020. Mastriano, meanwhile, built his statewide political base by being among the most outspoken proponents of that falsehood. Trump has not endorsed a candidate for governor, but state Senate President Pro-Tempore Jake Corman on Tuesday said he rescinded his decision to drop out of the race after Trump called him. The poll shows Corman with just 2% support. A stretch of White Horse Runs flowed behind Gordon Hoovers back Wednesday afternoon as he made his way along the stream's grassy shore, passing by dozens of green tubes sticking straight up out of the earth on his eastern Lancaster County farm. Each of those tubes protected a newly planted tree some 1,200 plants installed this week across about 5 acres of streamside farmland in Salisbury Township. The planting, he explained, is the beginning of a forested buffer, designed to improve the stream's health by capturing pollutants from his Welsh-Vista Farms and its neighbors. On Wednesday, Hoover presented the planting as an example of environmental improvements that have been made through a multi-year, township-wide effort toward watershed stewardship. And state officials, who joined him near the stream, held it up as an example of the type of work they hope to continue to support as they strive to meet federal pollution-reduction goals. This is extraordinary, said Russell Redding, the states agriculture secretary, who lauded Salisbury Township locals for their grassroots efforts to strengthen local water quality. The planted trees, called a riparian buffer, are designed to act as a vegetated barrier between farmland and the stream. The idea is that the trees will help capture and filter stormwater as it washes across farmland during rain storms. Stormwater runoff can pick up harmful pollutants including sediments and nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen that are common in soils, fertilizers and animal waste on farms. If not filtered out, those pollutants can degrade local waterways, as well as others downstream, eventually making their way to the Chesapeake Bay, where they threaten aquatic life. Because of those threats, federal environmental regulators have imposed pollution reduction mandates in areas that fall within the bays watershed, which includes a large portion of central and northeastern Pennsylvania. On-farm improvements like buffers help to reach those goals, according to officials, who pointed out that agriculture is a major contributor to the problem. For the most part, those improvements have been welcomed, Redding said at the Wednesday event. I havent met a farmer yet who doesnt want to do it, he said. However, he stressed a need to strike a balance when working toward cleanup goals an effort that will require weighing the often-high costs of improvement projects against farmers ability to operate viable, successful operations. Funding, he said, can help. State grant program State officials were in attendance Wednesday to tout the success of the Conservation Excellence Grant program, which provides dollars toward implementing best management practices. Its a program that has made more than $4 million available for 68 conservation projects since 2019 in six counties in the bay watershed, according to a news release. The program was created in the 2019 state Farm Bill and is administered through the Pennsylvania Conservation Commission and county conservation districts. Through the program, participating farmers are eligible for grants, loans and tax credits. We recognize that conservation projects can come at a cost, which is why strategic investments like (the grant program) are so important, Redding said in a statement. More than $1.6 million in program funds have been committed to 31 projects in Lancaster County through the local conservation district, officials said in a news release. Christopher Thompson, Lancaster County Conservation Districts manager, said funding can entice farmers who are initially reluctant to open their lands to expensive conservation work. I have met farmers that dont want to do what we want to do, he said, jokingly contradicting Reddings early remark. Funding makes it easier. Farmer buy-in is important as state officials and environmental leaders are falling short of federal requirements to reduce pollutants by millions of pounds by 2025 nitrogen by 32.5 million pounds and phosphorus by 0.85 million pounds, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Lancaster County is responsible for reducing more than 20% of that load, Thompson said. Currently, both statewide and countywide plans to achieve reductions fall short, though a revised state plan is currently under federal review. The states failures have long been criticized by officials in nearby states that have a stake in the bays health, as well as by regulators at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and leading environmental groups. Failure to meet imposed goals could come with penalties, federal regulators have said. However, there are obstacles to success, Thompson said Wednesday. Millions of additional dollars are needed to fund more watershed projects, he said. Still, Wednesday was a celebration of the success that has been achieved in Salisbury Township, where Hoover is chairman of the local board of supervisors. That success was achieved through partnerships with like-minded organizations, officials said, providing a list that included the conservation district, Lancaster Farmland Trust, Team Ag Consulting, Stroud Water Research Center and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. "Lancaster Farmland Trust has spent decades investing in our agricultural communities and building trusted relationships with farmers, said Jeff Swinehart, the trusts president and CEO. The success of the projects we are celebrating today relies heavily on these genuine relationships. Wegmans will no longer offer single-use plastic bags at any of its stores checkout counters by the end of the year, the company announced Thursday. Most of its 106 locations have already eliminated them, according to the Rochester, New York-based chain, and offer only paper bags instead for 5 cents each. In a news release Thursday, the company said it will take a phased approach to sunsetting plastic bags during the second half of 2022. At the time of each rollout, Wegmans will work to ensure consistency in its approach to all markets, unless legislation dictates otherwise, the news release said. The announcement did not include the timing for when the ban will hit individual locations, including its store at The Crossings, off Harrisburg Pike in Manheim Township. That location is one of 45 stores without the ban yet in place. The announcement from Wegmans comes two days after Pittsburghs city council voted to ban plastic bags at businesses, starting a year from now. Pittsburgh is the sixth municipality in the commonwealth to ban plastic bags. Philadelphias ban took effect in October. State lawmakers barred municipalities from banning single-use sure plastic bags in 2019, a rule that expired this year. According to Wegmans, shoppers at stores with plastic-bag bans use reusable bags, or no bags, in 75% of transactions. Customers buy paper bags 25% of the time. The company estimates that the ban extending to the rest of its stores will save 345 million single-use bags from leaving their stores within a year. A 2020 state-commissioned report found that Pennsylvanians used 4.5 billion plastic bags a year. Of those, 3 billion are the thin single-use bags typically offered at supermarkets and retail stores, according to the report. Across the world, humans produce 300 million tons of plastic each year, according to the New York-based environmental group National Resources Defense Council. Half of that is plastic is for single-use products. While some plastics are recyclable, like soda bottles, thin plastic bags and other single-use items typically are not, eventually breaking down into microplastics that are increasingly omnipresent. The tiny plastic particles have been found in remote parts of the world, including Mount Everest and the ocean deep. A recent study found microplastic pollution in human blood, and may lodge in organs, the Guardian reported. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A top civil rights lawyer for California was fired while working on a discrimination case against video game giant Activision Blizzard and her colleague quit in protest Wednesday, a whistleblower attorney said. Janette Wipper was fired on March 29 in the midst of her success" in pursuing the case as chief counsel for the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing, said her lawyer, Alexis Ronickher. Melanie Proctor, an assistant chief counsel also involved in the Activision case, resigned Wednesday on what was Proctor's official last day, the attorney said. Ronickher didn't specify why Wipper was terminated. However, she said Wipper is considering filing a claim under California's whistleblower protection law. The lawyer noted that Gov. Gavin Newsom had reappointed Wipper to her position just four months before she was being terminated. Bloomberg was first to report the shakeup Wednesday, citing an email from Proctor to department staff accusing Newsom and his office of interfering with the Activision lawsuit. For there to be justice, those with political influence must be forced to play by the same set of laws and rules, Ronickher said in a statement. Claims of interference by our office are categorically false, Newsom spokesperson Erin Mellon said in a statement Wednesday. The administration supports the fair employment department's efforts to fight all forms of discrimination and protect Californians, Mellon said. The agency sued the Santa Monica-based video game company in July, alleging a frat boy culture that had become a breeding ground for harassment and discrimination against women. It was one of several legal problems affecting the maker of Call of Duty and Candy Crush, dragging down its stock price last year and paving the way for Xbox-maker Microsoft to make a takeover bid. The $68.7 billion all-cash deal was announced in January. If approved by U.S. and overseas regulators, it could be one of the biggest tech acquisitions in history. In announcing the agreement, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted the allegations about Activision and said it will be critical" for the company to drive forward on longtime CEO Bobby Koticks commitments to improve its workplace culture. Neither Microsoft nor Activision responded to a request for comment Wednesday. Activision has come under fire from the government and even some shareholders over allegations that management ignored sexual harassment and discrimination against female employees. A shareholder suit filed last year alleges that the company's negligent response resulted in a loss of share value. The company also agreed last year to pay $18 million to settle a complaint by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After a nearly three-year investigation, the agency concluded that Activision failed to take effective action after employees complained about sexual harassment, discriminated against pregnant employees and retaliated against employees who spoke out, including by firing them. A federal judge approved the settlement on March 29, the same day that Wipper was notified of her firing. The judge rejected a request by Wippers agency to delay the settlement as it pursued its own case. A prospective endorsement by former President Trump in the Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial race is dominating the buzz in political circles following Trumps endorsement last Saturday of Mehmet Oz in the U.S. Senate race. One thing party insiders agree on: Trump is so unpredictable that its difficult to predict if he will make an endorsement, and if so, who among the nine candidates vying for the GOP nomination in the May 17 primary he would favor. One criteria for a Trump endorsement: the candidate cant have dismissed the former presidents assertion that the 2020 election was stolen. And, most likely, the candidate has to have a real chance of winning. Trump doesnt like losers. A statewide poll released Thursday showed only three of nine Republican candidates in double digits among the partys voters, with none above 20%. The three are state Sen. Doug Mastriano, of Franklin County (15% support in the poll); former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain, of Montgomery County, 12%; and former Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, 10%. It can be safely said that McSwain is extremely unlikely to win the endorsement given Trumps stinging rebuke of him this week. In what amounted to an anti-endorsement, Trump called McSwain, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer, a coward for failing to dig into unsupported election fraud conspiracy theories in 2020. One person I will not be endorsing is Bill McSwain for governor, Trump said in the statement. Still, it is anyones race, said Joseph DiSarro, chairman of the political science department at Washington & Jefferson College and a self-described conservative Republican. There are some hopefuls sitting at single digits in the F&M poll who could rise with an influx of money, or unforeseen circumstances could knock down one of the top-tier candidates. Among the top three in the poll, that leaves Barletta, who has longstanding ties to Trump, and Mastriano, whom The Caucus found did more than any state legislator to support Trump in the months after the November 2020 election. Mastriano proved his loyalty by signing onto court cases and legislation to investigate fraud, and offered a resolution to allow the Legislature to pick alternate presidential electors. Most notably, he presided at the now infamous Nov. 25, 2020, hearing in Gettysburg into the election where Trump supporters made repeated unsubstantiated claims about the election. Still, Barletta is the likely choice for Trumps endorsement, DiSarro said. Barletta was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump for president in 2016. Trump encouraged Barletta to run for U.S. Senate in 2018. Barletta garnered more than 2 million votes in losing 56-43 percent to Democrat Sen. Bob Casey. Despite a lack of money in the governors race, Barletta still polls among the leaders as a result of residual name recognition. Several political pros were less sure about Mastriano, who is despised by many in the GOP establishment. Again, though, Trump could surprise. Mastriano has a loyal following within the Trump base. He said he spoke regularly by phone with Trump in the months after the 2020 election. Hes also been subpoenaed to appear before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Mastriano, a retired U.S. Army colonel, organized buses to take people to Washington that day, but says he did not go inside the Capitol and left when violence erupted.. How much would a Trump endorsement count? An Emerson College poll found 61% of undecided voters would support a Trump-endorsed candidate. According to the F&M poll, 40% of Republican voters are undecided, meaning Trumps nod could swing the race. DiSarro said he believes a Trump endorsement wont have much influence. Conservatives pushed back against the Oz endorsement, saying the TV doctor was too liberal. I think the party is going to move beyond Trump, DiSarro said. Trump bump or not, the GOP primary winner gets to take on Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro in the November governors race. While Democratic Party leaders salivate at tying the GOP primary winner to Trump, they should be focused less on Trump and more on solutions to fixing the economy, said T.J. Rooney, a former state Democratic Party Chairman and ex-state House member from Bethlehem. Its going to be a tough year for Dems demonstrated by the plunging poll numbers for President Biden and Gov. Tom Wolf and voters anger about the economy, said Yost. As for who the former president might choose to carry the GOP banner against Shapiro, Yost offered an assessment thats surely common among the political cognosceti: I cant figure out anything about how Trump does his endorsements. Bumsted is Harrisburg bureau chief for The Caucus, LNP's publication covering state government and politics. College news Graduations Anne L. Sensenig graduated from the University of Chicago in March 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. Anne is a 2018 graduate of Ephrata High School. Natalie Flaim, of Ephrata, graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractics Main campus in Davenport, Iowa on Feb. 25, 2022. Area students were among those who graduated recently from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Beatrix Greiner, of Columbia, received a Master of Music degree. Joshua Warren, of Lancaster, received a Bachelor of Science degree. Honors Lindamarie Olson, of Millersville, has been selected as a 2022 recipient of a Dissertation Fellowship by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. The $10,000 fellowships are designed to support active society members in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study. Olson is one of 10 recipients nationwide to receive the award. Olson is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Houston. Her research focuses on interventions for at-risk youth to reduce their initial contact with the justice system and to limit their ongoing involvement in the system. The recipients were selected based on a number of criteria including how the fellowship will contribute to the completion of the dissertation, significance of the original research and endorsement by the dissertation chair. Three students at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design recently have been honored by communications and design organizations. Dzifa Lassey, Class of 24, graphic design major, in March was awarded the 2022 Diversity Scholarship by the College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals organization at its annual spring conference. CUPRAP includes representatives from nearly 100 institutions. It presents one scholarship annually based on academic ability, communications skills and creativity as demonstrated through work samples. The Maryland native also serves as president of the Colleges Student Council. Christina Clemente and Jose Rosado, both Class of 2022 graphic design majors, recently won recognition in Graphic Design USAs national packaging competition with their designs for headphone and earbud packaging. The competition honors both professionals and students annually. Clemente is secretary of the student AIGA chapter and a Designathon participant, and Rosado is completing an internship with FORCEpkg. They will be honored in the April issue of GDUSA Magazine. Clark Mummau, of Mount Joy, is a staff member of The Collegian, the student newspaper of Grove City College, which recently won five Student Keystone Media Awards for news coverage, photography and opinion writing. Local students were among those recently inducted into Omega Beta Sigma, the womens business honor society, at University of Scranton. They are Alexandra Weinstein and Nicole Weinstein, both of Mohnton. Local students were among those inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society for students who have achieved an academic average of 3.5 or higher during their first year or term of higher education, at Delaware Valley University, Doylestown. They are Rianna Green, of Peach Bottom; Justin Kaufman, of Mohnton; Elissa Niggel, of Lititz; and Austin Reiff, of Lancaster. Local students were among those initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nations oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines at Pennsylvania State University. They are Kellie Fink, of Denver; and Bryce Katch, of Lititz. Email college news items to collegenews@lnpnews.com. In this beautiful season of renewal and rebirth, lets all pledge to be pro-life in the fullest Judeo-Christian tradition. Just as we have beautifully embraced children and families from Afghanistan and Ukraine, let us now embrace and support the lives of our own children and families here in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children reports that Pennsylvania is one of 10 states with increased numbers of children living in concentrated poverty. We are ranked 30th, with nearly 20% of our children in poverty. True pro-life legislators would work tirelessly to reverse the policies that have pitched our children into poverty. Pro-life legislators can create a more fair and just tax system that does not continue to widen the unconscionable gap between the very rich and everyone else. They should fully invest in our children nationally by supporting the expanded Child Tax Credit and Build Back Better. In Pennsylvania, they can support a budget that puts people first, like the one proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf. Pro-life legislators should also reverse their appalling lack of investment in our childrens education and opportunities for their futures. Where other states invest 50% of their budget in public education, Pennsylvania invests a pitiful 35%, to the detriment of rural and urban schools in poor communities. This also forces already struggling families to pay higher property taxes. Division and hate Besides being 47th in the nation for inequity in school funding and 30th in child poverty rates, Pennsylvania is an alarming No. 1 in hate propaganda, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League. After the violent attack on our U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, by insurrectionists some wearing Camp Auschwitz and Trump T-shirts and after the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018, you would think that our lawmakers would embrace and defend our rich diversity, rather than causing more division and hate. Instead of supporting children and their schools, I believe that some of our state lawmakers are fueling the radical growth of white supremacist hate propaganda and the ever-widening cultural, economic, gender, race, and political divisions in our country and our state. Tellingly, some of these lawmakers are attacking critical thinking about our deep, historic racial divides, making up lies about critical race theory. The bills they put forth in Harrisburg further pit us against each other, rather than uniting us in support of the lives of our children. They aim to tighten their control over our minds and bodies. Schools, children and teachers If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is how very precious our teachers are for the education and well-being of our children. Parents and grandparents struggled mightily as they tried to educate their children at home during COVID-19 lockdowns without the benefit of the years of professional development and experience that our teachers have. Even before the pandemic, many citizens realized that we are underfunding our public schools in Pennsylvania. This was clear when we saw which schools and students had the best access to the online learning that was the only option for education during the pandemic. Some public school teachers were driving to the homes of students to give them Chromebooks, assignments and other materials so they could continue learning. In rural schools, teachers went to equally heroic lengths to provide access to learning in their under-resourced schools and homes. We learned the reality of the unfair and unjust economy created by our legislators, which leaves so many of our low-income children and their families and schools behind. Teachers are our best defense against the forces of hate, bigotry and propaganda. When autocrats have sought to control and silence the public, when dictators have tried to control the minds of children and youth with their lies, and when books and creative, inquisitive thinking are banned, we need our good teachers more than ever. Precarious moment and a call to action Pennsylvanias ranks of first in hate propaganda, 47th in equity of school funding and 30th in child poverty are severe threats to our democracy, and represent a call to action for all citizens to make courageous stands against elitist, racist, homophobic and antisemitic language and actions. Legislators are proposing and passing bills that would foster discrimination against already vulnerable students, at the same time that their policies continue to drive more children into concentrated poverty. Our children and our democracy are in peril when free, truthful, honest speech is prohibited and autocrats are in control. We used to be the land of opportunity, but instead we have rising poverty and unequal access to education, jobs and upward mobility. We desperately need our great teachers and parents to encourage students to delve deeply into issues; to thoughtfully evaluate evidence and sources; to provide many opportunities for free inquiry; to support the freedom to dissent and to be different; and to help our children understand what democracy looks like. We need to give them hope to fight the ever-mounting despair that threatens to consume them. We also need to demand of our legislators the policies that lead to a fair and just economy and to fully funded public schools so teachers can teach and children can learn. And, more than ever before, we need to elect legislators who tell the truth and truly represent we the people. Lets make America kind, compassionate, caring and united again so our children can learn and prosper, our teachers can teach and our democracy can strengthen and flourish. How can we do that? 1. We can demand that legislators are truly pro-life for all of our children, not only for the unborn. 2. We can support our teachers and our public schools like we have never done before, because their goal is to open minds to diversity, democracy, truth and understanding. 3. We can support candidates for office who value building a united democracy, telling the truth, stopping violence and ensuring that all of our children have opportunities to grow, learn and succeed in life. 4. We can reject candidates who continue to spread lies and fuel hatred and division candidates who seek power and wealth at the expense of the very people they are sworn to represent. The future of our democracy depends on an educated citizenry using their voting power to make legislators accountable to we the people. We must have faith in that sacred opportunity and in our free and fair elections, despite the absurd and costly attempts to attack and discredit them. This is the time for all of us who are pro-life for all of our most vulnerable children to stand up and be heard. This is the time for our true democratic values of equal representation and equal opportunity to be put into action. The future is in our hands. Jill Sunday Bartoli is a resident of Carlisle, Cumberland County, and taught at Elizabethtown College for 20 years. THE ISSUE This is Holy Week, a crucial week on the Christian calendar, and today is Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday. They will be followed Sunday by Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, after he died by crucifixion to redeem the sins of humankind. At sundown Friday, the important Jewish holiday of Passover will begin; Passover or Pesach is a sacred weeklong festival commemorating the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. And Muslims in Lancaster County now are in the midst of the Ramadan fast. Ramadan, which lasts for a month and will culminate this year with the Eid al-Fitr on May 2, recalls the time when God revealed the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims try to read the entire sacred text during the month; they also fast and refrain from frivolous activities during daylight hours. Additionally, the South Asian Association of Lancaster celebrated Holi, the ancient Hindu Festival of Colors welcoming spring, last Saturday. We feel fortunate to reside in Lancaster County, where religious diversity is embraced. While we must remain vigilant to the reality that such diversity isnt welcomed by everyone, today we gladly note the confluence of Holy Week, Passover and Ramadan. Whether you receive greetings of blessed Holy Week, Chag Sameach or Ramadan Mubarak, we hope this period is meaningful and peaceful. We hope this, though we know all too well that Ukrainians living in Lancaster County are bereft of peace at this time. Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine continues to unfold, each day bringing news of fresh atrocities and sorrows. We are inspired by the courageous resistance of the Ukrainian people, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Were praying for him and his people. While we continue to keep a wary eye on the spread of the BA.2 subvariant of omicron now the dominant strain of the novel coronavirus in the U.S. were grateful at least that this isnt the Holy Week or Passover of two years ago (Ramadan came after Holy Week and Passover in spring 2020). At that time, schools, many businesses and places of worship were closed as we grappled with the start of this terrible pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 987,000 people in the United States 1,654 of them in Lancaster County, as of Tuesday. Places of worship were not subject to Pennsylvanias stay-at-home order, but most switched to online services out of concern for their congregations. Jewish families, friends and congregations could not meet for Seders, the dinners guided by Hebrew Scripture. There were no Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday services, where feet are washed to recall Christs humility at his final supper with his disciples. Stations of the Cross, a somber devotion reflecting on each stage of Christs suffering, crucifixion and burial, had to be canceled. As we wrote in 2020, all this was unimaginable for many people of faith whose parents and grandparents kept going to religious services through wars and crises personal and political of all kinds. The place they worshiped was, in fact, their anchor in an uncertain world. Tonight, however, churches will hold Holy Thursday services. Stations of the Cross will be held on Good Friday. And Sunday, churches likely will be filled (though we hope that if theyre crowded, people will consider masking up). And Friday and Saturday evenings, the first two nights of Passover, Jewish families and friends once again will gather for Seders. Attending religious gatherings may not be possible for parents of children under 5 who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, or for immunocompromised people for whom the protection of vaccination may be uneven. At some point, we hope, Americans will remember that some people are being left behind in the rush toward the pandemics exit. And even those gathering this week may be feeling some anxiety. No wonder. This is an anxiety-inducing time in the world. In Lancaster County, however, we know that refugees from war-ravaged countries are being resettled here to begin new lives. Jews, Muslims and Christians of every denomination as well as Hindus, Buddhists, people of other faiths and none at all reside peacefully alongside one another in neighborhoods where their children play and go to school together. And while COVID-19 cases in Lancaster County are rising again, the situation is not nearly as dire as it was two years ago, before there were safe and effective vaccines to prevent serious illness. So, again, blessed Holy Week, Chag Sameach or Ramadan Mubarak whichever applies. As the signs that abound on Lancaster County lawns read, Were glad youre our neighbor. Bill Whitaker to Receive the L.A. Press Clubs Lifetime Achievement Award Veteran journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker has been named the Los Angeles Press Clubs 2022 Joseph M Quinn Awardee for Lifetime Achievement. The award will be presented at the 64th SoCal Journalism Awards Gala on Saturday, June 25, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. Its been an honor and great responsibility to have spent the last 40 years as a journalist at CBS News where weve shone a light on voices and stories that otherwise might have gone unheard. Im grateful to the L.A. Press Club for including me in this distinguished award that has me joining CBS newsmen Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather, said Whitaker. ADVERTISEMENT High quality journalism has never been more important and Im thankful to have the opportunity to continue sharing these stories with the team on 60 Minutes. Bill Whitaker has delivered compelling stories from all over the world as well as important reports from the home front, said Los Angeles Press Club President Lisa Richwine. We are thrilled to honor such an inspiring, versatile journalist. He represents the highest example of our profession. Whitaker was named a 60 Minutes correspondent in March 2014. The 2021-22 season is his eighth on the broadcast. Most recently, his coverage tied to the war in Ukraine led him to the heart of Russias capital abroad London to report on mega-rich oligarchs who hide Vladimir Putins money abroad and prop up his regime. Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, Whitaker traveled to Madison, Wisconsin where political battles over the 2020 presidential election, and how it was administered, continue to rage. His investigation into ghost guns highlighted the legal purchases of gun parts that criminals are using to make deadly weapons and avoid licenses and background checks. He reported on the race for a vaccine and drugs to combat the coronavirus and the use of artificial intelligence to track the contagion. ADVERTISEMENT In 2019, Whitaker got the first television interview with sex assault victim Chanel Miller. Earlier that year he was the first to report on the evidence states were using to sue the makers of generic drugs in what states attorneys general described as a massive collusion and price-fixing scheme that cost consumers billions. Whitakers investigation with the Washington Post into the origins of the opioid crisis has won more awards than any other 60 Minutes work. The first report in the two-part series revealed how the DEAs efforts to curb the epidemic were hampered by a law pushed by drug industry lobbyists. The report was credited with forcing the laws chief sponsor, a congressman, to withdraw his nomination for the Trump Administrations drug czar. The next installment told how the biggest opioid case in U.S. history against one of the worlds largest drug distribution companies was settled by the government in a deal that shocked DEA agents. Among the eight awards the reporting won are the DuPont-Columbia University award, the Peabody, an Emmy, and an RTDNA Murrow award. In addition to honoring Bill Whitaker, a special First Amendment Award will be presented to Law Professor Susan Seager. The Presidents Award for Impact on Media, the Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award and The Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism are also part of this evening. The evening will be dedicated to all journalists in Ukraine and independent journalists in Russia, no longer able to do their jobs. More than 500 journalists and media executives are expected to attend this event. Proceeds from the Gala are the largest source of income for the Los Angeles Press Club a 501(c) 3 that speaks for journalists across all media platforms. All contributions are tax-deductible. For more information, visit www.LApressclub.org or contact Executive Director Diana Ljungaeus at (310) 210-1860 or email Diana-AT-LApressclub.org. Black Women Launch Afrofreelancer.com Online Platform for Minority Freelancers Afrofreelancer.com is now available to match minority freelancers with companies seeking assistance. According to a spokesperson, Afrofreelancer.com was created to provide opportunities for minority freelancers and college students to make extra money, and assist those who wanted to ditch their 9-5 desk jobs and become their own boss. The site also allows companies the opportunity to get things done utilizing freelancers without the overhead of full-time staff. ADVERTISEMENT Afrofreelancers mission is to level the playing field for those who have not had equal opportunities. The platform provides freelance opportunities that are 100% remote and flexible. Its a space where minorities have the chance to flourish as entrepreneurs by showcasing their profiles in front of companies and employers who would want to utilize their talents, while also being provided freedom and flexibility. Currently, most job platforms cater to those looking for full-time employment. While there are some full-time roles, the freelance platform allows connections between multiple companies. A freelancer could do Social Media Management or Bookkeeping for one company, or 10! Employers can utilize the platform by searching the database of freelance candidates based on the position they are looking to fill. They can then reach out to candidates they feel will be a great fit for the job. Employers can also list positions they are looking to fill and allow freelancers to reach out to them with their proposals. The site gives both the employer and job seeker equal access to find exactly what they are looking for, at agreeable rates, making it a win-win opportunity for both sides. For more information on how to join this site as an employer or as a freelancer, visit www.Afrofreelancer.com, email[email protected] or call (830) 346-5005. Celebration of Life: Loris Lovett The family and friends of Loris __ recently gathered to celebrate her life and legacy. She touched many people in a truly positive way and so many are better off from having the extreme pleasure of knowing Loris. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Loris was born on August 6, 1934 to Luke and Rosella Tunstall. She was the second child of 15 children. An incredibly talented youngster, she loved to sing, dance, write poems, act and aspired to be an actress. Loris was also a very good student and excelled in her studies while attending Doyle Avenue Elementary School, Nathan Bishop Middle School, and Hope High School. In addition, she adored her siblings and liked growing up in a big family, even though she often had to take care of her little brothers and sisters. ADVERTISEMENT Recalling those times, Loris wrote, My mother needed help watching over my younger siblings. She instilled in the older ones to always look out for them and thats what did. We had wonderful times growing up and although we all grew up and had our separate lives, we still spent time together and made memories. And even though we were distant, we still had a bond that connected us and no matter what, we had each others backs. At the age of 18, she married Maurice Greene, a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. The couple relocated to Los Angeles and soon Loris became the mother of her own little ones. She also landed a role in the movie, A Raisin in the Sun, but with her family increasingly growing, her acting career ended. Her marriage also ended and Loris said, I found myself a single mother, living with my cousin Ruth, working in a department store, and taking care of my then-three children until one my best friends, Helen Alexander, introduced me to her cousin, Bernard Lovett, a Sergeant in the Army. Love blossomed between Loris and Bernie, which led to their marriage. Their union produced three more children and the family moved to their first house together on 35th Place. In 1967, the family bought a home on 5th Avenue, which became a haven of hospitality for everyone she knew. As Loris remembered, We were grateful to be able to open our home to help others and we did just that, up until today. The life Bernie and I built together was not perfect, but it was relatively, good and we loved each other. He was not only my husband, but also became my spiritual brother and we were married for 46 years until he proceeded me in death on December 26, 2011. Loris enjoyed traveling and visited locations throughout the United States. She toured Oklahoma, Tulsa, Detroit, Denver, Louisiana, the Grand Canyon, New York, Florida and Georgia. Also, she visited Mexico and Hawaii and went on many cruises. But, most life-changing for Loris was when she met Jehovah. ADVERTISEMENT I dedicated my life to Jehovah to do His Will on June 28, 1979 and became a member of the Van Ness Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses, she said. It was one of the best decisions of my life! Cherishing the memory of her life are her children, Laurie, Karen, Benetta, Darryl, Michelle, and Kerry; grandchildren, Lance, Samika, Tiron, Tira, Sean, Stephenie, Stacie H. and Jermaine, Darrell, Brandi and Shannon, LaNee, Brittney, K.T. Markie, Jordyn, Ryann and Darryl, Kerry Jr., Kristian; and great- grandchildren Kamea, Corey, Endure, Noah, Andreas, TaKai, Justin, Bryana, SeKoi, Isaiah, Hayden, Kai, Kamille, Harper, Shadoe, Marlie, Royal and Mahani; and many other relatives and friends. Grand Opening of Rhimes Performing Arts Center ADVERTISEMENT April 9 brought the illustrious grand opening of the Rhimes Performing Arts Center (RPAC) by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA). The new Los Angeles building is a two-story 24,000 square foot complex adjacent to Koreatown. The structure includes five dance studios, including one equipped for aerial training, a 200-seat performance space, as well as classrooms designed by global architecture, design, and planning firm, Gensler. Gensler partnered with DADA to design a top-tier arts venue that supports their commitment to expanding the reach of dance and theater arts to enrich the lives of young dancers in the Greater Los Angeles area. The evening featured performances by Tony, Grammy, Emmy and NAACP Award winner, Billy Porter (Kinky Boots, Pose), world-renowned American mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, Tiler Peck (NYC Ballet), female tap sensations Chloe Arnolds Syncopated Ladies, and DADA Ensemble. Other public officials, such as Los Angeles City Councilmember Herb Wesson, Congresswomen Maxine Waters, and Los Angeles mayoral candidate, Karen Bass, were also in attendance to support Allen and Rhimes partnership. This (RPAC) is an anchor of the community, said Waters during the event, and its a place where the children can look forward to going to. A lot of schools do not have art, they do not have music, they do not have dance. This will now be a place where they can look forward to developing their talents. ADVERTISEMENT Some of our kids have impeccable talents and all they need is a vessel to set that rocket off, stated Councilmember Wesson. To have people like Debbie [in this community] who are genuine, reward our kids with skills and knowledge puts them on a launching pad right here. DADA will be hosting opportunities throughout the summer where dancers can join their programs and possibly visit the Rhimes Performing Arts Center. To keep up with Debbie Allen Dance Academy visit: debbieallendanceacademy.com. Kennedy Kicks-Off Re-election Campaign for Pasadena City Council Councilmember John J. Kennedy kicked off his City Council Re-election Campaign on April 2 with a rally in Council District 3 attended by over 150 district residents. Congresswoman Judy Chu, who wholeheartedly endorsed Kennedy, said in her introduction of him, It was John Kennedy who took the lead in creating Pasadenas new Community Police Oversight Commission. John is now spearheading the drive for desperately needed affordable housing, with two important project underway right now in District 3. Other officials at the kick-off included Councilmember Felicia Williams, former Mayors Terry Tornek, Rick Cole and Bill Paparian, PCC Board President Berlinda Brown, and PCC Board members Linda Wah and Jim Osterling. ADVERTISEMENT Kennedy also has the support of Assemblyman Chris Holden, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the L.A. County Federation of Labor, and numerous neighborhood association members and leaders, many of whom were on hand at the rally. First elected to represent District 3 in 2013, Kennedy serves on the Councils Public Safety Committee, the Finance Committee and is one of Pasadenas representatives on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. As part of his future commitments, Kennedy has pledged to continue fighting to ensure that the Citys Community Police Oversight Commissions recommendations are implemented, and that officers continue to use body-worn cameras. Also, he has promised to fight for the construction of at least 3,000 new units of housing, distributed throughout the city, with 15% of those units reserved for extremely low income families. Kennedy identified several housing projects already underway in his District, including 69 units of housing for formerly homeless seniors (with wrap-around social services) and 180 units of workforce housing, for which ground has already been broken. Im excited to begin our re-election campaign. Its been an honor to serve the residents of District 3, and the city as a whole, for over 10 years, said Kennedy. I ask for their support once more, and I hope my experience and my record of solid results and accountable leadership will convince voters to let me continue working on their behalf. NY Lieutenant Governor Resigns After Arrest in Federal Probe New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned April 12, in the wake of his arrest in a federal corruption investigation, Gov. Kathy Hochul said, creating a political crisis for her 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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 did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. 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. Hochul didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday when asked who she will pick as her new lieutenant governor. New York Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, stepped in to take on the duties of lieutenant governor until Benjamins appointment. ADVERTISEMENT 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. Before Benjamins arrest and resignation, Hochul had defended him, saying last week she had the utmost confidence in him. She said on Monday that she didnt know of the subpoenas when she tapped Benjamin to be her No. 2. Lawmakers from both major parties had called on Benjamin to resign, including at least a dozen of Benjamins fellow Democrats in the Legislature by Tuesday afternoon. Even as he resigns, Benjamin is still set to appear on the ballot for the 2022 gubernatorial Democratic primary. Hell likely be on the ballot even if Hochul picks a new lieutenant governor and running mate, according to state elections law. New York law makes it tough to get Benjamin off the 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. State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs didnt immediately respond to request for comment from The Associated Press. 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. 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. Sacramento Mass Shooting Confirms What Experts Already Knew, But Media Wont Tell In the wake of the horrific mass shooting that took place in Sacramento, California, over the last week, politicians and media pundits have rushed to their soapboxes to proclaim, once again, that guns are the root of all evil and the cause of the recent violent crime wave that has gripped our nation. They share with whomever will listen, their prognosis for ending crime as we know it. ADVERTISEMENT We need more common sense gun laws, they say. But there are a number of underlying truths that they will dare not share with the public. Because if they do, it will become clear that they and their policies are not the solution. They are, in fact, the root of the problem. Here are just a few of those truths they will not dare share: We do not have a gun violence problem. We have a violence problem Guns have been a part of the American lexicon since the very beginning. For generations, society had a healthy relationship with the second amendment. Firearms were given their proper respect as tools to be used to feed ones family, defend ones home or fight for ones liberty. It is only recent generations that have concluded that violence is an acceptable way to address the myriad of issues confronting them. The firearm is not the cause of this. In fact, it is not even the weapon of choice. While it is true that 77% of homicides in 2020 were committed with firearms, 92% of all violent crimes do not involve firearms. The overwhelming majority of violent offenses including robberies, rapes and other sex crimes almost always involve other weapons or no weapons at all. And there is no doubt that the number of instances of all these offenses are increasing. ADVERTISEMENT Guns are no more the cause of this violence than cars are the cause of drunk driving. Gun control does nothing to reduce crime in general, let alone violent crime There is a popular saying amongst statisticians, There are lies, damn lies and then there are statistics. Politicians and the media have been using all three to push their false narrative about gun control laws. They would have you believe that studies support the idea that the best way to reduce violent crime is to pass more gun laws. But nothing could be further from the truth. A 2020 study done as a part of the RAND Corporations Gun Policy in America initiative, revealed that of the 27,900 research publications on the effectiveness of gun control laws, only 123 (0.4%) were found to meet a base level of academic rigor. They also noted that the only reliable conclusion one could get from those 123 studies was that there is zero evidence that gun control laws have any effect of violence in general or gun violence specifically. The recent increase in violent crime is directly linked to Smart on Crime (read soft-on-crime) policies Violent crime was at an all-time high in the early 1990s fueled by gangs and the drug trade. This led to federal, state and local initiatives aimed at stemming the tide. Tough-on-crime initiatives were enacted that included, among other things, increased policing and mandatory minimums for a number of crimes. Crime (especially violent crime) would go on the decline for the next 20-plus years. Then in the 2010s, several states began instituting Smart on Crime policies that decriminalized a number of criminal offenses and let violent criminals out of prison. That wasnt the intention of those who supported these policies. But that is, in fact, what happened. Case in point: Back in 2018 Smiley Martin was sentenced to 10 years in prison for punching a girlfriend, dragging her from her home by her hair and whipping her with a belt. But, sadly, under California law, these are considered non-violent offenses, making Mr. Martin eligible for a reduced sentence under Proposition 57. So, instead of sitting in a jail cell serving the fifth year of a 10-year sentence, he was walking the streets of Sacramento with a modified automatic pistol. This story is not the first. It is not even unique to Sacramento. Just a month earlier, three children and their chaperone were killed by their father who should have been in ICE custody. But under Californias Sanctuary State policy, David Mora Rojas, who was locked up for assaulting a highway patrol officer was released from police custody; set free to kill his children. While the media and politicians deny the correlation and instead seek to blame guns; the increase in crime, especially violent crime, directly corresponds with the change in our criminal justice policies. This is about race. But not in the way you think it is. Gun control has always been about keeping Those People from being able to own firearms. Following the Civil War, southern states enacted Black Codes making it illegal for newly freed slaves to own guns. In the 1870s, California would pass laws preventing the sale of firearms and ammunition to Native Americans (then referred to as Indians.) In the 1920s California acted again, prohibiting the sale of firearms to the Chinese or Mexicans. Then in the 1960s, California would pass the Mulford Act, eliminating the ability to openly carry loaded firearms in public as a way to disarm the Black Panther Party. The truth is that the gun debate has always been rooted in racism. However, those who push these policies are the true victimizers. Consider that the last gun case to be heard by the U. S. Supreme Court (McDonald v. Chicago) was brought by a Black man who simply wanted to be able to defend his home from the ravages of gang and drug violence. This underscores two very important, yet often overlooked truths: Policies that release habitual criminals into our neighborhoods lead to the victimization of people in those communities. These policies disproportionately impact people of color. Gun Control Laws only serve to restrict the ability of law-abiding citizens to own or possess firearms they may need to protect themselves and their loved ones. These laws also disproportionately affect people of color. We are often told that young Black and Brown men are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. But it is rarely noted that young Black and Brown men are disproportionately the ones pulling the trigger. The sad fact is that people who seek to victimize others (Black, White, Latin, Asian, etc.) tend to go after people who look like them. So, while it is noble to try and reduce the number of young Black men in our criminal justice system, we cannot ignore that in doing so, we have put Black men, women and children at risk of being their victims. At the same time, we are limiting the ability of these very same folks to be able to defend themselves from the very danger we have put in their path. To any objective observer, these truths are self-evident. Most of the media and political elite have proven themselves to be anything but objective observers. If we are to ever address the scourge of violence in our streets, it will only happen when we all come to grips with these and many other truths. Craig DeLuz is the president of 2ANews Corporation and hosts a daily news and political talk show, The Rundown. Six Triple Eight Honored with Congressional Gold Medal Wreath Laying Ceremony in Inglewood Cemetery When CW2, USA Retired and NAACP Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee, Chair, Latia Suttle, attended a screening for the Six Triple Eight documentary a few years ago, she left having learned about members of the Womens Army Corps (WAC). The Battalion, also known as the Six Triple Eight, were 855 Black women who were deployed overseas during World War II. They were assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Suttle could not believe that she had not heard about the Six Triple Eight growing up or during her time serving in the U.S. Army from 1993 to officially retiring in 2014. She explained that she has been to numerous military bases, including Germany, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Korea, Chicago, and others, but hadnt heard a single story about these women. I just couldnt believe I never heard this story of 855 black women being in World War II. Ive heard about the Tuskegee airmen which is a story that struggled to get out but, I was just shocked I had never heard that story during the entire time that I was in the military, she explained. ADVERTISEMENT While at the screening, she met Alva Stevenson and Rosenda Moore. Their mother, PVT Lydia Esther Thorton Moore, was a member of the 6888th and was in the documentary. The ladies exchanged contact information, and Suttle ensured them she would continue to spread the word about the story and film. On February 28, 2022, it was announced that the act to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the WAC (Six Triple Eight) had passed. On Monday, January 3, 2022, the 117th Congress of the United States of America at the Second Session in the City of Washington enacted the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021, and on March 14th, just two months later, the legislation was signed into law. Suttle was extremely thrilled that the act had passed and felt that it was about time it happened. I felt good about it. Its about time. Theres finally some acknowledgment. Then this way, more people will learn about it. Even though they have the congressional gold medal, a lot of people still dont know about the story. This will help spread more awareness about them and the work that they had done, she stated. A year prior to the passing of the act, Latia had set in motion the idea to do a Wreath Laying Ceremony for the members of the 6888th that were laid to rest at the Inglewood Park Cemetery. COL (Retired), Irma Cooper, who is President of Women in Service and Vice President and Chair of San Gabriel Valley NAACP Armed Services and Veteran Affairs Committee, had done a wreath laying ceremony before, so Latia and Army Veteran and Chair of NAACP Los Angeles Branch Armed Services and Veteran Affairs Committee, Dr. Felicia Banks put the idea together to make this ceremony happen. Instead of having the ceremony during December when it usually takes place it was planned to occur in March for Womens History Month. Cooper, was also shocked when she heard the story of the women. ADVERTISEMENT I had been in the military for about ten years before I had even heard of them. Like Latia, I was totally shocked because the only two I heard was the Hellfighters from New York and the Tuskegee airmen. I had never heard anything about black women in a combat zone. That really blew my mind and I wanted to learn more because at that time I wanted to be a commander. At that time, nurses were not allowed to command, Cooper emphasized. She also shares the same excitement Suttle has for the passing of the act, I was so excited. I just felt like for those women to have accomplished everything they did, to come home without a ceremony, no award. These ladies were so powerful just to go home and continue to live their lives without saying negative things about the country. It was 70 years late, but I was so glad that they were given that recognition and it was so well deserved, Cooper expressed. The ceremony took place Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Inglewood Park Cemetery. The Washington Preparatory High School JROTC Color Guard opened the ceremony under the leadership of John Williams, JR., 1SG (RET). The National Anthem was sung by Navy Veteran, Audra Jefferson with Dr. Felicia Banks opening the program with an acknowledgment to the 6888th family members, and attendees. The Mayor of Inglewood, James T. Butts Jr. also gave a warm welcome and participated in laying the wreath for PVT Lydia Thornton. Cooper says the ceremony was flawless, and addresses how the final resting place for these women were in his city, Inglewood, made it more important. He addressed the family members personally which was really, really good. It really made me feel good. Were talking about women that looked like us and then for Latia to come up and say, These are our people and we need to initiate this ceremony. Latia did a lot of research which made it even more exciting. I heard about the Six Triple Eight, but I did not know they were in my backyard, right here in Inglewood. I had missed that all these years, she continued. The ceremony included memorable speeches from Suttle, Cooper, Banks, Antwanisha Williamson, Virginia Wimmer, a poem by Navy veteran Daphne Dee Wright, a dove release, benediction from Pastor Byron L. Smith Sr., musical selections sung by Navy veteran, Audra Jefferson and a harpist selection by Elaine Litster. SoCalGas Donates $525K to Help Restaurants Survive COVID-Driven Downturn SoCalGas announced today it has made a second $525,000 donation to the California Restaurant Foundations Restaurants Care Resilience Fund, which is designed to aid small eateries impacted economically by the coronavirus pandemic. The utility also encouraged qualifying restaurant owners to apply for $3,000 grants during the application window of April 15 to April 30. Applications are available at restaurantscare.org/resilience. These grants aim to support equipment upgrades, employee retention and deferred maintenance, allowing small restaurants to recover after nearly two years of incurring debt, losses and shouldering rising costs, according to a company statement. Grants will be available to all California-based restaurant owners with less than three units and less than $3 million in revenue, the company said. Priority will be given to restaurants owned by women and people of color. Last year, the fund awarded 318 grants to independent restaurant owners statewide. Sixty-five percent of the restaurants are woman-owned, and 83 percent are owned by people of color, according to a SoCalGas statement. This year, the fund will award nearly $1.5 million in grants to small businesses, the company said. Restaurants and the families and employees that run them showed incredible resilience and strength as they adapted their businesses to serve all of us during the pandemic, said David Barrett, vice president and general counsel at SoCalGas and a California Restaurant Foundation board member. Last years grants provided essential support to local restaurants as they struggled to keep their doors open. This year, grant funds will provide support for kitchens or crews, while overall supporting restaurant resiliency. SoCalGas partnership with the California Restaurant Fund is part of its ASPIRE 2045 sustainability goals, which the company says includes a commitment to invest $50 million to drive positive change in diverse and underserved communities over the next five years. ADVERTISEMENT Special Needs Network 16th Annual Tools for Transformation Conference Special Needs Network will host their 16th Annual Tools for Transformation Conference on April 23, 2022. This years conference will be in-person and last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Held to bring the nations leading scientific, medical, education, housing, racial justice, and disability rights experts together, the conference will allow guests to take an in-depth look at the impact of systemic racism on Black and Brown individuals living with autism, mental health conditions, and other disabilities. Autism impacts one in 54 children in the United States. A recent study confirms that Black children with autism are diagnosed an average of three or more years after their parents initially mention concerns about their language or development. Research has shown that structural racism is a driving force in these delays. ADVERTISEMENT Tools for Transformation is a nationwide conference specifically focused on underserved disabled communities of color. Corporate executives, foundation and non-profit leaders as well as disability and racial justice advocates will benefit by attending and will better understand the systemic racism faced by disabled people of color. Also, the conference offers a unique opportunity for organizations seeking ways to implement corporate strategies of supporting anti-racist initiatives. With its focus on diversity and inclusion, Special Needs Network has made significant inroads in addressing these seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Prior to the conference will be a legislative breakfast that begins at 8:30 a.m. New York Times Bestselling Author and Race Scholar, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, will give the keynote address. A book signing for his new book, Entertaining Race: Performing Blackness in America, will be held immediately following the breakfast. The Tools for Transformation Conference will be held at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, 400 West Washington Blvd., in Los Angeles. Check-In for the breakfast, as well as the event, will begin at 7:30 a.m.. Registration for this event is available at SNNTFT16.eventbrite.com. The WNBA is Working to Get Brittney Griner Back to the United States The effort to get WNBA champion Brittney Griner out of Russian detainment continues as the 2022 WNBA season draws near. During her opening statement at the WNBA Draft, commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned how the league is working to get Griner back into the United States. Engelbert noted how Griner is in an unimaginable situation. Were trying everything we can, every angle, working with her legal representation, her agent, elected leaders, the administration, just everybody in our ecosystem to try and find ways to get her home safely and as quickly as we can, Engelbert said. The league has been getting advice and daily assistance on managing the issue. In March, the league, the Phoenix Mercury and the government decided to be silent about the issue and push more privately behind the scenes, according to Engelbert. However, some WNBA players have since broke their silence. ADVERTISEMENT I know were all frustrated, but we do need to be patient, Engelbert said. I know the players have been amazing at following the advice that theyre getting and were getting in order not to jeopardize her safety in any way. The WNBA is helping the Phoenix Mercury in Griners absence. The league and the team will work to assist Griners philanthropy event called the BG Heart & Sole Shoe Drive, which is a shoe drive for people living with homelessness. That will take place in all 12 WNBA markets, Engelbert said. The activations we will do are intended to remind us of [Griners] spirit of giving, and do the work that shed be doing if she were here, and the work she will join us in when she returns. The Mercury plans to pay Griner her entire 2022 salary of $227,900. The WNBA will give Phoenix salary cap relief because of Griners absence. Engelbert did not give any detailed information on how the league is helping Griner return home. The White House had no updates on Griner as of Monday. The White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted that it is not typically constructive to talk about Americans who are detained abroad. It can, historically, impact our ability to bring them home, Psaki said. ADVERTISEMENT Griner was detained in a Moscow airport on February 17 after Russian Authority mentioned they found vape cartridges in her luggage that contained cannabis oil. Griner is a seven-time WNBA All Star, two-time Gold medalist and an NCAA champion. Travis Kiel, LAUSD Change Maker, Passes Away The legacy of Travis Kiel, a game-changing educator and administrator, will be celebrated by family and friends in his hometown of Coffeeville, Alabama on Saturday, April 16. A native son of Alabamas red clay hills, Travis made his mark through public education in south Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. He graduated from Clark County Training School, class of 1964, Coffeeville, AL; Tuskegee University, class of 1969, Tuskegee, AL; and received a Masters in School Management and Administration from Pepperdine University, class of 1974. During his Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) tenure, Travis worked his way from teacher to counselor, dean, magnet coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. In retirement, LAUSD recruited him as a substitute administrator to transition school sites to better versions of themselves. ADVERTISEMENT Travis commitment to community and service are exemplified by the model he set for his sons; his schools were also his home. Regularly following family brunch in Marina del Rey, he would drive by his school sites. If he saw trash or other debris, he would have them pick it up. His sense of pride and responsibility for his schools made a lasting impression, teaching them to treat their profession as they would their home. One of his most memorable quotes was, If we could get two thousand people to volunteer on campus for just four hours a year, we will see a remarkable improvement in student achievement. We must work together to create a positive, proactive academic environment. Over his 50 years in education, Travis taught at least thre generations of students and would frequently run into all three generations (i.e. grandmother, daughter, and grandchild) while out with his wife and sons. Many of his former students went to college and returned to the South Los Angeles community to build families and businesses of their own. If education used military rankings to honor service, Travis Kiel would be a five-star General. Travis is survived by his wife, Wilma Smith Kiel; sons, Darryl Morton, Marcus (Kiyana) Kiel and Brandon (Skyla) Kiel; and grandchildren, Darion Morton, Kara Kiel, Brayden Kiel and Dylon Morton. WHO chief: Focus on Ukraine Shows Bias Against Black Lives 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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 dont even know if that was taken seriously by the media. Zanah Thirus Says, Make Your Movie Listen To The Microbudget Filmmakers Podcast and Learn! L.A. Sentinel: I am not sympathetic to people who talk about it, but are not about it. Facts. What attracted me to your Podcast is that you are laying out the steps for storytellers to make it happen. Why did you make this podcast? Zanah Thirus: Theres a ton of resources out there for filmmakers that are centered around the creative aspects of filmmaking, not the logistical aspects. I also attended far too many workshops that were really high-level and barely gave actionable advice. Filmmakers constantly ask the question- where do I start? and they are met with vague responses. Work hard is not actionable advice. Believe in yourself is not helpful. I created The Microbudget Indie Filmmakers Podcast to combat gatekeeping and give filmmakers a resource that can actually lead to them growing their portfolio. Its a limited series, lecture-based podcast that takes filmmakers through the entire production process from preproduction to distribution. Each season has a corresponding workbook with templates that I created and use for my productions. LAS: So, creating this podcast was necessary? ADVERTISEMENT ZT: I also created this podcast and platform simply because there are other ways of being a successful filmmaker besides writing a 3 million dollar feature and begging investors to fund it. You can have a full-time job and be an independent filmmaker. You can make a successful internationally awarded and distributed film for $5,000. Ive done both. And I didnt want to gatekeep how I did itso thats why I created the podcast. LAS: Whats the most common mistake first-time indie film producers make, in your opinion and why do they make that mistake? ZT: First-time filmmakersstop writing what you cant shoot. As a microbudget independent filmmaker, your very FIRST thought should be what resources do I have immediate access to? You probably dont have a mansion, arri alexa mini camera, and a helicopter readily available so.you should stop writing scripts like that. LAS: What are some of the challenges? ZT: What is the most incredible thing you can make in one room with two characters? What are high-stakes situations that can take place in a car, or at a dinner table? How about a silent film? What can you shoot on your iPhone? Take a Saturday to binge tutorials on Youtube for iPhone shoots, editing, and color grading. Ultimately, you can really start to stack your portfolio with films if you approach filmmaking from a practical and resource-based standpoint. LAS: What are your thoughts on distribution circa 2022? ADVERTISEMENT ZT: As an independent filmmaker, marketing and distribution is my favorite part of filmmaking. I LOVE where distribution is headed because slowly but surely, indie filmmakers are starting to have the power. I always select film festivals that cater to the audience that I am trying to reach with my film. For my documentaries, I have tapped into university library distribution. Educational documentaries are excellent for classroom use. There are also plenty of streaming platforms that showcase the work of indie filmmakers. My films are on IndieFlix, KweliTV, and Docuseek. Museums, events, churches, and conferences are also different avenues for film distribution. One of the highlights of my career was screening my documentary at the American Public Health Associations National Conference. LAS: And what is next? ZT: Im slowly getting into Web3 and NFTs as well, as that can be an incredible revenue stream and distribution outlet for filmmakers. Ultimately, I love being an indie filmmaker who has the final say in where my film lives and how it reaches its audience. Its quite an exciting time to be a filmmaker. To learn more go to www.zanahthirus.com Links to social media and podcast episodes. PODCAST SITE: https://www.microbudgetfilmpodcast.com PODCAST TWITTER: https://twitter.com/_microbudgetpod Thursday, April 14, 2022 The State Department has released the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. It reports on the compliance of nations with civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements. The Preface to the reports state that "the reports paint 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 Peoples Republic of China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, and Syria. They document abuses of peaceful protestors demanding democracy and fundamental freedoms in countries such as Burma, Belarus, Cuba, Hong Kong, and Sudan. They highlight worrying cases of transnational repression where governments reach across borders to harass, intimidate, or murder dissidents and their loved ones as exemplified in the dangerous forced diversion by Belarus of an international commercial flight for the sole purpose of arresting a critical independent journalist." On the arrest of Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, the US urges #Russia to cease the abuse of repressive laws to target its own citizens, nonviolent and peaceful protesters, and individuals who are doing nothing more than advocating their universal rights, said @StateDeptSpox. pic.twitter.com/JbfEoa8YqG VOA Nike Ching (@rongxiang) April 12, 2022 Click here for a Voice of America story on the report. KJ https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2022/04/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices.html Thursday, April 14, 2022 A nine-month definite suspension has been imposed by the South Carolina Supreme Court On March 20, 2021, Respondent was arrested after a physical altercation with his girlfriend at a bowling alley. Respondent, who had been drinking, approached his girlfriend from behind, put his arms around her neck, pulled her backwards, and pulled her hair. A third party saw Respondent assault his girlfriend and intervened by physically restraining and hitting Respondent. Respondent was charged with third-degree assault and battery. Respondent self-reported the criminal charge to ODC on March 29, 2021, and admitted himself into an inpatient treatment program in Florida for forty-five days. This Court subsequently placed Respondent on interim suspension. Following his release from inpatient treatment, Respondent contacted Lawyers Helping Lawyers and continued with outpatient treatment in Charleston three days per week. As part of his outpatient recovery program, Respondent voluntarily submitted to a breathalyzer test every morning and evening. He also attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The Attorney General's Office referred Respondent to the Dorchester County pretrial intervention program on July 12, 2021. On September 2, 2021, after completion of the program, the solicitor nolle prossed Respondent's criminal charge, and the circuit court subsequently entered an order for destruction of the related arrest records. Conditions on reinstatement Upon reinstatement, should it be granted, Respondent shall enter into and comply with a three-year monitoring contract with Lawyers Helping Lawyers and ensure quarterly reports by Respondent's treating physician are filed with the Commission on Lawyer Conduct regarding Respondent's diagnosis, treatment compliance, and prognosis, for a period of three years. Fox 23 reported on the incident and cited original sources The Post and Courier reported that two witnesses told police they saw DuPree arrive at Ashley Lanes and begin an argument with his girlfriend. An incident report obtained by the newspaper stated that he grabbed the womans hair and placed her in a chokehold from behind. A female bystander intervened, rushing to the pair and punching DuPree in the face, according to the paper. DuPree was knocked to the ground, pulling out some of his girlfriends hair as he fell. The bystanders identity has not been made public. WCBD in Mount Pleasant reported that DuPree was alert and conscious when officers arrived. He was taken to Roper St. Francis Hospital, then to the Medical University of South Carolina to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. According to authorities, police officers followed him to the hospital after talking to his girlfriend and the witnesses, the Post and Courier reported. They arrested DuPree on the assault charge. A photograph available through google reveals a major black eye administered to the attorney by the bystander. More from Fox 23 The incident at the bowling alley was not his first personal brush with the law. DuPree was suspended from practicing law for nine months in 2013 following a 2012 arrest in which he punched and bit a Utah state trooper who pulled over the car in which he was a passenger. DuPree was vacationing in Park City at the time, according to South Carolina Supreme Court records. A statement of facts states that DuPree was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over March 22, 2012. As Trooper David Wurtz questioned the driver, DuPree repeatedly interrupted and told the driver not to answer the troopers questions. Respondent told Trooper Wurtz he was a lawyer and that the driver did not have to do what the trooper asked, the document states. Wurtz called for backup. As he asked the driver to exit the vehicle, DuPree became belligerent, repeatedly used profanity and refused to cooperate with the troopers requests to calm down. When the troopers told respondent to stay in the vehicle, he tried to get out, the document states. A few minutes later, when the troopers asked respondent to get out of the vehicle so it could be towed, respondent refused and locked the vehicle doors every time the troopers unlocked the doors. Respondent continued to berate the troopers and call them derogatory names. Troopers eventually used a Taser, which malfunctioned. As they forcibly removed DuPree from the car, he punched Wurtz in the mouth. He also bit the trooper on the arm, drawing blood. DuPree was charged with assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public intoxication. He pleaded guilty to reduced charges that September, and he was sentenced to probation. During oral arguments on the suspension, DuPree admitted that hed begun drinking the morning of his arrest and that he drank to oblivion, the court stated. The document suggested that DuPree is an alcoholic who was had voluntarily entered rehab to overcome the addiction. His license to practice law was reinstated in April 2013. He remains an attorney in good standing, according to state records (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2022/04/a-nine-month-definite-suspension-has-been-imposed-by-the-south-carolina-supreme-court-on-march-20-2021-respondent-was-arre.html Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre is believed to be the site of Jesus's crucifixion and burial. It is one of the holiest sites in Christianity. Pressed against a wall of the church is a stone that contains writings and marks created by centuries of pilgrims. But the 2.5 x 1.5 meter stone turned out to be far more important when its other side was uncovered during recent repair work at the church. Researchers believe the design on the long-hidden part of the stone is evidence that it was once the front of a high altar. The altar is the center of a church where religious ceremony takes place. It would have been in use centuries ago. On the stone would have been pieces of glass, pieces of small, finely made marble," said Amit Re'em. He is an archaeologist for the Israel Antiquities Authority who researched the stone with Ilya Berkovich of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. They said the design combines Classical, Byzantine and early Islamic art in which small pieces of colorful marble are used to fill in circular cuttings on the stone. It stood at the sanctuary of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Re'em said. Similarly decorated altars have been found inside churches in Rome dating to the 12th and 13th centuries, the researchers said. They believe the stone fits with past archaeological findings and with pilgrims' accounts of the creation of the church. The Crusaders, a Christian military mission, founded the Church and formed its main altar in 1149. The altar was used by the Catholic clergy to celebrate mass until the Crusaders left Jerusalem, Re'em said. Afterward, it was used by the Greek Orthodox church until it was damaged in a fire in 1808. The altar was forgotten until the recent repair work, Re'em said. The researchers' findings are expected to be released by the end of the year by Israel's Exploration Society. Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina is with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He welcomed such research at the church. "Works from people of art, people of archaeology, contribute to us, contribute to the belief of the church, to the conviction of the church, that this is the place...on which Jesus Christ was crucified...buried and from which he came to resurrection," he told Reuters. Im Dan Novak. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by Reuters. _______________________________________________ Words in This Story church n. a building that is used for Christian religious services pilgrim n. a platform or table used as a center of worship in Christian ceremonies and services altar n. a raised place on which sacrifices and gifts are offered in some religions marble n. a kind of stone that is often polished and used in buildings and statues sanctuary n. a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter resurrection n. the event told about in the Bible in which Jesus Christ returned to life after his death Somalia's first women-run radio and television company opened in the capital, Mogadishu. Supported by the United Nations, Bilan Media plans to produce stories important to women and their rights in the conservative country. The launch of Bilan Media in Mogadishu marks a step forward in the efforts by Somali women to take a more active part in Somalias male-controlled society. Bright and clear Bilan means bright and clear in the Somali language. The founders say they hope to discuss some of the most important issues relating to and affecting women. Nasrin Mohamed Ibrahim is the editor at Bilan Media. This project is designed to overcome many of the problems facing the community, she says. It will focus on the problems of women. By going all-female, Bilan hopes to gently break apart Somalias conservative society. In the male-dominated news business, subjects such as rape, sexual assault and womens medical issues are not usually reported. So, Bilan will be telling those stories. Raising women's voices Bilan says it does not seek to compete with the usual media, but to move in a different direction by raising the voices of women, which may have an effect on the male-dominated society. Fathi Mohamed Ahmed is the deputy editor. She says, I can say that the reason for the formation of this media outlet for women is that in most parts of Mogadishu and Somalia as a whole, there are media outlets where both men and women work but are managed and owned by men. The circumstances of women's needs are not discussed in detail. For example, violence against women is not discussed in depth. Ahmed says the owners of the media station are not trying to make money. Instead, they want to show the productivity and power of women. The women journalists want to improve their skills and present them in a workplace free from corruption and abuse. Danger for Somali journalists The Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 71 reporters or journalists have been killed in the ongoing civil war by Islamist militant groups. The situation is bad for female journalists who have to fight other problems such as sexual harassment in newsrooms, cultural stereotypes, pressures from families as well as low pay, compared to male counterparts. Hinda Jama is head of gender affairs at the Somali Journalists Syndicate. She says Somali society is not used to seeing women doing things alone or being journalists working alone. Religion-wise, she adds, some leaders may consider women unworthy to speak in the media. Bilan Media is scheduled to go on the air April 25th. Im Jill Robbins. Ahmed Mohamed reported on this story for VOA News. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. _______________________________________________ Words in This Story outlet n. (media outlet) an organization providing reports on the news circumstances n. (pl.) situation journalist n. a person whose occupation is journalism; reporter, news editor, or the like stereotype n. a fixed or conventional idea, as of a person, group, or the like, held by a number of people, and allowing for no individuality or critical judgment gender n. the fact or condition of being a male or a female human being, esp. with regard to how this affects or determines a person's self-image, social status, goals, and the like syndicate n. any group organized to further some undertaking What do you think of the launch of Bilan Media? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. The CIA says Russians disaffected by Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine may be trying to get in touch with U.S. intelligence. And it wants them to go to the darknet. The agency on Monday began a new push to promote its presence on a part of the internet accessible only through specialized tools that provide more anonymity. Longtime Russia watchers think Putins management of the war and increasing crackdown on dissent may push people who disagree with him toward the West. English- and Russian-language instructions on how to access the darknet site appeared Monday on the CIAs social media channels. 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 Nebraska 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. Lapwai, ID (83501) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 51F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 37F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. When a Virginia man unearthed a small, crusty piece of metal in the Shenandoah Valley, he knew it was old and in need of a good scrubbing. What metal detectorist Shawn Key didnt know was that the metal carried the legacy of a Wisconsin Civil War soldier. More than 150 years prior, a 17-year-old Albert OConnor left his home in the town of West Point in Columbia County after enlisting in the Union army on June 12, 1861. OConnors tour of duty would take him through some of the most infamous battles of the Civil War. His acts would earn him a Medal of Honor. His name along with those of two other Columbia County Civil War veterans who received the nations highest military honor would be engraved on a stone at the King Veterans Home in Waupaca County. And OConnor would eventually be buried in 1928 at a veterans cemetery outside of Tacoma, Washington. But when Key heard a signal beep from his detector in 2017, that shovel-full of dirt didnt immediately unearth the story of a Wisconsin Civil War veteran, but rather, a curious bit of metal and a years-long effort of finding answers. Key has been detecting in the Shenandoah Valley since 2014. At times, he says, its hit or miss. You just assume everything is just the greatest relic ever, Key said. You find out how much junk is out there. Five years ago, though, a beep from his detector led him on an adventure hes still traversing. At first glance, the piece of metal he retrieved from the dirt looked like a coin. I said, Oh just my luck, its a coin but its got a hole in it, Key recalled. I couldnt make much out because it was pretty crusty. He shared photos of his find to an online community of detectorists asking for advice. Through the pixelated dirt, they told him it was an identification tag. Armed with that knowledge, Key set about getting the dog tag cleaned up in hopes of figuring out who it once belonged to. The question becomes what you can see, he said. His uncle, Steve, took a magnifying glass to the tag, seeing engraved battle names on the back. The front was still illegible. I thought, Oh, what a heartbreaker, Key said. Determined to find the name, he took the piece to a jeweler. He was unsuccessful there, too. It was on a trip to Gettysburg two years ago, though, that Key finally got his answer. Key went to The Horse Soldier, an antique store near the Pennsylvania site of the infamous battle, where two employees Sam and Wes took on the task of reading the tag. They gave Key his answer: Sgt. Albert OConnor. OConnor served in the Union army, a soldier of Company A of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry regiment. Alongside his father, John, he enlisted in Lodi, just a few miles from his fathers home in the town of West Point. OConnor served with the Iron Brigade, Wisconsins most-famed Civil War unit commanded by Brig. Gen. Rufus King. The back of his dog tag bears the names of historic battles like Antietam and Gettysburg, engraved after each battle. Key added that the engravings would have allowed soldiers to keep track of how many battles theyd survived. I guess it was a pride thing for them, he said. In September 1864, though, OConnors engravings stopped. Key figures during the Battle of Fishers Hill, OConnor lost his tag in the dirt of the Shenandoah Valley. I just kind of envision him running and this explosion or something and off goes the ID tag, Key said. One of the battles unaccounted for by OConnors tag is Gravelly Run in Virginia, also known as the battle of White Oak Road, where over the course of two days, OConnor earned a Medal of Honor. On March 31, 1865, OConnor and a comrade rescued a captured Union soldier from a group of nine Confederate soldiers, capturing three of the Confederates. The next day, April 1, OConnor killed a Confederate officer in hand-to-hand combat, seizing a stand of Confederate colors and holding the flag until he was surrounded. Finding out that the piece of metal he dug up from the ground carried the story of a Medal of Honor recipient was an added bonus for Key. I was just over the moon, he said. Its stories like these Key hopes to continue bringing to life through metal detection. It certainly puts a much different perspective when youre touching history as opposed to someone talking and walking you through it, he said. You want to preserve them proudly. For now, Key said he will hold onto the dog tag and keep it safe. He added that he hopes to donate it to a museum in the future. A Monona man who was found not legally responsible due to mental illness for attacking his mother with swords last year was ordered committed to state health authorities for 18 years. Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz said the 18-year term doesnt mean Sylvester L. Mohomes Jr., 30, will remain in an institution for 18 years, or that hell even remain under a commitment order for that long. But she said that rather than throw you back into the community and roll the dice about whether Mohomes is ready for that, he will spend at least the initial period of his commitment in a state institution, where he will receive medication and other treatment for paranoid schizophrenia. Mohomes was charged in October with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for an attack on his mother at an apartment on Owen Road in Monona. In February, as part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless injury and was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. The finding means Mohomes is not legally responsible for the crime but will receive mental health treatment. Wednesdays hearing was to determine how long his mental health commitment would last and whether it would begin in an institution or in the community. Assistant District Attorney Patrick Winter asked for a 20-year commitment with an initial placement in an institution, while Mohomes attorney, state Assistant Public Defender Colleen Taylor, sought a five- to 10-year commitment, with community placement. Berz ruled that Mohomes still poses a risk of bodily harm to himself and others. She said she is concerned about what would happen to his mental stability should he decide on his own to stop taking his medication. I dont have any doubt youll be in the community, Berz told Mohomes. The only question is when. That will entirely depend on how well Mohomes progresses while in the institution, she said. By state law, Mohomes can petition the court for release to community supervision every six months. An examination would be done and treatment records would be provided to Berz, who would make the decision whether Mohomes still poses a risk to himself and others. A criminal complaint states that on Sept. 4, Mohomes attacked his mother, leaving her with multiple stab wounds. She told police her son had asked her for her phone and money, and when she refused, he left and returned with two swords from his adjacent apartment, the complaint states. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A driver was arrested Wednesday after backing into another vehicle, fleeing police multiple times in his car and running away from officers on foot in Dane County, authorities said. After several hours of fleeing from law enforcement in Verona and then Cross Plains, the driver was finally arrested by Dane County deputies after a foot chase in the Blue Mounds area, Verona police Lt. David Dresser said. The Dane County Sheriff's Office confirmed that an arrest was made in the chase. Verona police initially responded to the incident, which started as a complaint of a reckless driver in a black BMW around 1:30 p.m. in the 200 block of South Main Street in Verona, Dresser said. Officers tried to make contact with the driver in the parking lot of a local business, but he fled, backing into an occupied vehicle in the process, Dresser said. No one was injured in that crash. One Verona officer continued the pursuit, and attempted to stop the driver, Dresser said. But the officer stopped the chase before the driver left the city. Verona police put out a notice to other law enforcement agencies that the vehicle was being sought. A few hours later around 4 p.m., the BMW was spotted in Cross Plains and the Dane County Sheriff's Office took over the chase, Dresser said. A deputy tried to stop the car, but the driver eluded again. Law enforcement was able to stop the vehicle in the Blue Mounds area, but the driver fled on foot. He was arrested shortly after, Dresser said. The driver, Martin Rodiles-Mendez, was taken to the Dane County Jail on tentative charges of eluding. He may face additional charges after the conclusion of law enforcement's investigation. The Fitchburg Police Department, Cross Plains Police Department, Mount Horeb Police Department and the Iowa County Sheriffs Department also assisted with the arrest. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A man who was charged with hit-and-run for a crash in January on Madisons Southwest Side that killed a La Follette High School student now faces charges of homicide by drunken driving. On Thursday, a judge granted a motion filed by Assistant District Attorney Daniel Hess to add the drunken driving charges against Sadarius Goodall. The motion states an analysis of Goodalls blood by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene found that after the Jan. 15 crash, Goodall had a blood alcohol concentration of just over 0.10%, above the 0.08% limit for drivers in Wisconsin. The crash on Schroeder Road near Ellis Potter Court caused the death of 14-year-old Jeremiah Broomfield and seriously injured a 12-year-old boy, described during a court hearing as Broomfields brother, who was in the same car as Broomfield. A cousin of Broomfield was driving. Goodall, who left the crash scene on foot, was charged in January with hit-and-run causing death and hit-and-run causing great bodily harm. At the time the complaint was filed on Jan. 28, the results of toxicology tests were not yet available. After receiving the blood results for Goodall, Hess asked Circuit Judge Mario White to approve amended charges that include homicide by drunken driving, homicide by driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration, causing great bodily harm by drunken driving, and causing great bodily harm by driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration. According to the minutes of a brief hearing on Thursday, Goodalls attorney, state Assistant Public Defender Adam Welch, did not oppose adding the charges. Despite the new charges, White granted a motion to lower Goodalls bail from $50,000 to $10,000. Goodall, however, is also in jail on a hold by the state Department of Corrections for a suspected violation of probation he was serving for an earlier conviction. In March 2021, according to court records, Goodall received a two-year prison sentence for heroin delivery that was stayed and he was instead placed on eight years of probation. DOC can impose the prison sentence if it revokes his probation. DOC spokesperson John Beard said Goodall is scheduled for a revocation hearing on May 5. A criminal complaint states Broomfield was a passenger in a Hyundai traveling east on Schroeder Road that tried to turn left near Ellis Potter Court to go to a Kwik Trip store. A Ford Crown Victoria, later determined to have been driven by Goodall, was headed west on Schroeder Road at a speed estimated as high as 90 mph and struck the Hyundai. Security video from Kwik Trip showed someone getting out of the Ford and leaving. When police went to the home of the cars registered owner, she said she had been driving before the crash. She told police she called Goodall to pick her up, according to the complaint. Police noticed, however, she had no abrasions from an airbag deployment, but Goodall appeared to have some discoloration on his face, the complaint states. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore said shes again tested positive for COVID-19. Moore, along with many of Wisconsins highest-ranking Democrats, attended Wednesdays inauguration of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Moore sat next to Gov. Tony Evers at the ceremony. She was wearing a mask. Today, I was experiencing very mild symptoms associated with COVID-19. I got tested as a precaution and tested positive for COVID-19, Moore said in a statement late Wednesday. Evers tested negative for the virus on Thursday morning, spokesperson Britt Cudaback said. Moore previously tested positive in December 2020. In January 2021, she announced she was cleared to return to work after six days. Moore joins a growing list of Washington officials who are testing positive for COVID-19. House members are under a home district work schedule this week. Moore is vaccinated and said she is quarantining. I am following guidance from my doctors and quarantining, she said. Please remain vigilant against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, getting vaccinated, and practicing social distancing when possible. State Rep. Sondy Pope will not seek another term in the Assembly after serving 20 years in office, joining a growing list of state lawmakers departing the state Legislature leading up to the midterm election. Both Pope, D-Mount Horeb, and Rep. Nick Milroy, D-South Range, announced plans to retire from the Legislature on Thursday. Nine Assembly Democrats have already decided not to seek reelection this fall, in addition to 13 Assembly Republicans who have also announced they won't seek another term. That means more than a fifth of the state's Assembly seats will be held by new lawmakers next year. Pope, 71, was first elected to the chamber in 2002 and has spent time as chair and a ranking Democratic member of the Assembly education committee. "I have cherished this work and the relationships built along the way," Pope said in a statement. "It is now time for me to step out of this role, and I look forward to the next generation of leaders and the work they will do. Shortly after Pope's announcement, Dane County Supervisor Mike Bare, D-Verona, announced his candidacy for the 80th Assembly District seat, which covers the southwest portion of Dane County, as well as parts of Green and Iowa counties. Bare, who currently represents the Dane County Boards 32nd District, owns the Biergarten at Olbrich Park in Madison and previously served on the Verona City Council. He also previously served as an aide to former Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold. We have work to do on guaranteeing good schools, creating jobs and raising wages, and improving access to basic needs like healthcare and affordable housing, Bare said in a statement. Ive been working on these issues for my entire career, and Im ready to do more as a member of the State Assembly. Bare has been endorsed by Verona Mayor Luke Diaz and Dane County Supervisor Elizabeth Doyle. Bare added that he will not run for the Assembly seat if the states next legislative maps pair him with a Democratic incumbent. Pope and Milroy join a growing list of state lawmakers to announce plans to depart from the Legislature, even though legislative boundaries for the upcoming election have yet to be formally established. 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. In addition to the 22 Representatives not seeking another term, six state senators, three Republicans and three Democrats, have said they will not seek reelection this fall. Sen. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, said earlier this year he would not challenge Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, if legislative maps drawn by Gov. Tony Evers stand this fall. Those maps relocated Kooyenga into Darling's district. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Democratic governor's legislative maps last month, kicking the matter back to the state court. The federal justices also accepted Evers' congressional boundaries, denying a request from the state's Republican congressional lawmakers seeking to block those boundaries. The state Supreme Court is expected to rule any day on legislative boundaries, but it remains to be seen whether the court returns with Evers' maps backed by additional evidence, shifts over to boundaries drawn by legislative Republicans or others, or pursues a new avenue. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. While Wisconsins rainy day fund has reached the highest level in state history, the account, which is reserved to be used in times of financial hardship, could stand to be nearly double in size in order to properly withstand a future recession, according to a new report. The report, titled Flush with Cash: Wisconsins Growing Financial Reserves and released by the Wisconsin Counties Associations nonpartisan research arm Forward Analytics on Thursday, indicates that the states rainy day fund, which currently sits at about 8.4% of state spending, should be increased to around 15-16% to better handle a future economic downturn. With the state expecting to have a general fund balance of more than $3.8 billion at the end of fiscal year 2023, due in large part to higher-than-expected tax collections, Forward Analytics director Dale Knapp, the reports author, said a portion of that revenue would be best used in the budget stabilization fund more commonly known as the states rainy day fund. Maybe that should be kind of the first claim on whats in the general fund balance, Knapp said. Even if we do that, theres enough there to fund some other priorities that the governor or legislators might have and it sets us up in a position where were actually prepared for the next downturn and we dont have to make significant cuts to spending or raise taxes significantly like we did in the last recession. Wisconsin closed out the 2021 fiscal year with a roughly $2.6 billion general fund balance and transferred a little over $967 million to the rainy day fund, bringing the total to about $1.73 billion the largest amount in state history and more than five times the funds balance at the end of fiscal year 2018. A change to state law two decades ago required lawmakers to deposit half of excess tax revenues into the rainy day fund until the fund reached 5% of spending. Currently, Wisconsin has surpassed that goal and the $1.7 billion in the fund represents 8.4% of state spending. When Wisconsins latest projected surplus was announced back in January, state officials said none of the surplus dollars would be deposited into the emergency account since the rainy day fund had surpassed 5% of the estimated general fund expenditures. However, most budget experts argue that a 5% target is too low, according to the report. The Government Finance Officers Association recommends holding at least 16% of spending in reserve. Lawmakers have viewed the surplus as an opportunity to bring forward a variety of proposals. Republican legislative leaders have pledged to take up tax cuts in the next biennial budget process, while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers previously called for additional spending on schools, caregivers and $150 checks for every resident in the state. Knapp said putting money away for a future recession can be a difficult sell to lawmakers. Theres no credit given until the recession hits and then people may look back and say, Im glad we did that, but if youre not doing tax cuts with it or spending on education or whatever it is, youre not getting credit for it, Knapp said. So for politicians, its a difficult choice to make, but it seems to me to be the better choice to make long term because we know were going to have another recession. We just dont know when. With the legislative session now concluded and Republicans rejecting Evers proposal for the general fund surplus, the use of those funds will likely not come up until next spring, when the 2023-25 budget process begins. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Wisconsin residents not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 were 2.4 times more likely to be hospitalized with the virus and 3.4 times more likely to die from it than those fully vaccinated in March, smaller differences between the groups than in previous months, health officials said Thursday. In January, when the state Department of Health Services last released such information, based on data from December as the omicron variant emerged, unvaccinated residents were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 14 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated. The health department on Thursday addressed the latest data on its website and in a media call. Your likelihood of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 is determined by many factors, which include vaccinations, but also include the level of transmission and vaccine coverage in your community, whether you or others wear masks as recommended, the number of people you have close contact with, and more, the agency said on the website. Traci DeSalvo, communicable diseases director for the department, said the hospitalization and death rate differences, while smaller than before, still are continuing to show the value of vaccines to really prevent those severe cases of COVID-19 and really helping to reduce morbidity and mortality from this illness. Since the state first released such monthly data in August, for July, unvaccinated residents had been three to five times more likely to get COVID-19, four to 11 times more likely to be hospitalized with it and 10 to 19 times more likely to die from it than those fully vaccinated. The largest difference in the hospitalization rate came in October and November. The largest difference in the death rate came in September, during the peak of the delta variant surge. The department didnt provide such data for January, February or March until Thursday, saying the delay came as it made improvements to the way data was gathered and stored in order to address technical difficulties. In January and February, unvaccinated residents were about 1.3 times more likely to get COVID-19 and about three times more likely to be hospitalized than those fully vaccinated. Their death rate was more than seven times higher in January and more than five times higher in February. In March, there were 205.5 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 unvaccinated people, compared to 195.9 cases per 100,000 for those fully vaccinated. There were 13.1 hospitalizations and 6.4 deaths per 100,000 among the unvaccinated, compared to 5.4 and 2 per 100,000 among the fully vaccinated. The data, which are age-adjusted, do not account for booster shots. Meanwhile, the state reported 814 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, for a daily average of 729, the highest level since late February, mirroring a nationwide uptick. COVID-19 hospitalizations in Wisconsin have been relatively stable recently but rose by seven Thursday, for a total of 148. Milwaukee is seeing a major increase in coronavirus detected in sewage, an indicator health officials are paying more attention to as testing rates are declining and more people are turning to home-based tests, for which results typically arent officially reported. Ashland, Hayward, Menomonie, Portage and Stevens Point are also seeing major increases of the COVID-19 virus in sewage, according to the state health department. Madison recently has had no significant change. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Republicans have decided that schools and education could be a winning issue in the upcoming midterm elections. Talking about critical race theory, transgender athletes and how LGBTQ issues are discussed in schools is popular with their base. Those issues may also appeal to a certain segment of independent voters, who are more aware about what schools are teaching after helping their kids during the pandemic. 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 Henry could be sworn in. On Feb. 7, Moises term expired. 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 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. 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, 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. Though 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 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. Democrats who control Congress did something extraordinary last year. They pulled 3.7 million children out of poverty, including tens of thousands of kids in Wisconsin. Now they need to do it again, with bipartisan support. Wisconsins congressional delegation should help make it happen. Democrats last year passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion spending package. Among its sweeping provisions, the legislation sent six monthly payments to parents from July through December. The payments were an advance on a larger annual child tax credit for 2021, which increased from $2,000 per child to $3,000 or $3,600, depending on the childs age. Parents could choose to accept some of that money in monthly installments, and 36 million American families including 600,000 in Wisconsin did just that, receiving up to $250 per older child and $300 per younger child. In Wisconsin, the average family received a monthly payment of $457. Child poverty fell by 30%, which was a historic achievement. Lower- and middle-income families struggling to pay their bills used the extra money to feed and house their children, according to surveys. Some parents paid for child care. Others were able to work less and stay home with their kids. Getting payments monthly rather than a lump sum after filing their taxes encouraged regular and more responsible use of the money. And unlike other vouchers or subsidies, parents got to decide how to spend the extra money to support their families. But in January, the monthly payments ended, plunging 3.7 million children back into poverty. Congress needs to bring the payments back and make them permanent this time. The Democrats tried to restart the payments this year. But they wasted time, energy and political capital by pushing the payments as part of President Joe Bidens enormous Build Back Better spending plan. Its time to pursue the higher child tax credit on its own. Democrats blame U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., for killing Build Back Better in February. But some of Manchins objections to the larger plan, and specifically to the child tax credit, had merit. The credit was offered to too many families who didnt need it, making it much more expensive. Those earning as much as $170,000 a year were eligible for the higher credit, under the Democratic plan. And even families earning up to $400,000 could claim the original $2,000 credit. Thats six times the average household income in Wisconsin. It wasnt justified. Manchin wants to tighten the cap on eligibility and bring back a modest work requirement. He also wants the federal budget to honestly reflect the cost of the higher credit into the future. The Democrats should consider his suggestions and invite Republicans to help negotiate a lasting deal. Reasonable Republicans such as U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, want to get involved. So get it done, Congress. Then claim victory this fall. Raising children is expensive. More important, all of society benefits when children get off to strong starts in life, whether during a pandemic or not. Thats why every modern president has supported the child tax credit. Former President Bill Clinton signed it into law. Former President George W. Bush doubled the credit to $1,000 in 2001 and made it refundable. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump extended and enhanced it further. Congress may be distracted by the looming midterm elections. But restoring these important payments to parents is doable if Democrats agree to a standalone, refined and bipartisan bill. Wisconsin State Journal editorial board The views expressed in the editorials are shaped by the board, independent of news coverage decisions elsewhere in the newspaper. STAFF MEMBERS SCOTT MILFRED, Editorial page editor PHIL HANDS, Editorial cartoonist COMMUNITY MEMBERS JANINE GESKE SUSAN SCHMITZ WAYNE STRONG BOSTON (AP) Multiple U.S. government agencies issued a joint alert Wednesday warning of the discovery of malicious cyber tools created by unnamed advanced threat actors that they said were capable of gaining full system access to multiple industrial control systems. 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 tools, which were configured to initially target North American energy concerns. One of the cybersecurity firms involved, Mandiant, said in a report that the tools' functionality was consistent with the malware used in Russia's prior physical attacks. It called the tools exceptionally rare and dangerous. 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. The FBI issued an alert last month saying that 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. - AP writer Alan Suderman contributed from Richmond, Virginia Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An investigation into the death of a 19-year-old Boise man, whose body was found at Shoshone Park, found that the man is connected to a Twin Falls shooting, police said. Darrius Smith was found dead in a vehicle on April 8 after Boise police responded to West Canal Street and South Shoshone Street at around 5 p.m. Before his death, Smith was involved in an April 6 shooting at Harmon Park in Twin Falls, according to a news release from the Twin Falls Police Department. It is not clear how Smith was involved in the shooting. Twin Falls Police spokesperson Lt. Craig Stotts declined to comment further on Smiths cause of death. The Boise Police Department also declined to comment further on the investigation and referred the Idaho Statesman to Twin Falls police. At 9:18 p.m. on April 6, the Twin Falls Police Department responded to a shooting at 1600 Harmon Park Ave. that left a 17-year-old male injured. Lt. Justin Dimond previously told the Statesman the teen was in stable condition and recovering. The 17-year-old has not been identified, and likely wont be as he is a minor. Twin Falls police in the news release said investigators learned that the shooting occurred between multiple subjects. Smiths family said they were shocked and devastated to hear of his death, according to a GoFundMe page that has raised over $6,000 to help cover funeral expenses. Thank you for all the love and prayers; Darrius loved his family and friends, the page said. The Twin Falls Police Department is working with Boise police and the Twin Falls County Prosecutors Office on the investigation. Officials are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact the Twin Falls police at 208-736-0193. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 4 Angry 0 BOISE, Idaho 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 didnt immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment about the high courts 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. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This feature first ran April 11, 2019, in the Times-News and at Magicvalley.com. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was key to the United States westward migration in the 19th century. The purchase of more than 800,000 square miles of French territory from New Orleans to Canada and the Rocky Mountains opened up travel routes into little-known terrain west of the Mississippi. While western migration often led to lands west of the Rocky Mountains, some of the first settlers who crossed the prairie found a new home where only American Indians and a handful of fur trappers had traveled. The first band of Mormons arrived July 24, 1847, in the Salt Lake Valley in what was then Mexican territory. Utah became U.S. property when Mexico ceded the Southwest to the U.S. in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The first waves of Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, came to Utah in covered wagons. But later, they traded in their more costly wagons and oxen for Mormon handcarts, an abbreviated version of the traditional covered wagon that was pulled and pushed by people instead of livestock. Between 1856 and 1860, more than 3,000 Mormons pushed handcarts 1,300 miles on the 85-day trip to reach the Salt Lake Valley. Mychel Matthews is the managing editor of the Times-News. The Hidden History feature runs every Thursday in the Times-News and on Magicvalley.com. If you have a question about something that may have historical significance, email Matthews at mmatthews@magicvalley.com. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. Debates are for voters, not candidates. Longtime Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, should not have ducked a debate with his far-right challenger, Idaho Falls attorney and debt collector Bryan Smith. As Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press reported Monday, the regular debate for the second congressional district has been canceled because Simpson refused to debate Smith. Idaho Public TVs rules say if you dont have two candidates, you dont have a debate. The animosity between Simpson and Smith is long-standing and well-known. Its understandable that Simpson would not want to debate Smith. But thats the kind of feeling you overcome for the sake of transparency to voters. Simpson and Smith are certainly not the first two political opponents to dislike one another most political opponents are not friends. If personal animosity is enough to prevent a debate, then there wouldnt ever be debates. Voters deserve to see the candidates square off and address important issues, as they did the last time Smith challenged Simpson in 2014. That year, the two participated in multiple debates. It did not sink Simpsons chances he won with a 24-point margin. A live debate is important because it allows voters to see each candidate reacting on their feet. Simpson handled Smith well in 2014, responding calmly but forcefully to his criticisms. The debates likely helped Simpson more than they hurt him that year, and theres no reason to think they wouldnt have done the same this year. But more fundamentally, Simpson owed participation to his voters the people who have put him in office since 1998. Refusing to participate is disrespectful to them. We hope that, should he win the primary, Simpson will agree to participate in general election debates with the Democratic nominee. Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion expressing the consensus of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members J.J. Saldana and Christy Perry. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Its Mayday in Southside for pregnant women, as May 1 will be the last day the hospital, Sovah Health-Martinsville, will have a labor and delivery unit. Dr. Makunda Abdul-Mbacke of Piedmont Preferred Womens Healthcare in Ridgeway met recently with Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-9th, to address the matter of declining medical care offered to women in rural areas. The timing of the long-planned meeting was coincidental: Just before the pair met in the waiting room of her practice, the hospital announced that the labor and delivery unit would be closing effective May 2. The notice sent April 11 by the hospital to all Sovah Health Employees, Physicians and Volunteers states, We are working closely with impacted employees in our OB unit to assist them during this transition and it is our hope that all staff will apply and be placed in open positions at our Martinsville or Danville campuses. Responding April 13 to questions from the Bulletin, Sovah Health CEO Spencer Thomas sent a statement: Effective May 2, 2022, we will temporarily pause OB delivery services at our Martinsville campus and will instead facilitate all deliveries at our Danville campus. Sovah Health continuously evaluates the services we provide across our health system to ensure we are operating as effectively as possible and that the care we provide is reflective of what our community needs, the statement reads. As part of this effort, we assessed our obstetrics (OB) care model and found that the demographics and needs of our community have changed and deliveries have declined by 60% at our Martinsville campus since 2015. Therefore, we are implementing temporary changes while we work to create a new delivery model for OB care between Sovahs two hospital campuses. While asking the hospital about the labor and delivery unit, the Bulletin also asked about reports in reduced staffing in the radiology department. Importantly, we are not closing our radiology services in Martinsville, Thomas responded through the statement. We transitioned our radiology service provider to Raleigh Radiology effective April 1, 2022. Patients can expect the same quality radiology services that are available today. Mbacke said that when she came to the area there was about a 60/40 ratio of Medicaid to private insurance providers being used by patients. Now, the ratio is 90/10 with pregnant patients and still around 60/40 for patients who are not pregnant. Virginia Medicaid has not raised the rates it pays for pregnancy care in 10 years, she said. Potential growth in Martinsville largely revolves around the older generation, so even though houses are being sold and revitalization efforts are going on, there has been a big decrease in need for pregnancy care, she said. It had been on a downward spiral for a long time. For a hospital to have a healthy labor and delivery [unit], they need to be delivering at least 500 babies a year, Mbacke said. This keeps up competencies and allows the hospital to be prepared for emergencies. The hospital has said theyve tried to recruit doctors, but havent been able to, Mbacke said, and it has been hiring temporary doctors instead, which is very expensive. For 30 days last month they paid a temporary doctor, but they only had two deliveries. Since January 1, 2022 we have had a team of locums tenens physicians providing coverage for our Martinsville campus, Thomas wrote. This is common practice for hospitals across the country to fill gaps during physician absences and to ensure that coverage is still available for patients who need specific types of care. When Mbacke began working in the area in 2007, there were 10 other OB/GYN (obstetrics or gynecology) doctors who, she said, were all busy and successful, and the Martinsville hospital was actively recruiting more doctors. Mbacke left Sovah Health-Martinsville last year and has been delivering her patients babies Eden, she said. This is the last week she will accept new pregnant patients. She decided to stop delivering babies for a number of reasons, she said. I will still do annual exams, STD screening, birth control, and primary care and helping with menopause, Mbacke wrote April 13 by email. We will have a special focus on cancer screening and prevention. I will still do ultrasounds and will be here to help with confirming and diagnosing newly pregnant patients, but after the confirmation they will need care elsewhere. Now, Martinsville has one remaining practicing OB/GYN who is delivering babies in Danville, she said. Pregnant patients who need delivery services can travel to Eden, North Carolina or to Roanoke, Mbacke said. But, this would cause Virginia Medicaid money to be used out of state. Theres a lot of patients who are not able to find a doctor unless theyre going to be willing to drive up to the clinic in Roanoke, Mbacke said. Theyre still going to show up at the hospital in Martinsville, Mbacke said. Mbacke said that just last week the hospital had a woman come in to the emergency room with abdominal pain who didnt know she was pregnant and by the time she made it to labor and delivery, she had already delivered the 33-week-old infant in her pants. Mbacke and Griffith were talking in the waiting room of her practice. During their conversation, as the congressman listened, his district assistant, Joshua Hess, sat taking notes. On the topic of child mortality rates, Griffth said, hospitals that are not prepared to do delivery or if they claim to be prepared and they arent the evidence was pretty clear in our hearing anecdotally that thats a big part of the problem. Mbacke said that she doesnt know if opening back up the labor and delivery unit would solve any of these issues. If you dont have enough units, you cant put the personnel and the machinery in to make sure that youre reducing the possibility of these situations, said Griffith. While she does not have all the answers, Mbacke said, I am saying that it is something we have to really look at because we cant force them to open it back up. Mbacke brought up midwifery and doula services as possibilties to fill the need for pregnancy care. Griffith said mobile medical units have been installed in Stuart about two months ago; they help cover the gap after Pioneer Hospital in Patrick County closed in 2017. Mbacke asked for more information to see if those could be used in a similar way in Martinsville. At the end of their conversation, Griffith added, I dont know that we can solve anything, but if you see a problem or if you see a solution, please give us a call. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Last week, we walked in the footsteps of the Overmountain Men as they traveled to meet the British in South Carolina. At the Green River, on the trail we explored, the men were informed that the enemy was to the east and not to the south, where they were headed. They changed course and aimed for the Cowpens to gather and prepare for battle. The Cowpens were so named because farmers brought their cattle there to fatten before the trip to Charleston. I have had this hike in the hopper for some time. I wanted to share it with you at an appropriate time. This will be an excellent follow-up from last week and, I hope, will provide you with some history and some pretty good hiking. Cowpens Battlefield Loop South Carolina Difficulty: Easy. Ill be offering a few different trails to try. All are easy. Shoes: Any good lace-up shoe should work. You might get in a few miles and some might be on pavement so be prepared with good foot support. Time: Try to block out about four hours for your time at the park. I will offer several trails to explore and I am certain you will want to spend time at the visitors center. Distance/Elevation Gain: Expect to explore almost 7 miles of trails that are divided into three individual routes. The greatest elevation change on any route is less than 300 feet. Safety: If you hike the road that loops the battlefield, you will be close to or on a blacktop surface, expect cars and fast moving bicycles. My suggestion is that you hike in a clockwise direction so you will be facing the wheeled traffic. Horses are allowed on one of the dirt trails. You know the protocol. Just be aware. The trails look simple and safe but its always a good idea to take water. Running water restrooms are plentiful and easy to find. Read the signs so you will know when the roads, buildings, and the park itself will close. Courtesy: Expect to see a lot of people who are not hikers. We encountered several tourists from many different places. I recommend you keep a comfortable distance on the trail and in the buildings. How to get there: Use Google Maps to find Cowpens National Battle Field. The park is about 45 miles from Marion. The trail: When you arrive at the park, my suggestion is that you take a moment to absorb the history. Soon, you will be standing on a battlefield where men lost their lives defending the goals and values of their respective country. A trip to the visitor center should be your first move. The folks there are committed to making your visit to the park both enjoyable and informative. If you have the time, catch the movie about the battle. It is extremely helpful in understanding the battlefield strategy and it will give you a real sense of how the men moved around the land. The first route I offer is the road around the battlefield. It is a paved surface that will have traffic. For that reason, I recommend you head out of the parking area and turn right. The route is obvious. If you go to the right you will be facing any oncoming vehicle traffic. Most of the loop is one-way which forces the traffic to move opposite to your direction. Soon after you start the loop, there is a paved road to the right that takes you to the Scruggs house which was standing during the actual battle. After a short visit to the cabin, head back to the main road and turn right to complete the loop. While you are walking this very comfortable route keep looking to the right. It is within this circle that the battle took place. Follow the loop back to the parking area. The second trail I recommend starts at the door of the visitor center. It is a paved path that is surfaced with recycled rubber from automobile tires. It is a very interesting feel underfoot. This trail will lead you to the center of the battlefield. In the field of conflict, you will see several interpretive signs and symbols to help understand where each side stood and the movements they made. This is a loop trail that goes back to the visitors center and the parking area. It is about 1.5 miles in length. Now, get back in your car and leave the parking area toward the loop trail. This time, make a left turn and start around the loop in the opposite direction of your walk. At about 1.5 miles, you will see the entrance to the picnic area on your right. Enter the parking area. With the restrooms and picnic tables on your right, look to the left for the woodland trail entrance sign. The trail through the woods is slightly larger than a single-track and is extremely comfortable under foot. Once past the entrance, turn right and begin your amble through the woods. In the spring and summer, expect to see several varieties of ground-covering flowers and a selection of hardwoods. The National Park Service reports that there are, 542 different species of plants at Cowpens National Battlefield, of which 151 are not native. Of these, at least 34 are considered to be highly aggressive and a danger to the native species. I invite you to photograph and enjoy as many as you can but dont touch. Shortly after you start, the trail ends at a cross-trail. Turn left and head down toward the stream that is now on your left. There is a very well-constructed bridge across the stream. Cross the bridge and a short climb will take you to another level that lets you look back on where you were previously. The folks at the visitor center will have maps that define this route. I advise you to grab one so you can navigate the turns and ups and downs. Eventually this trail will take you back to the paved loop road. Its about 2.4 miles. While you are wandering through the woods, keep a lookout. There may be others watching you. Turkeys and deer are prominent but an occasional bear is not out of the question. Since we have explored many of the OVT routes from Spruce Pine to Chesney, this will probably be our last adventure along this route to freedom. I hope you have enjoyed these as much as I have. On a more serious note, between the Cowpens Battlefield and Marion there are at least five locations where, during the summer, you can get fresh ice cream in a waffle cone. One location makes their treat from fresh strawberries that grow just across the street from the ice cream factory. Ill leave it up to you to find them. Saudi monarch King Salman has instructed Saudi Arabias humanitarian charity to provide urgent medical and shelter aid worth $10 million to Ukrainian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, mainly Poland, Arab News reports. King Salman directs KSrelief to provide urgent medical and shelter aid worth $10 million to refugees from Ukraine to neighboring countries, a tweet from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center said Wednesday. The initiative is being run in coordination with the Polish government and the UN, the media notes. Millions of people have fled the East European nation since the invasion of the country by Russia. Most of the refugees had taken shelter in Poland, Romania, Hungary and Moldova. The kingdom has also offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman last month discussed the leaders of both countries and offered to exert all efforts to mediate between parties in the conflict in Ukraine. At least 26 people, including 21 women and five children, drowned when their dugout canoe sank on Tuesday night on a river in northwestern Nigeria, local authorities said Wednesday. The exact number of people on the canoe when it capsized on the Shagari River in Sokoto State is not known, said Shagari District Administrative Officer Aliyu Dantani. But the bodies of 26 passengers were found by local divers. There are 21 women and five children, he said. Search operations are still underway, the official said, addeding that the cause of the sinking is currently undetermined. Shipwrecks are common on Nigerias rivers. Overloading and lack of maintenance of boats, failure to observe safety rules and bad weather are among the main causes. At the end of March, thirteen women and children died when a dugout canoe on which they had embarked to flee their village was attacked by armed men in central Nigeria. Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi has tendered his resignation to President Alassane Ouattara, according to local press reports. The announcement, made on Wednesday 13 April 2022 at the opening of a council of ministers, comes barely a year after he took office. Indeed, it was in March 2021 that Mr. Achi, 66, arrived at the primacy. At the time, he was acting as interim Prime Minister after Hamed Bakayoko was hospitalized in France. He will be confirmed in this position after the death of Mr. Bakayoko. The next head of the Ivorian government should be known as early as next week. He or she will be responsible for setting up a tightly-knit executive of about 30 members, according to the Ivorian head of state. The army announced in a communique issued during the night of April 12-13, 2022, the arrest of three Europeans in central Mali. There are no official details on their nationality or profile, but they were arrested last Sunday as part of an anti-terrorist operation near Diabaly, in the Segou region. This is an area where jihadists from the Macina katiba have a strong presence. Malian authorities have not released any further information about this surprising arrest. The Fama detachment in Diabaly arrested five suspects, including three European nationals, on April 10. According to the Malian military, these arrests were made as part of the anti-terrorist operation Maliko. Nothing more, but it is understood that the Malian soldiers suspect that these three Europeans are themselves jihadist fighters. According to diplomatic and security sources, the three Germans, two men and one woman, were in the area for an agricultural project as part of a twinning arrangement between a German and a Malian commune. They were transferred to Bamako for their safety and then released. The army made public their arrest on Tuesday night, three days later, referring in its statement only to European nationals as suspects. Even though the three Germans had already been transferred to Bamako and released. What to raise many questions and feed, on social networks and in the Malian streets, all sorts of theories. Morocco reaffirmed, Thursday before the African Union Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) in Addis Ababa, the imperative of strengthening African health infrastructure to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic and face future health challenges. Speaking at the first meeting of the PRC, chaired by Senegal, Moroccos Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA, Mohamed Arrouchi, noted that the strengthening of health infrastructure in Africa is able to cope with the devastating socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and future health challenges. During this session, which is being held by videoconference, the Moroccan diplomat noted that the strengthening of these infrastructures should be done through an intergovernmental process involving the relevant national departments. Arrouchi stressed that quality health infrastructures are essential to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic which has reached an unprecedented scale. In this connection, he called on the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to draw up an executive summary on the state of health infrastructure in Africa to enable technical departments in capitals to monitor the epidemiological situation in the continent. During the session, Africa CDC Director John Nkengasong commended Moroccos efforts to contain the pandemic on a continental scale, and welcomed the Moroccan proposal, stressing the crucial role of African health infrastructure in addressing the current pandemic and other health challenges facing the continent. The skyline of Beijing is reflecting in the sunglasses of a woman wearing a face mask as she walks at a public park in Beijing, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Anti-virus controls that have shut down some of China's biggest cities and fueled public irritation are spreading as infections rise, hurting a weak economy and prompting warnings of possible global shockwaves. Shanghai is easing rules that confined most of its 25 million people to their homes after complaints they had trouble getting food. But most of its businesses still are closed. Access to Guangzhou, an industrial center of 19 million people near Hong Kong, was suspended this week. Other cities are cutting off access or closing factories and schools. Spring planting by Chinese farmers who feed 1.4 billion people might be disrupted, Nomura economists warned Thursday. That could boost demand for imported wheat and other food, pushing up already high global prices. The closures are an embarrassment to the ruling Communist Party and a setback for official efforts to shore up slumping growth in the world's second-largest economy. They come during a sensitive year when President Xi Jinping is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as leader. Beijing has promised to reduce the human and economic cost of its "zero-COVID" strategy, but Xi on Wednesday ruled out joining the United States and other governments that are dropping restrictions and trying to live with the virus. In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, workers clean and disinfect the floor of a makeshift hospital at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Anti-virus controls that shut down some of China's biggest cities and fueled public irritation are spreading as infections rise, hurting a weak economy and prompting warnings of possible global shockwaves. Credit: Ding Ting/Xinhua via AP "Prevention and control work cannot be relaxed," Xi said, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. "Persistence is victory." The risk that China might tumble into recession is increasing, Ting Lu, Jing Wang and Harrison Zhang of Nomura warned in a report. "The logistics crunch is worsening," they said. "The markets should also be concerned about the delayed spring planting of grain in China." The government reported 29,411 new cases Thursday, all but 3,020 with no symptoms. Shanghai accounted for 95% of that total, or 27,719 cases. All but 2,573 had no symptoms. A health official warned Wednesday that Shanghai didn't have the virus under control despite its easing restrictions. Some 6.6 million people were allowed to leave their homes in areas that had no new cases for at least a week. But at least 15 million others still are barred from going outdoors. In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, COVID-19 patients leave a makeshift hospital at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Anti-virus controls that shut down some of China's biggest cities and fueled public irritation are spreading as infections rise, hurting a weak economy and prompting warnings of possible global shockwaves. Credit: Ding Ting/Xinhua via AP Most people have obeyed despite grumbling about shortages of food, medicine and access to elderly relatives who need help. But videos on the popular Sina Weibo social media service show some trading punches with police. Grape Chen, a data analyst in Shanghai, said she was panicking about getting medicines for her father, who is recovering from a stroke. She called police after getting no response from an official hotline but was told quarantine rules bar officers from helping. "We are willing to cooperate with the country," Chen said. "But we also hope that our lives can be respected." The city government of Suzhou, a center for smartphone manufacturing and other high-tech industry west of Shanghai, told its 18 million people to stay home when possible. Taiyuan, a blue-collar city of 4 million in central China, suspended inter-city bus service, according to the official China News Service. Ningde in the southeast barred residents from leaving. People wearing face masks walk near blossoming trees at a public park in Beijing, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein A restaurant cook in Taiyuan said his family has been confined to their apartment compound since April 3 after cases were found in neighboring compounds. "Our lives will be seriously affected if the restrictions last long," said the cook, who would give only his surname, Chen. "My wife and I are earning nothing," Chen said. "We have three children to support." All but 13 of China's 100 biggest cities by economic output are under some form of restrictions, according to Gavekal Dragonomics, a research firm. "The intensity is increasing," Gavekal said in a report this week. The volume of cargo handled by the Shanghai port, the world's busiest, has fallen 40%, according to an estimate by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. Automakers have suspended production due to disruption in deliveries of supplies. People wearing face masks walk near blossoming trees at a public park in Beijing, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Restrictions on areas that produce the world's smartphones, consumer electronics and other goods are prompting forecasters to cut expectations for this year's economic growth to as low as 5%, down sharply from last year's 8.1% expansion. The ruling party's target is 5.5%. Growth slid to 4% over a year earlier in the final quarter of 2021 after tighter official controls on debt triggered a collapse in home sales and construction, industries that support millions of jobs. Even before the latest shutdowns, the ruling party was promising tax refunds and other help for entrepreneurs who generate wealth and jobs. Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 leader and top economic official, called this week for "quicker rollout" of aid for businesses that face a "key juncture for survival," China News Service reported. A woman wearing a face mask takes a photo of blossoming trees at a public park in Beijing, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Under a strategy dubbed "dynamic clearing," authorities are trying to use more targeted measures to isolate neighborhoods instead of whole cities with populations bigger than some countries. But some local leaders are imposing more sweeping controls. Shanghai leaders were criticized for trying to minimize economic damage by ordering testing but no shutdown once cases were found last month. A citywide shutdown was ordered with only a few hours' warning after case numbers soared. That was in contrast to Shenzhen, a tech and finance center of 17.5 million people near Hong Kong that closed the city March 13 after an outbreak and ordered mass testing. It reopened a week later and business returned to normal. Guangzhou has imitated Shenzhen. Most access to the city of 19 million was suspended Monday and mass testing ordered after 27 infections were found. A man wearing a face mask walks past blossoming trees at a public park in Beijing, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein A woman wearing a face mask takes a photo of blossoming trees at a public park in Beijing, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, COVID-19 patients leave a makeshift hospital at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Anti-virus controls that shut down some of China's biggest cities and fueled public irritation are spreading as infections rise, hurting a weak economy and prompting warnings of possible global shockwaves. Credit: Ding Ting/Xinhua via AP In this image taken from video provided by Grape Chen, Grape Chen puts on goggles before heading out for a COVID-19 test as part of a mass coronavirus testing effort in Shanghai, China, Monday, April 4, 2022. Anti-virus controls that shut down some of China's biggest cities and fueled public irritation are spreading as infections rise, hurting a weak economy and prompting warnings of possible global shockwaves. Chen said she is panicking about being able to obtain medication for her father, who is recovering from a stroke. She called police after getting no response from an official hotline but was told quarantine rules prevented officers from helping. Credit: Grape Chen via AP Li Guanyu, a 31-year-old woman in Guangzhou, said residents can leave her apartment compound only once every other day to buy food but stores are well-stocked. "This happened a bit suddenly," said Li. "Maybe the Shanghai situation is so bad that Guangzhou started mass testing and lockdowns as soon as cases were discovered." 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In a study to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal (23-26 April), researchers from Sociedade Mineira de Infectologia and Associacao Mineira de Epidemiologia e Controle de Infeccoes show a correlation between the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's denialist attitude to COVID-19 and higher COVID-19 incidence and mortality. The study, involving 853 counties in Minas Gerais (the second most populous state located in southeastern Brazil), finds that in Bolsonaro-voting counties, COVID-19 cases and deaths were substantially higher than in counties where Bolsonaro lost the 2018 presidential election vote. "The role of politics had a critical impact on COVID-19 responses to the pandemic in Brazil from the outset," said Dr. Carlos Starling from Sociedade Mineira de Infectologia. "President Jair Bolsonaro has denied COVID-19 severity, promoted treatments without evidence of efficacy, and discouraged social distancing, the use of masks, local lockdowns and other protective measures, which has likely resulted in higher infection rates and deaths from COVID-19 among his supporters." The death toll from COVID-19 in Brazil has passed 659,000, the third highest reported toll of any country in the world. In this study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing virus transmission and deaths from COVID-19 in 853 counties in Minas Gerais. They also explored the impact of the President's denialist attitude to COVID-19 on vaccine uptake and COVID-19 cases and deaths, based on whether Bolsonaro had won or lost the 2018 presidential election in these counties. Using data on confirmed cases of COVID-19 and deaths, vaccination rates, and 2018 election results from official government websites, the researchers calculated the COVID-19 incidence rate (new cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days) and mortality rate (deaths per 1,000,000 residents in the last 14 days) for each county between 21 January, 2021 (when vaccination started in Brazil), and 10 November, 2021. Results showed that by 10 November 2021, over half the population (more than 55%) in most counties (682/853) had been fully vaccinated with either AstraZeneca (41%), Pfizer (32%), or Coronavac (28%). Overall, the analyses found that the vaccination rate between January and November was similar among counties. As the percentage of the population fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 increased over time, COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates consistently declined. However, in counties where Bolsonaro won the electoral vote, the COVID-19 incidence rate was 30% higher (7.6%; 1,284,454 cases/16,961,800 residents of 445 counties) than in counties where he lost the vote (5.6%; 249,704 cases/4,450,502 residents of 408 counties). Moreover, the COVID-19 death rate was 60% higher in counties with the highest electoral support for Bolsonaro compared to those with the least support (212 deaths from COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants vs. 132 deaths from COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants). Researchers also performed a more detailed evaluation comparing the impact of vaccination on COVID-19 incidence and death rates in 33 counties with more than 100,000 residents, and discovered a negative correlation between vaccination and COVID-19 cases and deaths in all 33 counties (i.e., counties with the lowest vaccination rates had the highest case incidence and mortality rates), except for five cities where there was a negative but non-significant correlation between the full vaccination rate and the death rate. "It's likely that thousands of lives have been lost unnecessarily because President Bolsonaro dismissed COVID-19 as 'a little flu' and rallied against lockdowns, school closures and other protective measures," say Dr. Braulio Couto Associacao Mineira de Epidemiologia e Controle de Infeccoes. "However, our results indicate that the Brazilian people have great trust in vaccines, and Bolsonaro's falsehoods and doubts about COVID-19 vaccines did not prevent mass vaccination, with the increasing vaccination rate over time consistently reducing COVID-19 cases and deaths." The authors note that this is an ecological observational study and cannot prove that Bolsonaro's denialist stance caused extra cases or deaths from COVID-19, but only suggest the possibility of such an effect. The authors point to several limitations, including the ecological fallacythat relationships that exist for groups are assumed to also be true for individualsand they cannot rule out the possibility that other unmeasured factors like education levels and household income may have affected the results. Explore further COVID-19 vaccination coverage higher in urban versus rural counties Provided by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain There is growing evidence that involving patients and other health care stakeholders in all aspects of the clinical research process can make studies and the results they produce more relevant and useful to those who need the evidence to make important care decisions, articles in a new special supplemental issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM) suggest. Papers in the supplement, which was a joint effort by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and the Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service (VA HSR&D), make several things clear about engagement in research. First, they indicate that this approach can help ensure that studies address questions important to patients and stakeholders. But perhaps more importantly, they suggest engagement is feasible at all stages of the research process, that participants and researchers both see and value the benefits of this approach to themselves and the studies in which they are involved, and that engagement helps to improve the studies' feasibility, relevance and quality. A critical goal of engaging patients and veterans in designing, conducting, analyzing and disseminating the results of studies designed to improve their care and outcomes is to see that the findings will be trustworthy and used in day-to-day practice, helping to improve patient care and outcomes over time. Most recently, the COVID 19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of relevance and trust in health research. The supplement includes some two dozen research papers, commentaries and editorials, and a series of first-person patient- and patient/researcher-authored narrativesa rarity in any major scientific journal. "PCORI and the VA HSR&D are committed to the engagement of patients and other stakeholders throughout the research process for the studies they fund," said PCORI Executive Director Nakela L. Cook, M.D., MPH. "We were pleased to work with the VA on this collection of articles designed to advance our mutual goal of providing health care decision makersespecially patients and caregiversreliable evidence they can use to make important health and health care decisions." There is increased academic interest in engagement in health research given how robust, diverse and extensive this approach is becoming, and that research teams are increasingly interested in and motivated to share what they are learning. One paper in the supplement, by Maureen Maurer, MPH, of the American Institutes for Research and colleagues, deepens our understanding of the benefits of patient and stakeholder engagement in research and the dynamic influence research partnerships can have on key aspects of studies, including their feasibility and acceptability. It also offers some new insights into how this influence happens. And it notes that based on a PubMed review, patient engagement literature citations grew more than 900% from 2000 to 2020. This stems partly from PCORI's establishment and its commitment to engagement as fundamental to all of its work. In line with these efforts, VA HSR&D in 2015 established a national workgroup to outline an approach to local veteran engagement initiatives and to develop goals for promoting veteran research engagement nationally. That work, described in an article by Sara J. Knight, Ph.D., of the VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, led to the development of a unique model for engaging veterans in research to address their concerns and challenges. Hundreds of research teams have implemented patient and stakeholder engagement as part of PCORI and VA HSR&D funding requirements. The shared emphasis on engagement has also helped fuel the integration of engagement approaches in research funded by others, including the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Several of the narratives included in the supplement are accounts from patients and veterans describing their experiences partnering with researchers, including one by a veteran with a spinal cord injury. Others are collaborative efforts by patients, veterans and researchers describing shared experiences and lessons learned about how to work together most effectively. Together, these articles provide a rich overview of how partnering with patients and veterans in health research has evolved over the past decade in terms of both the practice of engagementwhat researchers, patients and other stakeholder partners are doingand the science of engagementwhat we know about the real differences that engagement is making in research. The perspectives and original research articles focus on the lived experience of the participants of engagement and explore barriers and facilitators that can affect how groups not used to partnering can work together. "We have learned that engagement affects both the conduct of research and the people involved for the better," Cook said. "This is particularly true when seeking to build trust; engagement can strengthen trust in the research process and increase patients' willingness to participate in research." Explore further Perspectives of patients in clinical trials often not considered More information: Susan L. Zickmund et al, Patient and Veteran Engagement in Health Research: the Emergence of a Field of Study, Journal of General Internal Medicine (2022). Susan L. Zickmund et al, Patient and Veteran Engagement in Health Research: the Emergence of a Field of Study,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07393-9 Articles in the supplement can be accessed free of charge via this collection page on PCORI's website and directly on the JGIM website. Journal information: Journal of General Internal Medicine Provided by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A team of researchers from the HSE Centre for Cognition and Decision Making and the Central State Medical Academy conducted a study on sleep disorders, mood and fatigue after COVID-19. These factors are interrelated and the researchers recommend a comprehensive approach to treat the problem effectively. The work was published in the journal Neuroscience and Behavioral Psychology. Several factors complicate efforts of studying mental health during an epidemic. First, the use of different questionnaires can distort the results and, second, the results can be interpreted in different ways. Additional difficulties in examining patients and conducting the research during the epidemic can also arise. Doctors and researchers have difficulty conducting their study if the patient is in quarantine and cannot receive assistance due to stress from prolonged isolation and a weakened state caused by the virus itself. Therefore, doctors and researchers use telemedicine technologies more often to communicate remotely with patients. Coupled with the appropriate hospital equipment, it becomes possible to conduct psychiatric and psychological examinations that do not require a physical presence. Such measures create conditions under which the doctor can provide assistance without entering the 'red zone,' in a manner that is comfortable for both the physician and the patient. The study involved 119 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses who completed four questionnaires for depression, anxiety, fatigue and sleep disorders. Patients with higher than average scores in the results of questionnaires also underwent psychiatric interviews. The survey found high levels of mood disturbances and sleep disorders among study participants. In all, 28% of respondents reported a decline in mood, 27% experienced a disruption in the quality of their sleep, and 73% suffered from fatigue. Higher levels of fatigue increased the risk of anxiety and depression. Likewise, increased anxiety and a decline in mood also affected overall vitality. Such results indicate that depression can make people who have recovered from COVID-19 feel less vigorous in their daily lives. Doctors often attribute patients' rapid loss of energy to the organic consequences of the infection, losing sight of the anxiety and mood disorders that can be masked by the infectious disease. Such an approach can result in a protracted course of asthenia during recovery from the illness, despite favorable physiological parameters. The results also showed that increased anxiety and depression have an effect on the quality of sleep. Ainur Ragimova, Research Fellow at the HSE Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, says that "although the relationship between mood and sleep disorders is intuitive, it is important to examine them carefully and separately especially in patients after COVID infection. Oddly enough, this aspect is often overlooked in the clinical examination of patients with COVID-19. Their sleep problems are more often attributed to physiological disturbances such as the consequences of a stay in intensive care and the effects of a prolonged lack of movement, but not to mood disorders. Our data once again underscores that when patients complain of sleep problems, it is necessary to screen their mental state both during their illness and after their quarantine has ended." Foreign studies have looked at the high prevalence of mood and sleep disorders in coronavirus patients during the current and past epidemics. For example, according to Italian studies, anxiety levels have increased from 5% to 36% and sleep disorders from 27.6% to 51.2% during the current epidemic. The data obtained support theories about the relationship between sleep disorders, mood and fatigue. One of these aspects is often missed during patient exams. For example, when a patient complains of mood disorders, the doctor might fail to ask if the patient also experiences sleep disorders, and vice versa. It is no easy task to treat mood disturbances, increased anxiety and impaired sleep quality in COVID-19 patients during their illness and recovery. First of all, the authors note, the drugs prescribed should be compatible with physiological indicators and test results (functions of the lungs, liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system) and should be checked for cross-interactions with the main drug treatment. The authors recommend prescribing low doses of non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics (benzodiazepine tranquilizers can adversely affect weakened respiratory systems) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The prescribed treatment must be monitored by a doctor and the prescribed doses should be carefully tested and titrated. "The current pandemic has not only changed the world in social terms, but has also affected the pattern of mental illness in the population," commented Ainur Ragimova. "We are now seeing an increase in neuropsychiatric disorders of varying severity. The results of this open study indicate that COVID-19 has a significant influence on the formation of anxiety-depressive symptoms and sleep disorders," she said. Explore further Prescription opioid use linked to mood disorders More information: M. A. Samushiya et al, Psychoemotional Disorders and Sleep Impairments in Patients with COVID-19, Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (2022). M. A. Samushiya et al, Psychoemotional Disorders and Sleep Impairments in Patients with COVID-19,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11055-022-01229-z Provided by National Research University Higher School of Economics